Recent Players Among the Top 25 – the Outfielders

Here is an interesting question. According to the CAWS Career Gauge, how many of the top 25 players at each position in the 20th century were still playing in the 21st century (2001 or later)? Let’s take a look.

All numbers include the 2008 season.
Bold print = Hall of Famer
Italic = active player in 2008
CWS = Career Win Shares
CV = Core Value (sum of win shares for 10 best seasons)
CAWS = Career Value = CV + .25(CWS – CV)

The Right Fielders

Among the top 25 right fielders with the best careers since 1901, there are four who have played in the 21st century. Here are their numbers (the number in front of the player’s name is his rank among the top right fielders).

As you can see, only Tony Gwynnis in the Hall of Fame and he is the only one of these four who has HOF numbers so far according to the CAWS Career Gauge.

Sammy Sosaretired without quite making the 280 CAWS benchmark for a right fielder. But both Vladimir Guerreroand Bobby Abreuhave a good shot at reaching that standard.

The Left Fielders

Among the top 25 left fielders with the best careers since 1901, there are six who have played in the 21st century. Here are their numbers (the number in front of the player’s name is his rank among the top left fielders).

All of these players (with the exception of Luis Gonzalez) have Hall of Fame numbers according to the CAWS Gauge. The benchmark for a left fielder is 280 and each of the first five players has a score better than 300 – a very strong group.

Barry Bonds, Rickey Hendersonand Tim Rainesall have obvious HOF numbers. Bonds will almost certainly have “steroids problems” when he is eligible for election. Rickey should be a first-round choice for Cooperstown in 2008. Tim Raines got only 24% of the vote in 2007. Despite having obvious HOF numbers, Raines is completely underrated.

Gary Sheffield, Manny Ramirezand Luis Gonzalezare still active players. Sheffield and Ramirez have obvious HOF numbers. But Sheffield has alleged “steroids problems” and it will be interesting to see how the BBWAA voters will treat him. Manny should get into the Hall easily when he is eligible. Luis Gonzalez is near the end of his career and does not have HOF credentials.

The Center Fielders

Among the top 25 center fielders with the best careers since 1901, there are four who have played in the 21st century. Here are their numbers (the number in front of the player’s name is his rank among the top center fielders).

Of these four players, only Ken Griffey Jr.has so far attained the 270 benchmark for HOF numbers for a center fielder. Junior should be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he is eligible. Bernie Williamshad a solid career but came up somewhat short of the mark. He does not have HOF numbers.

Both Jim Edmondsand Carlos Beltranare still active and could reach the 270 goal. It seems to be a distinct possibility for both players.

For more information on the CAWS HOF Gauge, see BASEBALL’S BEST: The TRUE Hall of Famers on this site.