Ripken Jr. & Gwynn elected to HOF, McGwire left out

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Then I'm curious as to what "special" is. Didn't know that doing something "special" was criteria for the HOF. I just thought it was being one of the best players in your generation. In the years you are talking about he was 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, '91 was an awful year no arguement there, 2nd in HR's and again he played in 54 combined games in '93 and '94. He was consistent at least. I'd say if Thome gets to 500 he's a HOFamer. And like I said, he wasn't a great all around player, never said he was. But he was an exceptional homerun hitter, steroids or not. I think you are kind of forgwetting that the years you are referring to were a lifetime ago baseball wise. Nowadays hitting 50 homeruns isn't really a big thing, it's expected. Back then it was a big deal. McGwire hit 49 his rookie year. He was the premier homerun hitter of his generation and probably the most feared hitter in his day. He should be in eventually.

Well, is Dave Kingman a hall of famer?? He was the premier power hitter in his day. He finished top 3 in his league in home runs 8 times in a 12 year period, leading the league twice. From 1975 through 1986 I don't think you can find too many hitters with more home runs than Kong. Does anyone consider him a hall of famer?? So he only hit .204 in 1982...who cares, he led the league in homers and that was his job!! Simply put, being a premier power hitter does not make you a hall of famer. I'm taking this argument to the extreme here but it's fun nonetheless!!