Delino DeShields

[Cowtipper]

Delino DeShields spent 13 years in the big leagues, hitting .268 with 1,548 hits, 463 stolen bases (he's 46th all time in that catergory) and a .352 on-base percentage. He stole at least 30 bases in a season eight times, at least forty bases six times and at least 50 bases twice. In his rookie season, 1990, he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and in 1992 he received votes for Most Valuable Player.

DeShields was a solid player through age 31, averaging 39 steals and 73 runs scored a season (in his first four years, he averaged 47 steals and 77 runs scored a year and from 1995 to 1998, he averaged 42 swipes per year). However, he tanked the next two seasons and was out of big league baseball following 2002.

Statistically, he is similar to Jose Offerman, Lonny Frey, Adam Kennedy, Bill Doran, Eric Young, Julian Javier, Billy Werber, Phil Garner, Mark McLemore and Hall of Famer Johnny Evers.

What do you think about Delino DeShields? Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Did he have Hall of Fame potential?

[TomBodet]

Naw, not a Hof, not unless Billy Doran or Ron Oester are making your list, too. DD was very solid and yes is worth remembering.

[Cowtipper]

If he has nothing else going for him, DeShields does hold the distinction of being one of the best base stealers of the 1990s. He had 393 swipes during that decade, and was bested only by Otis Nixon (478), Ricky Henderson (463) and Kenny Lofton (433) - each of whom did much of their work in the American League.

DeShields had 382 steals in the NL in the 1990s, topping all Senior Circuit players. #2 on the list is Marquis Grissom, with 359 NL swipes.

[willshad]

The only HOF Deshields should anywhere near is the 'Hall of Famously bad parts of terrible trades'. The Dodgers traded Pedro Martinez for Deshields, i think in 1992 or 1993. Enough said.

[Fuzzy Bear]

DeShields was never an All-Star, not even in years where he had All-Star quality season. If he had a 10 year core of his best seasons with Montreal, St. Louis and Baltimore he'd be a borderline player, but he was extremely inconsistent from year to year.

[PVNICK]

I think at a time early in his career he looked like he might be very good, not necessarily HOF, but still very good. He just fizzled with LA never hitting above .256 after hitting from .289 - .295 3 /4 years w/ Montreal. I know about BA and park effects but still. He rebounded in St. Louis but by them the bloom was off the rose.

Sorry for the formatting which probably will stink.

Delino DeShields Batting Stats for Years 1990 to 1993
Year Tm G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB
1990-1993 MON 538 2406 2073 309 575 79 25 23 181 187 70 287 419 .277 .367 .373 .740 106 773 32 12 22 12 12
Average 134 602 518 77 144 20 6 6 45 47 18 72 105 193 8 3 6 3 3
per 162 games 162 725 624 94 174 24 8 7 55 57 22 87 127 233 10 4 7 4 4

He finished his career
162 Game Avg. 162 667 580 87 155 24 7 8 56 46 15 76 106 .268 .352 .377 .729 98 219 10 2 6 4 3

[dominik]

I read his name for the first time today.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I read his name for the first time today.

I read his name all the time, as he's the current manager for the Reds Class A farm team.

He had all-star potential. That was about it.

[PVNICK]

He seemed a little like Juan Samuel part II.

[dominik]

I read his name all the time, as he's the current manager for the Reds Class A farm team.

He had all-star potential. That was about it.

well his time was before I got interested in baseball. looking at his stats he was a solid player but no one who you remember 10 years later.

[Captain Cold Nose]

well his time was before I got interested in baseball. looking at his stats he was a solid player but no one who you remember 10 years later.

The whole post is a good summary of his impact as a player.