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Awards = HOF? Part Six: The Silver Slugger (First Base) (MLB)

Awards = HOF?  Part Six: The Silver Slugger (First Base) (MLB)
11 Dec
2015
Not in Hall of Fame
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least amount of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Up next, we are going to take a look at a relatively new award, the Silver Slugger, which is awarded to best offensive player at each position and is voted on by managers and coaches in each Major League Baseball team.

Keep in mind that this award, which has become quite a big deal, is still relatively new, only came into existence in 1980.

We just took care of the Catching position, so let’s go to the right from his point of view.  There has been a lot of potent offense from the First Base hole.  Surely, that position will generate more Hall of Fame potential right?

Let’s find out!



The following are the past MLB players who have won the Silver Slugger at the First Base position who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.



Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles (AL: 1983)

33 HR, 111 RBI, .306/.393/.538 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles (AL: 1984)

29 HR, 110 RBI, .306/.410/.509 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

George Brett, Kansas City Royals (AL: 1988)

24 HR, 103 RBI, .306/.389/.509 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Eddie Murray, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 1990)

26 HR, 95 RBI, .330/.414/.520 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox (AL: 1993)

41 HR, 128 RBI, .317/.426/.592 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox (AL: 1994)

38 HR, 101 RBI, .353/.487/.729 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.



Only three?  That isn’t very many is it?  Admittedly, with zero research prior to, it is far less than we originally thought!

What about those who didn’t make it?



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the First Base position who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:



Cecil Cooper, Milwaukee Brewers (AL: 1980)

25 HR, 122 RBI, .352/.387/.539 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot in 1993 but did not receive a vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 1980)

16 HR, 99 RBI, .321/.408/.494 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for nine years finishing as high as 10.8% of the vote in 1998.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Cooper, Milwaukee Brewers (AL: 1981)

12 HR, 60 RBI, .320/.363/.495 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot in 1993 but did not receive a vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pete Rose, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 1981)

0 HR, 33 RBI, .325/.391/.390 Slash Line.  He is not eligible for the Hall of Fame due to gambling on the game.  Ranked #1A on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Cooper, Milwaukee Brewers (AL: 1982)

32 HR, 121 RBI, .313/.342/.528 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot in 1993 but did not receive a vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Al Oliver, Montreal Expos (NL: 1982)

22 HR, 109 RBI, .331/.392/.514 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1991 and received 4.3% of the vote.  Ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

George Hendrick, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 1983)

18 HR, 97 RBI, .318/.373/.493 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1994.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, New York Mets (NL: 1984)

16 HR, 99 RBI, .321/.408/.494 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for nine years finishing as high as 10.8% of the vote in 1998.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, New York Yankees (AL: 1985)

35 HR, 145 RBI, .324/.371/.567 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years, finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #57 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jack Clark, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 1985)

22 HR. 87 RBI, .281/.393/.502 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1998 and received 1.5% of the vote.   Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, New York Yankees (AL: 1986)

31 HR, 113 RBI, .352/.394/.573 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years, finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #57 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Glenn Davis, Houston Astros (NL: 1986)

31 HR, 101 RBI, .265/.344/.493 Slash Line.  Despite being Hall of Fame eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1999, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, New York Yankees (AL: 1987)

30 HR, 115 RBI, .327/.378/.559 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years, finishing as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #57 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jack Clark, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 1987)

35 HR. 106 RBI, .286/.459/.597 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1998 and received 1.5% of the vote.   Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andres Galarraga, Montreal Expos (NL: 1988)

29 HR, 92 RBI, .302/.352/.540 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2010 and received 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred McGriff, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 1989)

36 HR, 92 RBI, .269/.399/.525 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.9% in 2012.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Will Clark, San Francisco Giants (NL: 1989) 

23 HR, 111 RBI, .333/.407/.546 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 4.4% of the vote.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Fielder, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1990)

51 HR, 132 RBI, .277/.377/.592 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2004 and received 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cecil Fielder, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1991)

44 HR, 133 RBI, .261/.347/.513 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2004 and received 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Will Clark, San Francisco Giants (NL: 1991) 

23 HR, 111 RBI, .333/.407/.546 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year and received 4.4% of the vote.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics (AL: 1992)

