Two MVPs. Seven All-star Games. Five Gold Gloves in CF. Four Silver Sluggers CF.
398 HR and an OPS+ 125. Roberto Clemente and Lou Gehrig Memorial Awards Winner, 7 times a top ten hitter.
Who is this player? Must be a Hall of Famer. It is Dale Murphy. He should be a in the HOF. His Prime consisted of 6 great seasons, 1 very good season, 3 good seasons, 3 other useful seasons, The Atlanta Braves would not be the team they are, without the past players such as Dale. There is a reason his jersey is retired.
He had a great prime. He was a great player for those great seasons. From 1982-1987, he was first in Home Runs and Runs created, second in games and runs, and third in RBI. Cal Ripken was ahead of him in games, and Ricky Henderson in Runs. Dave Winfield and Eddie Murray were ahead of him in RBI. Wade Boggs was trailing by 17 in runs created.
According to OPS+, he was 21% better than the league over his career. During his best seasons, he was a top 3 hitter in the league. He had a high enough peak to justify being in the HOF.
I am an inclusionary. Including Dale Murphy in the HOF will not dilute the talent pool in the Hall. He was a Gold Glove Centerfielder who could rake. His career numbers may not be the best, but His prime was great enough. He won enough awards to show he belongs. Look at his overall numbers, and they would not disgrace the Hall of Fame. But his greatness should not be kept out. 398 HR and .815 OPS. 47.3 fWAR, .357 wOBA and 44.2 bWAR. He was a masher with the bat and a good defender in CF.
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