I am wondering, are closers gonna get screwed in the nominations process to be eligible for the HOF? The reason I ask that is I always have my closers set for "only in save situations" to be brought in. As a result http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=918567 would likely never be eligible for the Hall. Currently he doesn't warrant consideration, but in a few years he may put up numbers to make him worthy.

In case people can't see him he is 28 yrs old. He has played just under 5 full seasons in the majors. 4 of those seasons he was the closer for the full year, the other part of the year. He has 156 saves in 178 tries (not wonderful, but not the point ultimately). A 3.13 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.

Last was his best thus far as he went 40 of 43 with a .91 WHIP and a 1.82 ERA. However, he only had 39.2 IP and only appeared in 2 games where a save was not possible (both long extra inning games). Also, he has only reached 50 IP 1 time in his career. So, he could have 5-6 more seasons like that, end up with 400ish saves and not even be eligible for consideration. I am sure there are some guys that have been better, so disregard him for my point. Also, he did *not* make the All-Star squad last season, nor was he Fireman of the Year.

Any thoughts?

Yes, closers have the most potential to be "screwed" under the currently-indicated HOF process.

Which mirrors real life, so it seems not to be a big issue.

Quote: Originally posted by examinerebb on 1/25/2010Which mirrors real life, so it seems not to be a big issue.

I think I could make the case that DH and/or middle relievers get "screwed" more in the real life HOF process.

Agreed. Though, while a ton of middle relievers will qualify in HBD, I don't see many making it. DHs will because they were there from the beginning.

It's appearances not innings. 50 games.

My closer in MG pitched 48.2 innings in 71 games.

I think some worlds may induct some of these super middle relievers that log 160+ innings, and rightly so...

to me they're alot more valuable than these closers that rack up tons of saves but only pitch 40 innings a season...

oh and patrickm has stated that the benchmark is 50 GAMES a season for 10 seasons, not 50 innings.

And right now the player in question is at 51.4 g/year, but the question raised is a fair one, since this player, used as he has been, could easily wind up below 50 g/yr by the end of his career.

Even if he didn't, there are players who may accumulate saves used "only in save situation" who may be very successful and post great rate numbers, yet may never even be eligible to be put to a vote.

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Kind of shocking the Lee Smith isn't in

Here is a better example of the type of player who could get the shaft (although he will likely be eligible due to All-Star game appearances) http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=999070. In the middle of his 7th season and it will be closer if he appears in 50 games. If he does it will be his 5th in 7 seasons. In his career he 220 saves in 250 attempts, a 1.05 WHIP, and a 2.61 ERA. His last 5 seasons (including the current ones have been as follows:

37 games, 35 IP, 29/35 Saves, 1.11 WHIP, 3.09 ERA
45 games, 40 IP, 36/41 Saves, 1.35 WHIP, 3.60 ERA
61 games, 61.1 IP, 39/45 Saves, 0.93 WHIP, 2.93 ERA
57 games, 54 IP, 40/45 Saves, 0.89 WHIP, 1.83 ERA
31 games, 27.2 IP, 25/26 Saves, 0.90 WHIP, 0.65 ERA (current season more then half way over)

Quote: Originally Posted By gjello10 on 1/25/2010Kind of shocking the Lee Smith isn't i

He was 6th in voting (with 47.3% of the vote) this season, so I would guess 3-4 more years until he gets in maybe?