Ugueth Urbina

[Cowtipper]

Ugueth Urbina spent 11 years in the big leagues, from 1995 to 2005, going 44-49 with 237 saves, 408 games finished, a 3.45 ERA and a 128 ERA+. The two-time All-Star experienced his best run of success from 1998 to 2003, when he averaged 30 saves, 58 games finished, a 2.93 ERA and a 154 ERA+ with 76 strikeouts in 60 innings of work.

He also had some postseason success, saving four games in the 2003 playoffs while with the Florida Marlins (who ended up winning the World Series). On the leader boards, he is 35th all-time in saves and 58th in games finished. In 1999, he led the league in saves with 41.

Statistically, he is similar to Gregg Olson, Brad Lidge, Jeff Brantley, Todd Worrell, Keith Foulke, Jeff Montgomery, Jeff Shaw, Joe Nathan, Robb Nen and Rod Beck. He is ranked #867 on the Fan EloRater, ahead of Brandon McCarthy, Charlie Sweeney and Ryan Madson, but behind Clay Buchholz, Jesse Petty and Russ Meyer.

What do you think about Ugueth Urbina? Should he make the Hall of Fame when eligible? Did he have Hall of Fame potential--had his career not been cut short by "legal troubles", could he have made a case?

[jjpm74]

I think you need to find some better players than Urbina to start threads about. Urbina was a journeyman who played for 6 teams during an 11 year stretch and is currently serving 14 years to life in Venezuela for two counts of attempted murder. Even as a reliever and by reliever standards, the only year he had an all star caliber year was 1998 with the Expos. Is this thread supposed to be a joke?

[Cowtipper]

I think you need to find some better players than Urbina to start threads about. Urbina was a journeyman who played for 6 teams during an 11 year stretch and is currently serving 14 years to life in Venezuela for two counts of attempted murder. Even as a reliever and by reliever standards, the only year he had an all star caliber year was 1998 with the Expos. Is this thread supposed to be a joke?

Such hostility.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Wow never knew he was in prison for attemped murder. I wouldn't think he had a chance. I would put Tug McGraw in before him.

[PVNICK]

Geez whadda you gotta go insulting Tug McGraw like that for?

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

Urbina is a definite "no." There's at least fifteen relievers in front of him before his name would even be considered on the ballot.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Short answer: No.

Long answer: He was never REALLY special as a reliever. He did lead the league in saves once and had a great K/9 rate (10.5 career), but that's it. The only ones on the comp list that even have shots at the Hall are Brad Lidge and Joe Nathan, and they're longshots.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Geez whadda you gotta go insulting Tug McGraw like that for?

Lol I didn't mean to insult Tugger I always liked him.

[Cougar]

Wow never knew he was in prison for attemped murder. I wouldn't think he had a chance. I would put Tug McGraw in before him.

Tug McGraw could go into the hall in front of a lot of people. In terms of left-handed relievers he's in the top 10 (although handed-ness is something of an arbitrary distinction).

Urbina is just another pitcher who had a few good seasons in the constricted one-inning closer role. I hope he gets out of prison someday (unless he's really dangerous, in which case I don't).

[Fuzzy Bear]

Tug McGraw could go into the hall in front of a lot of people. In terms of left-handed relievers he's in the top 10 (although handed-ness is something of an arbitrary distinction).

Urbina is just another pitcher who had a few good seasons in the constricted one-inning closer role. I hope he gets out of prison someday (unless he's really dangerous, in which case I don't).

I agree wholeheartedly.

I also think that we have become too generous in inducting relievers, which is why this guy gets a thread. Roy Sievers and Rocky Colavito have far better cases as position players than does Urbina. Dick Radatz has a better case on peak value. Honestly, Eric Gagne has a better case.

[ol' aches and pains]

I agree wholeheartedly.

I also think that we have become too generous in inducting relievers, which is why this guy gets a thread. Roy Sievers and Rocky Colavito have far better cases as position players than does Urbina. Dick Radatz has a better case on peak value. Honestly, Eric Gagne has a better case.

And none of them were ever convicted of violent felonies, as far as I know. I mean seriously, whatever happened to the character clause?

[Captain Cold Nose]

And none of them were ever convicted of violent felonies, as far as I know. I mean seriously, whatever happened to the character clause?

Nothing, but it's also never been clearly defined, either.

Not that it will be a factor for Urbina drawing votes. He was headed for goose egg city before the machete incident.

[ol' aches and pains]

Nothing, but it's also never been clearly defined, either.

Not that it will be a factor for Urbina drawing votes. He was headed for goose egg city before the machete incident.

Maybe it's not clearly defined, but I gotta think attempted murder with a machete would be a deal-breaker.

[KCGHOST]

Not "No", but "Heck, No".

[Captain Cold Nose]

Maybe it's not clearly defined, but I gotta think attempted murder with a machete would be a deal-breaker.

His career is a deal breaker.