Major League Baseball – Potential Candidates for Hall of Fame
There are certain players who work with heart and passion, training day and night, putting up a strong fight even when their team is in a spot of bother, and at times achieving the impossible and leading their team to both glory and victory. For this feat, these players, at some stage in their career, are given a token of reward. The mode of appreciation in most of the sports results in the player being inducted in the Hall of Fame of the sport. Here we shall discuss some of the candidates who are potentials for the MLB Hall of Fame. Some of the players, though very young, are mentioned here as well, because their consistent and impressive performance in the MLB lines them up for future glory.
Joey Votto is one of the candidates. He started his career with the Cincinnati Reds three years ago (September 4, 2007) and averages 24.5 home runs, 84 RBI (Runs Batted In). This season, he is making the past season’s stats looking not worth watching with more than 60 RBI, 58 runs scored and 23 dingers. In 2009, he picked up the National League Player of the Week award, and in 2010, the National League All-Star (Cincinnati.)
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is another impressive 26-year old in the MLB, who already has bagged two Cy Young awards. Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, the pitcher with a slight build (at 5’11” and 172 lbs), though not on top form as he used to be, can cause great damage to the opposition, and is one of the top pitchers in the game. In the future, he is certain to be inducted in the MLB Hall of Fame.
CC Sabathia, a starting pitcher from the New York Yankees, has great talent. He averages 15 wins per season. CC Sabathia has already won 1 Cy Young Award (2007), has been named to the American League All-Star Team a record four times (2003, 2004, 2007 and 2010), is a 2009 World Series Champion (New York Yankees), and was awarded the American League Championship Series MVP Award in 2009. An unstoppable force, he is on course for adding more trophies and awards to his name.
Justin Verlander adds to the list with an impressive record that he maintains. Justin made his debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2005, and in 2006 (his first full season with the Tigers), his performance led him to be awarded the Rookie of the Year award. His average of 16 wins per season along with the 100 mph ball he delivers also cements his position stronger as a candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Jason Heyward, the ‘Jay Hey Kid’ and No. 22 right fielder for the Atlanta Braves, also belongs to the young group of players who are apparently dominating the MLB. Jason, displaying his athleticism, is on the road for 20 home runs and 90 RBI. He has already been listed as MLB’s best power hitter by many publications.
Cliff Lee’s frequent changes of teams (Cleveland Indians to Philadelphia Phillies to Seattle Mariners and finally to Texas Rangers in 2010) and discussion here may seem questionable. However, he is, without a doubt, the best left handed starting pitcher in the MLB and wherever he goes, he gives his best and has a record that speaks for itself. One thing he has to work on, though, is that he has to be consistent with the performances he is expected and can deliver. Stephen Strasburg also lies in the same category, having similar statistics.
Ryan Howard is another prolific and exciting player. Ryan averages 49.5 home runs and 143 RBI (he is the first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies). 2005’s NL Rookie of the Year, Ryan finishes in the top 5 in the voting for NL MVP and managed to win it in 2006. Winner of the National League Championship Series MVP award, he is surely one of the most feared players in the MLB.
Evan Longoria is certainly one of the exciting youngsters, who is immensely talented and he already leads the Tampa Bay Rays team (as third baseman). He is one player who is expected to win awards of all sorts and fill up his trophy cabinet.
Another spot potentially to be inducted in the Hall of Fame is occupied by the great Alex Rodriguez, or ‘A-Rod’, as he is more popularly known as. The New York Yankees’ third baseman is reaching the 600th home run of his career, and is eying the all time 762 home run record; he truly is one of the legends of the game.
God’s gift to MLB, St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, is surely a pleasure to watch while playing. The three-time MVP winner (2005, 2008, and 2009) is not only a threat to the opponents but also to those who are eying themselves to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. His statistics seem out of this world as they impress anyone and without a doubt, everyone would agree that the player is one of the best out there.
Ichiro Suzuki came to the MLB stage late as he was playing in Japan. If he had been here, he without a doubt would have been the greatest player in MLB history. Nearing the 3000 hits soon, the Seattle Mariners outfielder occupies the number 3 spot in the potential candidates for the Hall of Fame.
The Mr. Yankee title given to Derek Jeter puts one foot in the Hall of Fame inductee list. The 11 time All-Star selection is expected to reach 3000 hits in the coming year. His qualities are those which are above anyone in the MLB. These qualities earn him the 2nd spot in this list.
The top spot is occupied by New York Yankees’ relief pitcher Mariano Rivera. Rivera, with the sort of talent he has, has managed to remain the best closer in baseball for a record 16 years. And at 40 now, he still holds the title. His statistics, both in terms of saves and career ERA, take him to a position where no one else has reached.
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