Ron Santo's HOF Chances

[Fuzzy Bear]

Ron Santo comes up for election to the HOF this year from the Vets Committee.

Santo has had two limbs amputated in two years, as many here are aware of.

I'm sorry, of course, that Santo's diabetes is causing him these terrible medical problems. However, it does create a new urgency to enshrine him in Cooperstown.

There is a tendency to overemphasize the "campaign" effect for a player, or the Rabbit Maranville "sympathy" effect. However, there is a strong urge among HOF voters, IMO, to try and honor the living. Santo is 62, and his health is such that he may not be alive much longer, and he may not have many good years left. (I pray that this will not the case!)

Anyway, Santo's HOF chances may have never been better. Does he get in this year?

[Golden Bear]

Ron Santo seems to have more support than any other figure on the ballot, among both SABR and non-SABR types. He played in the era that the bulk of the voters (living HOFers) played in, and his medical troubles are well known.

I think he's got an excellent chance.

[Rinkster]

I would be disappointed if Santo does not make it in.

That being said, I think that, unfortunately, Gil Hodges will be elected. I have no problem with Hodges being recognized for a combination of duites (player and manager) but there are too many VC candidates who are clearly more deserving as players: Santo, Pinson, Minoso, Allen, Gordon, Oliva, Torre and Boyer.

If Maury Wills even comes close I'll puke.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by Rinkster
If Maury Wills even comes close I'll puke.

Where your best suit with confidence - - he has no chance.

Back to Santo - - - I dunno. Is just 10 outstanding seasons enough for Cooperstown?

3B Most seasons with
RCAA >= 20
GAMES > 120

1    Mike Schmidt             12   
2    Eddie Mathews            11   
T3   Wade Boggs                9   
T3   George Brett              9   
T5   Stan Hack                 7   
T5   Ron Santo                 7   
T7   Eddie Yost                6   
T7   Home Run Baker            6   
T7   Sal Bando                 6   
T7   Chipper Jones             6   
T7   Bob Elliott               6   

Seems kinda Bando-ish, if you adjust for the park..............

[JamesI]

I think Santo is in this year. All the hype for him will push him over the top. But he will be it.

[rcartman28]

I think he finally gets his long-overdue election this year, too....

[KCBOOMER]

I think it will be close. My guess is he comes up a little short again.

BTW, as I mentioned in the VC Ballot 2003 thread you can "vote" on this issue over at Baseball Prospectus. You have to select the article about the VC (I think it's dated 1/14/03) and then select which ballot (player or composite). You get to vote in both polls you just can't do it at one time.

I think the VC will announce their results on 02/26/03. BP will announce its results a few days before that.

[pathogan]

...in february

[sweaver]

I will decline to vote. The new Veteran's Committee is such a radical change, that predicting what they will do without any previous data is next to impossible.

Since a large number of Committee members played at the same time as Santo, I would wager he has a good chance.

[pwdennis]

Originally posted by Max Power
Where your best suit with confidence - - he has no chance.

Back to Santo - - - I dunno. Is just 10 outstanding seasons enough for Cooperstown?

3B Most seasons with
RCAA >= 20
GAMES > 120

1    Mike Schmidt             12   
2    Eddie Mathews            11   
T3   Wade Boggs                9   
T3   George Brett              9   
T5   Stan Hack                 7   
T5   Ron Santo                 7   
T7   Eddie Yost                6   
T7   Home Run Baker            6   
T7   Sal Bando                 6   
T7   Chipper Jones             6   
T7   Bob Elliott               6   

Seems kinda Bando-ish, if you adjust for the park..............

but not if you also adjust for the era

[Max Power]

Originally posted by pwdennis
but not if you also adjust for the era

But, that's why I took RCAA.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Originally posted by Max Power
Is just 10 outstanding seasons enough for Cooperstown?

3B Most seasons with
RCAA >= 20
GAMES > 120

1    Mike Schmidt             12   
2    Eddie Mathews            11   
T3   Wade Boggs                9   
T3   George Brett              9   
T5   Stan Hack                 7   
T5   Ron Santo                 7   
T7   Eddie Yost                6   
T7   Home Run Baker            6   
T7   Sal Bando                 6   
T7   Chipper Jones             6   
T7   Bob Elliott               6   

Seems kinda Bando-ish, if you adjust for the park..............

While I don't rate Sal Bando ahead of Santo, I think his case is much better than many people think, for many of the same reasons that I consider Rusty Staub's case to be better than most people think.

I also think that "Mr. Team", Bob Elliott has a much better case than he is normally given credit for.

BTW, where is Brooks "The Overrated" Robinson in your list, Max Power?

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by Max Power
But, that's why I took RCAA.

It's still harder to get a high RCAA when runs are scarce.

He's should be in....

[JamesI]

Originally posted by Fuzzy Bear

BTW, where is Brooks "The Overrated" Robinson in your list, Max Power?

Let's not have this arguement again.

Brooks is in for defense, not offense. There. The end. There is no point comparing any third baseman offensivly to Brooks and saying hall of fame, unless they were a great defender too like Schmidt (who is so far superior overall to Brooks it is unfair to make this comparision)

Off topic rant over.

Originally posted by Golden Bear
Ron Santo seems to have more support than any other figure on the ballot, among both SABR and non-SABR types. He played in the era that the bulk of the voters (living HOFers) played in, and his medical troubles are well known.

I think he's got an excellent chance.

GoldenBear said it best.

Santo will be the top vote-getter this year.

Whether it will be enough to gain induction.......