In Season 23, KML failed to elect any players to the Hall of Fame, despite some deserving candidates. A season later, there's some new faces that are going to make the votes even more challenging. Let's break down some of the top candidates for Season 24. For this post, I am only going to post on some of the new candidates and refer you back to my blog post from last season for candidates I have previously written about. There are four new candidates for the HOF this year, three of which worth discussing.
Should Be A Lock
Fergie Speier - KML's all-time home run leader and 5th all time in hits, Fergie Speier is lock of all locks. The 15th pick of the Season 3 draft, Speier was dominant as soon as he reached the majors in Season 6, winning Rookie of the Year. He would go on to make the All Star team 8 times, be awarded the Silver Slugger at 1B 11 times and win 3 MVPs. Speier at one point had a streak of 12 consecutive seasons with at least 40 HRs! Fergie also had a great eye, finishing his career with the 2nd most walks at 1,311 and has the 3rd best OBP at 0.404. A dominant hitter for his whole career, Speier should be hearing his name called in Cooperstown this year.
Chi-Chi Margot - One of the best all around 3B to see time in KML, Chi-Chi Margot was a truly exceptional 3B that could do it all. A 10-time all star, Margot managed to finish his career with 2,778 hits (currently 4th all time) and 578 HRs (currently 5th all time). He could also steal the occasional base, finishing his career with 229 SBs. That led to Margo being a 5-time Silver Slugger at 3B. But Margot was also an excellent defender. He only won 2 Gold Glove awards at 3B, but he has the most career good plays at 3B with 254 (52 more than #2), was part of the most double plays for a 3B at 511 (209 more than #2), has the most assists at 6,041 (over 2,000 more than #2), and has the most putouts with 2,217 (almost 700 more than #2). Basically, no player has been as good at 3B for as long as Margot. All of that plus an MVP award make Chi-Chi a lock for the HOF.
Jose Terrero - see last season's blog post for more on the 3x Cy Young winner. He surprisingly only got 8 votes last year, and I think he should be in the HOF easily with his 232 wins and 2,854 strikeouts.
Probably Makes It
Aramis Cortazar - see last season's blog post for more on the other 3x Cy Young winner up for the HOF. Cortazar came close last year with 13 votes. I think he deserves it, despite the ERA being a little higher.
Could Go Either Way
Nobody new this year in this category. See last season's blog post for some additional names:
Good Stats But Lacking Accolades
Steve Bailey - One of the great home run hitters in KML history, Steve Bailey was known for his power and durability. Bailey's daily routine was to get out of bed, mind his spot at 1B and hit some dingers. He was so good at avoiding injuries that he played in at least 160 games for 10 straight seasons. He had several great offensive seasons, but only managed on Silver Slugger award and one MVP. No All Star appearances or any other awards to show for. Unfortunately for Bailey, his defense likely cost him trips to the All Star Game and there was a lot of competition for Silver Sluggers with other 1B. Bailey finished with a very impressive 570 HRs, just 8 behind another HOF candidate in Chi-Chi Margot for 5th all time. He also had nearly 2,300 hits and a lifetime split of 0.277/0.335/0.519. It's difficult to put Bailey in the HOF right now given the lack of awards, but he may be worth revisiting after some of the current crop makes it in the HOF.
Solid Career, Just Not Quite HOF Worthy
Victor Escalona - Known for his contact and speed, Victor Escalona was excellent at getting on base and getting around the basepaths. Escalona is a career 0.302 hitter with a career OBP of 0.380. He finished with 2,307 hits and 420 SBs. He won 3 Silver Sluggers in CF and another at 2B as well as being a 4-time All Star. However, he was really overmatched defensively at CF and 2B racking up poor plays every season. Playing at CF and 2B allowed him to get those Silver Slugger awards, but Escalona doesn't quite have the offensive numbers to justify the HOF.
My votes:
1. Fergie Speier - most prolific HR hitter in KML history
2. Chi-Chi Margot - best KML 3B of all time?
3. Jose Terrero - Elite SP with 3x Cy Young Awards and career 3.17 ERA
4. Aramis Cortazar - More volatile elite SP with 3 x Cy Young Awards and 3.53 ERA
5. Trey Munro - Cy Young winner with 3K strikeouts
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