Every MLB Team's Greatest Player Not in the Hall of Fame

The MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York is reserved for some of the games' greatest players, coaches, executives, broadcasters and moments.

This year, the 2011 Hall of Fame class of Bert Blyleven, Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick will become a distinguished part of baseball history. However, many deserving players have not been enshrined in the Hall.

Players on every team have put up great numbers and yet have not made the Hall of Fame. For some, the problem has been links to PEDs, and for others, it has been problems such as gambling.

To be eligible for this list, players must be retired. This means that there will be players who may eventually make the Hall of Fame, but they are not yet eligible to be voted on.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Luis Gonzalez

Career Stats: .283/.367/.479, 354 HR, 1,439 RBI, 128 SB, 2,591 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Five

Awards: One Silver Slugger (2001)

The Diamondbacks have only been in existence since 1998, so it is no surprise that there is no player enshrined with a Diamondback cap in Cooperstown. There likely won't be one for at least a few years.

However, Luis Gonzalez is the most deserving player who could go in as a Diamondback. Randy Johnson was outstanding for the D-Backs, but he would not go into the Hall with them.

Gonzalez had a solid career with the team and even had 57 home runs in 2001. He is currently the only Diamondback to have his number retired.

Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux

Career Stats: 355-227, 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3,371 K, 109 CG, 35 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Eight

Awards:  Four Cy Young Awards (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), 18 Gold Gloves (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

It was a difficult choice between Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine. However, Maddux is the most memorable member of the trio and had the best career out of the group by a slight margin.

Maddux is one of the best pitchers in recent memory. He did not throw hard, but he was incredibly crafty and was always able to get hitters out.

Maddux will be elected to the Hall of Fame in a few years, and he will almost definitely be wearing a Braves cap on his plaque.

He has the eight most wins in MLB history, and much more surprisingly, he is 10th all-time in strikeouts.

Baltimore Orioles: Rafael Palmeiro

Career Stats: .288/.371/.515, 569 HR, 1,835 RBI, 97 SB, 3,020 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Four

Awards: Two Silver Sluggers (1998, 1999), Three Gold Gloves (1997, 1998, 1999)

Palmeiro has Hall of Fame numbers. He is just one of four players in MLB history that is a member of the 500-HR and 3,000-hit club. In addition to this, Palmeiro is in the top 20 all-time for both home runs and RBI.

However, there is one major issue keeping Palmeiro out of the Hall of Fame.

Palmeiro lied to Congress about using steroids. He maintains his innocence, but it did not help him during his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot for induction in 2011.

Palmeiro only received 11 percent of the votes despite his outstanding career. The lack of votes is often blamed on his failed PED test.

Boston Red Sox: Pedro Martinez

Career Stats: 355-227, 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3,371 K, 109 CG, 35 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Eight

Awards: Three  Cy Young Awards (1997, 1999, 2000)

While Pedro Martinez hasn't officially retired from the major leagues, it is incredibly unlikely that he will return. He just edged out Roger Clemens as the best Red Sox player that is not in the Hall of Fame.

The diminutive Martinez, he stands in at 5'11", was one of the best pitchers of the modern era. Martinez was a master on the mound and was able to make hitters look foolish throughout his career.

His season in 2000 was one, if not the best season from a pitcher this decade. Martinez went 18-6 with an AL leading 1.74 ERA and 284 strikeouts. He ranks 13th all-time in strikeouts.

Chicago Cubs: Sammy Sosa

Career Stats: .273/.344/.534, 609 HR, 1,667 RBI, 243 SB, 2,408 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Seven

Awards:  One MVP (1998), Six Silver Sluggers (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

This selection could have also gone to Ron Santo, but it is just too hard to overlook Sosa's career home run numbers even if they were aided by a corked bat or steroids.

Sosa will always be remembered for the great home run chase of 1998 when he, along with Mark McGwire, was going after Roger Maris' home run record.

Slammin' Sammy has the seventh most home runs in MLB history. Sosa also has the 26th highest RBI total of all time.

Chicago White Sox: Shoeless Joe Jackson

Career Stats: .356/.423/.517, 168 3B, 54 HR, 785 RBI, 202 SB, 1,772 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Zero

Awards:  None

Shoeless Joe Jackson saw both his career cut short and his Hall of Fame chances destroyed as a result of the Black Sox Scandal. Over the years, there has been much debate as to whether or not Jackson actually was a part of the scandal, and there are more and more people who believe he is innocent.

Jackson hit .408 in his rookie year with the Cleveland Naps. He was considered to be one of the best players of his time, as well as one of the best players ever.

Jackson's career .356 batting average is the third highest total in MLB history.

