Albert Belle and Harold Baines
I just reading up on Orioles.com today and saw two articles posted on whether Harold Baines or Albert Belle are legitimate candidates for the Hall of Fame.
Well, let's consider Harold Baines first. He always seen as a quiet, focused, but steady and consistent. He's a local guy from across the Bay Bridge and although he came up short of 3,000 hits (he had 2,866 career hits), he played 22 years for the White Sox, A's, Rangers, Orioles and Indians. Baines finished with a .289 average, 384 home runs, 488 doubles, 1,299 runs scored, 1,062 walks against just 1,441 strikeouts and 2,830 games played.
Should he get in: Yes. His numbers are very solid, and even though he came short of 3,000 hits, he played for winning teams and he was the epitome of professional. He may have to wait a few rounds to get in, but he will get in eventually, I think.
Link: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1765913&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
Now, let's go to Albert Belle. A menacing, intimidating figure to opposing pitchers, the media and some fans, he was a heck of a ballplayer and a prolific homerun hitter. Belle spoke with his bat and he was an integral part of Cleveland's success of the 1990's. Albert Belle retired early because of a condition of his hip while with the Orioles, but he played 12 years and hit 381 home runs in that period. However, for all his success, his temper and incidents on and off the field have perhaps soiled his contributions on the field and perhaps his chance at the Hall of Fame.
Should he get in: As much as I find him to be a sociopath and loathe his incidents, it's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Morals. His number are incredible for someone who played as long as he did and he does not have the longevity factor on his side to have accumulated the lofty numbers of some of his peers. Based on the numbers, he should get in, but people have long memories, and his behavior off the field will serve as that. He may not get in while the writers and media have control, but perhaps with the Players' Committee.
Link: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1766415&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
Well, let's consider Harold Baines first. He always seen as a quiet, focused, but steady and consistent. He's a local guy from across the Bay Bridge and although he came up short of 3,000 hits (he had 2,866 career hits), he played 22 years for the White Sox, A's, Rangers, Orioles and Indians. Baines finished with a .289 average, 384 home runs, 488 doubles, 1,299 runs scored, 1,062 walks against just 1,441 strikeouts and 2,830 games played.
Should he get in: Yes. His numbers are very solid, and even though he came short of 3,000 hits, he played for winning teams and he was the epitome of professional. He may have to wait a few rounds to get in, but he will get in eventually, I think.
Link: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1765913&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
Now, let's go to Albert Belle. A menacing, intimidating figure to opposing pitchers, the media and some fans, he was a heck of a ballplayer and a prolific homerun hitter. Belle spoke with his bat and he was an integral part of Cleveland's success of the 1990's. Albert Belle retired early because of a condition of his hip while with the Orioles, but he played 12 years and hit 381 home runs in that period. However, for all his success, his temper and incidents on and off the field have perhaps soiled his contributions on the field and perhaps his chance at the Hall of Fame.
Should he get in: As much as I find him to be a sociopath and loathe his incidents, it's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Morals. His number are incredible for someone who played as long as he did and he does not have the longevity factor on his side to have accumulated the lofty numbers of some of his peers. Based on the numbers, he should get in, but people have long memories, and his behavior off the field will serve as that. He may not get in while the writers and media have control, but perhaps with the Players' Committee.
Link: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1766415&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
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