Is Matt Williams a “Hall of Famer?”
As I grow older, I find that I struggle with judging which players I grew up watching get to make the hall of fame in their respective sports. When I think of the “Hall,” I think of Mantle. I think of Sweetness. I think of Bill Russell. Looking at statistics of guys that have played within the last 20 years (or so), there are plenty that would deserve to be enshrined in their own Hall, but some of them just give you that “Yes, they were good…but were they that good?” feeling.
Case in point: Matt Williams.
Yes, that Matt Williams. The one who managed to clock 32 home runs and 105 RBI in his lone season with the Indians. He was a Silver Slugger that year, despite having an OPS under .800. And, of course, he was one of the key reasons that the Tribe made the World Series in 1997.
But while Indians fans may only remember the single season, Williams’ all-around career was pretty darn good. During his run in San Francisco (and even early on in Arizona), he was one of the best third basemen in the game. He was a top-six vote for league MVP four times, finishing second overall in 1994 (MLB leading 43 home runs, .926 OPS). Consider that this was the strike-shortened season, who knows where Williams would have ended up. Overall, Williams is listed at 61 in terms of the top home run hitters of all time, finishing his career with 378.
He wasn’t too shabby in the field either, taking home four Gold Glove awards.
But now that his career is all said and done, Williams makes his first appearance on the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Ricky Henderson is getting all of the love for this year’s freshman class, and deservedly so given his career. And while he will likely get the nod, will Williams?
Going with the assumption that there’s zero shot of Williams making it as a “first-ballot,” what are the 
odds that he ever makes it? The numbers are definitely there. And if not for injuries, who knows what could have been. He broke records that were held by guys like Mel Ott. But he was also one of the names that was inked during the steroid scandal. Even if his HGH was doctor prescribed, the Mitchell Report isn’t exactly something for the resume. And will the baseball writers give much merit to said statistics given the timing? If guys like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafy Palmiero are given the BBWA stink eye, I can’t imagine that Williams isn’t given the same. Even if he did pose with nuns.
To me, this will be an interesting chain of events over the next few seasons. One, would Williams be “Hall of Fame” material even if the Mitchell Report didn’t exist? And two, how will his career be treated by those with the votes. When I look at that whole generation of players (the baseball cards I coveted) like Jeff Bagwell, Robin Ventura and Larry Walker, I struggle to compare them to the “Greats” that they’ll be joining. But then again, maybe I have an underappreciation all that these guys did. For now, at least in regard to Matt Williams, it will be a waiting game.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:08 am
The Hall of Fame should be for the elite only. Whether it actually is or not is another discussion. That being said, if you have to ask yourself or convince yourself, the answer is probably no.
As for the statement, “and if not for injuries, who knows what could have been,” that shouldn’t count in Hall of Fame voting. Either a player did or didn’t. If he had injury trouble, it’s a shame, but the Hall of Fame isn’t a place for what-ifs.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Well said, Bill.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:24 am
On the other hand, Pedro Martinez, though still going, had only a few years of greatness. Yet they were spectacular. First ballot HOF, no? In fact, I think Albert Belle belongs more than Matt Williams.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:49 am
@burgerz….
don’t stop there… Belle before Jim Rice. If Jim Rice played in Cleveland he’d be off the ballot.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:55 am
@Freecheezeburgerz: would he go in as “Joey?”
December 31st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I don’t think Williams gets in. Just a hunch. When I think of some of his contemporaries (Chipper Jones comes to mind), he just doesn’t stand above them the way a HOFer should in my eyes.
Then again, Bill Mazeroski got in for hitting one big home run…
December 31st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I think as far as HOFers go, it has to be an imediate thought of yes. You shouldn’t have to make a case for someone to be in any HOF.
Barry Sanders- Yes
Marshall Faulk – Great player. Probably not HOF
Peyton Manning- Yes
Kurt Warner – SB MVP, Regular Season MVP, no HOF
December 31st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
DEFINITELY NOT a Hall of Famer.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
bridgecrosser, Jim Rice was great. He was a lot like Belle. Both belong in Hall.
