Hall of Fame Candidate Thread: Bob Sanderson

[RonCo]

Here's the place to talk about the career of:

Bob Sanderson

Closer

Active Career: 2022-2037 (16 seasons)
78-64, 483 saves, 3.22, 1,160 K, 1.11 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, 17.6 WAR
Landis Memorial Winner 2023, 2028, 2033
Egan Reliever of the Year: 2025
Comeback Player of the Year: 2024
9-Time All-Star

Hall of Fame Metrics: (average HoF)
JAWS: 17.3 (15)
Black Ink: 2 (33)
Gray Ink: 68 (160)
HOF Standards: 57 (50)
HOF Monitor: 131 (127)

Hall of Fame Voting History:

Year	Score
2044	13.8%
2043	16.1%
2042	17.6%
2041	17.7%
2040	30.3%
2039	19.4%

# Cue up the reliever argument. Bottom line, when Bob Sanderson was at his peak (which he was for most of his career in Huntsville, he was one of the most dominant pitchers on the planet. At issue, perhaps, is that he was not always at his peak (which was the case for most of his career outside Huntsville, the exception being his stellar 2034 season in Montreal.

A torn labrum hit in 2035, and though his career sputters along for a few seasons, that was essentially the end.

His HoF Metrics are all over the road, JAWS and Standards saying he's in, the inks saying he falls considerably behind. Which kind of makes sense, I suppose. The pre-30-yo Sanderson was brilliant, the post 30, not so much. His 483 career saves place him at #9 all-time, a single save behind Paul Hogan, Chris Malone, and Juan Qunitaro.

Comparison to Hall of Fame Relief Pitchers:

[Ted]

Just kind of fell of a cliff at 30, as you mentioned. Not a good plan for getting into the HOF. Makes it impossible as a reliever.

[bcslouck]

This is a close one. I'll have to look more.

[indiansfan]

There are several much better relievers not in the hall.

[7teen]

Not even close in my book. Only 1 Egan award? Nope.

[usnspecialist]

Here is the stat breakdown of Bob Sanderson compared to all relief pitchers (both individually and against the total mean). Players are sorted by total JAWS score, and any bolded names are on the HOF ballot this year. The mean listed does NOT include anyone on the ballot, just guys who have actually been elected to the HOF.

[RonCo]

Sanderson received 19% of the vote last year. He has 6 seasons left on the ballot.

[RonCo]

After reaching as high as 30%, Sanderson dropped to 17% last season. He has four years left on the ballot.

[aaronweiner]

Part of a lot of great teams at his peak.

[usnspecialist]

Bumping to discuss the candidacy of Bob Sanderson. Voting history and positional comparison available in first post.

[usnspecialist]

bumping for candidate discussion

[bcslouck]

I think I've been a no on him and think I will stay that way.

[CTBrewCrew]

Pass

[CTBrewCrew]

Pass again