General Forum

I finally took on the task of going through all my boxes of junk wax card from late 80s/early 90s to pull out sentimental cards and HOFers to upgrade their living conditions before putting the remainder back in the corner of the garage to continue their slow, painful death...:-)

Question: As I was pulling out cards I was trying to think of which players from that time period that are not in HOF could eventually get in, likely by Committee selection (thanks Harold Baines!) and I'm curious of my potential candidates which ones you think are a slam dunk to eventually get in or absolutely no chance - would love to hear some input. The possible candidates in my mind were:

Dave Parker, Dale Murphy, Steve Garvey, Jeff Kent, Andres Galarraga, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Albert Belle, Omar Vizquel

I've left those tied to PEDs off list as we all know that's a complete crapshoot. 

Ok, not a lot of time, but I love this kind of question, so I'll at least shoot out a couple names that come to mind. I'm sure to be back at this thread later.

Lee Smith, Alan Trammel, and Jack Morris are all long sho....wait. Nevermind.

Lou Whitaker might join Trammel. Ted Simmons might someday get some consideration. Every now and then people mention Rick Reuschel as a sabermetrics candidate. I don't think he'll make, though. Mark Grace, with the most hits of anyone in the 80s, is also a longshot but I doubt he'll make the cut.

I shall think some more, but don't you believe that the sudden HOF status of some players will change the value of their 1986 Topps cards....

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This is a great video making the case for Larry Walker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE87YOZRHEU&t=8s

From your list Dale Murphy and Larry Walker were my top 2 guesses.

I have an '86 Dale Murphy encased in shrine waiting for his HOF election so I can then retire! :-) I agree, won't do much for value but just makes for a more interesting attribute to attach to my collection. I'm really surprised that McGriff doesn't get much love; his numbers are almost identical to Tony Perez. Good call on Ted Simmons, I forgot to add his name in my post but I was pulling his cards out, another quiet yet impressive career.

With the bar set by Lee Smith's induction, I've got to think John Franco will get some consideration.  Good Call on Dave Parker, I think the post-career DUIs keep Grace out.  Honestly, with last year's class, pretty much anyone above average has a chance.

Skipping those already mentioned, and seeing how wide open the veteran's committee vote has become, I would add Lance Parrish, Dave Concepcion, Orel Hershiser, Keith Hernandez, Fernando Valenzuela, Hal McRae, maybe Kenny Lofton as Baines-level-or-better who had lengthy careers.  Tom Kelly and Cito Gaston both won 2 WS as managers in that era.  Not sure I think any of them belong, but that wasn't the question.  McGriff, Simmons, and Walker belong.

Well, I have a bit more time now, but switzr has got me pretty well covered with his additions. George Foster? Darryl Strawberry? I doubt it for both, but the kind of player, statistically, who might get some thoughts. Vince Coleman? If we're adding Francos, Julio?

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The mention of Tom Kelly and Cito Gaston are certainly worthy mentions among all the other names of possibles. I wonder if there was any HOF love for Jimmy Smokes: Jim Leyland? Beloved everywhere he went and quite successful (except for Colorado) everywhere he went.

I just noticed that I didn't actually answer the question you asked, but went on my own riff of other candidates, which others have followed. The short and accurate answer to your question about which of the candidates you put forth as possibilities is: they all have a great shot. Really. Any one or all of those players have a legitimate chance of making the Hall. But I'll say that I think Albert Belle is the least likely to make it and Dale Murphy is the most likely to make it, both for reasons unrelated to actual statistics.

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