Each MLB Team's Biggest Hall of Fame Snub

Not all teams have been around long enough to have produced legitimate Hall-worthy candidates. So, we here at B/R slightly bent the rules a wee bit to accommodate all teams.

So, sit back, relax, pop open a cold adult beverage and enjoy as we present our choices for the Hall of Fame from each team. 

Anaheim Angels: Bobby Grich

While Grich entered baseball as an Oriole, he spent 10 of his 17 seasons with the Angels. He compiled a .266 BA, 224 HRs (his best was 30 with the AL West Champion Angels), drove in 864 runs and scored 1,033 times.

He won four Gold Glovers at second and one Silver Slugger. While primarily a second baseman, he did play more than 50 games at each of the four infield positions during his career.

Atlanta Braves: Joe Torre

Joe Torre began and spent more of his career with the Braves than any other team he played for. Still, he labored in relative obscurity before winning the NL batting title during his third season with the Cardinals (hitting .363 in 1971).

Torre would spend his final three seasons playing in his hometown New York, playing for the Mets. In 18 seasons, Torre compiled a .297 BA, slugged 262 HRs (his career best of 36 came in 1966 during the Braves first season in Atlanta), drove in 1,185 runs, and scored 996 times.

He split his time between catching, first and third bases, plus two games as an outfielder. He had five seasons of hitting .300 or better.

Arizona: Matt Williams

This is going to be a controversial entry. First, Matt Williams began and spent most of his career with the Giants. Secondly, the allegations of steroid use still hang over his head and are likely for his not being in the HOF. 

During his 17-year career, Williams hit .268, belted 378 HRs (his career best was 43 with the 1994 Giants), collected 1,218 RBI and scored 997 times. He earned four Gold Gloves (three in the NL, one in the AL) and four Silver Slugger awards (three in the NL).

Besides the issue of steroids, Williams amassed 1,363 strikeouts in 1,866 games, and those might not suggest HOF status.

Baltimore: Mark Belanger

This might also spark controversy. Mark Belanger was never more than a popgun hitter during his 18-year career. He hit a woeful .228, a mere 20 HRs and drove in just 389 tallies, while scoring 676 times.

However, with the glove, Belanger had few peers. He won the Gold Glove for shortstops in the AL eight times. He turned 100 DPs or more three consecutive seasons (1973-1975, just missing with 97 in 1976). He registered 5,786 assists as a shortstop, 41 more as a second baseman and even got four more while filling in twice at third for Brooks Robinson as a rookie in 1967. Leather often gets ignored for the Hall.

Boston: Jim Rice

Jim was known as "The Boston Strong Boy" during his 16-year career (all with the Red Sox). He hit .298, hammered 382 round-trippers (his best being 46 in 1978), chased home 1,451 runs and scored 1,248 tallies of his own.

He retired with a .502 slugging percentage. He also collected two Silver Slugger awards (1983 & 1984), four "Player of the Month" awards, an MVP (1978) and was the Sporting News Player of the Year in 1978.

Chicago Cubs: Rob Santo

There's a case to be made for Ron Santo being one of the greatest third basemen of all-time. He spent all but one of his 15-year career wearing Cub blue. His final year was spent on the south side in White Sox pinstripes.

He retired with a .277 BA, 342 HRs (his best was 33 in 1965), drove in 1,331 runs and scored 1,138 times. He won five Gold Gloves for NL third basemen. He racked up 4,581 assists at third, 107 more in 42 games at second with the White Sox, 28 in 18 games at short, and even one in six games as a left fielder with the 1971 Cubs.

He was overshadowed in the field by third basemen like Brooks Robinson and Clete Boyer, but the man known affectionately as "Pizza" deserves the HOF nod.

Chicago White Sox: Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson’s life was marred by the “Black Sox” scandal of 1919. He began his career with the A’s before moving to the Naps (later to become the Indians) and finally, the White Sox. Babe Ruth is said to have copied Jackson’s hitting style.

In his 13-year career, Jackson hit a robust .356, 54 HRs and drove in 785 runs. Additionally, Jackson pilfered 202 bases, getting caught just 61 times (a success rate of .768), and he wasn’t thrown out stealing until his seventh season.

He was coerced into signing a confession for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series. However, he was supposedly illiterate (school attendance was not compulsory in South Carolina when Joe was growing up). Instead, he went to work in the local mills to help the family and may not have known what he was signing.

That year, he hit .375, homered and drive in six runs in eight games. So if he intended to lose, he sure didn’t show it on the field.

Cincinnati: Pete Rose

Like Joe Jackson (see previous slide), Pete Rose has been ostracized for gambling. However, it doesn’t change the fact that Rose put up HOF-worthy career numbers. He played an incredible 24 seasons, racking up the all-time record for hits (4,256), 160 HRs, drove across 1,314 runs, scored 2,165 times and stole 198 bases, getting thrown out 149 times (.571).

He would also start as a regular at six different positions (with exception of catcher, shortstop and pitcher). He won NL Rookie of the Year, Sporting News Rookie Player of the Year, TSN Player of the Year, Player of the Month (six times), a Silver Slugger, MVP, World Series MVP, two Gold Gloves (as an outfielder), Baseball Digest Player of the Year, Sport Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and the Roberto Clemente awards.

