Inner Circle HOFers from the post 2000 era

[steve B]

Sort of surprised and not surprised that nobody mentioned Jim Thome.
Not flashy, and not generally with big market teams.
But for someone believed to be clean during an era when most sluggers were at least a bit suspect, he ended up with 600+ home runs, not a common thing at all.

[packs]

Thome was a beast but he'll never be an inner HOFer. He wasn't very popular when active and was overshadowed on nearly every roster he played on.

[Seven]

To me, "inner circle" means they were truly the best at their craft, have an enduring, long lasting legacy, or a significant impact on the game. With that being said, my list (In no particular order)

1. Derek Jeter
2. Ken Griffey Jr.
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Randy Johnson
5. Greg Maddux
6. Rickey Henderson

I will update this post later to provide explanations/corrections but that's where I'm standing right now.

[packs]

When I think of inner circle I think of modern versions of the big boys who dominate other eras of the hobby. Guys like Ruth, Gehrig, Aaron, Mays, Koufax etc.

With that in mind Rickey is a great choice for both talent and his hobby love. Maddux doesn't get a ton of hobby appreciation but his sheer talent makes him relevant in any best of discussion.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

When I think of inner circle I think of modern versions of the big boys who dominate other eras of the hobby. Guys like Ruth, Gehrig, Aaron, Mays, Koufax etc.

With that in mind Rickey is a great choice for both talent and his hobby love. Maddux doesn't get a ton of hobby appreciation but his sheer talent makes him relevant in any best of discussion.

Chicks dig strikeout pitchers more but man could he work a strike zone and PITCH as well as anyone. Some of his streaks were insane.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by steve B

Sort of surprised and not surprised that nobody mentioned Jim Thome.

Not flashy, and not generally with big market teams.

But for someone believed to be clean during an era when most sluggers were at least a bit suspect, he ended up with 600+ home runs, not a common thing at all.

I love Jim Thome because I was a Cleveland fan. But none of my friends ever talked about him. It's hard to be inner circle when no one knows your name.

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[bcbgcbrcb]

Inner circle for Thome, nah. A deserving HOF’er who benefited greatly from the most stacked lineup of his generation in Cleveland. Pretty one dimensional, lots of homers and walks, nothing special in terms of average, zero speed and nothing significant on defense and his teams never won anything. A better version of Adam Dunn.

[rats60]

My rankings
1. Rickey Henderson
2. Ken Griffey Jr.
3. Randy Johnson
4. Pedro Martinez
5. Wade Boggs
6. Cal Ripken Jr.
7. Greg Maddux

If we extend it to future Hofers who are locks. Albert Pujols is #1 and Mike Trout is #3 with enough career left to finish 1 or 2.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by rats60

tend it to future Hofers who are locks. Albert Pujols is #1 and Mike Trout is #3 with enough career left to finish 1 or 2.

Ichiro next year would probably also qualify.

[bnorth]

Inner circle for me would be:
Wade Boggs
Greg Maddux
Derek Jeter
Mariano Rivera

Honorable mention
Ken Griffey Jr
Cal Ripken Jr
Randy Johnson