Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

[nevrdiez34]

Re: Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

Ozzie Smith and Barry Larkin were much better than Mattingly. Keep in mind that Mattingly was a first baseman as well. Ron Santo is perceived as being in the Top 5 to 10 3rd baseman of all time. Dale Murphy just was not quite good enough for a long enough period of time -- just like Mattingly.

+1

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

Frank White for the Hall of Fame.

[swainer]

Re: Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

I'll put my vote in for the Big Wheel Lance Parrish for the Hall of Fame!

[ShaimOnYou]

Re: Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

I'll put my vote in for the Big Wheel Lance Parrish for the Hall of Fame!

Lance was good.

Mike Piazza was better (think hitting).

Both...questionable ethics.

I'm just saying.

[Chris78]

Re: Mattingly's Last HOF Stand

I always get a chuckle when people act like first basemen are less players or deserve less respect than other positions. First basemen are involved in more plays than anyone on the field except the pitcher and catcher.

Not sure where you feel I am downgrading first baseman. Actually, it relates to that some would argue that Mattingly's offensive statistics should be better for a HOF first baseman. I just saw a list of the Top 50 first basemen of all time when I did a google search and Don Mattingly was ranked 26th. It can be found at http://www.thebaseballpage.com/baseb...0-firstbasemen if you want to review it (just using this as a point of reference). Don Mattingly was a very good player, but did not quite play long enough in some people's minds, which creates the problem with his offensive stats.

The problem with what you said related to comparing to Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin, and Ron Santo. Smith and Larkin were clear HOF players. Santo played 3rd base. If you are going to use a weaker HOF player, use Jim Rice as a reference, or #50 on the list: Frank Chance.