Since it took all of two days to get through all of the former Phillies on the ballot, team Phungo is going to take a look at some of the other candidates. Today's feature is Larry Walker.
1991 Topps #339 Larry Walker
This isn't the Larry Walker Topps RC (It is preceded by
1990 Topps #757 plus a number of other cards by Score, Donruss, Fleer and others ) but not of those cards have the fine
Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy.
Larry Walker is generally remembered for his decade with the
Rockies, but he did come up with the
Montreal Expos with whom he spent six seasons. Walker is a
career .313 HR with 383 Home Runs. Those numbers may have gotten a guy in the HoF a few generations ago, but that hasn't yet happened for Walker who is now on his 4th ballot.
Without checking I would not put Larry Walker in the HoF. Digging around in
Baseball-Ref I found the following. Walker won the
1997 MVP award which he deserved according to WAR ratings. He had 2 Batting Titles (Coor assisted). His other LL included OBP, slugging, and OPS each twice and Homers once. His Awards mantle includes 7 Gold Gloves and a trio of Silver Sluggers.
The five time all-star was a part of 3 playoff teams including the
2004 Cardinals who took the
NL Pennant before losing to the Curse-Breaking Red Sox team.
HoF related metrics on Baseball-ref
-Of his top 10 Sim Scores 3 are HoF (
Snider, DiMaggio, Mize), 6 are either active or still awaiting HoF consideration. Only 1 is Out (Ellis Burks)
-His
Black/Gray Ink test are both below the HoF average. Black is close - Grey not so much
-However is
HoF monitor and HoF standards somewhat above the category averages
Advanced Metrics
This is the WAR numbers where I am taking it on faith that all these folks are doing their calculations correctly.
-WAR RF (72.6): The average WAR for HOF RF is 73.3, but this is at a position that includes Babe Ruth. Every WAR RF above Walker is in the HoF. Walker ranks above at least a dozen RFs already in the Hall plus Joe Jackson.
-WAR7(44.6): this tracks a players 7 best WAR seasons. The RF HoF average is 42.9. Once again every RF above Walker is HoF and Walker ranks above 12+ HoF.
-
JAWS RF (58.6): JAWS(developed by Jay Jaffe) accounts for a players 7 year Peak along with their career WAR. Among Right Fielders Larry Walker ranks 10th in JAWS. and as with the previous WAR related categories Walker ranks above at least a dozen RFs already in the Hall plus Joe Jackson.
Phungo Verdict: HOF - This is a pleasant surprise
, Walker ranks right at the average player for his WAR. His number may be Coors inflated, but from what understand WAR should account for this issue. Beyond WAR he has decent Sim scores and has always been represented as a good dude. The one drawback on his resume beyond the Mile High Home games is his lack of playoff experience and no World Championship.
2014 HoF Candidates
Todd Jones
Mike Piazza (2013 Profile)
Curt Schilling (2013 Profile)
Mike Timlin
.
2013 HoF Rejects (no longer on ballot)
Larry Walker HOF Index
1991 Topps #339 Larry Walker (HoF Candidacy 2013)
Sources and Links
1991 Topps Rookie Cup Index
baseball-ref.com
1991 Topps #339 Larry Walker
