HOF Class of 2009

Congratulations to Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson!

Jim Rice:

A tremendously powerful offensive player and a solid glove. The only other players to lead their league in total bases three consecutive years are:

Ty Cobb,Honus Wagner,Rogers Hornsby Johnny Mize and Hank Aaron.

Good company to say the least. A "Deans list" of all-time offensive players.

Rice became the first AL player to accomplish the feat in 70 years when he did it in 1979.

One could make the case that Jim Rice was the best offensive player in the AL from 1975-1986.

Top Ten during that time-

Batting Average-6 times

On Base-2

Slugging-8

At Bats-7

Runs-6

Hits-8

Total Bases-9

Doubles-3

Triples-4

Home Runs-7

RBIs-9

Well Done #14

Ricky Henderson:

25 years in the Big Show, 94.8% of the vote, all-time leader in stolen bases and runs scored, drew more than 100 walks in a season 7 times. The greatest leadoff hitter of all time?



We also forget he also hit for power with 4 seasons with more than 20 home runs.

Now if we can just get Bert Blyleven the respect he deserves!

3701 strikeouts (5th all time),287 wins, 60 shutouts, 242 complete games a 2.47 ERA in the post-season and two rings.

Bert got 62% this year (needs 75%).

FYI MacGwire received 21.9%

Next years first-time candidates:

(in alphabetical order): Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Andy Ashby, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Shane Reynolds, Robin Ventura, and Todd Zeile.

Wow, not much....Larkin? Appier? Alomar (as an umpire I hope not, remember the spitting incident).

Larkin could be hurt by the fact that he played part of his career in the shadow of the great #17.

Edgar Martinez should have the offensive numbers: .312 career average and 309 home runs but no golden gloves. He was a real butcher at 3B with a range factor of 1.79 and spent most of his career as a DH and that could count against him.