House That Hank Built
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My mock Hall of Fame ballot: multiple former Atlanta Braves named

By Alan Carpenter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Hitting coach Barry Bonds #25 of the Miami Marlins looks on during 2016 Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers at Marlins Park on April 5, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Hitting coach Barry Bonds #25 of the Miami Marlins looks on during 2016 Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers at Marlins Park on April 5, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 31: Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 31: Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images) /

Pitching and Defense

SP CLIFF LEE.

  • 43.5 lifetime bWAR, 3.52 ERA, 143-91 record
  • Received Cy Young votes in 5 seasons, winning in 2008
  • Dominate pitcher from 2008-2013
  • 20 wins once, 6 shutouts in 2011 (12 overall)
  • Career ERA+ of 118 with 5 seasons above 130
  • 13 total seasons or parts thereof

Had Lee been able to sustain this run for a few more seasons, he would have a HOF case to argue. But his is not the Sandy Koufax case (12 seasons) where that level of dominance was off the charts from 1961-1966.

Lee had an excellent career – cut short due to injury. That’s unfortunate, but not Hall-Worthy.

SS OMAR VIZQUEL

  • 24 seasons
  • 11 Gold Gloves.  I think he should have had more
  • 3 time All-Star, MVP votes in 1999 (16th)
  • Defense-first SS, hit .277 with an 82 OPS+

Vizquel is not going to get elected base d on his bat, but as many consider him, it’s all about his glove – possibly the best in the sport at the time.

‘Nough said… he gets my vote.

OF JASON GIAMBI

OF BOBBY ABREU

  • Nice 18 year career with .870 lifetime OPS, .291 batting average and 288 homers.
  • Would love to have that in the Braves’ lineup this year.
  • 1 Silver Slugger, 1 Gold Glove, 2 All-Star appearances
  • MVP votes received in 7 seasons, though never higher than 12th place

General conclusion: very solid and consistent career, but not a Hall of Fame career as he was never the feared hitter in his lineups.

SS DEREK JETER

You might be surprised to know that his is only the 15th-ranked career bWAR on this ballot… but that’s still a 72.4 overall, which could from consistency over 20 seasons (3.0 or higher from 1996 through 2009, peaking at 8.0)

  • Rookie of the Year, 1996
  • MVP votes in 12 seasons (2nd once, 3rd twice)
  • All-Star 14 times
  • Gold Glove 4 times (somehow) and 5 Silver Sluggers
  • 3,465 total hits, lifetime .310 batting average. Led majors in hits both in 1999 and 2012.

Gets my vote for the Hall of Fame

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