Do they deserve it?

In Baseball, the Hall of Fame is where you separate the good from the great. There are players who feel that they deserve to get in, but their career stats just don’t scream Hall of Fame.  For the Hall of Fame in 2008, there are many players who want to get in, but do they deserve to become a member of the greatest team in baseball history?Rich “Goose” Gossage, was the name that brought fear into the minds of any opposing batter. He had that opposing look and the pitches to back him up. When he began his career, people thought that he was a hard thrower, who might be able to become a good major league pitcher. Gossage was set to prove everyone wrong, especially when he became a New York Yankee. In his first season with New York, he helped the Yankees overcome the 14 ½ game deficit behind the Boston Red Sox. In that same season, the Yankees won the World Series. In 1980, Goose would finish third in the MVP and CY YOUNG award race. The closer would finish his career with 310 saves and three World Series appearances. He was also a nine time all-star. Not many closers make the Hall of Fame, but this isn’t any ordinary closer!

The career of Mark McGwire was never in doubt, until the report came out that he took performance enhancing drugs. Last year when he was on the Hall of Fame ballot, he only received 23 percent of the votes. To make the Hall of Fame, you need 75% of the vote. Before the suspicion of cheating, McGwire was considered to be a lock for the Hall of Fame. His 583 career homeruns ranks in the top ten. His 70 homeruns in 1998 ranks him second on the all time single season list. (Barry Bonds broke the record in 2001.) Mark is also a 12 time all-star and he won a World Series title in 1989. McGwire may never see the hall of fame in his future, but should he?

Andre Dawson was like the Goose Gossage of hitting. He had the type of power that was rarely seen and he could control his power to make mincemeat out of the baseball. He won the 1987 NL MVP award with his 49 homeruns for the Cubs. Andre had 438 career homeruns, and he was an eight time all-star. The only thing that could possibly be against Dawson, is the fact that he never won a World Series title. In his career, Andre had borderline numbers. If he was able to hit 500 homeruns, he would of made the hall of fame by now. If he won a World Series, he might have made the hall of fame sooner. Since he hasn’t done any of those things, will he make the hall of fame?

Before Trevor Hoffman broke his record, Lee Smith was a common baseball name. Even though he had 478 career saves, there were many downsides to his career. Lee Smith had a career record of 71-92. That is one of the worst winning percentages for a closer with over 300 saves. In the playoffs, Smith was worse. He was 0-2 with an ERA of 8.44. He never made it to the World Series and he might never make it to the hall of fame.

Don Mattingly was considered to be one of the greatest defensive first basemen in the history of baseball. He is second all time in gold gloves for a first baseman. Don only trails Keith Hernandez in gold glove awards. There are more aspects to Mattingly’s career then just his defense. He won the 1984 AL Batting Title and the 1985 AL MVP. Mattingly was also a six time all star. He was so good, the Yankees named him the captain of the team. For a while, Don Mattingly was the face of New York. Should he be a face in the hall of fame?

The Red Sox should never forget him, and neither should the game of baseball. Jim Rice was a great MLB player. He appeared in eight all-star games and he won the 1978 AL MVP (Despite the Red Sox collapse.) Jim did appear in one World Series against the New York Mets. He had a .298 career batting average, with 382 homeruns and 1451 RBIS. The game of baseball would be crazy not to put Rice in the hall of fame.

Alone, his playing career wouldn’t land Billy Martin in the hall of fame. His guts, determination and managerial status should be enough though. Billy Martin started his playing career in 1950 with the New York Yankees. Martin would win four World Series titles and in 1953, Martin won the World Series MVP. He was also an all-star in 1956, but those statistics aren’t enough for anyone to make the hall of fame. Billy Martin became the manager of the Twins in 1969 and lead them to a 97 win season. Martin would win 90 or more games five more times in his career. He was most famous for managing the Yankees. Martin won his only World Series title as a manager with the Yanks in 1977. His fights with George Steinbrenner became legendary because every time they got into a fight, Martin would get fired. For some reason though, he would always be rehired by George and the Yankees. Billy Martin was also a manager with a big temper. He was known to kick dirt at the umpires constantly. Martin just couldn’t take losing. His career record as a manager was 1253-1013. Whoever says Billy Martin shouldn’t make the hall of fame is insane. His career and personalty speaks for itself!

These are just a few of the many candidates trying to make the hall of fame. Some of these people deserve to make it, where some don’t. The players who make it will be remembered as heroes and champions for their accomplishments. For those who won’t make the hall of fame, they should not be ashamed of their careers. Baseball is a hard game to play and just playing baseball professionally is an accomplishment in itself. Will the players above make the ultimate baseball dream? As fans we can only wait and see!

(source: baseball reference.com)