Cooperstown Chronicles - Orel Hershiser

Photo courtesy of TSN Archives/Icon SMI

Favre_is_overrated_2007, a friend of mine from Sporting News, suggested Orel Hershiser.  Here are my findings.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI

The Numbers
466 Starts
3130.3 Innings Pitched
204-150 Record
.576 Winning %
3.48 ERA (compared to 3.89 League ERA)
1.261 WHIP
2014 Ks
68 Complete Games
25 Shutouts
One 20 Win Season
59 Scoreless Innings Streak

Playoffs:  18 Starts, 8-3 record, 1 Save, 2.59 ERA, 4 Complete Games, 97 Ks

Awards
1988 Cy Young
1988 Babe Ruth Award
1988 Major League Player of the Year
1988 Sporting News Pitcher of the Year
1988 NLCS MVP
1988 World Series MVP
1995 ALCS MVP
3 All-Star Appearances
Cy Young Votes in 4 Seasons
MVP Votes in 2 Seasons
1 Gold Glove
1 Silver Slugger

Top Ten Finishes
Wins - Six Times (Led league in 1988)
ERA - Five Times
Winning % - Five Times (Led league in 1985)
Innings - Three Times (Led league in ‘87, ‘88, & ‘89)
Strikeouts - Five Times
Starts - Six Times
Complete Games - Seven Times (Led league in 1988)
Shutouts - Five Times (Led league in 1985 & 1988)

The Bulldog was amazing in 1985 & 1988.  That’s an understatement of epic proportions.  His scoreless streak is one of the most impressive individual records out there.  He was fabulous in 1989 but was snake-bitten (15-15 despite a 2.31 ERA).  I wouldn’t exactly say he had sustained greatness though.  If you take away his miraculous 1988 season I don’t even think it’s close.  As much as I loved Orel and what he brought to the game, I’m going to have to leave him short for Hall of Fame entrance.

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez
Chuck Finley
Fred McGriff
Wes Parker
Steve Finley
Orlando Cepeda*
Albert Belle
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Luis Gonzalez
Lefty O’Doul
Rocky Colavito
Boog Powell
Jerry Koosman
Mike Cuellar
Edgar Martinez
Brooks Robinson*
Roberto Alomar
Dave Stieb
John Franco
Maury Wills
Sherry Magee
Phil Rizzuto*

* signifies actual Hall of Famers