Edgar Martinez
Now that the Ancient Mariner is about to hang up his bat, there's much discussion on whether he's a worthy Hall of Fame candidate. If you wish to exclude Martinez, do it because his numbers (2207 hits, 306 HR) aren't quite there. Don't exclude him simply because he's a DH. If that's the logic, then no American League pitcher can ever make Cooperstown again. AL pitchers don't hit, and they seldom have to field their position. Just like the DH, their job is limited in scope.
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Don't keep Edgar out of the HOF because he didn't achieve some set of numbers. Numbers don't tell the entire story. Edgar was the epitome of the unselfish player: a guy who was willing to pop up sac. flies and spread well placed fielder's choices around in to advance team mates and drive in runs. He could have swung for the fences everytime he came up to bat, and gotten perhaps another 10 to 15 homers per season. But he chose instead to always put team needs ahead of personal statistics. Didn't he lead the league in RBIs in 2001, the year the Mariners won 116 games. That says a lot. A team player, playing small ball to produce big results!!
Posted on October 4, 2004 2:17 AM