[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

Okay, it makes little sense to respond to a "why isn't Maris in the Hall of Fame" by falling back on WAR, which wasn't a thing when Maris was around.

Yes, he had the two other-worldly seasons, and was solid in a few more. But he was largely cooked by the time he hit 30. As such, his career numbers fall short: 1300 hits / 275 home runs / 850 RBIs (not to mention a .260 batting average), only four All-Star seasons... From that perspective, he's basically Raul Mondesi.

He also hit the HOF ballot at a terrible time - literally on the same one as Mickey Mantle (and 15 others who've now been sent to Cooperstown). His numbers pale in comparison to Mantle, and even players such as Eddie Matthews, who took five turns to get the call.

(I also can't speak about the relationship with the media. He was famously not as outgoing as Mantle. Don't know if there was acrimony).

It's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but I'm sort of reminded of Denny McClain the pitcher. He had two years as the greatest pitcher on the planet, but such a short career.

He'll, of course, always have a spot in baseball lore. Just like so many others. Hall of very good. Hall of Legends. And that should be good enough.

Sounds like Mike Trout.