Former. I'm saying guys that have big stats today would not have had the same big stats then. So we have to look at stats only as they pertain to the generation they were accumulated in.

 

I think most of today's stars would have even more inflated numbers against the players of yester-year.

I think most of today's stars would have even more inflated numbers against the players of yester-year.

 

Obviously, a guess but rules/technology/drugs(legal and illegal)/style of play/....

 

So many factors make that guess tenuous.

 

How many HRs is Beltre hitting playing 81 games at Forbes Field? Ebbets ?

How many is he hitting with Bob Gibson not worried about fines from buzzing the tower AND pitching from a mound that was 5 inches higher?

 

What about the baseballs? They often changed so numbers went up or down depending on the ball. Do you think today's ball is better or worse for hitters?

 

What about bats? Do you think technology today allows for better bats?

I'll say the same thing that I said several seasons back: Beltre has a much better resume for the HOF than most of his contemporaries at 3rd base. I remember catching a lot of flack from Rolen supporters but I stand by what I said then.

Without a doubt he is in

My guess is it's the "accumulator of stats" vs being one of the elite.

 

My criteria for HOF is elite. IMO you can be really good with a lot of great stats due to longevity and not be elite.

 

Add in that stats today are not equivalent to stats of yesterday and it gives wiggle room for the argument.

 

Cal Ripken?:idunno: By your definition I think he would have to fit your bill.

Cal Ripken?:idunno: By your definition I think he would have to fit your bill.

 

Possibly so

Possibly so

 

I wouldn't disagree, but we would probably have a whole lot of people ready to fight us if we said he wasn't a Hall of Famer

I wouldn't disagree, but we would probably have a whole lot of people ready to fight us if we said he wasn't a Hall of Famer

 

Hard to knock Cal IMO. 2x MVP, career .340 OBP, career WAR of 95.5 (25th all-time). He may have been an accumulator to an extent, but his two MVP awards show that he was among the game's elite throughout his career IMO.