the Evolving Hall of fame Standard: Why Félix Hernández and Cole Hamels Deserve Consideration
The annual Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) Hall of Fame ballot presents a captivating challenge. It forces us to grapple with how we define greatness, especially when eras shift and the game itself evolves.This year, the starting pitcher segment is particularly compelling – a group I’ve spent considerable time analyzing.
It’s clear that CC Sabathia met the Hall of Fame threshold. looking ahead, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander appear destined for Cooperstown, with Zack Greinke likely joining them. But as modern baseball prioritizes pitcher health and de-emphasizes conventional stats like wins, were do we draw the line? This is the central question facing voters.
The Case for Félix Hernández
Félix Hernández, “King Félix,” was undeniably dominant during his peak. From 2009 to 2015, he finished in the top 10 of Cy Young Award voting six times, winning the award in 2010 and finishing second twice.That sustained level of excellence is the definition of a dominant run.
Though, comparing him to Sabathia highlights a key difference. Sabathia amassed 3,577 1/3 career innings, while Hernández pitched 2,729 2/3. This durability ultimately gave Sabathia a notable edge in total strikeouts – over 500 more.
It’s a frustrating “what if” scenario. hernández retired at just 33, after throwing his final pitch in September 2019. A healthy Félix could have perhaps contributed to the 2022 Mariners’ playoff run, ending a 20-year drought.
beyond Postseason Opportunities: Defining Era-Specific Greatness
While postseason appearances are often considered, players can’t always control their playoff destiny. A more reliable standard is evaluating historically significant careers within their era. During Hernández’s career (2005-2019), only three pitchers recorded more strikeouts: Verlander, Scherzer, and Hamels.
This brings us to a crucial comparison: Cole Hamels. According to Baseball-Reference.com, their careers are remarkably similar in terms of innings pitched and strikeouts. Hamels boasts a superior ERA+ (123 vs. 117 for Félix) and a stellar 3.41 ERA across 100 1/3 postseason innings, including MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series in 2008.
The Postseason factor & Future Candidates
The importance of october baseball will undoubtedly bolster the candidacies of Jon Lester and Adam Wainwright on future ballots. Hamels, having pitched a comparable number of innings to both, deserves equal consideration. You’ll find that his overall impact is right there with them.
* Hamels & Hernández: Similar innings and strikeout totals.
* Hamels: Superior ERA+ and proven postseason success.
* Lester & Wainwright: Candidacies strengthened by October achievements.
A Unique Ballot, A Clear Choice
This year’s BBWAA ballot is uniquely strong, allowing for a broader perspective on defining greatness in a changing game. The forces reshaping baseball – prioritizing pitcher health and evolving statistical analysis – were beyond the control of these players.
My ballot reflects this understanding. I believe both Hamels and Hernández were defining pitchers of their era, and they deserve your consideration. It’s a privilege to be able to make that statement on a ballot of this caliber, and I’m happy to exercise that opportunity.
Ultimately, evaluating Hall of Fame candidates requires nuance. It’s about recognizing extraordinary talent within the context of its time,and acknowledging that the game we love is constantly evolving.
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