The Indians game was ridiculous.
Right?! My son and I went to a preseason hockey game, and I saw at one point that the Jays were up 8-1. The game ended and we drove home, and I turned it on and the Mariners had just taken the lead 10-9. I let out an audible "holy shit!"
Seriously weak efforts from the Rays and Cards (too bad for Pujols and Molina). HUGE game from the Mets yesterday. Really glad that's the one series going 3 games.
With due respect to a fellow local, the "biggest games in Mariners history" list is a short one.
Pujols? Definitely. Molina? I could see him taking a bit longer. I don't personally view him as a HOF player although he has been a very very good player.
Anyone that doesn't put Molina on their ballot simply has a prejudice against catchers. I am not saying Jorge Posada is a HOFer, but he literally fell off the ballot for so few votes. Jason Varitek literally received just one vote.
I'd put both in, honestly.
As far as Molina, I'd think the 8 Gold Gloves could help separate him. Although I think Gold Gloves can also be won on reputation, but he's been the premier catcher of his generation.
Molina is a no-brainer, but I can't go there with either Posada or Varitek.
Never underestimate the stupidity of voters. Jim Edmonds won 8 (count 'em, 8!!) Gold Gloves and didn't get enough votes in his first year of eligibility to remain on the ballot, so voters in general do not seem to care all that much about defense, but it is a bit different for catchers.
Not really. What other catchers have gotten in recently. Ivan Roidrigues?
There are only 19 catchers in the HOF, which is the second lowest of any position (there are only 17 3Bs). The only catchers to play since 1970 in the HOF are Johnny Bench (1989), Gary Carter (2003), Carlton Fisk (2000), Mike Piazza (2016), Ivan Rodriguez (2017), and Ted Simmons (2020). I think Simmons getting in (via the veterans committee) was a bit of a joke, but putting him in but not putting Molina in would be a travesty of epic proportions.
Molina was probably the best defensive catcher of this generation. That alone should put him in the HoF. His offensive numbers, outside of his peak years from 2011-2013, are not great. The problem is most HoF voters don't seem to care about defensive metrics.
It wasn't just probable. There's no question Molina was the best defensive catcher of his generation (and maybe ever). The stolen base has been in decline for may years, but Molina completely removed it from his opponents' arsenal. Not only that, but his ability to handle the pitching staff was unparalleled. If ever there was a player who was a coach on the field, it was Molina.
Topic: 2022 MLB Thread formerly the 2021 thread.. (Read 72426 times)
