Jim Rice deserves a place in the Hall of Fame

Next Monday, January 12th, 2009, the Baseball Writers Association of America will announce the inductees into this year’s MLB Hall of Fame class.  This year marks the fifteenth and final time Red Sox great Jim Rice’s name will appear on the ballot.  To get in, a player must receive a vote from at least 75% of the Association.  If Rice does not get in this year, it will be up to the Veterans Committee to induct him.

I know I am a little late to the game, but I wanted to throw my support for Rice and list a few reasons why I believe he should be in the MLB HOF.  First off, baseball is all about numbers.  MLB keeps statistics for everything from batting average to the most doubles in a season by a National League lefty (Paul Warner - 62).  I am not going to run down all of Rice’s stats.  You can do that for yourselves.  Instead, I am going to list Rice’s most impressive numbers.  I must warn you, some of these numbers may surprise you.

1. Hit at least 39 home runs four times:  This may not sound that amazing, until you realize that he is the only player to do this during Rice's playing career (1974-1989).  That’s right, the only one.  Let me name some of the great sluggers who never did this: Reggie Jackson (3), Mike Schmidt (3), Andre Dawson (1), Dale Murphy (1), and Dave Winfield (0).

2. From 1975-1986, Rice led the American League in hits, runs, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, total bases, extra base hits, multi-hit games, and outfield assists:  If these stats don’t impress you, then I don’t know what will.  Think about it.  Rice was simply the most productive A.L. batter over the span of his career.  While Rice did not lead the league every year, his sustained performance during this period is very impressive.

3. Finished in the Top 5 of A.L. MVP voting six times during his career:  This is more than anyone else during this time.  In fact, Jim Rice is the only player to finish in the top five of A.L. MVP voting more than five times between 1963-2005.  I am at a loss for comments, as these numbers seem to speak for themselves.

4. Only person in history with three consecutive seasons with at least 35 homers and 200 hits:  Any time the words “history” or “only” come up, you know you have a big stat.  Not only that, but from 1977-1979, Rice actually had at least 200 hits and 39 homers each season.  We’re talking about Ichiro or Derek Jeter, but with more power.

5. When he retired, Rice was one of only 13 players to have at least eight seasons with at least 20 HRs and 100 RBI:  Besides Rice, all of the other 12 people on this list are in the Hall of Fame.

I realize that Rice does have some things working against him.  He wasn’t a terrific fielder.  His career power numbers are not as impressive as some other players.  He hit into a lot of double plays.  Look, I agree with these statements, but this really seems like nit-picking.  I am not arguing that Jim Rice was the greatest left fielder of all time.  I am simply stating that his numbers are absolutely Hall of Fame worthy.

The best way to measure a player is against their peers.  In this category, Jim Rice excels.  Over a twelve year span from 1975-1986, he was the best hitter in the American League.  Let’s hope that next Monday Jim Rice is announced as a member of the MLB Hall of Fame, class of 2009.