"Take A Bite Out of Crime".....The "Crime Dog".....

[flounder]

.....aka, former MLB player, Fred McGriff.Not a household name, but a very qualified candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mc Griff retired from the game in 2004. While his baseball stats are not 'mind blowing', they are quite impressive, and much better than average.

2,490 hits (career--ranked 84th MLB)
493 HR (career, tied with HOL'er Lou Gehrig, both are ranked
26th. McGriff con the HR title in both leagues)
1,550 RBI (career--ranked 4oth in MLB)
.284 Batting (career)
.377 OBP (Career)
Silver Slugger ( career--3X in NL & AL)
All-Star (career--5X & All-Star MVP '94, NL & AL)
World Series ( 1-1995, Atl. Braves)
.992 % Career--fielding)
He also hit the first-ever HR at the old Skydome...the original home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

"Crime Dog" was considered a Super Star, playing for no fewer thansix teams during his 19-year career. Unlike many of today's athletes, he was considered accessible, never standoffish. Quiet, but outgoing and friendly.

He was given the nickname, "Crime Dog" by ESPN's Chris Berman, when McGriff entered the AL with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986. Initially, McGriff didn't immediately take to the nickname, preferring the more mundane moniker, "Fire dog". But wisely accepted the more catchey subsitute... with a little help of the nationally known cartoon character, McGruff --the Crime Dog!

The final determination for HOF admission will be made by the BBWAA when they meet next to select new members. Hopefully he'll get the 75% required.

A 19-year career...with non PED produced statistics.

 

[tp2001]

One of my favorite players when he was with the Braves during those div. title/pennant runs...Has a show in the Tampa Bay area for the Rays on local TV...All around good dude...

Speaking of those that played for the Braves from 1991-2005, I wonder how many of them will get in the HOF...

 

[flounder]

One of my favorite players when he was with the Braves during those div. title/pennant runs...Has a show in the Tampa Bay area for the Rays on local TV...All around good dude...

Speaking of those that played for the Braves from 1991-2005, I wonder how many of them will get in the HOF...

The Hall's admission is difficult to gain. In fact the Hall opened in 1936, and since that time only 288-persons have been voted in. The Giants have the most team members (23), followed by the Cardinals (16), and the New York Yankees, with (15). The Mets have (7), with the Rangers(1) and Royals(1) bringing up the rear.

"Crime Dog" compares quite favorably with HOF'er Willie McCovey. And actually offers superior stats in certain areas, although McCovey played longer---22-years. "Stretch" had more HR's 521 to 493, which was quite impressive during era he played. That seems to be the 'telling' stat.

"Crime Dog" had a higher batting avg.-- .284 to .270; more doubles...441 to 353; scored more runs, 1349 to 1229; had more hits, 2490 to 2211; OBP at .377 to .374; almost as many RBI's with 1550 to 1555; .992 FLD% to McCovey's .987 FLD%; and trailed Mc's 46-triple total by 22.

Remember, McGriff has--as do all baseball players--have a 15-year period during which he remains eligible for the Hall. If he fails to amass the required 75% voting approval (votes are made by the Baseball Writers Association of America), he will then be subject to the approval of the Baseball Veterans Committee for election to the Hall.

* Figures taken from the "Baseball Almanac..Official Text".