Chase Utley: HOF?

At some point, decades from now, people who make HOF arguments based on whether or not they personally “think of” someone as a HOFer or “elite” will die off. This will be sad for them and their families, but good for baseball and, also, debate.

 

So did Brady Anderson.

 

Bill James should just start a metric HOF.

 

Evidence-based arguments are superior to what someone’s “gut” indicates. This is not less try because it’s baseball.

 

Besides, there already is a “Metric Hall of Fame.” It is called, simply, “Hall of Fame.” All James did was help people understand they were using the wrong metrics.

 

Yes, it shouldn't be on gut instinct, but it's not solely on numbers either.

5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.

 

No it isn't.

 

If only there was some way by which a player’s “playing ability” might manifest itself over the course of thousands of plate appearances ...

 

There is. That's not the only qualification listed.

 

What point are you trying to make?

 

It's not just purely metrics. You can read that in the election rules.