Testing a familiar centerfielder’s Hall-worthiness by way of Rice, Puckett

As a few fellow Internet speculationists have pieced together in the 24 hours since it was announced, Jim Rice’s July 26 date with the Baseball Hall of Fame might have implications for another Jim.

The career of former Chicago Cub* Jim Edmonds isn’t officially over, but a closer inspection of his numbers and accolades to date, and you have to think with Rice in, Jimbo’s knocking on Cooperstown’s door.

But already a sure thing?

That’s the only conclusion I could draw from MLB TV’s recent Prime 9 program on the best nine centerfielders of all time.

Edmonds was one of two active centerfielders on the list, joined by the surefire-first-balloter Ken Griffey, Jr. Interestingly, both aging icons remain free agents.

The names on the Prime 9 list, in order:

1. Willie Mays (inducted 1979)
2. Ty Cobb (inducted 1936)
3. Mickey Mantle (inducted 1974)
4. Tris Speaker (inducted 1937)
5. Joe DiMaggio (inducted 1955)
6. Griffey
7. Duke Snider (inducted 1980)
8. Edmonds
9. Kirby Puckett (inducted 2001)

Better than Rice?

Certainly Edmonds was a much better fielder, and they’re comparable hitters. Although Rice played before the juice ran rampant, Edmonds was smack dab in the middle of the era, his best power years coinciding with the most injection-inflated across the game.

Better than Puckett?

OK, it’s a stretch, but I can maybe see it if I stare long enough.

	Edmonds, CF (16 seasons)	Puckett, CF (12 seasons)	Rice, OF, DH (16 seasons)
AVG/OBP/SLG	.284/.377/.528	.318/.360/.477	.298/.352/.502
Runs per 162 games (total)	102 (1,207)	97 (1,071)	97 (1,249)
RBI per 162 games (total)	99 (1,176)	99 (1,085)	113 (1,451)
HR per 162 games (total)	32 (382)	19 (207)	30 (382)
Hits per 162 games (total)	158 (1,881)	209 (2,304)	190 (2,452)
World Series rings	1	2	0
MVP Top 10s	2	7	6 (won in '78)
All-star appearances	4	10	8
Silver Sluggers	1	6	2
Gold Gloves	8	6	0

Rice made it in on his last try before being sent to the Veterans’ Committee.

Kirby’s Glaucoma-shortened career was enough to get the Hall call on the first ballot.

Prime 9’s ranking says Edmonds would be a first-ballot guy, too, but I can’t help but think he’ll fall somewhere in between.

If he doesn’t play another game, eventually, Jimmy gets in the Hall of Fame.

But in the same conversation with Mays, Mantle, DiMaggio, Speaker and Cobb?

* I loved Jimmy Ballgame’s days with the Cardinals, but after last season’s loving embrace of the Small Bears, I’ll label him a Scrub until his true feelings are reasserted with the cap he chooses to wear in Cooperstown.

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