Do Roger Maris or Albert Belle belong in the HOF

[packs]

Originally Posted by ctownboy

IF Roger Maris had played for a bad team in 1961 and NOT the Yankees would we even be HAVING this discussion??

Maris is NOT a Hall of Famer and the only reason for his fame is because he was a Yankee.

David

If I remember correctly, neither Hank Aaron, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds were Yankees yet they are all remembered for the same thing: hitting a magic number of home runs.

Who else did that? I think a guy named Roger Maris.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

If I remember correctly, neither Hank Aaron, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds were Yankees yet they are all remembered for the same thing: hitting a magic number of home runs.

Who else did that? I think a guy named Roger Maris.

I kinda doubt he hits 61 without that guy who hit 4th behind him -- now what was his name -- Mickey something.

[Moonlight Graham]

Albert Belle + Steroids + Corked Bat = No HOF

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Moonlight Graham

Albert Belle + Steroids + Corked Bat = No HOF

I did not think Belle was linked with steroids.

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I did not think Belle was linked with steroids.

Complete speculation: notorious for unprovoked crazy outbursts? Prominent slugger in the mid-late 1990’s? Career cut short by injury? Caught cheating on several occasions?

I mean...

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I did not think Belle was linked with steroids.

One of his teammates said that all his bats were corked.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by rats60

One of his teammates said that all his bats were corked.

That's crazy!

I believe Sports Science, or a show along those lines debunking the corked bat. Was a very interesting episode.

[58pinson]

A vote for Belle only. He's out in the cold simple because the sportswriters don't like him. Not that I blame them, he was a horse's ass.

On Roger, if he had stroked out at 59 I don't think we're having this poll. Nice player and I liked him alot, and that's coming from a lifetime Yankee hater.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

That's crazy!

I believe Sports Science, or a show along those lines debunking the corked bat. Was a very interesting episode.

They proved that with a machine swinging the bat it did not matter if it was corked or not. Now if a real live person hits the ball farther with a corked bat is a different story. Athletes are strange people and if they believe it helps, crazily just the extra confidence it gives the player leads to a real increase in #'s.

To the original question. They both deserve to be in the HOF as much as I do, only with paid admission to look at the greats of the game.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I kinda doubt he hits 61 without that guy who hit 4th behind him -- now what was his name -- Mickey something.

There it is. What would Maris' numbers look like without Mantle protecting him? Outside of those 2-3 years they weren't very good and even those 3 years he hit .283 (career high), .269, .256. His best career numbers are Slugging%-223rd all time and OPS+ 220th all time.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

There it is. What would Maris' numbers look like without Mantle protecting him? Outside of those 2-3 years they weren't very good and even those 3 years he hit .283 (career high), .269, .256. His best career numbers are Slugging%-223rd all time and OPS+ 220th all time.

I don't remember anyone else in front of Mantle hitting 61 homers. Can you point some people out who accomplished that seemingly easy feat?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't remember anyone else in front of Mantle hitting 61 homers. Can you point some people out who accomplished that seemingly easy feat?

Mantle hit 3rd much of his career, no? In any event your point is a non sequitur, the question is did hitting in front of Mantle help Maris' HR totals and I think the answer is likely yes.