Okay, so there’s already been a lot of talk about the newest nominees for induction into Cooperstown in 2010. Two of the most talked about nominees are Roberto Alomar and Barry Larkin. It seems that according to most baseball writers, there is only one shoe-in for induction. However, in this writer’s humble opinion, there should be a minimum of two inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
It’s known that Alomar excelled both at the plate and in the field. He has a career .300 batting average to go with 2,724 career hits, 1,134 RBI and 210 homers in 17 MLB seasons. (He was no slouch on the bases either stealing 474, while being caught 114 times).
In the field, he won an impressive ten Gold Gloves at second base, with a .984 career fielding average.
Alomar achieved his Hall-worthy stats and accolades spread across seven different MLB teams over his 17 seasons. He did this while playing in 2,379 regular season MLB games at the plate and 2,325 in the field.
Now let’s take a look at the other much talked about nominee. Barry Larkin was a household name in Cincinnati during his tenure as the Reds bedrock at shortstop. During his 19 seasons he averaged .295 at the plate with 2,340 career hits, 198 home runs, and 1,329 runs. (He, like Alomar, also was fleet of foot on the bases, racking up 379 stolen bases, while being nabbed 77 times).
Larkin had a .975 fielding percentage, with three Gold Glove awards. He was the NL MVP in 1995. He did this while playing in 2,180 regular season MLB games at the plate and 2,088 in the field.
One thing that distinguishes Barry Larkin is that he played his entire career with the Reds. To me, that means something. When you think of the Reds shortstop, you think of Barry Larkin. That simple.
Incidentally, according to baseball-reference.com, Alomar is the eighth most similar batter to Larkin by stats, and Larkin is the fourth most similar batter to Alomar by statistics.
You can get your Barry Larkin Rookie Card here and your Roberto Alomar Rookie Card here.
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Barry Larkin and robby Alomar are BOTh shoe ins
for the HOF.
Now, considering Bert Blyleven was also a shoe in and has not entered, some 20 years or more since retiring, makes one admit: there are not many shoe ins.
However, Alomar and Larkin were quintessentials at their positions. Player most similar to them, currently playing, Derek Jeter.
Will he be a shoe in?
Enough said.