As soon as the announcement of Jorge Posada's pending retirement broke the airwaves, talk started circulating about whether Posada will be a Hall of Famer. Posada has had a remarkable career that he as well as his fans should be proud of. I believe that he should have his day at Yankee Stadium, perhaps even his number retired. And while I understand how a case could be made, Jorge Posada will fall short in his fans' quest to get him in the Hall of Fame.
Posada's numbers fall short amongst the best of all time catchers. He hit 275 HRs in his career and drove in 1065 runs and had 1664 hits, hitting .273. Johnny Bench, for example, finished with 389 HR, 1376 RBI and 2048 career hits. Carlton Fisk benefitted from playing a longer career hitting 376 HR, 1330 RBI and 2356 hits. Gary Carter had 324 HR, 1225 RBI, 2092 hits. Yogi Berra had 358, 1430, 2150. Mike Piazza was 427, 1335, 2127. Ivan Rodriguez is attempting to add to 311, 1332, 2884. Though Posada's numbers fall short of these Hall of Famers, his numbers are similar or better to Hall of Famers Bill Dickey, (202, 1209, 1969) Mickey Cochrane, (119, 832, 1652) and Gabby Hartnett. (236, 1179, 1912) But, they all made the Hall before the development of the power hitting catcher.
Thurman Munson would have been a Hall of Fame player based on his numbers at the time he died. He had 1558 hits in 10 years, as well as 701 RBI.
The fairest comparison that could be made for Posada is to that of the career of Lance Parrish. Homeruns go to Parrish, (324-275) RBIs barely go to Parrish (1070-1065) as well as hits. (1782-1664) But Posada had a higher batting average (.273-.252) and OPS. (.848-.753) Posada has four World Series titles. (Yes, 4; he had 14 ABs in 1996 and did not make an appearance in the entire postseason.) Parrish only has the 1984 WS with Detroit. Both were very good players but neither are Hall of Famers. In fact, Parrish got 1.7 % of the Hall vote his first year of eligibility, not enough to return to the ballot the next season. I think Posada will fare better in the votes, but nowhere near enough to gain induction. I wouldn't mind seeing him getting his number retired at Yankee Stadium, he deserves it.
Posada's numbers fall short amongst the best of all time catchers. He hit 275 HRs in his career and drove in 1065 runs and had 1664 hits, hitting .273. Johnny Bench, for example, finished with 389 HR, 1376 RBI and 2048 career hits. Carlton Fisk benefitted from playing a longer career hitting 376 HR, 1330 RBI and 2356 hits. Gary Carter had 324 HR, 1225 RBI, 2092 hits. Yogi Berra had 358, 1430, 2150. Mike Piazza was 427, 1335, 2127. Ivan Rodriguez is attempting to add to 311, 1332, 2884. Though Posada's numbers fall short of these Hall of Famers, his numbers are similar or better to Hall of Famers Bill Dickey, (202, 1209, 1969) Mickey Cochrane, (119, 832, 1652) and Gabby Hartnett. (236, 1179, 1912) But, they all made the Hall before the development of the power hitting catcher.
Thurman Munson would have been a Hall of Fame player based on his numbers at the time he died. He had 1558 hits in 10 years, as well as 701 RBI.
The fairest comparison that could be made for Posada is to that of the career of Lance Parrish. Homeruns go to Parrish, (324-275) RBIs barely go to Parrish (1070-1065) as well as hits. (1782-1664) But Posada had a higher batting average (.273-.252) and OPS. (.848-.753) Posada has four World Series titles. (Yes, 4; he had 14 ABs in 1996 and did not make an appearance in the entire postseason.) Parrish only has the 1984 WS with Detroit. Both were very good players but neither are Hall of Famers. In fact, Parrish got 1.7 % of the Hall vote his first year of eligibility, not enough to return to the ballot the next season. I think Posada will fare better in the votes, but nowhere near enough to gain induction. I wouldn't mind seeing him getting his number retired at Yankee Stadium, he deserves it.
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