BLB Topic Tuesday (5/22)

[Clay]

Slow Tuesday...

Three of the best hitters in BLB History and 1st ballot Hall of Famers are wrapping up amazing careers in locations that history will likely not attach to their names.

Harry Keppel (PAW), Mel Woodbury (MIS) and Everardo Gremades (BAL) have resumes that are second to none offensively.

With the recent injury to EG, well publicized struggles of "Link" and frightenlingly slow start for "The Logo" - the question/topic is "How are these players impacting their legacy?". And..."Where will they rank all-time when they hang them up?"

***

I, personally, see 3 different stories playing out...

EG is actually boosting his legend. He's playing at a high level and has a chance to be part of a really good offense in a playoff run.

Doorbell was looking bleak, but has started to wake up. The problem is, Mississippi is likely a lost cause this season. Not his fault. Bad luck choice to join the Storm, but he wasn't the only one who thought MIS would be good this year.

Keppel....oh Keppel....as much as I know that he can't play himself out of the Hall. He's a lock. No-brainer. But...he is leaving a ton of records on the table. Things I thought he was going to put so far out of reach, now are stuck in place. And the fact that he may not hit 500 HRs is a crime.

Five years from now, I think BLB history looks like this...

#1 Woodbury - Stats. Awards. Rings.
#2 Shitty - I think he plays himself past Keppel on the GOAT list.
#3 Keppel - Seemed like a clear #1 a few years ago. Feels like a #3 now...and a title run for Dallas could have Dani Alvarez sneaking up.

[Z]

Jose Guzman has to be in the conversation with those four guys, too. He's quietly had a tremendous career.

[Clay]

Jose Guzman has to be in the conversation with those four guys, too. He's quietly had a tremendous career.

Gremades more public support in the post-JJ years probaly pushes Guzman into "the most underrated hitter in this era". EG had that title for a long time, but now I think he's properly rated. Guzman doesn't get the love he should.

The Big 3, Alvarez, Guzman, Kinsey... All in that generation's conversation. Kinsey may be a little bit of a Tweener though. Not quite in those guys Gen, but a little old for the Rex Knight, Carmen Chamissa, Hector Chavez generation.

[Dave]

Gremades more public support in the post-JJ years probaly pushes Guzman into "the most underrated hitter in this era". EG had that title for a long time, but now I think he's properly rated. Guzman doesn't get the love he should.

The world's first underrated 11-time all star.

[Delandis]

Does Buzzell get in?

[Clay]

Does Buzzell get in?

HOF or Top 3-5 Hitters?

I have this weird block in my BLB brain where I lump Buzzell, Brit Bovey and Ken Cahill in the same mind-space. I know they've had different careers, but they all feel the same to me.

I think Buzzell is possibly/probably a HOF though...not sure Top 5.

[Delandis]

Oh we are talkin Top 5 hitter? Nah.

[Clay]

The world's first underrated 11-time all star.

Valid point, but I see BLB All-Stars as a way different measure than MLB All-Stars. With fan voting, you really couldn't have an 11 timer that flies under the radar. Quite the opposite, guys sometimes pad their ASG appearances because of popularity.

In the BLB, the AS voting is really 100% about stats. I know for me, when I'm voting, I try to avoid looking at names when voting. I know the stats and performances that I measure a good 1st half on. Close calls may get broken by a name...but I think ASGs here are kind of blind.

[Clay]

Oh we are talkin Top 5 hitter? Nah.

Well, I don't want to limit a talking topic...my original question was more how do those three rank in the BLB lexicon when they've hung them up. But, HOF talk is always in the air.

[Delandis]

If Keppel would have just retired, his legacy would have been near untouchable, even with the run Woodbury has had. This may be an unpopular view, but I think a very good case could be made that Shitty is best hitter that the leagues has seen to date. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

[funclown]

If Keppel would have just retired.

Agree! I do think this will be his last season. He's losing it fast now. He was having a nice 95 campaign, then suffered a 5-6 week knee injury with several setbacks at seasons end. Hasn't been the same since.

[Delandis]

And I only say this because I think he was the best player on VA even when both he and Woodbury was there.

[Clay]

If Keppel would have just retired, his legacy would have been near untouchable, even with the run Woodbury has had. This may be an unpopular view, but I think a very good case could be made that Shitty is best hitter that the leagues has seen to date. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

I think you can make a case that Gremades was the best ever at getting on base (hits/BBs). But...IMO... "Best Hitter" is an offensive judgement and therefore you have to also factor in power and speed. When you throw that all in the mix (H,BB,HR,XBH,SB) and maybe, to a lesser extent, weigh in situational/team stats like RBI and R, I don't think anyone can touch Woodbury in this Generation.

That being said...as I said...I think EG is passing Keppel.

[Delandis]

Again the fact that Woodbury was not "The Logo" in Philly has to play a part. Shitty has been awesome everywhere he played.

[Clay]

Again the fact that Woodbury was not "The Logo" in Philly has to play a part. Shitty has been awesome everywhere he played.

Not sure it does. And its not like his numbers in Philly were bad. He was just pre-prime.

Not dispariging EG. Love him. Paid a lot for him. He may be one of the most important pieces in my history because he helped get me over the hump that Wilton Harcourt and Vincent Nino couldn't. His resume just isn't quite full enough to call him #1.