Adrian Beltre - HOFer?

[packs]

I think his career will come under some scrutiny. He's been on a questionable trajectory. 2004 he has a huge year right before free agency and hits 330 with 48 homers. He will then not hit 300 again until 2010. Another contract year following his weakest season in the majors. He also hits the most homers he had since his last free agency year.

I don't know if he's using PEDs. His career to me is a HOF one. Third base is under represented too. But I think voters will be suspicious.

[frankbmd]

Lest we not forget

Nat's U S Mail

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Lest we not forget

Nat's U S Mail

Who sent a letter to...

Minty MacKeel

[71buc]

Defensively and offensively he and Chipper are the best third baseman of this generation. After watching him play on a daily basis for five years in Seattle I have to say he belongs in the HOF. Ironically, If he doesn't make it into Cooperstown Safeco will have played a large role. Compare his stats in Safeco during his prime to those in the other parks he played in. If you drop Mike Schmidt during his prime in Safeco he would have much different stats. The same can be said about Chipper Jones. For what its worth, when I consider all of the players I have watched in my life Beltre is only surpassed by Schmidt and Brett at third base.

[Orioles1954]

Ripken got...and still continues to get a bunch of crap in Baltimore for that statement...which he has since backed off of. Interestingly, Cal is probably on the third or fourth most popular ex-Oriole.

[Tabe]

Elite defender with outstanding offensive numbers? What's to ask? He's an obvious HOFer.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Elite defender with outstanding offensive numbers? What's to ask? He's an obvious HOFer.

^^^This answer is spot on.

Is he a HOFer? Duh! If he continues to do what he's been doing for the past decade or so, then he will end with very impressive numbers. He should be able to eclipse the 3k hit mark within three years. Does anyone know how difficult that is to do? If you do, then you realize he's a HOFer...not to mention he will probably be close to 450-500 hrs too. For those of you that think he needs awards and "honors" next to his name to enter the HOF, you haven't been paying attention to how the MLB and other professional sports work. All Star nomination is based mainly on fan voting...so why do we care so much about who gets voted into an All-Star game? The answer is we shouldn't. How about MVP's and batting titles? Don't look at that...look at how GOOD he was overall and judge him by that. Mike Trout had two crazy MVP type seasons as where he ended up runner up and in his third year he finally ended up getting the award. Guess what...the two previous seasons he had better numbers than the MVP season! MVP awards don't necessarily go the the actual MVP of the league...if your team is in the bottom half of the league, you have zero chance of winning the award...we all know this already, just reminding you that this award can be a joke and bias sometimes.

And if you have to think whether someone should be in the HOF, then you are doing your job, but having to think about it doesn't mean they don't belong. There are only a few players that are no-brainers, but that doesn't mean that they are the only ones that belong in. Yes, there are tiers in the HOF, but let's not judge the HOF on whether or not you compare to Babe Ruth...almost no one does.

That being said, if Beltre can continue for at least a few more years, he's an easy choice for the Hall.