Photo Credit: NNDB

Cincinnati Reds: Pete Rose

Career Stats: .303/.375/.409, 135 3B, 160 HR, 1,314 RBI, 198 SB, 4,256 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 17

Awards: Rookie of the Year (1963),  Two Gold Gloves (1969, 1970), One Sliver Slugger (1981), One MVP (1973), 1 World Series MVP (1975) 

The reason why Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame is incredibly well known. Rose has the numbers of a Hall of Famer, but he was banned by the MLB for betting on baseball.

Rose is the game's all-time hit leader and is considered by many to be one of the top 50 players in MLB history. He is also arguable the best player who is not enshrined in Cooperstown.

Cleveland Indians: Mel Harder

Career Stats: 233-186, 3.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 1,161 K, 181 CG, 25 SHO, 23 SV

All-Star Game Appearances: Four

Awards: None

Harder was one of the best pitchers in Indians franchise history. When he retired, he was the team leader in wins, games started and innings pitched. He eventually saw those records eclipsed by Bob Feller.

The right-hander spent all 20 years of his career with the Indians. The team eventually retired his number 18. His ERA is a bit high for someone who would be considered for the Hall of Fame, but Harder is a deserving candidate.

Photo Credit: Baseball Birthdays

Colorado Rockies: Larry Walker

Career Stats: .313/.400/.565, 383 HR, 1,311 RBI, 230 SB, 2,160 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Five

Awards: Seven Gold Gloves (1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002), Three Sliver Sluggers (1992, 1997, 1999), One MVP (1997)

The Rockies have been around since 1993, so they have not had many Hall of Fame caliber players on there rosters. However, they did have Larry Walker, who could eventually be the first Rockie enshrined in the Hall.

This was the first year that Larry Walker was eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. Walker received just over 20 percent of the writers' votes.

Detroit Tigers: Alan Trammell

Career Stats: .285/.352/.415, 185 HR, 1,003 RBI, 236 SB, 2,365 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Six

Awards: Four Gold Gloves (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984), Three Sliver Sluggers (1987, 1988, 1990), One World Series MVP (1984), One Comeback Player of the Year (1983)

Alan Trammell was one of the best offensive shortstops of his generation. He never put up huge numbers, except for his 28-home run and 105-RBI year in 1987, but he was consistent throughout his 20-year career.

Trammell has seen the number of Hall of Fame votes that he has received increase over the years, but he got just under 25 percent of the votes this year. He will remain on the ballot until 2016, and it will be interesting to see if he gets elected.

Flordia Marlins: Gary Sheffield

Career Stats: .292/.393/.514, 509 HR, 1,676 RBI, 253 SB, 2,689 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Nine

Awards: Five Sliver Sluggers (1992, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2005), One Comeback Player of the Year (1992)

The Marlins have a short but storied history. There are currently no Marlins in the Hall of Fame, but that could change soon.

Gary Sheffield played for seven different teams during his major league career, and his longest tenure came with the Marlins.

Sheffield is one of the most recent members to the 500-home run club. He retired in 2009 and should get his call to the Hall after just a few years on the ballot. 

Houston Astros: Jeff Bagwell

Career Stats: .292/.393/.514, 509 HR, 1,676 RBI, 253 SB, 2,689 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Nine

Awards: Five Sliver Sluggers (1992, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2005), One Comeback Player of the Year (1992)

Jeff Bagwell is the best first baseman to put on a Houston Astros uniform. He is also one of the better first basemen in MLB history.

However, there are links between Bagwell and steroids. This connection hurt Bagwell in his first year on the ballot for the Hall of Fame voting.

The Astros first baseman played 15 years for the team and holds many of their franchise records. His number was retired by the Astros in 2007.

Kansas City Royals: Kevin Appier

Career Stats: 169-137, 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 1,994 K, 34 CG, 12 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: One

Awards: None

Many of the best players in Royals team history have already been elected to the Hall of Fame. There are a few players that are on the outside looking in, but none of them have a great shot at making the Hall.

The best player out of the bunch is Kevin Appier. He may not have the greatest numbers but has had a few outstanding years. Appier was the AL ERA leader in 1993.

Los Angeles Angels: Chuck Finley

Career Stats: 200-173, 3.85 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 2,610 K, 63 CG, 15 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Four

Awards: None

Unfortunately, one of the most well known things about Chuck Finely was his relationship with Tawny Kitaen. Finely should also be remembered for his great pitching abilities.

