what new players?

[thedude]

2008 will be a chance for these guys to get in:

* Harold Baines
* Bert Blyleven
* Dave Concepción
* Andre Dawson
* Rich "Goose" Gossage
* Tommy John
* Don Mattingly
* Mark McGwire
* Jack Morris
* Dale Murphy
* Dave Parker
* Jim Rice
* Lee Smith
* Alan Trammell
I would like to see Rice, Murphy and Dawson get in.

[Bloody Sox]

If Nen gets in before Gossage, that would be insane.

Maybe 2008 is the year Rice gets in.

[J35J]

* Bert Blyleven
* Mark McGwire

Those are the only ones I would vote for.

[chargerss24]

Brady Anderson, Andy Benes, Delino DeShields, Shawon Dunston, Chuck Finley, Travis Fryman, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch, Mike Morgan, Robb Nen, Tim Raines, Greg Swindell, Randy Velarde, Mark Wohlers.

YUCK!!!!!

[GotowarMissAgnes]

Raines has an argument, but overall I don't see it. At LF, which is a prime hitting position, his numbers just aren't there to warrant HOF. For around 7 years he was one of the better players in the game, but there was never really an argument that he was the best, and 7 great years doesn't get you into the Hall in my book.

I don't think Raines is as easy a choice as Pearlman says, but he deserves a lot closer consideration than most people give him. Gwynn was also a corner OF with little power, and no one questions his choice. Despite the lack of power, Raines OPS+ over his career was 23 percent higher than the average player similar to many of the other high OBP/speed guys that are worthy of the Hall. OPS+, in fact, undervalues these players, since OBP is much more important than slugging to real baseball value. In addition, Raines was a GREAT base stealer 85% success is incredible for a lifetime percentage. He also had a ton of doubles and triples, which doesn't excite people as much as HRs, but if you look you will see that his slugging percentage was actually 7% above league average during his play.

Raines probably won't get in, because people will look at BA and HRs, rather than other important numbers. But, he should get a lot closer look.

[hot4tx]

Raines probably won't get in, because people will look at BA and HRs, rather than other important numbers. But, he should get a lot closer look.

I agree. I always liked Raines and think it would be neat if he got in, but I think he'll get overshadowed by other OFs. David Justice was another guy that I liked watching when he played, but I don't think he'll have the numbers to back it up. If Andre Dawson has some problems getting in, Raines and Justice are done.

[buffalobillsrul2002]

Raines might be a better candidate than what I was giving him credit for. If you add in his SB, he ends up being a very borderline guy. How was he in the field? I never saw him play in the field..... I see no GG, but I also know that Gold Gloves have a lot to do with reputation...