I read that stat and it surprised me given where he is on a couple of hit lists.

He's the most underrated hitter of this generation...probably because he spent most of his time with the Rangers.

I would have to agree with statement.

Of this generation? How about ever. I think there's three players that had 3000 hits and 500 HRs besides Raffy (assuming he can get 6 more hits). Or it may be 600 HRs, which he could get. He's at 563 now. I see him playing for at least one more year after this one.

I agree. He should and probably will play at least one more year.

How does playing for the Rangers under rate you???? Do you not remember the hype that Juan Gonzales got as a Ranger???

quote:

---

How does playing for the Rangers under rate you?

---

You just answered your own question.

The Rangers have rarely been contenders...that tends to hurt ones status.

As for Juando, he had some MVP-type years. Palmeiro was usually down the list a bit as far as HRs, RBIs, and average. But he's been damn consistent for 15+ years. He's never really had a chance to be a post-season hero....that would raise his stature too.

I don't care. Frankly, if anyone does they're idiots. You've heard all your life that 500 HRs was the benchmark for the Hall of Fame, you're a sure bet if you reach that.

You've also heard the same thing about 3,000 hits. How about someone with both of those? Oh yeah, there's only three.*

*Again, it may be 3,000, 600 HRs, I'm too lazy to look. But the chances of him getting that are pretty good.

quote:

---

The Rangers have rarely been contenders...that tends to hurt ones status.

---

yeah, because nobody had heard of Vladimir Guerrero when he played for les expos.

OK, you're right. Pittsburgh Pirates get the same hype as New York Yankees.

I think the only argument on Palmero is whether he will be a first ballot HOF. He is definintely going to make it. And for those that say he never had monster years (broadcasters mainly) need to look at the man's career. He had a stretch of about 7 years that he put up sick numbers.

Also, he was the clubhouse pimp. Anyone that has the nerve to knock boots with Ryne Sandberg's wife while only a lowly rookie has balls in my book (no pun intended).

and that was in the pre-viagra era. impressive.

I'll give you another one....Pudge Rodriguez anyone???

He will be simply because of his ridiculous string of gold gloves, forget the fact he's a great hitter.

But Palmeiro is far more deserving of the HOF than Pudge, IMO. Not to say Pudge isn't.

Back in the days that we had a semi-pro team here in town (& it's been a while), we had Palmeiro at first, a dude named Bonds in the outfield, & on the mound? Oh yeah, some wannabe named Rocket. Suffice it to say, we didn't lose too many times.

I'm not saying that being a Ranger means no one has ever heard of you. But if Raffy was in NY, Boston, Chicago or a baseball city, more people would be aware of his accomplishments. Look at his stats. He's one of the best all-around hitters of all time....yet most people think he's just a dude who's been in the game a long time.

Welker:

I usually like what you have to say on this board, but I disagree with you that Raffy is better or more deserving of the HOF than Pudge.

You can argue over who is a better all-around catcher; Pudge or Bench. However, the argument starts and ends with those two. I think there are a number of first basemen in MLB history that you would have to rank ahead of Raffy (Gehrig, Foxx, Greenberg, Killebrew, Murray, soon to be McGwire). I know Raffy will have superior numbers than the aforementioned, but I think most fans would rank them ahead of Raffy.

However, think of how Raffy would be thought of if he played for the Yankees. Mattingly couldn't hold Raffy's jock, yet Yankee fans and the national media considered him to be great and he even got a monument next to Babe, Dimaggio, etc.

Pudge is right up there with Bench, no doubt.

But you can't overlook Raffy's offensive numbers, or belittle them in ANY way. That's VERY select company. I guess when thinking about it, so is the catcher deal.

So either way, they're both sure fire HOFs IMO.

He might be limited to only 4 all star appearances because of the other first basemen in the AL. I remember Frank Thomas had some monster seasons during the 90's.

Raffy will have over 3,000 hits and 600 home runs by the time he retires.

He was overshadowed by Gonzalez and Pudge while he was a Ranger.

No doubt first ballot HOF.

quote:

---

You've heard all your life that 500 HRs was the benchmark for the Hall of Fame, you're a sure bet if you reach that.

---

This still holds true. Hes a sure bet.