Is Larry Walker a HOF caliber player? - Page 2

LeGrandOrange · 07-30-2002, 12:16 AM

Difference with Klein and Walker is that Walker is an actual 5-tool player, Klein had just 4 because he was quite below average as a fielder, but he made it up by playing excellent defense off the tin wall...this is why he holds the record for baserunner kills in a season.
I think if Walker can stay healthy, he may just meet both requirements.

VNV Nation · 07-30-2002, 01:54 AM

I don't think Klein was below average as a fielder.

LeGrandOrange · 07-30-2002, 02:09 AM

He had a .962 career fielding percentage in the OF, and according to B-R, the average OF during his tenure had a .974. I don't know how accurate the .974 calculation is...but he did often finish below the league average. He also doesn't have the greatest range factor in the world, that was below league average for his career, this despite 1930, when he had 44 baserunner kills to sway the range factor...but those can't be wholly trusted unless you have innings data.

Calling Klein a bad fielder, admittedly, would be like calling Roberto Clemente a bad fielder. But Clemente made up for it a lot more then Klein, IMO.

I think regardless of whether Klein was a bad or a good fielder, I feel Walker was better for his time.

VNV Nation · 07-30-2002, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
He had a .962 career fielding percentage in the OF, and according to B-R, the average OF during his tenure had a .974. I don't know how accurate the .974 calculation is...but he did often finish below the league average. He also doesn't have the greatest range factor in the world, that was below league average for his career, this despite 1930, when he had 44 baserunner kills to sway the range factor...but those can't be wholly trusted unless you have innings data.

Baserunner kills don't figure into outfield range. Also, playing ina tiny park where the right field fence is 290 feet away, doesn't that affect those things? Not to mention the left-right makeup of the staff.

WiredTiger · 07-30-2002, 08:12 AM

I think Walker has played at a HOF level even considering his stint in Coors. He has missed a lot of games though and has to keep rolling along on a good pace to make the HOF.

He has 4 seasons of over 1.000 OPS in the last five seasons. Even if you adjust downward by .100 that is still HOF quality.

I think that because Walker is very good in the intangible department he will have a very good shot at making it. If he was a jerk, a bad defensive player or had a quiet personality then I think he would be more borderline (see Belle, Albert).

moose · 07-30-2002, 10:07 AM

I think when walker plays, considering his defense, he's a HOFer. yes, he has monster coors numbers, but (as I recall), his road splits aint too shabby either.

the problem is his durability. If he gives me 3-5 more quality seasons of production, i'll vote for him.

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07-30-2002, 12:16 AM	#16
LeGrandOrange Membership Suspended 4/11/04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,783	Difference with Klein and Walker is that Walker is an actual 5-tool player, Klein had just 4 because he was quite below average as a fielder, but he made it up by playing excellent defense off the tin wall...this is why he holds the record for baserunner kills in a season. I think if Walker can stay healthy, he may just meet both requirements.

07-30-2002, 01:54 AM	#17
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	I don't think Klein was below average as a fielder.

07-30-2002, 02:09 AM	#18
LeGrandOrange Membership Suspended 4/11/04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,783	He had a .962 career fielding percentage in the OF, and according to B-R, the average OF during his tenure had a .974. I don't know how accurate the .974 calculation is...but he did often finish below the league average. He also doesn't have the greatest range factor in the world, that was below league average for his career, this despite 1930, when he had 44 baserunner kills to sway the range factor...but those can't be wholly trusted unless you have innings data. Calling Klein a bad fielder, admittedly, would be like calling Roberto Clemente a bad fielder. But Clemente made up for it a lot more then Klein, IMO. I think regardless of whether Klein was a bad or a good fielder, I feel Walker was better for his time.

07-30-2002, 08:12 AM	#20
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	I think Walker has played at a HOF level even considering his stint in Coors. He has missed a lot of games though and has to keep rolling along on a good pace to make the HOF. He has 4 seasons of over 1.000 OPS in the last five seasons. Even if you adjust downward by .100 that is still HOF quality. I think that because Walker is very good in the intangible department he will have a very good shot at making it. If he was a jerk, a bad defensive player or had a quiet personality then I think he would be more borderline (see Belle, Albert).

07-30-2002, 10:07 AM	#21
moose Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Socs Posts: 3,400	I think when walker plays, considering his defense, he's a HOFer. yes, he has monster coors numbers, but (as I recall), his road splits aint too shabby either. the problem is his durability. If he gives me 3-5 more quality seasons of production, i'll vote for him.

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