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Philadelphia Phillies: Cases and chances for Hall of Fame eligible stars

By George Stockburger

18 Jul 1998: Infielder Scott Rolen #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets defeated the Phillies 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
18 Jul 1998: Infielder Scott Rolen #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets defeated the Phillies 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport /
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DETROIT – JULY 12: National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies practices batting before the 76th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 12, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT – JULY 12: National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies practices batting before the 76th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 12, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies legend Bobby Abreu has a serious HOF case

Bobby Abreu is making inroads on his Hall of Fame journey after receiving only 20 votes last year, barely making it past the first ballot. He’s picked up seven new voters this year and assuming he only gets that and the same 20 voters from last year he’ll be up to only 12 percent, a far cry from the 75 percent needed for induction.

It’s possible Abreu picks up more than those seven new voters, but it’s unlikely he gets up to 20 percent this year.

Abreu certainly has a compelling case despite not having the patina of a Hall of Famer. His 18-year career consisted of 2,470 hits, 574 doubles, 288 home runs, 1,363 RBI, 400 stolen bases, 60 WAR, and a 128 OPS+.

A 60 WAR is the minimum for a Hall of Famer, but the average Hall of Fame right fielder has a 71.9 WAR. Granted, that includes Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Stan Musial, all of whom have a career WAR of 120 or better.

Abreu’s WAR, the 19th best among all right fielders in baseball history, is akin to Gary Sheffield and is better than Ichiro, Vlad Guerrero, and Sammy Sosa.

If you look at Abreu’s 41.6 7-year Peak WAR, which more voters are using, he’s right there with the average Hall of Fame right fielder. It’s better than Tony Gwynn, Guerrero, and Dave Winfield.

Compare Abreu’s numbers to recent Hall of Fame electee Larry Walker, who made it on his final year of eligibility. Abreu has 310 more hits, 103 more doubles, 52 more RBI, almost the same OPS, and walked more than 500 more times.

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What about Harold Baines? Abreu played 400 fewer games but had more doubles, triples, stolen bases, and walks in his career. His batting average, slugging, OPS, and OPS+ are also better than Baines’.

Abreu had a unique combination of overall numbers with the ability to hit, hit for power, and steal bases.

Look at the only players with 550 doubles and 400 stolen bases in major league history: Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Craig Biggio, Honus Wagner, Paul Molitor, Barry Bonds, Bobby Abreu.

How about players with 500 doubles, 250 home runs, and 400 stolen bases: Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Craig Biggio, Bobby Abreu.

Abreu was an exciting player who never latched on with one team, which has hurt his candidacy, but he could do almost anything you need whenever you needed it.

It’s a long way to go for Abreu, but his accumulation of stats are up there with other players already or destined to get into the Hall of Fame.

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