HAROLD BAINES
Fifth Year on Ballot (2010 – 6.1%)
PLAYING CAREER: Chicago White Sox (1980–1989), Texas Rangers (1989–1990), Oakland Athletics (1990–1992), Baltimore Orioles (1993–1995), Chicago White Sox (1996–1997), Baltimore Orioles (1997–1999), Cleveland Indians (1999), Baltimore Orioles (2000) and Chicago White Sox (2000–2001)
ACHIEVEMENTS: Career batting average of .289, with 384 home runs. 2866 hits and 1628 RBI are the most of any Hall-eligible player not in the Hall of Fame. 1652 games as a designated hitter is a Major League record. Six-time All-Star (1985-1987, 1989, 1991 and 1999).
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ON TWITTER:
@NiemiSaidNo: harold no nickname needed baines should be in the BBHOF this year
@MNTwinsZealot: Ron Santo was great for baseball, but a HOF? No, his career numbers don’t merit it. A Chicago player that should be in HOF? Harold Baines
HOVG THOUGHTS: Alright, as huge as I am on Roberto Alomar…I’m just as huge on Baines. And yes, I know the “he was JUST a DH” speech so spare me the lecture. That being said, it needs to be pointed out that only Pete Rose, Craig Biggio, Rafael Palmeiro and Barry Bonds have more hits than Baines and aren;t in the Hall of Fame. Odds are that had Baines not had two work stoppages during his career, he would have eclipsed the magic number of 3000 hits. So riddle me this…how does a guy like Baines barely get enough votes to stay Hall-eligible year after year? His lack of support is a joke.
And yes…I know I am in the vast minority when it comes to my support of Baines…so spare me that lecture as well.
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