MLB Hall of Fame: Is Cincinnati Reds SS Barry Larkin Cooperstown Worthy?

2011-08-29T16:00:00.003-04:00

Here we go again with more Hall of Fame suppositions. With his portfolio complete and subjected to scrutiny yet again, does Barry Larkin have what it takes to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum?

He has numbers that would make most middle-infield inductees envious. In the day of big time money-makers, free agent rentals and arbitrators, it is refreshing to note that Larkin spent his entire 19 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds.

He was a first-round pick by the Reds in the amateur draft of 1985, and began playing regularly in 1987.

In 1995, he was the National League’s Most Valuable Player even though runner-up, Dante Bichette, was significantly more productive.

Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, winning three Gold Glove Awards along with nine Silver Slugger Awards during his career.

His career numbers are very impressive with a slash line of .295/.371/.444. He hit 198 HR and knocked in 960 with 379 stolen bases.

But is that going to be enough to put him over the hump?

In his first year of eligibility in 2010 Larkin amassed 51.6 percent of the votes and finished fifth. In 2011 he finished third overall with 62.1 percent, and was the highest voted player who did not become elected this year.

Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven both received more than the necessary 75 percent.

In an age inundated with steroid use and accusations, Larkin was squeaky clean. His numbers are precisely what they represent—no inflated numbers that surpassed his physical abilities.

Most of his statistics are just a tad shy of the average Hall of Fame player. His post-season numbers are very good (.348 average with 24 hits).

In a comparison with Lou Boudreau, Larkin becomes a much taller tree in the middle-infield forest. He collected over 500 more hits than did "Handsome Lou”; he clubbed 130 more round-trippers and knocked in 171 more runs.

Both Larkin and Boudreau have one MVP trophy sitting in their trophy case. He falls short of Boudreau in OPS+, 120-116.

Stunningly, Larkin fell short of the career hit total of Ozzie Smith. The "Wizard of Oz" accumulated 2,460 to Larkin’s 2,340.

In a great metric used to compare players from different eras, Larkin's OPS+ of 116 stands tall alongside Luis Aparicio’s 82, Smith’s 87, Joe Tinker’s (you know, Tinker to Evers to Chance) 96, Cal Ripken’s 112, Luke Appling’s 113 and Robin Yount’s 115.

Its light becomes a little dimmer when compared to the old crust of the crew. The great Honus Wagner holds sway at 150 and his replacement Arky Vaughan is rock solid at 136.

Until recently, the Reds have only had three regular shortstops since the 60's. Chico Cardenas claimed the slot during the 60's followed by Dave Concepcion as a main cog in the Big Red Machine. When Concepcion retired the reins were handed to Larkin.

Although he does not possess outrageously great numbers, for a middle infielder, at least using the backdrop of Hall of Fame shortstops, he is more than qualified to make the cut. Keep in mind, it is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Great!

Cliff Eastham's Field of Dreams

MLB Hall of Fame: Is Cincinnati Reds SS Barry Larkin Cooperstown Worthy?