42 HR, 104 RBI, .268/.385/.585 Slash Line.  He is entering his tenth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.7% in 2012.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred McGriff, San Diego Padres (NL: 1992)

35 HR, 104 RBI, .286/.394/.556 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.9% in 2012.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred McGriff, San Diego Padres/Atlanta Braves (NL: 1993)

37 HR, 101 RBI, .291/.375/.549 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.9% in 2012.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros (NL: 1994)

39 HR, 116 RBI, .368/.451/.750 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 59.6% in 2013.  He is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mo Vaughn, Boston Red Sox (AL: 1995)

39 HR, 126 RBI, .300/.388/.575 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and received 1.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Karros, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 1995)

32 HR, 105 RBI, .298/.369/.535 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2004 and received 0.4% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics (AL: 1996)

42 HR, 104 RBI, .268/.385/.585 Slash Line.  He is entering his tenth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.7% in 2012.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andres Galarraga, Colorado Rockies (NL: 1996)

47 HR, 150 RBI, .304/.357/.601 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2010 and received 4.1% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tino Martinez, New York Yankees (AL: 1997)

44 HR, 141 RBI, .296/.371/.577 Slash Line.  Received 1.0% of the ballot in 2011.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros (NL: 1997)

43 HR, 135 RBI, .286/.425/.592 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 59.6% in 2013.  He is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rafael Palmeiro, Baltimore Orioles (AL: 1998)

43 HR, 121 RBI, .296/.379/.565 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for four years, finishing as high as 12.6% of the vote in 2012.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 1998)

70 HR, 147 RBI, .299/.470/.752 Slash Line.  He is entering his tenth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 23.7% in 2012.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 1999)

44 HR, 134 RBI, .272/.377/.571 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year and finished with 3.8% of the ballot in 2015.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros (NL: 1999)

42 HR, 126 RBI, .304/.454/.591 Slash Line.  He is entering his sixth year on the ballot and has finished as high as 59.6% in 2013.  He is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 2000)

41 HR, 137 RBI, .344/.470/.664 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year and finished with 3.8% of the ballot in 2015.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com

Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 2003)

42 HR, 145 RBI, .302/.426/.593 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year and finished with 3.8% of the ballot in 2015.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com





Jeff Bagwell should have been elected already, and we are still hopeful that he will this year or next.  Statistically he is a lock, but suspicion of you know what has kept him put.

We know exactly why Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro were not chosen don’t we?

Pete Rose seems like he might get a shot after his banishment from baseball, and should he be reinstated his fate is in the hands of the Veteran’s Committee.  What should forever be in doubt is how someone with no Home Runs (even in a strike shortened season) and a sub .400 Slugging Percentage won the Silver Slugger in the first place!   And…yes, there were more deserving candidates. (Keith Hernandez and Bill Buckner without doing any research come to mind!)

Keith Hernandez hung on for nine years on the ballot and was a Veteran’s committee nominee once.  He probably won’t get in, but he deserved a much higher vote than he got. 

If Mattingly had one or two good seasons before injuries caught up to him, would he be in the Hall already?  There are a lot of people in the Bronx who would put him in anyway.

Fred McGriff, who is currently on the ballot, has a lot of statistical credentials, but based on the voting he has received thus far, there does not appear to be any reason to think he will break through.

Carlos Delgado did not make it past the first ballot, but does he have the stats to garner a look form the Veteran’s Committee?  He just might!

Will Clark could be a Veteran’s Candidate in the future as well.  He has a bWAR over 50 and a Slugging Title under his belt and is still highly regarded.

Al Oliver is another man who could get a look form a future Veteran’s Committee and he has over 2,700 Hits and a .301 career Batting Average.  We know that Oliver sure thinks he should be in!

Jack Clark was a really good hitter and led the league three times in Walks.  When we expand the list to 250, he will be hovering near that 100-110 mark.  Still, there has been little talk for him and the Hall, and he is unlikely to appear on a Veteran’s ballot.

Andres Galarraga was not a victim of Coors.  The Venezuelan may have won the Home Run Title once and made five All Star Teams, but he was also a three time Strikeouts leader and had a bWAR just in the early 30’s. 

