Wednesday, July 16, 2008

MLB Hall of Fame Musings


I was watching Major League Baseball's All Star Game tonight. I have really gotten back into watching baseball in the last few years and the All Star Game is one that I never miss.

They had a very nice way of introducing the starting lineups. They introduced each position player and along with the player, introduced Hall of Fame players who played that position.

I saw many of my favorites, including Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, and others.

I was hoping one of them would be wearing a Houston Astros cap. None did. This started me to thinking about Hall of Famers who have played for the Astros.

So I got on the Internet and looked up all the players who played for the Astros and are in the Hall of Fame. Here they are:

Leo Durocher-manager: 1972-1973
Robin Roberts-pitcher: 1965-1966
Nellie Fox-second base: 1964-1965
Nolan Ryan-pitcher: 1980-1988
Eddie Mathews-third base: 1967
Don Sutton-pitcher: 1981-1982
Joe Morgan-second base: 1963-1971

When they are inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, their plaque lists all the teams they played for and each player is shown wearing a team cap. Here are the players with the respective cap they are wearing on their Hall of Fame plaque.

Leo Durocher: Brooklyn Dodgers
Robin Roberts: Philadelphia Phillies
Nellie Fox: Chicago White Sox
Nolan Ryan: Texas Rangers
Eddie Mathews: Milwaukee Braves
Don Sutton: Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Morgan: Cincinnati Reds

As of now, there are no players in the Hall of Fame wearing an Astros cap. My other two favorite teams are the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates have 36 players and the Yankees 39 players in the Hall of Fame. There are 12 Players wearing a Pirates cap and 19 players wear a Yankees cap. Actually, there may be 20 players wearing a Yankees cap, as the Hall of Fame lists Reggie Jackson's primary team at the Oakland A's, but I believe he wears a Yankees cap on his plaque.

I wonder who will be the first players to wear and Astros cap? I think it will probably be Craig Biggio. Although Jeff Bagwell retired before Biggio, I think Biggio will gain admittance to the Hall of Fame before Bagwell.

I also think neither will get in on the first ballot, as Houston is not a major media market. However, I do feel Biggio is worthy of the Hall. His numbers and stats are far better than some other second basemen already in the Hall.

It would be nice to see an Astros cap on a Hall of Fame plaque. Perhaps it will happen while I am still alive.

This is just some food for thought. This post is not my usual thoughts, but it was something that made me think this evening. Thank you for allowing me to indulge

"I guess good things come to those who wait. I love my teammates, and the city, and the organization, and it's unbelievable to even to say 'World Series,' and that we're going right now." - Craig Biggio

2 comments:

Law and Order Teacher said...

Biggio, class act, great ballplayer. As a Reds fan, he has broken my heart many times.

Texas Truth said...

Law and Order Teacher: It was recently in the news that he is going to be the head baseball coach for a small private high school in Houston. He IS a class act.