Sure Fire Winner

Today, it's just a numbers game. Let's compare statistics* for two Major League Baseball players.

Player A has played 2,393 career games.

Player B has played 2,458 career games.

Player A has scored 1,748 runs.
Player B has scored 1,554 runs.

Player A has accumulated 4,374 total bases.

Player B has 4,560.

Player A has 487 doubles.

Player B has 440.

Player A has 1,181 runs batted in.
Player B has 1,664 RBI.

Player A has been walked 962 times, 37 intentionally.

Player B has been walked 1,711 times, 169 intentionally.

Player A has a career batting average of .313.

Player B hits .277.

Player A has an on base percentage of .383.
Player B has a .403 OBP.

Player A has a slugging percentage of .449.

Player B has slugged .558.

So, which player, if any, is the absolute lock to make it to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame?

Perhaps, I have left out the most important factor...

Player A is a lifelong Yankee.

Player B, never a Yankee.

Yet.

I have intentionally omitted two offensive categories which vary greatly between these two players, each favoring a different guy.  (They also are the two stats that would most likely reveal each player's secret identity.)

Player A has 3,045 career hits.

Player B has 2,265 hits.

Yes. Player A is the one and only Derek Jeter, almost universally accepted as a lock to be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. As a matter of fact, they will probably just wave the waiting period after he retires. There may not even be a need to take a vote.

But Player B.

Jeter has 238 career home runs.
Player B has 601 career home runs.

Player B is Jim Thome. He is one of only 8 players ever to hit 600 home runs. Only Babe Ruth did it in fewer at bats. The .403 OBP that I mentioned earlier is higher than all-time greats Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn. I believe it was Jayson Stark from ESPN who pointed out that Thome has scored at least 100 runs in more seasons than Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, and Dave Winfield combined. Impressive.

The greatest Jim Thome stat: he is tied for the most walk off home runs of all time with 12. His co-record holders are Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, and Frank Robinson. If that's not Hall of Fame caliber company, I don't know what is.

I'm not the first or the last person to stump for Thome. Instead, let me be the NEXT to state it publicly. Jim Thome is and has been one of baseball's finest players. I am grateful that I have been able to follow most of his career. Cooperstown should be waiting for him once he hangs up his cleats for good.

*-Stats current as of 8/18/11

Scripture - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Quote - "So there you have it. It's all so simple when you break things down scientifically" Nick Bakay