Baseball players such as Ken Griffey, Jr., Frank Thomas, Carlos Delgado, Juan Gonzalez, and Lee Smith will, I believe, someday be in the Hall of Fame (HoF). However, none of these players ever contested in a World Series.
Other players, who were once virtually sure fire HoFers, will find it difficult being enshrined, due to the taint of illegal steroid or other drug use. These players also never had the chance to play in the World Series (WS), also known as the “Fall Classic.”
These players include first baseman-designated hitterRafael Palmerio and outfielder Sammy Sosa.
These two players, steroid tainted or not, played for many years and racked up solid offensive numbers.
For the record, according to Wikipedia, “Players are currently inducted into the Hall of Fame through election by either the Baseball Writers Association of America (or BBWAA), or the Veterans Committee, which now consists of three subcommittees, each of which considers and votes for candidates from a separate era of baseball. Five years after retirement, any player with 10 years of major league experience who passes a screening committee (which removes from consideration players of clearly lesser qualification) is eligible to be elected by BBWAA members with 10 years’ membership or more. From a final ballot typically including 25-40 candidates, each writer may vote for up to 10 players; until the late 1950s, voters were advised to cast votes for the maximum 10 candidates. Any player named on 75% or more of all ballots cast is elected.”
Griffey is a certain first round HoFer. His career spanned from 1989-2010. Among those who had illustrious careers but never appeared in a WS, Griffey hit the most home runs (HRs), blasting 630, is second in games played (2,671), is tied for third in years played (22), and fourth in hits (2,781). Griffey split his career between the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. With the Reds, Griffey was slowed by injuries in his later years. Still, hitting 630 home runs and outstanding statistics in other categories should make him a first round HoF cinch.
First baseman Frank Thomas (1990-2008), who played primarily for the Chicago White Sox until the twilight of his career, may not be a first round HoFer, also due to injuries in his later playing days. Still, Thomas is one of the only players to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards at his position. Of those who never appeared in a WS, Thomas ranks fourth in HRs with 521, making him a member of the illustrious “500 Home Run club”. If the “The Big Hurt (his nickname)” hadn’t been hurt during a good part of his career, he’d probably be with Griffey in the 600 HR category.
Another first baseman, Carlos Delgado (1993-2009), ranks sixth in HRs (473) among those you never appeared in a WS. Delgado may be “on the cusp” for HoF election, but he produced some excellent numbers during his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the New York Mets and Florida Marlins.
Right fielder Juan Gonzalez ranks ninth in HRs (434) for players who never saw WS action. He was a two-time most Valuable Player in the American League (AL) while playing in Texas, was a two-time HR champ in the AL, and a three-time All Star. He did not make the HoF the first time he was eligible, or since, but his statistics are HoF worthy.
Reliever Lee Smith (1980-1997), who pitched for a variety of teams, amassed 476 saves, the most by a relief pitcher who did not appear in a WS. The BBWAA has ignored Smith; it seems, perhaps due to his not playing in a WS. Maybe the HoF Veterans’ Committee will take a look at his numbers and elect him. Among his achievements was being chosen for All-Star teams seven times, and leading the National League in saves four times.
Steroids, or any other type of drug use, was never associated with the above-mentioned players.
Now, for the players who achieved high numbers, but their careers were tainted by drug use.
While never appearing in a WS, Rafael Palmerio played 20 years in the big leagues (1986-2005). He is first in games played (2,831) in this category, as well as second in hits (3,020) and third in HRs (569). Under normal circumstances, guaranteed HoF credentials.
Palmerio began his career with the Cubs, and had great years with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.
However, according to Wikipedia, “Former Rangers teammate Jose Canseco identified Palmeiro as a fellow steroid user in his 2005 book, ‘Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.’ and claimed aimed he personally injected Palmeiro with steroids. On March 17, 2005, Palmeiro appeared at a Congressional hearing about steroids in baseball and, while under oath, denied ever using steroids and stated, ‘Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids, period. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never.’” Furthermore, “Palmeiro became eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. He received 64 votes, or 11.0 percent of total ballots cast…. According to Barry M. Bloom on Major League Baseball’s official website: ‘Palmeiro should have been a sure-fire first-ballot inductee, as a member of the 500-homer, 3,000-hit club, but was suspended in 2005 after testing positive for steroid use.’”
Outfielder Sammy Sosa (1989-2007) is second in home runs (609) for those never appearing in a World Series. But, again, according to Wikipedia, “On June 16, 2009 the New York Times reported Sosa was on a list of players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. The paper did not identify the drug… Previously, Sosa sat alongside Rafael Palmeiro, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire at a 2005 hearing before Congress. His attorney testified on his behalf, stating ‘To be clear, I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs. I have never injected myself or had anyone inject me with anything. I have not broken the laws of the United States or the laws of the Dominican Republic. I have been tested as recently as 2004, and I am clean.’”
Also, “In a recent interview with ESPN Deportes, Sosa said he would ‘calmly wait’ for his induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame, for which he will become eligible in 2013. His comment angered many people and again brought up the argument of positive drug testing players being accepted into the Hall of Fame.”
Sosa put up some incredible HR numbers from 1998-2001. During those years, averaging 60.75 HRs per year, and 149.25 Runs Batted In. He hit over 40 home runs seven times.
Let’s see how Sosa fairs on the HoF balloting in 2013.
Palmerio and Sosa never participated in a WS game. They may never participate in HoF induction ceremonies, either.
Sources:
Baseball Digest, September/October 2011, Vol. 70, No. 5
Wikipedia – Selection Process for Potential Baseball Hall of Famers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_Hall_of_Fame
Ken Griffey, Jr’s. Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=115135
Frank Thomas’ Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=123245
Carlos Delgado’s Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=113232
Juan Gonzalez’s Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=114932
Lee Smith’s Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=122426
Rafael Palmerio’s Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=120191
Palmerio’s Supposed Steroid Use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Palmeiro#Steroids
Sosa’s Supposed Steroid Use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Sosa#Drug_test_controversy
Sammy Sosa’s Statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=122544
Players Who Won Back-to-Back MVPs:
https://contributor.yahoo.com/queue.shtml