Barry Larkin is Either a Hall of Famer or He is Not a Hall of Famer

Does Barry Larkin belong in the Hall of Fame? The answer is whatever you want it to be.

Phil Rizzuto was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans’ Committee in 1994. Many fans applauded the action. Many fans didn’t.

The following compares Larkin with Rizzuto:

Player BA OBP SLG HR SB
Larkin .295 .371 .444. 198 379
Rizzuto .273 .351 .355 38 149

It appears that Larkin was a more effective offensive player.

Defensively, Larkin had a .975 fielding percentage compared to the league’s .968 fielding percentage.

Rizzuto had a .968 fielding percentage compared to the league’s .959 fielding percentage.

Based on the above, Larkin had a career worthy of being elected into the Hall of Fame.

Wait a minute.

Cal Ripken Jr. is a Hall of Fame shortstop. He was not the greatest shortstop in history nor was he the worst.

The following compares Larkin, Rizzuto and Ripken:

Player BA OBP SLG HR SB
Larkin .295 .371 .444. 198 379
Rizzuto .273 .351 .355 38 149
Ripken .276 .340 .477 431 36

Does Larkin Belong in the Hall of Fame? Does Larkin Belong in the Hall of Fame?Absolutely. 0% No Way 0% Maybe 0% Total votes: 0

Ripken had a .979 fielding percentage compared to the league’s .969 fielding percentage.

As Rizzuto would say, “Holy Cow.”

Larkin batted 19 points higher than Ripken and his on base percentage was 31 points better. Why, even Rizzuto had a better on base percentage than Ripken.

Based on statistics and based on the fact that Larkin played about six more seasons than Rizzuto, who missed three seasons defending our freedoms, Larkin is a Hall of Famer.

Compared to Ripken, whom some refer to as the “incomparable Cal Ripken,” Larkin is a Hall of Famer.

The following are the Hall of Fame shortstops:

Ward, John New York Gothams, Giants Shortstop 1964 Yount, Robin Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop 1999 Wells, Willie St. Louis Stars Shortstop 1997 Wagner, Honus Pittsburgh Pirates Shortstop 1936 Wallace, Bobby St. Louis Browns Shortstop 1953 Vaughan, Arky Pittsburgh Pirates Shortstop 1985 Tinker, Joe Chicago Cubs Shortstop 1946 Smith, Ozzie St. Louis Cardinals Shortstop 2002 Sewell, Joe Cleveland Indians Shortstop 1977 Rizzuto, Phil New York Yankees Shortstop 1994 Reese, Pee Wee Brooklyn Dodgers Shortstop 1984 Ripken, Cal Baltimore Orioles Shortstop 2007 Maranville, Rabbit Boston Braves Shortstop 1954 Lloyd, Pop New York Lincoln Giants Shortstop 1977 Jackson, Travis New York Giants Shortstop 1982 Jennings, Hugh Baltimore Orioles (National League) Shortstop 1945 Davis, George New York Giants Shortstop 1998 Cronin, Joe Boston Red Sox Shortstop 1956 Boudreau, Lou Cleveland Indians Shortstop 1970 Bancroft, Dave Philadelphia Phillies Shortstop 1971 Appling, Luke Chicago White Sox Shortstop 1964 Aparicio, Luis Chicago White Sox Shortstop 1984

The link allows one to click on each of the players to review his career.

Some Hall of Fame shortstops were clearly superior to Larkin. Some were not.

Does Larkin belong? The answer is whatever you want it to be.


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