I know these "lists" are intended to stir controversy but has Rob Neyer watched any of these players over the past decade or so? .....he says Rafael Palmeiro (one of the most consistent hitters for both power and average of the past 20 years along with being one of the game's top RBI producers of his generation) is NOT a definite first ballot Hall of Famer but Biggio and Alomar ARE? eek! ....Craig Biggio is a terrific team player and has been a mainstay in the Houston lineup for a long period of time but does he belong in Cooperstown? -- highly doubtful IMHO and certainly NOT on the first ballot.

I even have some doubts as to how many years it will take Ken Griffey Jr (once considered a lock to be inducted on the first ballot) to secure his place among the game's immortals....I know some would argue that any topic that generates discussion is good for the game but I honestly think far too many writers lately (particularly those employed by the "worldwide leader in sports") have begun to make a habit of intentionally including ridiculous names in their "lists of greatness" for the sole purpose of raising the ire of the baseball "purist"....who will appear on his Hall of Fame list next week? -- Jesse Orosco on the sheer basis of his longevity?

There are already a surplus of slugging first basemen and outfielders in the HOF (still, I'd put Bagwell and Thomas in right now). Palmeiro (tho a fine hitter) is the least impressive member of the 500 HR club ever.

Also, second base is possibly the scarcest position in the Hall, and Biggio and Alomar are *clearly* among the ten best ever at the keystone.

The Griffey backlash is a silly result of his being overhyped earlier. Assuming he has a couple more decent years, he should be a first-ballot lock.

You and I clearly have a difference of opinion on this matter, Bill, particularly pertaining to Rafael Palmeiro and his overwhelmingly consistent offensive production over the past 12-15 years....despite the fact that he has been largely overlooked in All-Star balloting and MVP recognition as well as publicity by many members of the national media (due in large part to his unselfish, non-ego driven personality, contrary to many of his contemporaries in the 90s) I don't see how anyone can objectively examine Rafael's performance and not vote for him on the first ballot....I'm not trying to overemphasize the importance of stats but entering 2003 Palmeiro has had 8 consecutive seasons of 100 or more RBI (including 5 years over 120 and 2 years over 140) and has surpassed that mark 9 of the last 10 seasons....what is even more impressive IMHO is the fact that Raffy has been such a potent run producer despite spending most of his 17 year career (during which he has amassed a .293 lifetime batting average in over 9000 at bats) while primarily playing for mediocre teams without the benefit of being surrounded in the lineup by equally productive, Hall-of-Fame caliber hitters.

I suppose arguments such as these is one of the things that makes our national pasttime so unique and special (in no other sport will you find such impassioned debate where players of today are compared with players of generations ago) but while I view Alomar and especially Biggio (who I have always been a HUGE fan of, btw, and not solely because he is so damn cute -- and has aged VERY well I might add) as marginal Hall of Famers at best but I think Rafael Palmeiro has been one of the most unheralded superstars that the game has ever seen.

[ July 28, 2003, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: gamecock ]