Cecil Cooper was a good player, but his poor defense (even though he won two Gold Gloves) dropped his bWAR to the mid 30’s and in traditional metrics, he was not there either but he is on the “no vote all-star team” for sure.

Mo Vaughn was another good player, and was a former MVP known for his offensive prowess.  Still, his poor defense resulted in a sub 30 bWAR and his name has not been mentioned in Hall of Fame circles.

Tino Martinez had a good career, but his 28.8 bWAR won’t get him there.  Four World Series ring with the New York Yankees is more than enough to make him feel better though!

George Hendrick had a good career with two World Series rings and nearly 2,000 Hits, but his bWAR of 28.9 gives credence to being shutout for the Hall of Fame.

2 Time Home Run and 3 Time RBI champion, Cecil Fielder was an exciting power player but his meager 17.1 bWAR reflects that he also had a lot of limitations.

Eric Karros had decent power numbers but his sub .800 Slugging Percentage and barely two digit bWAR makes you wonder how he got a vote at all.

Glenn Davis made it two All Star Games, but he is largely forgotten and it is not exactly wrong that he was not included on the ballot.



Let’s update our tally shall we?



Award in Question

Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF

Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.

NBA MVP

100 %

100 %

NHL Norris

90.5 %

96.4 %

NHL Lady Byng

63.8%

76.0 %

NFL Super Bowl MVP

60.6%

64.9 %

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)

20.0%

22.5 %

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)

13.6%

14.3 %

MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year

13.3%

13.3 %





So who is up next?



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the First Base position who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify:



Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2000)

42 HR, 147 RBI, .372/.463/.698 Slash Line.  Helton will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019

Jason Giambi, Oakland Athletics (AL: 2001)

38 HR, 120 RBI, .342/.477/.660 Slash Line.  Giambi will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2001)

49 HR, 146 RBI, .336/.432/.685 Slash Line.  Helton will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2002)

30 HR, 109 RBI, .329/.429/.577 Slash Line.  Helton will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees (AL: 2002)

41 HR, 122 RBI, .314/.435/.598 Slash Line.  Giambi will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2003)

33 HR, 117 RBI, .358/.458/.630 Slash Line.  Helton will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs (NL: 2005)

46 HR, 107 RBI, .335/.418/.662 Slash Line.  Lee will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2017

Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (AL: 2009)

46 HR, 121 RBI, .282/.411/.627 Slash Line.  Pena will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020.



We love the chances of Todd Helton, who by the time he caught fire with the Colorado Rockies, it was an era when the baseball at Coors Field were placed in a humidor, and thus cancelled out the affect of the stadium.  If that cancels out, than we would like to see what reason the writers keep out a man with a

Jason Giambi has a lot of statistical reasons to be considered and while his bWAR of 50.4 is good, it isn’t Hall of Fame good, though as a former MVP, a member of both the 400 Home Run an 2,000 hit club he might receive some consideration…providing that those voters are not still clouded by his PED admission!

Derrek Lee secured some good numbers, just falling short of 2,000 Hits, but he doesn’t have the overall resume to garner much consideration.

Carlos Pena had a few good seasons that showcased some good power numbers, but he is not going to get inducted into the Hall, and likely won’t gain more than one vote.



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the First Base position who are still active baseball players:



Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers (AL: 2004)

38 HR, 112 RBI, .281/.370/.560 Slash Line.  Currently with the New York Yankees, 35 Years Old.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2004)

46 HR, 123 RBI, .331/.415/.657 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  35 Years Old.

Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers (AL: 2005)

43 HR, 144 RBI, .301/.379/.575 Slash Line.  Currently with the New York Yankees, 35 Years Old.

Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins (AL: 2006)

34 HR, 130 RBI, .321/.375/.559 Slash Line.  Currently with the Colorado Rockies, 34 Years Old.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2006)

58 HR, 149 RBI, .313/.425/.659 Slash Line.  Currently with the Philadelphia Phillies.  36 Years Old.

Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers (NL: 2007)

50 HR, 119 RBI, .288/.395/.618 Slash Line.  Currently with the Texas Rangers.  31 Years Old.

Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins (AL: 2008)

34 HR, 130 RBI, .300/.374/.499 Slash Line.  Currently with the Colorado Rockies, 34 Years Old.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2008)

