On Monday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2020 HOF ballot. As one would expect from such a prestigious association, the list has no shortage of elite talent.
Below is the list of gifted individuals that make up the 2020 ballot, with first-timers’ names emboldened:
Bobby Abreu, Josh Beckett, Heath Bell, Barry Bonds, Eric Chávez, Adam Dunn, Chone Figgins, Rafael Furcal, Jason Giambi, Roger Clemens, Todd Helton, Raúl Ibañez, Derek Jeter, Billy Wagner, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, Paul Konerko, Cliff Lee, Carlos Peña, Brad Penny, Andy Pettitte, J.J. Putz, Manny Ramírez, Brian Roberts, Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling, Gary Sheffield, Alfonso Soriano, Sammy Sosa, José Valverde, Omar Vizquel, Larry Walker.
Quite the band of players, eh? The ballot includes four former Phillies- Bobby Abreu, Raúl Ibañez, Billy Wagner, and Cliff Lee- three of which making their ballot debut. While it’s quite the longshot that each of them is enshrined into Cooperstown, as great as that would be, I’d like to think Cliff Lee has the best odds of the bunch.
For starters, despite the bevy of talent amongst the class, Derek Jeter stands as the only slam dunk to be inducted into next year’s Hall of Fame.
Couple that with the fact the association has been ushering in larger classes than in years past and it paints a picture of a slightly clearer path to Cooperstown for the lustrous lefty Lee.
Lee, of course, pitched 13 seasons in the MLB. The Arkansas native made his debut with the Indians in 2002, whom he went on to play seven seasons for. Though he didn’t flash brilliance immediately upon entering the league, as evidenced by his 4.88 ERA through his first three seasons (44 starts), Lee proved to be a quick study and swiftly improved into a force to be reckoned with on the mound.
In only his fourth campaign, Lee went 18-5 and allowed just 85 runs in 202 IP. The season marked the first time the hurler recorded 18+ wins and logged 200+ innings pitched, and earned him a fourth-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award voting. After struggling with injuries a bit the next couple of years, Lee eventually captured the AL Cy Young Award back in 2008 with the Indians- a season before he joined the Phillies for the first time.
That season, Lee posted an unfathomable 22-3 record and 2.54 ERA across 31 starts. His command vastly improved and opposing batters were rendered helpless as he repeatedly sent them back to the dugout scrambling for answers. Expectedly, his superb command over his pitches led to some rather impressive walk and home run rates. Through 223 1⁄3 innings pitched in 2008, Lee allowed a lowly 34 walks and just 12 home runs.
Not only was 2008 the first of four all-star campaigns for Lee, but it also marks the beginning of one of the most dominant stretches in league history by a pitcher.
Following a blockbuster deal in 2009, Lee was dealt to the Phillies. Unsurprisingly, under the bright lights of the Philadelphia sports scene, Lee absolutely dazzled.
Between 2008 and 2013, Lee posted a league-high 37.3 fWAR, topping Halladay, Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw, all of whom are either in the Hall of Fame or figure to receive serious consideration after their respective careers conclude.
Furthermore, Lee graded out as the best or near best in some of the
game’s biggest pitching indicators of success during his nearly decade-long
run:
Cliff Lee Ranks (2008-2013)
WAR: 1st
ERA+: 2nd
FIP: 1st
CG: 2nd
SO/BB: 1st
Shutouts: 1st
While a six-year stretch of dominance may not be enough to make a city erect a statue in your honor, it’s no flash in the pan either and speaks volumes in regards to Lee’s Hall of Fame worthiness. For six years, Lee was arguably the best pitcher in ALL OF BASEBALL. Not just the best pitcher on his team, but in the entire senior circuit. For six years(!).
I mean, seriously, I know we’ve been presented so many statistics over the years that it’s possible to occasionally gloss over them without properly assessing the truths hidden within. Be that as it may, it’s important to keep the context in mind when analyzing Lee’s spectacular numbers during this stretch.
Pitching in the major leagues is not easy. Heck, even making it to the majors is a tall order most athletes fall short of. So to not only prosper in the league but become arguably the top performer at your position for a little over half a decade is an immense feat that I feel is worthy of Hall of Fame enshrinement.
He may not have blown batters away or overpowered them with freakish velocity, but he was one hell of a pitcher and proved time after time that his name belongs amongst the elite. Now, with an opportunity to be elected to the Hall of Fame and enshrined into Cooperstown, Lee is hopeful that his resume is enough to convince voters once again that he belongs amongst the elite.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
