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Bill James has outlined a number of "qualifications" for potential members of the Hall of Fame -- His Black Ink Test, Grey Ink Test and the like. But perhaps the most simple and accurate test is the player's Total Win Shares for his career.
In his book "Win Shares" Bill James lists 44 players with career "Total Win Shares" of 400 or more. 39 of this group are already in the Hall of Fame -- and four of the other five are stars who who should be elected on their first HOF ballot:
Barry Bonds 572 (thru 2002)
Rickey Henderson 530
Cal Ripken, Jr. 427
Paul Molitor 414
Of course, the fifth player over 400 is Pete Rose (547 WS)
IMO there should be no question on the HOF qualifications of anyone with 400+ Win Shares. In fact, most eligible players with 350 WS or more are already in the Hall of Fame.
The most contraversial members seem to be players with less than 300 career Win Shares (Luis Apparico 293? Kiki Cuyler 292? George Sisler 292? Kirby Puckett 281? Bill Terry 278? Ed Walsh 265? Lloyd Waner 245?) Players with fewer than 300 Win Shares may still belong because of a few great seasons, but anyone over 400 should be almost automatic.
If only 44 players have so far achieved the 400 WS standard, then a few about to be voted on should be easy choices: Bonds, Henderson, Ripken and Molitor are over 400 (as listed above) --plus Tony Gwynn 398 and Wade Boggs 394. Any argument on these six candidates?
In his book "Win Shares" Bill James lists 44 players with career "Total Win Shares" of 400 or more. 39 of this group are already in the Hall of Fame -- and four of the other five are stars who who should be elected on their first HOF ballot:
Barry Bonds 572 (thru 2002)
Rickey Henderson 530
Cal Ripken, Jr. 427
Paul Molitor 414
Of course, the fifth player over 400 is Pete Rose (547 WS)
IMO there should be no question on the HOF qualifications of anyone with 400+ Win Shares. In fact, most eligible players with 350 WS or more are already in the Hall of Fame.
The most contraversial members seem to be players with less than 300 career Win Shares (Luis Apparico 293? Kiki Cuyler 292? George Sisler 292? Kirby Puckett 281? Bill Terry 278? Ed Walsh 265? Lloyd Waner 245?) Players with fewer than 300 Win Shares may still belong because of a few great seasons, but anyone over 400 should be almost automatic.
If only 44 players have so far achieved the 400 WS standard, then a few about to be voted on should be easy choices: Bonds, Henderson, Ripken and Molitor are over 400 (as listed above) --plus Tony Gwynn 398 and Wade Boggs 394. Any argument on these six candidates?
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