Friday, July 25, 2003
Murray deserves Hall; Carter does not
Why is Gary Carter going to be in the Hall of Fame?
The case for Eddie Murray is simple: 504 home runs, 3255 hits, seven seasons batting .300 or better, almost 2,000 runs batted in.
A look at Carter's stats, however, reveals no explanation for his induction tomorrow. There are dozens of players with similar stats whom you would never consider putting in the Hall of Fame. A career average of .262? Only two seasons with 30 or more home runs, and never more than 32? A better case could be made for Albert Belle, who had 14 more RBIs in almost a thousand fewer games and an average 33 points higher. Or why not Steve Garvey (1308 RBIs, .294 average)? Or Al Oliver (1326 RBIs and a .303 average)? Ted Simmons, Dwight Evans, Ken Griffey (Sr.) and Chili Davis all should be in the Hall if Carter is; they all have more RBIs and a better average. (Here's a stat that's almost too unbelievable: Out of all the major leaguers who ever played the game, only 60, that's right, just 60, have more RBIs than Chili Davis.)
The case for Eddie Murray is simple: 504 home runs, 3255 hits, seven seasons batting .300 or better, almost 2,000 runs batted in.
A look at Carter's stats, however, reveals no explanation for his induction tomorrow. There are dozens of players with similar stats whom you would never consider putting in the Hall of Fame. A career average of .262? Only two seasons with 30 or more home runs, and never more than 32? A better case could be made for Albert Belle, who had 14 more RBIs in almost a thousand fewer games and an average 33 points higher. Or why not Steve Garvey (1308 RBIs, .294 average)? Or Al Oliver (1326 RBIs and a .303 average)? Ted Simmons, Dwight Evans, Ken Griffey (Sr.) and Chili Davis all should be in the Hall if Carter is; they all have more RBIs and a better average. (Here's a stat that's almost too unbelievable: Out of all the major leaguers who ever played the game, only 60, that's right, just 60, have more RBIs than Chili Davis.)
