Javy Lopez

[GiambiJuice]

Does anyone here think that Javy Lopez has an outside shot at the hall? With a couple more productive seasons, he could be a top 15-20 offensive catcher.

[GiambiJuice]

Wow, he's older than I thought. He'll turn 35 this Saturday. It may be a struggle even to get to 2000 hits and 300 homers. He's had injury problems as it is.

[Ressurection of Ray Oyler]

He's been a very good catcher throughout his career but he's not a hall of famer.

[KCGHOST]

Lopez has had a fine career, but their are a several catchers who are better than him who are not in the HoF

[Brian McKenna]

orioles might be shopping for a catcher this winter - i guess with the thought of moving him to 1st or dh a good part of the time

[Chisox]

Lopez has had a fine career, but their are a several catchers who are better than him who are not in the HoF

I think I raise that to many who are eligible. Freehan, Parrish, Tettleton, Simmons, to name a few.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Tettleton?

[Chisox]

Tettleton?

You don't think he's better than Javy?
If I could remember some other guys I know I have, I'd put him here.
BTW, I support Tettleton for the Hall. I think I'm being thought of as a semi Bill Burgess around here now.

[Tram2Lou]

I love Tettleton, his swing was my favorite to use in the backyard...but he's no HoFer...but Freehan and Parrish might get a chance down the road...I mean if Gary Carter is in there, Parrish and Freehan deserve a look. I think Lopez has a shot, if he plays a little longer for the same reason.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I have to concur with Eric's assessment. Tettleton was a good catcher, but clearly below the other three you mentioned, Chisox, and probably Lopez, as well.
What about Tettleton do you find HOF-worthy?

[Barnstormer]

Freehan, Parrish, Tettleton -- all dumped from the HOF ballot after their first year of eligibility for not getting 5% of the vote. I'm afraid Javy might meet the same fate - the voters really don't cut catchers much slack.

[Captain Cold Nose]

How much weight do you think the voters will put into the fact the Braves best pitcher, Greg Maddux, had his own catcher?

[RobertHConner]

I'd put Benito Santiago & Ted Simmons (tops list of not yet elected catchers) ahead of Javy. Tettleton is below evryone else listed in this thread so far, IMO. Javy has been hamprered by injuries much of his career. I think he's just lost too many ABs to have the overall stats. There's also the fact that he was never one of the great defensive catchers for any period of time. I've always liked him, but I can't imagine many people mentioning him at all 20 years from now.

Here's where he ranks among catchers so far:
Home runs-8th, 3rd active...behind 1 retired non HOFer
RBI-19th, 3rd active...behind 6 retired non HOFers
Runs-49 short of cracking top 25
Hits-50 shy of top 25
Doubles-3 short of top 25
Extra-Base Hits-13th, 3rd active...behind 4 retired non HOFers
not in top 25 in SB, BB, 3B

.290 AVG/.340 OBP/.498 SLG

the Maddux thing isn't flattering, but Glavine & Smoltz won a few Cy Youngs with Javy catching them. Orioles pitchers did better before he broke his hand than after.

[Chisox]

Here's where he ranks among catchers so far:
Home runs-8th, 3rd active...behind 1 retired non HOFer
RBI-19th, 3rd active...behind 6 retired non HOFers
Runs-49 short of cracking top 25
Hits-50 shy of top 25
Doubles-3 short of top 25
Extra-Base Hits-13th, 3rd active...behind 4 retired non HOFers
not in top 25 in SB, BB, 3B

.290 AVG/.340 OBP/.498 SLG

the Maddux thing isn't flattering, but Glavine & Smoltz won a few Cy Youngs with Javy catching them. Orioles pitchers did better before he broke his hand than after.

Are those rankings just at the catcher position, or for players who primarly played C.

[jpenrod]

Javy Lopez

Just wanted to see what some of you thought about Javy and the Hall. When I look at his offensive stats they seem pretty comparable to other HOF catchers, but I know that he is not the defensive catchers these guys are. I know that he does not get the press for his offensive production a lot, in my opinion bcause he has had the misfortune of playing the bulk of his career in the same league as one of the greatest offensive catchers of all time. Bottom line I would just like to see what you guys have to say about Javy and his shot at the Hall of fame.