The Moose
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AnotherCleverName — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 10:41 AM)
Plus there are literally stats out there that show his numbers relative to his peers and adjusted other ways. It's really simple, at his peak (arbitrarily chosen by me as between 94 and 01), he had an ERA+ of 131, I.e. he was 31% better than the average pitcher at the time. Finished his career at 123.
And for those who are confused by that concept here are his league rankings by ERA over several years:
Earned Run Average
1992 AL 2.54 (3rd)
1994 AL 3.06 (4th)
1995 AL 3.29 (4th)
1997 AL 3.20 (6th)
1998 AL 3.49 (6th)
1999 AL 3.50 (3rd)
2000 AL 3.79 (3rd)
2001 AL 3.15 (2nd)
2003 AL 3.40 (8th)
2006 AL 3.51 (4th)
2008 AL 3.37 (6th)
~I know that I know nothing.~ -
HollywoodWolfman1 — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 10:48 AM)
I've made this exact argument to the same poster probably a half dozen times, but it doesn't register.
He's tied for 64th all-time in ERA+, with guys like MadBum and Verlander who haven't even gotten to the downside of their careers yet. Ahead of a lot of HOF pitchers.
ERA should be an argument FOR Mussina, not against him. -
Krypteia1 — 9 years ago(December 21, 2016 09:59 PM)
The difference between Glavine and Mussina is that Glavine stuck around an extra three years, as a shadow of his former self, limping to the finish line with 305 wins.
Mussina went 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA in his last season, and retired on an extremely high note with 270 career wins.
Glavine has the slightly lower ERA, but he pitched in the NL and his career WHIP was an atrocious 1.31. He wasn't a power pitcher or even a particularly crafty pitcher he leaned heavily on the defense and frequently worked his way out of jams.
I'm not saying Glavine shouldn't be in the HoF, I'm saying if he's in, then the voters need to seriously consider Mussina.
@haroldbaines - Mussina DID have a 20-win season it was the year he retired. He also had five or six seasons with 18+ wins.
Bigly. -
kenneglds — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 04:35 AM)
mussina actually started 4 years after Glavine. they both retired in 2008.
That's not really the point. The point is that Glavine stuck around for a couple of years when he was clearly past his prime. But Mussina retired after having one of his best years, and based on that, there is a good chance he could have added a lot more wins if he had decided to continue pitching for a few years. -
haroldbaines — 9 years ago(December 19, 2016 11:46 AM)
Lou is my biggest WTF HOF vote.
One and done? That guy? What a joke. I thought when he retired he'd be in for sure. Not a first ballot but in. I've never been more shocked at a ballot total than I was when he didn't get past the first. -
kenneglds — 9 years ago(December 20, 2016 04:35 AM)
This guy was one of the best pitchers in his generation and in baseball history.
He was definitely one of the best pitchers in his generation. But to declare him one of the best pitchers of baseball history is kind of pushing it.
and the best player in the yankees
Again, kind of pushing it, considering that Mussina's Yankee teammates included such players as Derek Jeter/Arod/Mariano Rivera/Andy Pettite/Roger Clemons.
This is why sports and baseball suck
It seems a bit much to declare sports and baseball as suck-in because Mike Mussina isn't yet in the HOF.
Now he's not even go to get the hall of fame.
You mean ever?? I think there is a good chance he eventually gets in.
I have admit I never like the guy
You seem to be kind of a fan.
As for whether Mussina belongs in the HOF, he was one of the elite pitchers of his era for a long time, and he compiled a very impressive career record. So on that basis he would not shame the HOf with his presence. But he is not an absolute no-brainer. He should not have been elected on his 1st ballot. If it takes a few years for him to get in, it would be understandable. -
haroldbaines — 9 years ago(December 20, 2016 10:41 AM)
As for whether Mussina belongs in the HOF, he was one of the elite pitchers of his era for a long time, and he compiled a very impressive career record. So on that basis he would not shame the HOf with his presence. But he is not an absolute no-brainer. He should not have been elected on his 1st ballot. If it takes a few years for him to get in, it would be understandable.
