Cooperstown 2016: Fred McGriff

FRED McGRIFF
Seventh Year on Ballot (12.9% last year)

PLAYING CAREER:  Toronto Blue Jays (1986–1990), San Diego Padres (1991–1993), Atlanta Braves (1993–1997), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–2001), Chicago Cubs (2001–2002), Los Angeles Dodgers (2003) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004).

ACHIEVEMENTS:  Career batting average of .284 with 2490 hits, 493 home runs and 1550 RBI.  Ranks 28^th all-time in home runs and 44^th in RBI.  Hit 30 or more home runs in seven straight seasons (1988-1994) and three more times in 1999, 2001 and 2002.  Five-time All-Star selection (1992, 1994-1996 and 2000).  World Series champion in 1995.  Was the first player to hit a home run at Toronto’s Skydome…now known as the Rogers Centre.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ON TWITTER:

OK, new convo, who had the sweetest swing ever, Ken Griffey Jr., Fred McGriff, Other?

— Dave Lackford, Esq. (@DaveLackfordESQ) December 22, 2015

still sad Fred McGriff probably will never make the Hall of Fame. that strike shortened season kept him out of the 500 HR club

— CEO of Montyrico Farms, Inc (@FishingnWeed) December 18, 2015

https://twitter.com/_JayCeezy/status/676605767923793922

HOVG THOUGHTS:  The “Crime Dog” was the epitome of consistency for close to 20 years and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be on the ballot for a long, long time.  The problem with McGriff, however, is that he’s continually overshadowed on the ballot by some pretty big names and stands to never get his proper respect.  At the time of his retirement, his 493 career bombs were the most home runs of any eligible player (not named Mark McGwire) not currently in the Hall of Fame.