Gary Sheffield -HOF?

[dps]

I'd vote for him without question.

I doubt he'll get elected though, at least not by the BBWAA. I'd say he has a better chance with the Veteran's Committee far in the future.

The thing is, as time goes by, most players are remembered more and more for the numbers that they put up, and less and less for everything else. With Sheffield, his numbers are good enough, it's the other things that are likely to hurt him in the voting. So there's 2 questions: 1) will the memory of how much an ass he was on occasion fade enough that the BBWAA will select him before the time they have to consider him runs out? (I'm guessing "No") and 2) will the new-style Veteren's Committee ever elect anyone? (Here I'd guess "yes" or else, "no, but it will be revamped again into a format that will elect people"--and either way, Sheffield will probably be one of the stronger candidates available to them.

[chuckwillard]

I probably would vote for him. I tend to measure on-the-field achievements, and he had quite a few. Don't forget he started his career as a SS, moved to 3B, and then the OF, along with playing some 1B. That's good versatility. He played well and was among the top players in three decades, in both leagues. Right now there is no eligible 500 HR hitter not in the Hall, except McGwire (and I would vote for McGwire). Sheffield will certainly have 500 HR before he retires. And as for the "limping to 500" part, it's probably a very good thing we didn't have a blogosphere when Babe Ruth played his last few seasons.

[HoustonGM]

I probably would vote for him. I tend to measure on-the-field achievements, and he had quite a few. Don't forget he started his career as a SS, moved to 3B, and then the OF, along with playing some 1B. That's good versatility.

I wouldn't call that versatility. I'd call that not being a good enough infielder...

[Frijolito]

Lets see, intentionally commiting errors so the brewers would trade him. Calling the brewers management racist after Bill Spiers beat him out for the starting SS job, Accused the Brewers of being racist, again, after they traded a 39 year old Dave Parker for a young OF named Dante Bichette. Repeatedly had run ins with the fans, media, management etc. And thats just his short time with the Brewers. Me personally I think Sheffield is a piece of feces. He has had a good career numbers wise though, and he hasn't retired yet. By the time he is up for election, the whole outrage over steriods and such might not be what it is now. I hope he doesn't make it, but I won't be surprised if he did.

[dickay]

The thing is, as time goes by, most players are remembered more and more for the numbers that they put up, and less and less for everything else. With Sheffield, his numbers are good enough, it's the other things that are likely to hurt him in the voting. So there's 2 questions: 1) will the memory of how much an ass he was on occasion fade enough that the BBWAA will select him before the time they have to consider him runs out? (I'm guessing "No") and 2) will the new-style Veteren's Committee ever elect anyone? (Here I'd guess "yes" or else, "no, but it will be revamped again into a format that will elect people"--and either way, Sheffield will probably be one of the stronger candidates available to them.

Outstanding points!

[dickay]

Lets see, intentionally commiting errors so the brewers would trade him. Calling the brewers management racist after Bill Spiers beat him out for the starting SS job, Accused the Brewers of being racist, again, after they traded a 39 year old Dave Parker for a young OF named Dante Bichette. Repeatedly had run ins with the fans, media, management etc. And thats just his short time with the Brewers. Me personally I think Sheffield is a piece of feces. He has had a good career numbers wise though, and he hasn't retired yet. By the time he is up for election, the whole outrage over steriods and such might not be what it is now. I hope he doesn't make it, but I won't be surprised if he did.

Ty Cobb wasn't exactly the type you want your daughter to bring home either.

[Frijolito]

Ty Cobb wasn't exactly the type you want your daughter to bring home either.

Never said he was.

[haveacigar]

Never said he was.

point being, there's a lot of A holes in the hall of fame. just because he was a jerk and a poor sport in his early 20s doesn't mean he should miss the hall of fame.

[ohms_law]

Or even his whole career...

[HoustonGM]

Or even his whole career...

Huh?

[ohms_law]

Huh?

just because he was a jerk and a poor sport in his early 20s doesn't mean he should miss the hall of fame.

to which I said:

Or even his whole career...

[HoustonGM]

Ah, yeah, got it. It just confused me a bit.

[metsguy234]

A better question is- If he makes it in, what cap will he wear?

[HoustonGM]

A better question is- If he makes it in, what cap will he wear?

Florida or LA

[gRYFYN1]

Florida or LA

Yeah maybe Fla being where he got a WS but man... Look at his career, amazingly odd.

Quick fact number of season he played more than 100 games by team ---

Mil -1
SD -1
FLA-2
LA-3
ATL-2
NY-2
DET-1 (so far)