If that doesn’t signify Hall of Fame, I don’t know what does.

Cleveland: Luis Tiant

Although he spent most of his 19 season career with the Red Sox, Luis did spend his first six wearing the sleeveless vest-like jersey of the Cleveland Indians. He won 20 games four times (once in Cleveland, the rest in Boston).

He amassed a total of 229 wins against 172 losses and an ERA of 3.30, plus tossed 187 complete games and 49 shutouts. For good measure, he also saved 15 games (although he was primarily a starter). He also fanned 2,416 batters in 573 appearances.

Colorado: Larry Walker

Larry spent 11 of his 17 seasons as an Expos outfielder (finishing with the Cards), so this will undoubtedly annoy purists. What is undeniable are Walker’s stats. He retired with a .313 BA, 383 round-trippers (his best was 49 with the 1997 Rockies), 1,311 RBIs, 1,355 runs scored and stole 230 bases while getting caught just 76 times (.752).

He collected seven Gold Gloves as an outfielder. He won the Tip O’Neill award nine times and three Silver Slugger awards. His career slugging percentage is .565, and if that doesn’t scream for his inclusion in the Hall, nothing does.

Detroit: Alan Trammell

Trammell spent all of his 20 years in the big leagues with the Tigers, hitting .285, 185 HRs, driving in 1,003 runs and 1,231 times. He also stole 236 bases, while getting thrown out 109 times (.684). He collected four Gold Gloves at short, three Silver Slugger awards and a World Series MVP.

Florida: Gary Sheffield

Okay, Gary Sheffield broke in as a Brewer and appeared with eight different teams. However, he spent the most time with the Marlins during his 22-year career. He retired with a .292 career BA, 509 HRs, 1,676 RBI, 1,636 runs scored, stole 253 bases and was gunned down 104 times (.709). He hasn’t been retired long enough to be eligible for the vote. However, he should be a shoe-in to the Hall.

Houston: Rusty Staub

Daniel Joseph Staub spent nine of his 23 years with the Mets (covering two tours of duty), but he began his career with the Colt 45’s (who later became the Astros).

"Rusty" retired with a career BA of .279, 292 HRs, 1,466 RBI, 1,189 runs scored and 2,716 total hits. His only trip to the World Series was with the 1973 Mets, where he collected a .423 average, one homer and six runs driven in.

Certainly not a spectacular career, but definitely a solid performer for a long time.

Kansas City: Dan Quisenberry

The submarining closer spent just 12 seasons rescuing starters, but he solidified the closer’s role in baseball. In only his second year in the majors, “Quiz” went 12-7 with 33 saves, 37 strikeouts in 75 appearances and a 3.09 ERA in 128 innings of work.

He would save a career total of 244 games and pitch more than 1,000 innings. Twice he would save more than 40 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Orel Hersheiser

The guy teammates dubbed “Bulldog” deserves inclusion in the HOF. He was 204-150 during 18 seasons that included 68 complete games, 25 shutouts, 2,014 strikeouts and even five saves that cover 510 appearances.

He won an NLCS MVP and an ALCS MVP, a World Series MVP, a Cy Young, Pitcher of the Month (four times), a Babe Ruth Award and even an NL Silver Slugger award.

Milwaukee: Ted Simmons

Ted Simmons did play the majority of his career in Cardinal red, and that’s where he also began his career. But, he helped the Brewers to their lone World Series, ironically against the team who traded him to Milwaukee.

Simmons was stuck in the shadow of Johnny Bench, while playing in the NL. Ted retired with almost 2,500 career hits, hitting .285, 248 HRs, 1,389 RBI, 1,074 runs scored and a .987 fielding mark from behind the plate (he also played corner infield and corner outfield spots at various times during his career).

Minnesota: Tony Oliva

Tony Oliva had his career shorted by a massive knee injury that caused him to miss all but 10 games in 1972. Still, Oliva played 15 years, hitting .304, 220 HRs, driving in 947 runs and scoring 870 runs.

He stole 86 bases, got caught 55 times (.610) and, while he could never play the outfield again following his destructive knee injury, Oliva did compile a .971 fielding percentage.

New York Mets: Jerry Koosman

“Kooz” electrified Manhattan by winning 19 games as a rookie for a very poor Mets team. He would make for a solid one-two punch with Tom Seaver for a long time in the Mets pitching arsenal.

Jerry went 222-209 during 19 seasons, threw 140 complete games, 33 shutouts, rang up 2,556 Ks and had a 3.36 Earned Run Average in 612 appearances. He finished second to Johnny Bench in the Rookie of the Year balloting, but won TSN Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors.

New York Yankees: Bobby Richardson

There might be a case to be made for Roger Maris to be voted into the Hall, but Bobby Richardson probably had a better overall career, compiling a .266 BA, stealing 73 bases and getting caught 48 times (..603)/

He also had a .979 fielding percentage at second base and won a Gold Glove five times, plus a World Series MVP.

