Should Albert Belle be in the HOF?

[trevordchi]

100% yes. The Hall of Fame should be about dominance, and no one dominated like Belle. I HATE the longevity argument - if you were great for any reasonable stretch of time, you should be in. I think a guy like Belle is far more deserving than a compiler like Andre Dawson or someone of similar ilk. Say what you want about his attitude but the guy could flat out HIT!

While I'm not convinced he is a HOFer I do agree with your premise. I'm as big an Astros fan as anyone but Craig Biggio was NEVER the best player on his TEAM, much less the league. He played for half a decade past his usefulness to compile #s and make himself and Drayton McLane $$$$.

 

[sportscardtheory]

He is not a HOFer. There are numerous threads about guys that have close to HOF numbers and guys that you can make a case for, for example Adrian Beltre there was a debate whether or not he had a chance to get into the HOF, but Beltre, much like Belle in my opinion, was not outstanding enough during his era to be HOF worthy. He should be on the ballot IMO, but I don't think he should or ever will get in purely on reputation that there were quite a few more dominating players who he played against in his era.

You talk as though Beltre is retired. The guy is only 33 and I'm not sure if any 3rd baseman in the game today plays better defense than he does. Your tune will probably change if/when he closes in on 3,000 hits, 500 homeruns and 1,500 RBI.

 

[MansGame]

Yes.. He was the most feared hitter in the game for 8 years. Those years crossed with some of the most prolific home run hitters in history.

He made those hitting around him better and pushed them around the bases with ease. He forced vleveland back onto the baseball map and built a stadium with his bat! Was he a nice guy? Hell no. But it's not the boy scouts hall of fame!

Vote on the poll?

100% yes. The Hall of Fame should be about dominance, and no one dominated like Belle. I HATE the longevity argument - if you were great for any reasonable stretch of time, you should be in. I think a guy like Belle is far more deserving than a compiler like Andre Dawson or someone of similar ilk. Say what you want about his attitude but the guy could flat out HIT!

Vote on the poll?

The 8 years from 1992 to 1999 he averaged 40 HR, 125 RBI, and .302 average with a .969 OPS. That's as good of an 8 year stretch as I've ever seen.

+1

 

[Card Magnet]

It's not even close in my book - no. Perhaps if not for injury, he could have put up that HOF career. He is also a, to put it politely, a less than respectable person, which I think should be factored in. But of course, guys like Ty Cobb are in, so the character of a ballllayer means nothing in the Hall. You're supposed to be a good ambassador for th game as well as a great player. Belle was not.

But you know what? I loved having him on the Sox. Hypocrisy, thy name is Card Magnet.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Sports Cards by Freedom Card Board.com

 

[henderson939]

By the numbers - HR, RBI, AVG, OPS

1991 - 28 HR, 95 RBI, .282, .863
1992 - 34 HR, 112 RBI, .260, .797
1993 - 38 HR, 129 RBI, .290, .922
1994 - 36 HR, 101 RBI, .357, 1.152 OPS in 106 games!
1995 - 50 HR, 126 RBI, .317, 1.091
1996 - 48 HR, 148 RBI, .311, 1.033
1997 - 30 HR, 116 RBI, .274, .823
1998 - 49 HR, 152 RBI, .328, 1.055
1999 - 37 HR, 117 RBI, .297, .941
2000 - 23 HR, 103 RBI, .281, .817

The 8 years from 1992 to 1999 he averaged 40 HR, 125 RBI, and .302 average with a .969 OPS. That's as good of an 8 year stretch as I've ever seen.

To me this is a no brainer. Shouldnt even be an argument. The guy flat out dominated. He was the Barry Bonds of the 90's attitude and all.

 

[sportscardtheory]

To me this is a no brainer. Shouldnt even be an argument. The guy flat out dominated. He was the Barry Bonds of the 90's attitude and all.

Whaaa? lol

 

[matfanofold]

My opinion is that this is a perfect example of how popularity and fame make all the difference. If Belle was not considered a jerk by many, and had the persona of a Griffey or Ripken type, he would have had a much better chance, I personally believe he would have got in. However, his attitude and lack of popularity throughout the sport has him, well... lacking. Kirby, Koufax, both were loved by everyone and very popular. Belle, not so much. Was he as dominant as anyone durring his peak seasons? Yep. Did he have a very productive HOF type, albiet shortened, career? I think so. But as it stands Belle is getting just what he deserves, mild consideration. And that in and of it'self is noteworthy.

 

[henderson939]

Whaaa? lol

Meaning the most feared hitter in the game during that period.

 

[Frow]

To me this is a no brainer. Shouldnt even be an argument. The guy flat out dominated. He was the Barry Bonds of the 90's attitude and all.

