Chase Utley: HOF?

Went to same high school as Tony Gwynn

 

Jimmy Rollins, who has no shot at the Hall.

 

What does one have to do with the other? Plus Whitaker was lazy and nonchalant about his craft.

 

But he speaks so well.

 

I’ve always felt if Trammell and Whitaker got on the ballot at the same time it would help both of them because they were thought of as a tandem.
I always thought they were borderline HOF when they were playing, but why did players with comparable stats (Sandberg and Larkin) make it easily while Trammell struggled and Whitaker fell from the ballot?
Hopefully, Whitaker will make it next time.

 

Whitaker can't even get on the ballot. He's at least two cycles away -- the Class of 2023 -- from getting in.

 

My gut reaction / recollection was that Utley should be in. Then, when I look at his numbers - It's basically six full, awesome years from 2005 to 2010. After that, he plays about 100 games with above average production for two years, two more good full years in 2013 and 2014, and then a really steep decline. Second base is tough - players have shorter careers than you'd think there - but his case is borderline to me. I can understand arguments for both sides, and I'd probably lean "yes."

 

His track to the Hall is going to depend on the guys eligible around him. Beltran coming in the class before him is not going help because he almost certainly won't be first ballot. If Ichiro is in fact done, that's going to hurt. If Adrian Beltre decides to retire after this season or next, that's another obstacle. CC has stated if the Yankees won it all, he'd probably retire/next year could be his last as well.

 

Olbermann on Utley.

 

I bet I know which one Ragu thinks was the scrappier player.

 

We’ve been trying to say good riddance to Olbermann for 20 years and he keeps coming back.
He’s like herpes.

 

If Jeff Kent doesn’t belong, Utley definitely does not.