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three25hitsComparing numbers along in Mattingly/Puckett isn't fair. Puckett played centerfield, Mattingly firstbase. The same stats from a centerfielder are worth more than from a 1b. Mattingly doesn't belong in the HOF. Not crazy about Puckett either though.
Manditory reading for HOF discussions is James' Politics of Glory.
The best criteria for HOF consideration, for me, is the question "Is this person the best player currently NOT in the HOF?"
If the answer is "yes", then consider the guy. If the answer is "no", then don't consider the guy.
Blyleven, Sandberg, Molitor.
Sit on everyone else for another year. Eck will get there, but how to value "closers" is TBD. I think the best player not in the HOF is Santo then Sandberg (Molitor's 3000 hits gets him in), the best pitcher is Blyleven.