Jim Thome - HOF?

[Dback Jon]

Hit HR #500 today - yea or nay??

 

[Mulli]

I would have to say nay, and I love the guy.

 

[Lefty]

He will get in.

 

[Dback Jon]

4th fastest (in terms of AB's) to reach 500...

 

[Lorenzo]

It's hard to say for me, but 500 used to be automatic. I wonder if the HOF HR automatic number should be raised? If Thome was a better hitter overall, I'd say he definitely deserves it. But I'm not sold on him. I must admit though I haven't seen a lot of him. I don't know his other numbers.

 

[TucsonDevil]

The only 'automatic' number of HRs to get you a ticket into the HOF should be changed to 600. Honestly, Gonzo smacked 57 HRs in one season... yeah, that was real. Jim Thome has been a 'good' power hitter, but if you were filling out an AL AllStar lineup over the last 8 years... would he be in it? Over such guys as Vlad, Ortiz, and Thomas?

I remember during that 2001 season (same season as Bonds' 73), there was rumor of the ball being different. Pitchers complained that is was wound tighter. What ever happened to that conspiracy theory? I still think that it was a problem, but has been hushed since the Steroid issue is much larger. I don't think that Steroids helped Gonzo to hit 57 alone... had to be the ball as well.

I really hate all the baseball numbers now...

 

[DWKB]

Should he be in the HOF, without a doubt to me if he was hit by a bus tomorrow.

Will he be elected? Seems a question now, but I think it's just curmudgeonly contraries making arguments against him now and the majority of the voters will come around 5 years after he's done. The numbers are definitely there.

 

[Stallion]

I must admit though I haven't seen a lot of him.

Jim Thome has been a 'good' power hitter, but if you were filling out an AL AllStar lineup over the last 8 years... would he be in it?

These 2 quotes sum it up for me. I think the HOF should be saved for the very best of the best and when you think of the best players you've seen in the past decade, or the current generation, Jim Thome is going to be on few people's list.

I've always thought if there's any doubt the guy's a Hall of Famer, he isn't a Hall of Famer.

But I'm sure he'll get in.

 

[DWKB]

These 2 quotes sum it up for me. I think the HOF should be saved for the very best of the best and when you think of the best players you've seen in the past decade, or the current generation, Jim Thome is going to be on few people's list.

I've always thought if there's any doubt the guy's a Hall of Famer, he isn't a Hall of Famer.

But I'm sure he'll get in.

It'd be nice if the HOF was the best of the best, but there will always be someone who is just on the outside/inside regardless of how small or large you make the hall. The hall never really was reserved for the best of the best anyways, Frankie Frisch and the VC killed any chance of that.

Thome's pretty much the Harmon Killebrew of today. Killer received 59% his first ballot in '81 and got in in '84. Seems good enough for me (and Thome).

Who all would you pick to play 1B from say '95 to '04 over Thome?

 

[Mulli]

It'd be nice if the HOF was the best of the best, but there will always be someone who is just on the outside/inside regardless of how small or large you make the hall. The hall never really was reserved for the best of the best anyways, Frankie Frisch and the VC killed any chance of that.

Thome's pretty much the Harmon Killebrew of today. Killer received 59% his first ballot in '81 and got in in '84. Seems good enough for me (and Thome).

Who all would you pick to play 1B from say '95 to '04 over Thome?

If Thome gets in, then Frank Thomas gets in for sure. Wouldn't Fred McGriff get in as well. Dale Murphy should also get in if Thome gets in the HOF. Maybe all of the above should get into the Hall. Andre Dawson should also make it if Thome Homey makes it.

 

[DWKB]

If Thome gets in, then Frank Thomas gets in for sure. Wouldn't Fred McGriff get in as well. Dale Murphy should also get in if Thome gets in the HOF. Maybe all of the above should get into the Hall. Andre Dawson should also make it if Thome Homey makes it.

Frank Thomas should fly in IMO, McGriff is a give or take for me, but I personally see him as the water mark for just out. Murphy's career ended too soon or he'd be in, Dawson made too many outs and his knees killed his later career thanks to the MON turf. I'm thinking off the cuff Thome is better than McGriff, Murphy, and Dawson (and Rice) and not as good as Thomas.

 

[Mulli]

Frank Thomas should fly in IMO, McGriff is a give or take for me, but I personally see him as the water mark for just out. Murphy's career ended too soon or he'd be in, Dawson made too many outs and his knees killed his later career thanks to the MON turf. I'm thinking off the cuff Thome is better than McGriff, Murphy, and Dawson (and Rice) and not as good as Thomas.

I suppose you are right about those.

 

[Stallion]

I'm thinking off the cuff Thome is better than McGriff, Murphy, and Dawson (and Rice) and not as good as Thomas.

I agree the Big Hurt is the best of that list and I would put Thomas in the Hall.

You're right the HOF isn't just for the best of the best, which is why I think Thome gets in. I just don't agree he should.

 

[DWKB]

I agree the Big Hurt is the best of that list and I would put Thomas in the Hall.

You're right the HOF isn't just for the best of the best, which is why I think Thome gets in. I just don't agree he should.

Well I think a valid question would be, Is Thome a worse 3B/1B/DH selection than Bruce Sutter is a pitching selection.

I say hell no