ShareThisNow that Boston fans can end the deliberation on Rice, it's time to begin a new one.
There are a total of 228 members in the Hall of Fame, 32 of whom played for the Red Sox. Who will be next? Who deserves it? How can you decide? Here are some future Hall of Fame candidates, along with my opinion on their Hall chances.
-- Roger Clemens B.C. (before controversy) would no doubt be a Hall of Famer. Roger Clemens A.D. (after disaster) has done some serious damage to his reputation and chances to be enshrined. He has seven Cy Young Awards and an MVP award, while accumulating a 354-184 record in 24 seasons. He recorded 4,672 strikeouts.
His numbers are sick. Unfortunately the allegations about his off-field behavior are too. Will he make the Hall? Yes.
-- Pedro Martinez was the most dominant pitcher in the majors in his prime. He was devastating while in Boston. He has three Cy Young Awards and certainly has Hall of Fame credentials with a 2.91 ERA. He doesn't have close to 300 wins, but his .684 winning percentage (214-99) is outstanding, and he boasts 3,117 career strikeouts.
Sandy Koufax posted a 165-87 record and a 2.76 ERA and was a three-time Cy Young Award winner in 12 seasons. He's in the Hall. Pedro will too.
-- Curt Schilling never won a Cy Young Award and is well shy of the 300 wins with 216, but carries a total of 3,116 strikeouts during his 20-year career. He played in four World Series and won three. He's known for his big-game success, and compiled an 11-2 postseason mark with a 2.23 ERA. Does Schilling make the Hall? No.
-- Manny Ramirez's career was en route to Cooperstown before his recent 50-game suspension after he tested positive for a banned substance. Considered among the best right-handed hitters of his generation with 538 career homers and 1,762 RBI, Ramirez will probably still make it some day.
-- Current Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz and former Boston outfielder Andre Dawson should both go into the Hall, but will wear different caps on their plaques.
Smoltz, who has 211 career wins, 154 saves, 3,033 strikeouts, a Cy Young Award and a World Series championship, is a lock for Cooperstown, but will go in as a Brave. If Dawson is elected, he'll enter as either an Expo or Cub.
-- With the steroid era hopefully in the past, there are a few current Red Sox players who could emerge as Hall of Fame candidates , whether or not they remain in Boston.
Leading that list is second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
The 25-year-old second baseman has already won a Rookie of the Year, the MVP, the Silver Slugger Award, a Gold Glove and a World Series championship. And this is only his third full season in the big leagues. The question is: Can he maintain this level of play for 10 years? He's proved people wrong so far, so maybe he can.
-- Josh Beckett, 29, is in his ninth season in the majors and recently won his 100th game. He has 1,248 strikeouts. The right-hander has won a pair of World Series including the Red Sox in 2007. If he can sustain this type of success and remain healthy, he's a candidate.
-- Kevin Youkilis, 30, is only in his fourth full season in the majors, which could hurt his chances despite his consistent success. He's already won a Gold Glove and two World Series, and finished third in MVP voting in 2008.
-- Jon Lester, 25, is showing great promise and quickly becoming a dominant pitcher. The lefty has a 36-15 record and a 3.80 ERA in only 79 career starts in four seasons with the Red Sox. He's won a World Series and tossed a no-hitter. Given his youth, he could be a strong candidate.
-- Jonathan Papelbon, 28, is no doubt one of the game's premiere closers. He's already accumulated 138 saves in five seasons, but his legacy will depend on how the relief pitcher/closer category evolves in the minds of Hall voters.
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-- Jason Varitek, 37, has been as solid as any catcher in his 13 seasons winning a Gold Glove and two World Series. It's no coincidence he's the only catcher in major-league history to catch four no-hitters. But he's just a career .260 hitter and being a catcher doesn't help, either.
-- David Ortiz, 33, really began his career once he landed in Boston in 2003. Even though he's been a great clutch hitter for the Red Sox and boosts a .283 career average with 302 homers, his chances of induction are slim since he's a one-dimensional player as a designated hitter.
Then again, it all depends on health and longevity for the current Red Sox players. As manager Terry Francona like to say, "Let's not put them in the Hall just yet."
(Contact Joe McDonald at jmcdonal@projo.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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Must credit The Providence Journal