He is the best Angel that is not in the Hall of Fame. Finely managed to make the it into the 200-win club during his last season. He is also in the top 25 all-time in strikeouts.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Orel Hershiser

Career Stats: 204-150, 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 2,014 K, 68 CG, 25 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Three

Awards: One Gold Glove (1988), One Silver Slugger (1993), One Cy Young (1988), One World Series MVP (1988), One NLCS MVP (1988), One ALCS MVP (1995)

Orel Hershiser is one of the best pitchers that is not in the MLB Hall of Fame. He is most famous for setting the record for most consecutive scoreless innings. Hershiser did not allow a run for 59.1 innings.

He put together one of the best seasons of the past few decades in 1988 when he won the Cy Young award.

Hershiser currently works as a part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team. 

Milwaukee Brewers: Cecil Cooper

Career Stats: .298/.337/.466, 241 HR, 1,125 RBI, 89 SB, 2,192 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Five

Awards: Two Gold Gloves (1979, 1980) Three Sliver Sluggers (1981, 1982, 1983)

Cecil Cooper had a good career with the Brewers and Red Sox. He spent 17 years in the majors, 11 of which were in Milwaukee. Cooper was a big run producer in the middle of the Brewers lineup.

Cooper managed to drive in over 120 runs three times in his career and set his career high in 126 in 1983. He became a manager once he stopped player. Cooper managed the Astros from 2007 to 2009.

Photo Credit: Best Sports Photos

Minnesota Twins: Jim Kaat

Career Stats: 283-237, 3.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 2,461 K, 180 CG, 31 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Three

Awards: 16 Gold Gloves (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)

With one Twins pitcher who was overlooked for the Hall of Fame finally getting inducted this season, it might be time to enshrine another one as well.

Jim Kaat had an outstanding career with the Minnesota Twins. He won an impressive 16 straight Gold Gloves.

Kaat was just 17 wins away from making the 300-win club. He had one of the longest playing careers in MLB history, and he played for 25 years. The fact that it took Kaat so long to accumulate all of his wins is part of what has kept him out of the Hall.

Photo Credit: MLB

New York Mets: Mike Piazza

Career Stats: .308/.377/.545, 427 HR, 1,335 RBI, 2,127 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 12

Awards: 10 Sliver Sluggers (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002), One Rookie of the Year (1993), One All-Star Game MVP (1996)

Mike Piazza was one of the best New York Mets of all time. He is also considered to be one of the best offensive catchers to ever play baseball. Piazza helped lead the Mets to the World Series in 2000.

Drafted as 1,390 overall in the 62nd round of the draft as a favor to his father by Tommy Lasorda. No one had expected Piazza to amount for anything, but he managed to prove everyone wrong.

Piazza should be selected to the Hall of Fame the first time that he is on the ballot.

New York Yankees: Allie Reynolds

Career Stats: 182-107, 3.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 1,423 K, 137 CG, 36 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Six

Awards: None

Allie Reynolds has already been enshrined in the New York Yankees' Monument Park, but he never received a plaque in Cooperstown. Reynolds played 13 seasons and yet never had an ERA over 4.00 in his career.

The right-handed pitcher was one of the hardest throwers of his time. For some reason, Reynolds has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame.

If he ever is enshrined in the Cooperstown, Reynolds would be the fourth American Indian in the Hall of Fame.

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Oakland Athletics: Mark McGwire

Career Stats: .263/.394/.588, 583 HR, 1,414 RBI, 1,626 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 12

Awards: One Gold Glove (1990), Three  Sliver Sluggers (1992, 1996, 1998), One Rookie of the Year (1987)

Mark McGwire is more often associated with the St. Louis Cardinals than the Oakland Athletics because it is there that he broke Roger Maris' home run record. However, McGwire spent 12 years of his 16-year career in Oakland.

McGwire has already been on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, and his admitted steroid use has kept him from being elected. He displayed power throughout his career and was a feared home run hitter.

Philadelphia Phillies: Curt Schilling

Career Stats: 216-146, 3.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3,116 K, 83 CG, 20 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Six

Awards: One World Series MVP (2001), One NLCS MVP (1993)

The trade that sent Curt Schilling from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Arizona Diamondbacks is considered to be one of the biggest steals of all time.

Schilling eventually came back to the team and helped shape the Phillies rotation.

He is also remembered for the "Bloody Sock Game." Schilling had one of the gutsiest performances in baseball history during that game.

With the Phillies, Schilling was selected to three of the six All-Star games that he attended in his career.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Babe Adams

Career Stats: 194-140, 2.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 1,036 K, 206 CG, 44 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: None

Awards: None

Babe Adams was noted during his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates for his impeccable control. Throughout his career, Adams had a 1.3 BB/9 rate.

In 1909, Adams was the first rookie to start and win a Game 7 of a World Series. Adams also pitched all 21 innings of a game against the New York Giants in 1914.

