Ichiro: MLB hall of famer?

[Al-Hoot]

Consider Suzuki Ichiro for the MLB HOF... would you vote him in?

[jiminyhopkins]

Without a doubt. According to Baseball-Reference, Ichiro is ranked 109 and Kirby Puckett ranked 173. Even their "WAR"s are almost identical when you add in Ichiro's defensive contributions. If Kirby can get in, there's no reason Ichiro cannot. I thought it would be harder to make a case for him but its pretty cut and dried.

[Al-Hoot]

Well I dunno if Puckett should be in the HOF. He played only 11 or 12 years. Had just over 2000 hits.

He was a great player with some memorable seasons, but one of the greatest ever? Depends on one's criteria for greatness and HOF eligibility, I guess.

And those Baseball Reference rankings are pure subjective, based on internet voting.

[salas]

You mean there's a debate on a guy who will probably have close to 3000 career MLB hits and 450-500 steals by the time he retires?

[jiminyhopkins]

Actually Nick, if you read my post, there is no debate.

PLus, I have no idea what a "WAR" even is. LOL

[nerfHerder]

Almost 4,000 hits for his career (Japan and US), gold glove defense, cannon arm, could steal at will when younger......no question he's a hall of famer. Pete Rose is too.

[salas]

Actually Nick, if you read my post, there is no debate.

PLus, I have no idea what a "WAR" even is. LOL

I did, just wondering why the Hoot thought there was...maybe only in his own mind

[Al-Hoot]

Almost 4,000 hits for his career (Japan and US), gold glove defense, cannon arm, could steal at will when younger......no question he's a hall of famer. Pete Rose is too.

Yes, I think it would have been great if he played his whole career in MLB, instead of starting when he was around 30. And I wonder IF any of his stats from his Japanese league will influence voters, and whether they should. He definitely belongs in an "international baseball HOF," but I am not sure if he's a sure thing for Cooperstown.

Sent using tapatalk.

[salas]

Almost 4,000 hits for his career (Japan and US), gold glove defense, cannon arm, could steal at will when younger......no question he's a hall of famer. Pete Rose is too.

Yes, I think it would have been great if he played his whole career in MLB, instead of starting when he was around 30. And I wonder IF any of his stats from his Japanese league will influence voters, and whether they should. He definitely belongs in an "international baseball HOF," but I am not sure if he's a sure thing for Cooperstown.

Sent using tapatalk.

I think it may be precisely because he started when he was around 30 that he'll make it into the Hall. Who else has done what he's done in such a limited amount of time? Not even Rose, who of course took, what, 23-24 seasons to get to 4256? Even Cobb had to play 20 seasons to get to where he got. By comparison, Ichiro has 2500 in just over HALF that time. If Ichiro is not a FIRST-ballot HOFer I will be stunned.