Quote:
Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm
If he can somehow keep beating back Father Time, put together a couple more All-Star type level seasons, maybe pad his stats with a couple more seasons of decent productivity, I think he eventually gets into Cooperstown. But the writers are notorious for gatekeeping catchers. It’s pretty ridiculous. And the various veterans committees aren’t much better.
Gary Carter not a first ballot HOFer? Carlton Fisk not a first ballot HOFer? Thurman Munson still not even in? It’s preposterous.
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The criteria for a catcher making the HOF is some of the dumbest shit in the history of baseball.
To me, a catcher needs to be elite defensively and be able to control the running game, AND be able to hit pretty decently as well. I'm obviously not a Cards fan, but if Yadier Molina doesn't make the HOF, that will be the biggest crock of shit ever.
And then they go and put someone like Mike Piazza in because he played in NY and hit a lot of HR's and was Tommy Lasorda's boy.
Dude was utter SHIT defensively. He was basically a DH masquerading as a catcher.
Salvy was an elite defensive catcher for several years and absolutely controlled the running game better than almost all other catchers in baseball for several years. And he can hit .270 get you 20+ HR's and 80+ RBI, even in his younger years. With longevity figured in and the ambassador (yes, I think these things matter) for the game he has been, especially in his home country, to me he absolutely IS a HOFer. I realize he will never be first ballot, but he should be in there eventually.
But MLB writers and voters have some ****ed up criteria and priorities when it comes to deciding which catchers get in. It's maddening.