Jeff Bagwell was elected into the Hall of Fame yesterday, along with Tim Raines and Pudge Rodriguez. The Astro great’s numbers compare favorably to borderline candidates Fred McGriff and Dale Murphy. Perhaps Bagwell’s super cool long goatee endeared himself to the voters.
In fewer games Bagwell collected more home runs, doubles, runs, stolen bases, hit by pitches, sacrifice flies, walks, and fewer strikeouts than the two former Braves sluggers. Bags won Rookie of the Year and played his entire 15 year career in out-of-the way Houston. Perhaps HOF voters are finally getting their act together, electing worthy small market candidates like Bagwell and Tim Raines.
Also to Bagwell’s credit: he played 60% of his career in the cavernous Astrodome. Add just one Astrodome home run a month for those nine years to his total, and he’s a member of the 500 home run club.
McGriff 1986-2004, 5 ASG, 3 SS
Murphy 1976-1993, 7 ASG, 4 SS, 5 GG, 2 MVPs
Bagwell 1991-2005, 4 ASG, 3 SS, 1 GG, ROY
While Murphy’s number fall short of Bagwell’s in every area except triples, sacrifice bunts, games played, and intentional walks, the Stormin’ Mormon had more all-star appearances and Silver Sluggers. Murf won more Gold Gloves while playing a tougher position. Then there’s the matter of Murphy’s two straight Most Valuable Player Awards.
McGriff played in more games and had more plate appearances, helping him edge Bagwell with more hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, and intentional walks. The Crime Dog also played in more all-star games and won as many Silver Sluggers as Bagwell. McGriff had a pretty good run, especially early in his career, with numbers comparable to several hall of famers who played in larger markets. His 493 home runs alone merit consideration.
YR..G..….PA….runs..hits...2B..3B..HR..RBI..SB..CS..BB…SO
15 2150 09431 1517 2314 488 32 449 1529 202 78 1401 1558 JB
19 2460 10174 1349 2490 441 24 493 1550 072 38 1305 1882 FM
18 2180 09041 1197 2111 350 39 398 1266 161 68 0986 1748 DM
21 2543 10270 1354 2844 572 51 311 1332 127 64 0513 1474 PR
Some small numbers that stand out: Rodriguez’ high number of sacrifice bunts, and his low number of walks (and intentional passes).
.BA.OBP.SLG.OPS.TB.GDP.HBP.SH..SF.IBB
297 408 540 948 4213 221 128 03 102 155 JB
284 377 509 886 4458 226 039 02 071 171 FM
265 346 469 815 3733 209 028 06 060 159 DM
296 334 464 798 4451 337 058 31 076 067 PR
Interesting to compare Pudge with two of the greatest catchers of all time: Yogi Berra and Johnny Bench. In both comparisons it’s clear that Pudge was more of a line drive singles and doubles hitter than he was a slugger – a little odd for an elite catcher. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
YR…G….PA.…runs...hits..2B..3B..HR..RBI..SB..CS..BB..SO
21 2543 10270 1354 2844 572 51 311 1332 127 64 513 1474 PR
19 2120 08359 1175 2150 321 49 358 1430 030 26 704 0414 YB
17 2158 08674 1091 2048 381 24 389 1376 068 43 891 1278 JB
Pudge tallied more singles, doubles, triples, and runs than Berra and Bench, he had almost 2000 more plate attempts. Ivan’s .296 average is impressive, as well as his 2543 games played. With fewer chances Yogi had more home runs and RBI, walked more, and struck out over one thousand fewer times (and over 850 fewer times than Bench). Berra’s on base, slugging, and therefor OPS were higher than Pudge and Bench.
.BA.OBP.SLG.OPS.TB.GDP.HBP.SH.SF.IBB
296 334 464 798 4451 337 058 31 76 067 PR
285 348 482 830 3643 146 052 09 44 049 YB
267 342 476 817 3644 201 019 11 90 135 JB
Rodriquez was a worthy candidate, with 14 all-star appearances, seven Silver Slugger Awards, and 13 Gold Gloves – a record for catchers. His lone MVP were fewer than Berra (three) and Bench (two).
Rodriguez 1991-2011: 14 ASG, 7 SS, 13 GG, MVP
Yogi Berra 1946 1965: 15 straight ASG, 3 MVPs
J. Bench 1967-1983: 14 ASG, 8 GG, ROY, 2 MVPs
As always, it goes without saying that all the numbers above are dwarfed by Herschel’s NFL numbers.
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