Larkin to the HOF

Barry Larkin - YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

I once met him at the CWS in Omaha. I approached him in a hotel lobby as someone who grew up and went to HS very near him. He was as kind and polite as anyone could be...always nice when a superstar you loved to watch play treats you well.

Congrats to Barry, but should there be a 440 vote difference between him and Bernie Williams?

Larkin Williams
Career Avg Career Avg

Years 19 16
G 2180 162 2076 162
PA 9057 673 9053 706
AB 7937 590 7869 614
R 1329 99 1366 107
H 2340 174 2336 182
2B 441 33 449 35
3B 76 6 55 4
HR 198 15 287 22
RBI 960 71 1257 98
SB 379 28 147 11
CS 77 6 87 7
BB 939 70 1069 83
SO 817 61 1212 95
BA .295 .295 .297 .297
OBP .371 .371 .381 .381
SLG .444 .444 .477 .477
OPS .815 .815 .858 .858
OPS+ 116 116 125 125
TB 3527 262 3756 293
GDP 178 13 223 17
HBP 55 4 39 3
SH 59 4 12 1
SF 67 5 64 5
IBB 66 5 97 8

quote:

Congrats to Barry, but should there be a 440 vote difference between him and Bernie Williams?

I would say, yes. Bernie was an outstanding pro, but in my book not HOF material.

Comparing an outfielder's numbers to a shortstop's is comparing apples to oranges. Barry was an outstanding offensive shortstop who's defensive value was underrated due to playing the same position at about the same time as the greatest defensive player to ever play the position(Ozzie Smith). Bernie was an excellent offwensive player but his numbers among all time outfielders do not stand out as much since there have been many outfielders with better numbers. Look at the defensive numbers and he was not a highly rrated centerfielder all time either and his arm was below average.

One of the nicest, most genuine people you will find off the field. Deserved to get in on first ballot.