Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Chipper Jones Hall of Famer?
I had a long conversation with Kevin about Braves baseball and he made the comment that Chipper Jones hadn't had a bad at bat all year and the Braves needed to make one final run next year for the sake of him and Smoltz. This made me think. I've known about Chipper Jones basically since his entry into the National League in 1995 and pretty much have taken him for granted as the best third baseman in the National League. Don't argue with me: I've checked the names on the National League Rosters since 1995 and I've seen names I didn't want to (Read: Ken Caminiti). The only guy in his echelon at third in the NL at his age is Scott Rolen. So for the past decade give or take a year, Chipper Jones has been the BEST third baseman in the NL with apologies to Rolen. However, his stats aren't really Hall of Famer caliber. He hasn't reached 400 home runs and just passed 2000 hits. When you look closer though, he averaged a .306 average with 33 home runs and 110 rbis. So does the committee completely deny him because his lack of accumulated stats or realize that he was THE third baseman in the National League for the past ten years? He is 35 so might have a few more years to maybe, possibly reach 450 home runs and 2500 hits but even so...
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very interesting points steve. personally, i think chipper needs about 2 or 3 more solid years of plate production to be a hall of famer. thus far i see him as a top tier player over the last decade plus (like scott rolen), but the hall of fame is for the especially incredible, not just top tier. i think chipper needs to hit a few more long balls while keeping his average up and then he should get in.
scott rolen is another interesting thing -- along with his teammate jimmy edmonds. neither of the two have been the most offensively intimidating forces at their positions during their careers (chipper is better than rolen, andruw jones better than jimmy) but they both have been arguably (well, really there's no argument in rolen's case) the best defensive player at their respective positions. just look at the gold glove awards... rolen has 7; edmonds has 8. so will defensive achievement be a legitimately considered factor when considering these two for the hall? or will the offensive stats (or lack thereof) be what decides their fates?
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