Scott, as a hitter he’s Albert. His Joey personality plaque should include a hidden GPS, and a video of him throwing a ball at a fan – best throw of his career, by the way.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I think the problem with Williams is that he’s not even a guy who really comes to mind when you think of that early to mid ’90s generation of baseball players. If we’re only letting in one or two players a year – you’re forced to look at players who were truly the game-changers (the Rickey Hendersons, the Greg Madduxes, the Cal Ripkens. That’s were I think the distinction between Pedro and Williams lies – all you have to say is “Pedro” and everyone knows who you’re talking about (and probably remembers a specific story about him). Say Matt Williams and I the recognition isn’t there. Maybe it’s just a matter of branding – Williams didn’t have it. I tend to be over exclusive rather than inclusive when letting in the players I grew up with, however (I don’t know if I’d put Thome in for example. I do think Williams was a very good player, for the period in which he was healthy.
Also – thanks for the link the other day Scott – we all appreciated it.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I loved when Williams played in Cleveland (in summer ball we used to tape our wrists up like he did). My heart says yes, but head says no. He was a gamer, and a solid, heady player (remember the hidden ball trick he orchastrated w/ the indians), but not sure he passes into the threshold of HOF greatness
December 31st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
matt williams = no
pedro martinez = hell yes. first ballot.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I also loved Williams, but I say no. There has to be a line between “sustained excellence” and memorable. I compare his legacy to someone like Dale Murphy in the ’80s: great numbers and excellent defense for 6-8 years. But there’s that certain memorable quality missing – either total dominance on the field for at least 4-5 years (Koufax), or the steady drumbeat of great numbers over many, many years ( Eddie Murray), or being the unmistakeable leader of a great team (Jeter one day?), or a redefining of the position he played (Rollie Fingers). Williams was an all-around excellent third baseman, but I’d be surprised to see his bust next to Brooks Robinson or Mike Schmidt.
January 1st, 2009 at 2:07 am
Um Harv Dale Murphy led the league in home runs a couple of times and I believe he was MVP twice. It is stupid he isn’t in. In a dead ball era, he killed the ball. He was an amazingly good guy too. Maybe that shouldn’t matter, but to me it does.
Matt Williams shouldn’t make it. He was a great player, but he was in an era with a bunch of similar mashers just like him. I loved him that one year with the Tribe though.
And the football one, I think Kurt Warner should be in actually. He was the best QB in the league and led a historically great offense.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:48 am
The Hall of Fames in most sports have really been cheapened over the years. More and more questionable guys are getting in or being discussed as legit candidates. I think I echo many voices here when I say Matt Williams is an absolute no for the Hall. HOF guys have to do something spectacular for their careers. That’s why Pedro Martinez is an absolute lock (I think we forget now how dominate he was for so long. We wouldn’t if that Jaret Wright for Pedro trade had gone through). Kurt Warner though is a no for me simply because I think we all know he sold his soul to the devil (aka his ugly wife) just so he could be an NFL QB. It’s really the only explanation that makes sense in his case.
January 1st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
For the record, Williams made one of the greatest defensive plays in team history. I think it was Game 5 (help me there) of the 97 ALCS vs. Baltimore.
Runners on 1st and 2nd, BAL tried the sacrifice bunt and Hargove had called for the wheel play. Williams came charging in, field the ball, pivoted and rocketed the ball to 3rd for Vizquel.
It killed the Orioles rally as the next guys made outs and the Tribe went on to win the game.
Unfortunately, Hargove fell in love w/ the wheel play and it burned us a few times in his last seasons as manager. A great play executed by elite defensive talent at the time.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
[...] when I asked if Matt Williams deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and most (if not all) of you said “No.” Well, this guy actually gets to vote, and [...]