Posted February 14, 200520 yr comment_615350 1. Larkin earned 347 win shares, better than half of the current HOF. 2. Larkin appeared in twelve All-Star games. I would be hard-pressed to find any player with twelve All-Star appearances to his credit that did not reach the Hall of Fame. 3. Larkin hit 16% better than league average over the course of his career. 4. Larkin won three gold gloves, and likely would have won many more had he not been a contemporary of Ozzie Smith. Larkin's range factor is nearly .4 better than league average. 5. Larkin won an MVP award. 6. Larkin hit .353/.421/.529 in the Reds' sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series, and holds a .338 career postseason batting average, with eight stolen bases in seventeen games. 7. Along with his 379 career steals, Larkin was caught just 77 times, for an 83% success rate. This is one of the ten best success rates of all time. 8. Larkin meets 46.9% of HOF Standards. 50% is the average mark. 9. No retired shortstop has a better case for the Hall of Fame. Larkin's numbers don't jump out at you, but when you take everything into account, the batting average, walks, power, speed, and defense, he produced more than many big sluggers of his day. I think Larkin is deserving of the Hall.
February 14, 200520 yr comment_617339 Additional fodder to support Larkin's case. #1: He ranks 7th amongst active players in career steals. #2: Ranks 24th amongst active players in extra base hits(T-12th in doubles and 5th in triples). #3: Ranks 13th amongst active players in Power/Speed number. #4: Ranks 18th amongst active players in total bases. #5: Ranks 8th amongst active players in runs.
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