Dennis Eckersley's most similar: who deserves induction?

[Cowtipper]

Because Eckersley was such a unique pitcher, his "similars" aren't really all that similar at all. But I'll do this anyway.

According to the Baseball-Reference similarity scores, seven of the 10 players most statistically similar to Dennis Eckersley are not in the Hall of Fame. Those seven players are:

Lindy McDaniel
Ron Reed
Tom Gordon
Ron Kline
Firpo Marberry
Jose Mesa
Gary Bell

Which, if any, should be in the Hall of Fame (or should get in when they become eligible)?

Here are some notable achievements for each, courtesy of Baseball-Reference.

McDaniel:

NL All-Star (1960)
NL Winning Percentage Leader (1960)
3-time NL Saves Leader (1959, 1960 & 1963)
15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1957)

Reed:

NL All-Star (1968)
15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1969)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972 & 1975)
Won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980

Gordon:

1988 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, Appleton Foxes, Midwest League, Memphis Chicks, Southern League & Omaha Royals, American Association
1989 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
3-time All-Star (1998, 2004 & 2006)
AL Rolaids Relief Award Winner (1998)
AL Saves Leader (1998)
15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1989)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1996)
30 Saves Seasons: 2 (1998 & 2006)
40 Saves Seasons: 1 (1998)

Kline:

AL Saves Leader (1965)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1956-1958)

Marberry:

6-time AL Games Pitched Leader (1924-1926, 1928, 1929 & 1932)
5-time AL Saves Leader (1924-1926, 1929 & 1932)
15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1929-1931, 1933 & 1934)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1929, 1931 & 1933)
Won a World Series with the Washington Senators in 1924

Mesa:

2-time AL All-Star (1995 & 1996)
AL Rolaids Relief Award Winner (1995)
AL Saves Leader (1995)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1993)
30 Saves Seasons: 6 (1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002 & 2004)
40 Saves Seasons: 4 (1995, 2001, 2002 & 2004)

Bell:

3-time AL All-Star (1960, 1966 & 1968)
15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1959)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1959, 1961, 1966 & 1967)

[jjpm74]

Eckersley was such a unique pitcher, his "similars" aren't really all that similar at all.

Which is why even though Eckersley earned his place in Cooperstown, none of the guys on that list are even close to my consideration list.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Similarity scores are the absolute last things I ever look at when comparing players or deciding HOF deservdness.

None of those guys are even close, but I would say that Firpo is easily the best of the lot.

[jjpm74]

Similarity scores are the absolute last things I ever look at when comparing players or deciding HOF deservdness.

None of those guys are even close, but I would say that Firpo is easily the best of the lot.

It depends on how one adjusts for era. Marberry is about even with Lindy McDaniel for me.

[Los Bravos]

Bell:

3-time AL All-Star (1960, 1966 & 1968)
15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1959)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1959, 1961, 1966 & 1967)

Plus, invented the phrase "Smoke 'em inside!"