If he does get in, it will be more of a Blyeleven type thing where it will be on his 10th and last year or something like that.
IF and I say IF they start letting in the juicers, which would be near the end of Moose's eligibility, he won't get in because there will be a lot of other guys getting in and we all know how they won't elect more than 3 guys on a ballot. -
Rey_Kahuka — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 06:43 AM)
My favorite Mussina moment was blowing a perfect game with two outs and two strikes in the 9th at Fenway to 'Jurassic Carl' Everett. This was pre-2004, so it was as good a highlight a Red Sox fan could hope for.
The future is in the hands of a man who has none.
(As in no future, as opposed to no hands.) -
klawrencio — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 07:29 AM)
I had him on my fantasy team that year and in that particular league, you got extra points (a ton of them) if your guy threw a perfect game, in addition to the awesome points you got for just that situation anyway. I've never hated Carl Everett as I did in that moment.
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haroldbaines — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 08:33 AM)
They're worth nothing. No cards from that time are worth anything. I just gave a friend of mine 2 90 Donruss Griffeys for his two boys. I gave hiim a pizzia rookie. They over produced the cards to the point where they're worthless.
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koskiewicz — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 09:40 AM)
you are correct. On the flip side, I own a near complete set of 1952 Topps BB cards including a near mint Mantle. I am missing 8 cards
Starting in the late 80's, the hobby went nutscollectors were charged a premium for a pack on the idea that they might get a highly rated prospect even though there was no guarantee that the player would blossom, or that you would even get one. It was at that point that I abandoned the hobby. They turned a kids hobby into an obscene business
I also have a Harold Baines rookie card:-) -
BlueMojo — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 10:52 AM)
I own a near complete set of 1952 Topps BB cards including a near mint Mantle. I am missing 8 cards.
That is awesome! The eight that you seek, are they common? Do you plan on completing the set? That's quite a set already. -
Kevbren849 — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 11:00 AM)
with all the (more deserving) starting pitchers who have been elected in the last few years, I believe that Mussina and Schilling will be getting a substantial boost in the voting. they are by far the most established starting pitchers left on the ballot, with the notable exception of Roger Clemens.
Mussina got 43% last year, on his 3rd try, up from 24.6% 2 years ago. I believe he will crack 50% this year, and slowly but surely make his way to 75% by around his 6th or 7th try (2019-2020).
if you need an additional reason to put him in, he won 7 Gold Gloves over the course of his career. I realize nobody puts much emphasis on a pitcher's defense, but that is still impressive. once the ball is in play, he still has a job to do, so why shouldn't it be considered?
Notable starting pitchers appearing on the ballot in the near future:
2017
Tim Wakefield - Red Sox Hall of Fame? maybe. Cooperstown? not a chance
2018
Johan Santana - absolutely dominant during his prime, but injuries took their toll. unfortunately, his overall career stats just aren't HoF worthy
Jamie Moyer - 269 wins, but a stats compiler. a career ERA of 4.25 is way too high for the Hall
2019
Roy Halladay - I think he gets in, but not 1st ballot
Andy Pettitte - I love the guy, but unlikely
2020
Cliff Lee - his period of dominance was too short for Cooperstown
2021
Tim Hudson & Mark Buerhle - both very good, but not Hall of Famers
since none of them are obvious 1st ballot Hall of Famers, I think it will the argument for guys like Mussina and Schilling more compelling. -
klawrencio — 9 years ago(December 22, 2016 11:07 AM)
Roy Halladay - I think he gets in, but not 1st ballot
To me, Halladay is a quintessential borderline guy, but I don't think he gets in. Had some very nice years for sure, but just doesn't have that thing that puts him over the top. He's a lot like Saberhagen to me. Just one of the best guys to not make it in.
Johan Santana - absolutely dominant during his prime, but injuries took their toll. unfortunately, his overall career stats just aren't HoF worthy
Agreed, which is a real shame. Guy was so good but just doesn't have nearly the numbers or the longevity.