37 HR, 116 RBI, .357/.462/.653 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  35 Years Old.

Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees (AL: 2009)

23 HR, 129 RBI, .328/.383/.563 Slash Line.  Currently with the New York Yankees, 35 Years Old.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2009)

47 HR, 135 RBI, .327/.443/.658 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  35 Years Old.

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (AL: 2010)

38 HR, 126 RBI, .328/.420/.622 Slash Line.  Currently with the Detroit Tigers.  32 Years Old.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2010)

42 HR, 118 RBI, .312/.414/.596 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  35 Years Old.

Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2011)

27 HR, 113 RBI, .338/.410/.548 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  33 Years Old.

Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers (NL: 2011)

38 HR, 120 RBI, .299/.415/.566 Slash Line.  Currently with the Texas Rangers.  31 Years Old.

Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (AL: 2012)

30 HR, 108 RBI, .312/.412/.528 Slash Line.  Currently with the Texas Rangers.  31 Years Old.

Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals (NL: 2012)

33 HR, 100 RBI, .271/.343/.510 Slash Line.  Currently with the Chicago White Sox.  36 Years Old.

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles (AL: 2013)

53 HR, 138 RBI, .286/.370/.634 Slash Line.  Currently with the Baltimore Orioles.  29 Years Old.

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (NL: 2014)

36 HR, 125 RBI, .302/.401/.551 Slash Line.  Currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  28 Years Old.

Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox (AL: 2014)

36 HR, 107 RBI, .317/.383/.581 Slash Line.  Currently with the Chicago White Sox.  28 Years Old.

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 2014)

27 HR, 116 RBI, .276/.335/.582 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  33 Years Old.

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (AL: 2015)

18 HR, 76 RBI, .338/.440/.534 Slash Line.  Currently with the Detroit Tigers.  32 Years Old.

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (NL: 2014)

36 HR, 125 RBI, .302/.401/.551 Slash Line.  Currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  28 Years Old.



Albert Pujols could have retired following his long and productive run in St. Louis and would already have been a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee.  Anything he does now is gravy.

Miguel Cabrera is also already there.  He is a two time MVP, four time Batting Champion and already has surpassed the average number for First Base Hall of Famers in JAWS and BWAR. 

Although he has only been an All Star three times, Mark Teixeira has a 52.4 bWAR and still has some gas in the tank to improve upon that.  It is not impossible that he won’t reach 500 Home Runs too, and should he do that he could have a very strong case.

Could Adrian Gonzalez get there?  He has a 41.8 bWAR but does he have enough time to statistically get there?  He hasn’t hit his decline yet, but at age 33 that might be coming soon.

Justin Morneau only has a bWAR of 27.0.  While he has proven to be a good player in the past, and won the batting title as recently as 2014 his decline will prevent from reaching the stat level to get him out of the first round of the vote, let alone the Hall.

Prince Fielder is still a potent hitter, but his poor fielding skill does him no favors sabremetrically speaking.  This matters more with every passing year.

Chris Davis may have two Home Run titles but he also has more than 200 Strikeouts than he does Hits.  That is a hell of a lot of accomplishing nothing at the plate.  He won’t get in.

While Jose Abreu has been on a tear in his two seasons in MLB, he entered the league so late (age 27) that he has to play some serious catch up to make a serious Cooperstown run. 

Ryan Howard may be the fastest player to reach 100 Home Runs and 200 Home Run (in terms of Games Played), but he has significantly slowed down, and is not even a lock to hit 400.  It may surprise you that as of this writing his overall bWAR is only 16.4. 

Adam LaRoche’s Silver Slugger season was his best in MLB; but it happened when he was 32.  LaRoche currently has a bWAR of 14.1 and we feel safe to say that he will not receive a vote, nor should he.

The biggest mystery right now is Paul Goldschmidt, who as of this writing has put together three stellar seasons and sits with a bWAR of 24.1.  If he can put together four more, we could have another Hall of Famer wearing the Diamondbacks hat.



So what’s up next? 

Catcher down, First Base down.  Let’s continue along the diamond and we will continue that at Second Base. 

Look for that soon and as always we thank you for your support!

Last modified on Monday, 21 November 2016 18:38
Committee Chairman

Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .

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