01-07-2010, 09:40 AM
<!--quoteo(post=74435:date=Jan 7 2010, 07:34 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Jan 7 2010, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->The Hawk didn't make a lot of outs because making a lot of outs was deemed good. He made a lot of outs because he was expected to swing away with RISP.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I wish more players did this today. There are a lot of stat hounds who compile worthless walks when swinging and putting the ball in play would give their team a better chance of scoring runs than letting the next guy try.
That said, a good arguement can be made for Tim Raines, but it probably ends up being a lowest common denominator type arguement - one that I'd vote against.
Raines will probably be the best leadoff hitter to never make the HOF. That's acceptable to me. I'd put him with guys like Jim Rice in the Hall of Awfully Good, but Not Quite Great, if such a place exists. If the HOF wasnt' watered down, I'd probably take a big handful of guys currently in and move them there too. And it would open up a spot for guys like Blyleven and many more...
I wish more players did this today. There are a lot of stat hounds who compile worthless walks when swinging and putting the ball in play would give their team a better chance of scoring runs than letting the next guy try.
That said, a good arguement can be made for Tim Raines, but it probably ends up being a lowest common denominator type arguement - one that I'd vote against.
Raines will probably be the best leadoff hitter to never make the HOF. That's acceptable to me. I'd put him with guys like Jim Rice in the Hall of Awfully Good, but Not Quite Great, if such a place exists. If the HOF wasnt' watered down, I'd probably take a big handful of guys currently in and move them there too. And it would open up a spot for guys like Blyleven and many more...