A post from January 2007
Mark McGwire is out as was expected. I believe that the Hall of Fame will come down very hard on McGwire, Palmeiro and Sosa. In fact, we may have 3 of the Top 10 HR hitters out of the Hall of Fame. Of course, I have not mentioned Bonds, who has some other problems.
Like Tony Oliva and Dick Allen, David Concepcion should be in the HOF.
Can you think of a better shortstop in the 1970s? Robin Yount is the only name that comes to mind. Who was better than Concepcion? Who was more complete?
Speaking of Dick Allen, See The Greatest Player Who Isn't in the Hall of Fame:
"Richard Anthony "Dick" (aka "Richie") Allen played for just 10 full seasons yet led his league in home runs twice, RBIs once, on-base average twice, and slugging three times. He was also named the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year and the 1972 American League MVP. As his record stands, a great many baseball historians would argue Allen was the best hitter in baseball between 1964 and 1974."What a coincidence. Oliva and Allen were the AL and NL Rookie of the Year in '64. Allen and Oliva played in the late 60's when pitchers dominated baseball.
Allen's 351 homers would compare with 500 today.
Oliva was a .304 lifetime hitter with 3 batting titles and 2,000 hits in 1964-76. (He was a part time player after '71 because of knee injuries)
Anyway, I hope that the veterans committee will reconsider Allen, Oliva and Concepcion. They deserve to be in Cooperstown.
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