Honestly I'm not sure if you're for or against him being in the Hall with that comment LOL

 

[HPC]

This is also the same Albert Belle who has had a few run ins with the law, most notably for domestic violence in the 90's.

Looking at his career stats, they arent bad. But they arent great. He struck out almost 1 of every 6 at bats, he didnt eclipse the 400hr or 2000hits mark and had a number north of 1200rbi.

His batting average was a tad bit under .300 and his ops was .933 in his 12 year career which is definitely to his advantage.

His averages per season are stunning, but overall, his numbers are not hall worthy.

 

[markakis8]

If he didn't lose so may years to injury, definitely. The fact that he could no longer play hurts him. It's not like Kirby Puckett, who had a freak accident end his career.

I see no difference between Puckett's injury and Belle's. Each injury was out of the individual's control.

I'm one of the few that thinks that Belle should be in. His numbers were incredible and he was the most feared hitter of his time.

I find it funny that someone who put up numbers like him, when it comes to a debate of whether he should get in or not, the most common excuse is "he wasn't well liked" Who gives a crap? And I'm talking to the writers here too. Find a band-aid and put it on your boo boo and look at the frickin numbers.

That being said, I was never an Albert Belle fan - even when he was on the Orioles.

 

[cubfan131]

If Kirby Puckett gets in because an injury shortened his career then Belle should be in as well. If Belle was liked as much as Puckett was there is no doubt in my mind he'd be in th HOF.

 

[markakis8]

Steroids included, you asked me who I wanted as a hitter: Belle or McGwire. I would easily take Belle.

 

[markakis8]

The man dominated for a decade.

I personally think his attitude, as poor as it may have been, shouldn't have cost him as much as it did - off the ballot in two years? The punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime here. Lost the '95 MVP for the same reason why he didn't get more votes.

Stat-wise I think he's a HOFer in any case.

Totally agree.

 

[sportscardtheory]

I see no difference between Puckett's injury and Belle's. Each injury was out of the individual's control.

I'm one of the few that thinks that Belle should be in. His numbers were incredible and he was the most feared hitter of his time.

I find it funny that someone who put up numbers like him, when it comes to a debate of whether he should get in or not, the most common excuse is "he wasn't well liked" Who gives a crap? And I'm talking to the writers here too. Find a band-aid and put it on your boo boo and look at the frickin numbers.

That being said, I was never an Albert Belle fan - even when he was on the Orioles.

Can't agree on the Puckett comparison. Belle, to me, is in the Mattingly camp. Their bodies broke down earlier than a HOFer's should. Puckett got hit in the face with a baseball in his prime and his career was over. HUGE difference IMO.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Steroids included, you asked me who I wanted as a hitter: Belle or McGwire. I would easily take Belle.

Agree there. Belle was a much more dynamic hitter than McGwire. I think if people saw Belle's per-162 games stats alongside some of the best ever without knowing it was him, their opinions would change.

 

[markakis8]

He is not a HOFer. There are numerous threads about guys that have close to HOF numbers and guys that you can make a case for, for example Adrian Beltre there was a debate whether or not he had a chance to get into the HOF, but Beltre, much like Belle in my opinion, was not outstanding enough during his era to be HOF worthy. He should be on the ballot IMO, but I don't think he should or ever will get in purely on reputation that there were quite a few more dominating players who he played against in his era.

What did Belle NOT do during his decade of dominance that was not outstanding?

He averaged just under .300 38 HR and 123 RBI for 10 years. Not to mention the ridiculous 50 2B/50 HR season where he was flat out robbed of the MVP b/c a few writer's had emotional boo boos. And even with how well he wasn't liked, he finished in the top 10 for MVP voting 5 times and top 5 3 times (a 2nd and 2 3rd place finishes)

 

[HPC]

What did Belle NOT do during his decade of dominance that was not outstanding?

He averaged just under .300 38 HR and 123 RBI for 10 years. Not to mention the ridiculous 50 2B/50 HR season where he was flat out robbed of the MVP b/c a few writer's had emotional boo boos.

Last I checked, writers dont look at a person's season averages, but their overall career numbers.

No one is discounting what he did, but his overall numbers are not HOF worthy.

 

[cubfan131]

Can't agree on the Puckett comparison. Belle, to me, is in the Mattingly camp. Their bodies broke down earlier than a HOFer's should. Puckett got hit in the face with a baseball in his prime and his career was over. HUGE difference IMO.

He had glaucoma. He didn't retire from being hit in the face.

 

[markakis8]

Can't agree on the Puckett comparison. Belle, to me, is in the Mattingly camp. Their bodies broke down earlier than a HOFer's should. Puckett got hit in the face with a baseball in his prime and his career was over. HUGE difference IMO.

Ok then what about Koufax? No difference between Koufax and Belle's injuries - in terms of bodies breaking down.