Anti HOF: Lou Whitaker

Longevity seldom gets equated with greatness in pro sports. But maybe it should. Granted, there is value and intrigue in somebody who burns brightly and then fades away quickly (i.e. Sandy Koufax) but especially in MLB with a 162 game schedule, coast-to-coast travel and six months straight that sees players/"playas" bounce 5-6 nights a week, it'd be nice if we gave the spotlight to those who endure at a strong, servicable (but not superstar) level for many years.

This reason got Bert Blyleven elected to the MLB HOF in 2011 and Lou Whitaker elected (named? fingered?... what works) to the MFS Anti-HOF in 2011. Whitaker was always just "around" in Detroit: solid numbers, solid defence, no boat rockin' or fist bumpin'. He just did his job and did it well for 19 seasons, most of those with the jittery Alan Trammell at his side. Aside from a Rookie of the Year award, five All-Star appearances and three Gold Gloves, Whitaker's career numbers speak to this longevity and big picture. And to make a bold statement, they are QUITE impressive when compared to many of his MLB contemporaries who also appeared on the 2001 HOF ballot:
- 1386 runs (more than Kirby Puckett, Gary Carter or Jim Rice, all of whom are in the HOF)
- 2369 hits (more than Carter, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy or Keith Hernandez)
- 244 homeruns (more than Mattingly... another "shined briefly yet brightly" example in the Koufax mold)
- 1084 RBIs (more than Hernandez or Lance Parrish)

Without getting too cosmic, staying healthy is a skill in itself and accordingly, let's give "Sweet Lou" a slap on the butt and a membership card to the Anti-HOF.

Anti HOF: Kevin Brown

2.1% of the 2011 MLB Hall of Fame vote

The name Kevin Brown just doesn't scream "dominance", "talent" or much of anything else on paper. Plus his face, physique and mannerisms were pretty non-descript. And yet the whispy Southerner was one of the top MLB hurlers of the Nineties. A 200 game winner who appeared on six All-Star teams and struck out 200+ batters in four different seasons, Brown was at worst durable and at best, transcendent, especially in 1997 when he posted a sparkling 1.89 ERA in the midst of the steroids era and led the fourth year Marlins to one of the most improbable World Series victories ever.

And yet Brown is largely forgotten for the era, perhaps in part due to his late careers meltdowns for the Yankees or because of the insanely inflated contract he earned while on the Dodgers (FYI: He actually put together three very solid seasons for LA before age and attitude reared their ugly heads. In retrospect, it was a foolish contract for any 34-year old, pitcher or otherwise).

So raise a wrist to Kevin Brown, a truly deserving member of the Anti HOF and a bit of a menace to your average family dinner or picnic. Class of 2011.

Top Baseball-Reference.com comperable of the modern era: Bob Welch

Anti HOF: Bill Buckner

2.1% of the 1996 MLB Hall of Fame vote

It's criminal that Bill Buckner has been immortalized for a certain unfortunate incident in the 1986 World Series (eff you, Mookie) rather than eulogized for what he truly was: a durable, reliable hitter who played for over two decades and piled up some pretty stellar career totals.

2715 hits, 1208 RBI, 174 home runs, appearances on five MVP ballots and in two World Series, seven seasons in which he hit over 0.300 and a career average of 0.289. He was essentially Wade Boggs lite, except for the fact that:
- He played across the diamond
- He didn't eat chicken before every game
- He (assumedly) didn't "diddle" mortgage brokers
- He never hung around with Mr. Perfect
- He slugged with a bit more authority than "The Chicken Man" ever did (save 1987)

Buckner's challenge was that for most of his career, he was just a notch or two below the elite at his position and was overshadowed by players with a similar jib but just a wee bit more in the oomph and sex appeal departments: Steve Garvey, Keith Hernandez and Don Mattingly come to mind.

Luckily, the Anti HOF always has a place for sullen, steady performers like BB and we welcome him with a well-placed roller between the legs. Like ol' times.

Top Baseball-Reference.com comperable of the modern era: Al Oliver

Anti HOF: Kent Tekulve

1.3% of the 1995 MLB Hall of Fame vote

Larry David owes Kent Tekulve royalties, not only for ripping off his trademark "look" but also for lifting an uncanny ability to keep adversaries off balance, confused and, at times, angry.

Tekulve slung for the Pirates for just over 11 seasons, from the mid-Seventies to the mid-Eighties. During this time and a few bonus seasons with the Phillies and Reds, he was startling in his resiliency: four seasons of 10+ wins, 10 seasons of 70+ games, seven seasons of 100+ innings (unheard of in modern times for a reliever), nine sub-3.00 ERAs and two different seasons where he garnered MVP consideration. And yet for the era, he is seldom named amongst the fatter, hairier relief pitchers; namely, Bruce Sutter and Rich Gossage.

Tekulve was every bit as obtuse and innovative as these two. Perhaps it’s because he toiled within Pennsylvania state lines for virtually his entire career that his legacy isn’t more widely celebrated. And kidding aside, his appearance may have played a factor, since he visualize more as a scientist than an ass kisser. Whatever the case, one could argue that without Tekulve, we would have never seen other craft non-“traditional” closers get a chance to finish: namely Doug Jones, Keith Foulke and arguably the finest of them all, Mariano Rivera.

Top Baseball-Reference.com comperable of the modern era: Gene Garber

Anti HOF: Andres Galarraga

4.1% in the 2010 MLB Hall of Fame vote

The Big Cat had a career that was essentially broken in two.

He was most definitely a "hot young lion" in the late Eighties for the Montreal Expos and impressed as a rare righthanded hitting first baseman. He hit 0.300 a few times, won some Gold Gloves and clubbed some home runs. However, his skill set soon dipped and Galarraga was eventually shipped to St Louis for the lanky Ken Hill.

Galaragga's most significant contributions to the Cards were not very significant and he sought refuge with the expansion Colorado Rockies for their maiden 1993 season. Good move. Galarraga surprised... no, Galaragga SHOCKED... yes, he SHOCKED by leading the NL with an insane 0.370 average. He went on to enjoy several other big seasons with the Rockies and eventually, the Atlanta Braves, offering a strong combination of average, power, fielding prowess and positivity in the dugout.

Galaragga played until he was 43 and amassed some impressive career totals: 399 homeruns (equal to Hall of Famer Al Kaline), 1425 RBIs (more than Hall of Famer Robin Yount), a 0.288 average and five All-Star Games. And yet not unlike Fred McGriff, Galarraga played in an era of achievement and longevity no longer lands you in Cooperstown. Luckily, there is a spot in the Anti HOF for the Cat.

Top Baseball-Reference.com comparable of the modern era: Jim Rice

Anti HOF: Mike Scott

0.4% of the 1997 MLB Hall of Fame vote

Houston Astros hurler Mike Scott would be a shoe-in if the HOF primarily focused on short term brillance. Not unlike Sandy Koufax, Dwight Gooden or Mark Mulder.

Scott used a split-finger fastball and blaise mound presence to marginalize National League hitters during the late Eighties. One could argue that Scott was the top NL pitcher during this time, winning the Cy Young Award in 1986, a season in which he struck out over 300 batters and positively dismantled the soon-to-be champion New York Mets in the NLCS.

Scott won an impressive 86 games from 1985-1989 and yet did little else to distinguish during his career before or after. He was a relative late bloomer and didn't really elevate his game until his age 30 season, which certainly is not a recipe to longevity. That being said, Scott was a true innovator and helped bring the split-finger to the masses, making him a worthy member of the Anti HOF.

Top Baseball-Reference.com comperable of the modern era: John Denny