Photo Credit: Babe Adams

San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman

Career Stats: 61-75, 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 1,133 K, 601 SV

All-Star Game Appearances: Seven

Awards: Two Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1998, 2006)

Closers are often overlooked when it comes to the Hall of Fame. At the moment, there are only four closers in the Hall of Fame.

When Trevor Hoffman becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, it will be interesting to see how the writers vote. Hoffman is the all-times saves leader and should get in on his first try.

He was also the face of the San Diego Padres' franchise after Tony Gywnn retired.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds

Career Stats: .298/.404/.607, 762 HR, 1,996 RBI, 514 SB, 2,935 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 14

Awards: Eight Gold Gloves (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998), 12 Sliver Sluggers (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), Seven MVP Awards (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Whether or not Bonds makes the Hall of Fame will come down to how the baseball writers perceive steroid use. As of now, it looks very unlikely that Bonds will be selected, but that could change in the future.

The former San Francisco Giants outfielder is the all-time home run leader and holds the single-season record for home runs. Bonds is the only player in the 500/500 club for stolen bases and home runs.

Seattle Mariners: Ken Griffey Jr.

Career Stats: .284/.370/.538, 630 HR, 1,836 RBI, 184 SB, 2,781 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 13

Awards: 10 Gold Gloves (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999), Seven Sliver Sluggers (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999), 1 MVP Award (1997), One All-Star Game MVP (1992), One Comeback Player of the Year Award (2005), Three-Time Home Run Derby Champion (1994, 1998, 1999)

Ken Griffey Jr. had the potential to be the best player in MLB history, but he ran into injury problems. Had he not gotten hurt, Griffey Jr. could have been the all-time home run king.

There is almost no doubt that Griffey Jr. will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was also the face of the Seattle Mariners franchise. Griffey Jr. was one of the game's legends.

St. Louis Cardinals: Lee Smith

Career Stats: 71-92, 3.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 1,251 K, 478 SV

All-Star Game Appearances: Seven

Awards: Three Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1991, 1992, 1994)

As I mentioned before with Trevor Hoffman, closers are often overlooked when it comes to the Hall of Fame voting. Former St. Louis Cardinals closer Lee Smith is another player who has been overlooked.

Smith was such a good closer that he finished in the top 10 of the Cy Young voting four times. He was also one of the most dominant closers of his generation.

Tampa Bay Rays: Fred McGriff

Career Stats: .284/.377/.509, 493 HR, 1,550 RBI, 72 SB, 2,490 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Three

Awards: Three Sliver Sluggers (1989, 1992, 1993), One All-Star Game MVP (1994)

The Tampa Bay Rays have not been in existence for a long time, but they do have one member of the Hall of Fame, Wade Boggs. Fred McGriff has the best chance of being the second Ray in the Hall of Fame.

Back when McGriff was playing, the team in Tampa was still known as the Devil Rays. In addition to his outstanding numbers, McGriff also has one of the best nicknames in baseball.

Texas Rangers: Kenny Rogers

Career Stats: 219-156, 4.27 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 1,968 K, 133 CG, 36 SHO

All-Star Game Appearances: Four

Awards: Five Gold Gloves (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)

Kenny Rogers biggest claim to fame has to be the perfect game that he threw in 1994. The Texas Rangers pitcher had an outstanding career.

Rogers has one of the highest ERAs out of any of the pitchers on this list. However, his career ERA+ was 108, which is still better than league average. Rogers is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot.

Toronto Blue Jays: Joe Carter

Career Stats: .259/.306/.464, 396 HR, 1,445 RBI, 231 SB, 2,184 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: 5

Awards: Two Sliver Sluggers (1991, 1992)

Joe Carter was the second player in MLB history to end a World Series with a walk-off home run when he hit his blast in 1993 against the Phillies. The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder also had an outstanding career.

Carter is one of the few players to have their name listed on the Blue Jays "Level of Excellence." He spent just seven years of his 16-year career with the team, but they were some of the best years in Blue Jays history.

Washington Nationals: Tim Raines

Career Stats: .294/.385/.425, 170 HR, 980 RBI, 808 SB, 2,605 Hits

All-Star Game Appearances: Seven

Awards: One Sliver Sluggers (1986), One All-Star Game MVP (1987)

The Washington Nationals have only been in DC since 2005, so their best player not in the Hall of Fame comes from when they were the Montreal Expos.

Tim Raines is the best former Expo that is not currently in the Hall of Fame.

Raines was an incredibly speedy player. In 1983, he led the league with a career high 90 stolen bases. Raines also had some power and managed to hit 170 home runs in his career.

The Expos retired his number.