Oakland: Vida Blue

Vida Blue was a three-time 20-game winner and a key piece in the Oakland A's arsenal of arms in the 1970s. He retired with a record of 209-161, a 3.27 ERA, 140 complete games, 37 shutouts and had racked up 2.175 Ks in 3,343.1 innings of work.

He was an extremely hard thrower and in his first full season as a starter (1971). Blue fanned an incredible 301 hitters, while also throwing 24 complete games. Blue pitched a total of 17 seasons, six of which were spent with the Giants during two tours of duty and another two more seasons were spent in Kansas City.

However, he began his career in Oakland and also retired as a member of the A's. After signing a symbolic contract, he promptly announced his retirement.

Philadelphia: Richie “Dick” Allen

Allen retired with a .292 career average, a slugging percentage of .634 and a reputation as a very dangerous and strong slugger. He was the NL Rookie of the Year and TSN Rookie Player of the Year in 1964, MVP, Baseball Digest and TSN Player of the Year in 1972.

He compiled a .999 fielding percentage as an outfielder, a .989 percentage as a first baseman and was named to six All Star teams (four in the NL).

Pittsburgh: Dave Parker

The man known as "The Cobra" was a true five-tool player. He could run, hit for average, hit with power, field and throw with few peers. Eleven of his 19 seasons were spent with the Pirates, but he was never afforded the fans' respect that he felt he deserved.

He amassed 2,712 hits, a .290 BA, 339 HRs, 1,493 RBI, 1,272 runs scored and stole 154 bases, getting caught 113 times (.577). He earned three Gold Gloves, an MVP, an All-Star MVP and three Silver Slugger awards among his accolades.

San Diego: Steve Garvey

Okay, Garvey was first a Dodger. However, he's the most deserving ex-Padre player who is worthy of the HOF. In his 19 years in MLB, Garvey collected 2,599 hits, 272 of them went over the fence. He knocked in 1,308 runs and scored 1,143 runs himself. His career BA of .294 is very respectable.

He earned four Gold Gloves at first base, two All-Star game MVPs, two NLCS MVPs and one each of the Roberto Clemente and Lou Gehrig awards.

San Francisco - Will Clark

Will played eight years of his 15-year career with the Giants and collected 2,176 hits, 284 were HRs, drove in 1,205 RBI, scored 1,186 runs, and his .303 and his .497 slugging percentage are an indication of just how good the man they called "The Thrill" was as a hitter.

Throw in a .992 fielding percentage, two Silver Sluggers, an NLCS MVP and four Player of the Month awards, and you've got a great candidate for MLB's HOF.

St. Louis: Ken Boyer

Two of the three Boyer brothers who played MLB baseball played third base. Clete was known only for his glove. Ken, however, was known for his potent bat, his leadership and his glove.

In his 15 years, Ken collected 2,143 hits, 282 were homers, and he drove in 1,141 runs, scored 1,104 times as well, hit .287 and earned five Gold Gloves. Captain Ken deserves the honor. He was a complete player.

Seattle: Edgar Martinez

He was the original "Big Papi" and retired after 18 seasons with 2,247 hits, 309 HRs, 1,261 RBI, 1,219 runs scored, a .312 BA, five Player of the Month awards, has a DH award named after him (which he also won five times), three Silver Slugger awards and the Roberto Clemente Award. He's deserving!

Tampa Bay: Fred McGriff

Okay, Crime Dog's 19-year career was practically over by the time he joined Tampa Bay. Still, he's the most deserving ex-player in Rays' history. He finished with 2,490 hits, 493 HRs, 1,550 RBI, scored 1,349 times, .284 BA, .509 slugging percentage, .992 fielding percentage at first base, and he even swiped 72 bases in 110 tries (.655).

He earned three Silver Slugger awards, two Player of the Month awards and an All-Star MVP award. Lastly, he was a five-time NL All-Star. He's at the door, barking and waiting to be let into the Hall!

Texas Rangers: Al Oliver

Yes, Al began with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But, he's the most deserving of any retired Texas Ranger/Washington Senator player you care to name. He only spent four of his 18 years as a Ranger player, but Oliver put up some HOF-worthy numbers: .303 BA, 2,743 total hits, 1,326 RBI, .990 fielding percentage at first base, .982 fielding percentage in center field, three Silver Slugger and two Player of the Month awards. Open up the door and let this man in, already!

Toronto: Dave Stieb

First thing to remember is that Dave is already in the Canadian HOF. He won 172 games in 16 seasons, 103 were complete games, 30 were shutouts, he compiled a 3.44 ERA, was Pitcher of the Month three times, and he fanned 1,669 hitters. He was a seven-time AL All-Star and pitched close to 3,000 innings.

Washington (Montreal): Tim Raines

Tim Raines was a seven-time All-Star during his 23 year career. He collected 2,605 hits, scored 1,571 runs, fielded .987, stole 808 bases and got caught just 146 times. He accomplished much and played an unusually long time (until age 43).

That's even more remarkable when you consider that he was very small at 5'8" and 178 lbs. Most remarkable was that he broke into the majors at age 19.