Friday, February 21, 2014

HOF Vote Season 29

Here are the players I voted for and a brief description as to why I voted for them (some cribbed directly from the previous HOF post) Let me know if there are any omissions:

No doubt, first ballot HOF guys (IMO):

Joseph Tanaka
Age: 38B/T: R/R
Born: Seoul, KR
Position(s): CF
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Joseph Tanaka:
11 Time All Star, 11 Time Gold Glove CF, 1 Time Silver Slugger CF (and would have had many more if not for Mendoza) .272/.382/.510, 561 HR, 353 SB, 324 Plus plays (CF). In my opinion, the most complete player I've ever seen in HBD. Is hands down the best defensive player Banks World has ever seen, has over 100 more Plus Plays than the next closest player in world history and did it at one of the two most important defensive positions. Has over 500 HRs and 350 SBs.

Rafael Mendoza
Age: 37B/T: L/L
Born: Villa Mella, DO
Position(s): CF
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Rafael Mendoza:
12 Time All Star, 12 Time Silver Slugger CF, .302/.409/.529, 384 HR, 500 2B, 608 SB. Best Offensive CF in world history, could competently handle CF defensively. 4th all time in career Stolen Bases and has more HRs than the rest of the top 5 combined.

Just below the Slam Dunk of the ones above:

Jerry Womack
Age: 37B/T: R/R
Born: Pascagoula, MS
Position(s): RF
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Jerry Womack:
6 Time All Star, 2 Time MVP, 3 Time Silver Slugger RF, .290/.349/.605, 612 HR, 91 Assists (RF). One of the best power hitters in Banks World history, the career leader in RF Assists, Multiple MVP winner, 612 HRs.

Al Neill
Age: 37B/T: R/R
Born: Shallowater, TX
Position(s): 3B/2B
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Al Neill:
7 Time All Star, NL Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove 2B, 4 Time Silver Slugger 2B/3B, .292/.362/.552, 433 HR, 398 2B, 489 SB, 106 Plus Plays 3B/2B. Complete player, did everything exceptionally well. While he may not have the eye popping HR totals of some of the other candidates, he's arguably as valuable as the other 4 listed here. I'm willing to admit personal bias on this selection, but I would feel him deserving regardless.

Felix Cummings
Age: 41B/T: S/R
Born: Norwalk, OH
Position(s): SP1
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Felix Cummings:
11 Time All Star, 2 Time Cy Young, 1 No Hit, 497 Starts, 18 CG, 264 Wins, 3258 IP, 3035 SO, 1.11 WHIP, 2.83 ERA. Arguably the best starting pitcher in Banks history, has both the dominant single seasons and the long term success required to clear the high bar for entry for a Pitcher into the HOF.

Other Candidates that merit consideration, but are not in my personal top 5 (in alphabetical order):

Tony Bennett
Age: 37B/T: R/R
Born: Guayubin, DO
Position(s): SS
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Tony Bennett:
4 time All-Star, 12 time Gold Glove SS, .255/.320/.383, Best Defensive SS in Banks History, not an out machine at the plate.

Jocko Damon
Age: 37B/T: R/R
Born: Aberdeen, WA
Position(s): COF/CIF
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Jocko Damon:
1 Time All Star, 1 Time Silver Slugger 3B, .271/.355/.554, 275 2B, 82 3B, 470 HR, 535 SB (90.4% success) The rare blend of lots of speed and lots of power, not a terribly good defender, I may be biased.

Jimmie Duff
Age: 40B/T: L/L
Born: Grand Ledge, MI
Position(s): Closer
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Jimmie Duff:
11 Time All Star, 3 Time Fireman of The Year, 554 Saves, 1251 IP, 1081 SO, 1.24 WHIP, 3.57 ERA Depending on your stance on RPs, he's deserving of being in the discussion for best closer in Banks history.

Travis James
Age: 38B/T: L/L
Born: New Lisbon, WI
Position(s): 1B
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Travis James:
4 Time All Star, 3 Time Silver Slugger 1B, 1 time Gold Glove 1B, 577 2B, 514 HR, .302/.362/.540, Remarkably consistent and underrated 1B.

Jimmie Moya
Age: 39B/T: R/R
Born: Paw Paw, MI
Position(s): SP1
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Jimmie Moya:
6 Time All Star, 1 Cy Young, 563 Starts, 271 Wins, 3783 IP, 2718 SO, 1.24 WHIP, 3,49 ERA. ONe of the best pitchers in Banks history, played second fiddle to Felix Cummings for many seasons.

Charles Myers
Age: 43B/T: L/L
Born: Wyandotte, OK
Position(s): 3B/RF/CF/2B
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Charles Myers:
4 Time All Star, 1Ttime Gold Glove RF, 1 time Silver Slugger 3B, 3120 Hits, 625 2B, 517 HR, .306/.375/.538. Miscast for almost his entire career as a left handed throwing infielder, he's top 5 in many offensive career stats in Banks.

Vinny Nitkowski
Age: 40B/T: R/R
Born: Sterling, IL
Position(s): SP1
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Vinny Nitkowski:
8 time All Star, 1 Cy Young, 1 Rookie of the Year NL, 1 Sliver Slugger P, 451 Starts, 235 Wins, 3148 IP, 2178 SO, 1.31 WHIP, 3.69 ERA. May not have the length of career to make it, but was one of the top starters in many seasons he played.

Dennis Richardson
Age: 38B/T: R/R
Born: Chariton, IA
Position(s): 1B
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Dennis Richardson:
4 Time All Star, 3 Time Silver Slugger 1B, 2 Time Gold Glove 1B, Rookie of the Year NL, 673 HR, .290/.369/.586. Excellent 1B, top 5 power hitter in Banks History.

Roger Sele
Age: 39B/T: S/R
Born: Marshville, NC
Position(s): 1B
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Roger Sele:
3 Time All Star, 1 Time MVP, 2 Time Silver Slugger 1B, Rookie of The Year NL, 599 HR, .294/.368./.583. A poor defensive 1B, still hit enough to win an MVP.