Bobby Thigpen

[jjpm74]

Bobby Thigpen had a league leading 57 saves in 1990. That year, he led the league in saves, games and games finished. He was also an All-Star and finished 4th in Cy Young and 5th in the MVP that year. In his 9 year career, he had 201 saves. Is Bobby Thigpen a HOFer?

[Ubiquitous]

No...............................

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

Are we starting to just throw out any player who played at least 7 seasons and had an adjusted OPS/ERA above 110?

[Cowtipper]

He didn't play the requisite ten seasons, so he doesn't even qualify.

[Captain Cold Nose]

He's had some major health issues of late. Anyone know how he's doing?

[jjpm74]

He didn't play the requisite ten seasons, so he doesn't even qualify.

He was on an MLB roster 11 different years and his professional career is more than ten years, so he qualifies under the Addie Joss allowance.

Either way, this is more a gauge of whether or not he had HOF potential. Whether or not he hit the minimum foe actual consideration is irrelevant.

[Cowtipper]

Well in that case, I'd say he had Hall of Fame potential. Lots of closers seem to have Hall of Fame potential early but fizzle out. Bryan Harvey is a good example.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I say no but he probaly did have potential.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

He's had some major health issues of late. Anyone know how he's doing?

I think he's the pitching coach for the Birmingham Barons. I'm guessing his health problems are ok. I read in Wikipedia he fell down at a hockey game but he recovered after spending a week in bed back in 2004.

[NJRob65]

He's retired and is ineligible for inclusion on the Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame ballot due to the fact that his career did not last the requisite ten years.

[Ubiquitous]

He was on an MLB roster 11 different years and his professional career is more than ten years, so he qualifies under the Addie Joss allowance.

Either way, this is more a gauge of whether or not he had HOF potential. Whether or not he hit the minimum foe actual consideration is irrelevant.

There is no such allowance. The Hall waived the 10 year rule for Joss.

Bobby was also not on a MLB roster for 11 different years. Japanese baseball is not MLB.

[jjpm74]

There is no such allowance. The Hall waived the 10 year rule for Joss.

Bobby was also not on a MLB roster for 11 different years. Japanese baseball is not MLB.

Per the wiki about Joss, the HOF justified that because he was on a Spring Training roster, he technically played 10 different seasons. They did not waive the 10 year rule for him.

[Ubiquitous]

That still isn't an allowance and it doesn't apply to Bobby Thigpen.

[jjpm74]

That still isn't an allowance and it doesn't apply to Bobby Thigpen.

What still isn't an allowance? How does it not apply to Thigpen?

Thigpen was in Spring Training in 1996, so he was on an MLB roster 10 different seasons. If someone in the HOF really wanted to champion his cause, they could easily make a case for him being eligible for the HOF if they wanted to.

[NJRob65]

BBWAA Hall of Fame eligibility requirements:

BBWAA ELECTION RULES

1. Authorization: By authorization of the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is authorized to hold an election every year for the purpose of electing members to the National Baseball Hall of Fame from the ranks of retired baseball players.

2. Electors: Only active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, who have been active baseball writers for at least ten (10) years, shall be eligible to vote. They must have been active as baseball writers and members of the Association for a period beginning at least ten (10) years prior to the date of election in which they are voting.

3. Eligible Candidates -- Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements:

A. A baseball player must have been active as a player in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning twenty (20) years before and ending five (5) years prior to election.

B. Player must have played in each of ten (10) Major League championship seasons, some part of which must have been within the period described in 3 (A).

C. Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball.

D. In case of the death of an active player or a player who has been retired for less than five (5) full years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be eligible in the next regular election held at least six (6) months after the date of death or after the end of the five (5) year period, whichever occurs first.

E. Any player on Baseball's ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate.

4. Method of Election:

A. BBWAA Screening Committee — A Screening Committee consisting of baseball writers will be appointed by the BBWAA. This Screening Committee shall consist of six members, with two members to be elected at each Annual Meeting for a three-year term. The duty of the Screening Committee shall be to prepare a ballot listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on a minimum of five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in the preceding election or (2) are eligible for the first time and are nominated by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee.

B. Electors may vote for as few as zero (0) and as many as ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted.

C. Any candidate receiving votes on seventy-five percent (75%) of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.

6. Automatic Elections: No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted.

7. Time of Election: The duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA shall prepare, date and mail ballots to each elector no later than the 15th day of January in each year in which an election is held. The elector shall sign and return the completed ballot within twenty (20) days. The vote shall then be tabulated by the duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA.

8. Certification of Election Results: The results of the election shall be certified by a representative of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and an officer of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. The results shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Baseball. The BBWAA and National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. shall jointly release the results for publication.

9. Amendments: The Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. reserves the right to revoke, alter or amend these rules at any time.