I don’t think one’s mere “reputation” as a big game pitcher should qualify him for the HOF, but Pettitte has started 35 games and thrown 218 innings in the post-season. That’s an entire season, against the top competition, and he’s 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA. It’s true that he’s lucky to a certain extent (in that he’s been on teams good enough to play in that many post-season series), but certainly those numbers should count in his favor.

MJ wrote:

Nauseating that the Hall of Fame would consider such drivel.

Yeah, it is, but what do you expect from a group of people who include those who thought that Rickey Henderson wasn’t a Hall of Famer?

No question about it, MJ.

And in the end, I don’t think Andy will top 30%. The Veteran’s Committee might be a toss-up but no one is getting in through them anyway, so I think you’ll see Andy in the front row of the crowd, acknowledged by Derek and Mo and perhaps, Rocket.

4 rings and a reputation as a “big game pitcher.” Not that I necessarily agree with that, but I’d be willing to wager that will be the criteria
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Nauseating that the Hall of Fame would consider such drivel. Jack Morris was “big game” too and he’s not in. Jack Morris has a better case than Pettitte, in my opinion.

MJ wrote:

I can’t for the life of me understand why people would think Pettitte belongs.

4 rings and a reputation as a “big game pitcher.” Not that I necessarily agree with that, but I’d be willing to wager that will be the criteria.

If this were the old Veteran’s Committee, which was basically fifteen (IIRC) guys in a smoke-filled back room, then Jeter, Rivera and Torre would change the game. Heck, just put a born politician like Torre in that back room, and not only do Posada, Bernie, and Pettitte get in, but everyone short of Clay Bellinger would have a shot.

But the current Vet’s Committee–all the living Hall of Famers–isn’t like that back room group. Many of those guys don’t seem to care about voting, and some (like one Reginald Martinez Jackson) think that everyone who gets into the HOF dilutes the value of their membership. There’s no evidence in this group of the type of politicking that got the Scooter or Tony Perez elected. So I doubt the three of then make a difference.

How could you make a pretty good case for Andy Pettitte? A career ERA of 3.92 (and climbing) and not nearly enough K’s to make it in that way. He’ll have to win 300 games to make it in and I really can’t see him lasting long enough for another 77 wins…

That 3.92 ERA is good for an ERA+ of 115. He’s also 90 games over .500 for his career, and no pitcher who was 100 games over .500 has been kept out of the HOF. Then there’s his post-season success (which is somewhat overrated, but will be important to the voters). I’m not 100% sure he should be in – his case would be bolsted by one more above-average, rebound year, like Mussina had last year – but you can make a case for his induction.

FWIW, Bill James recently wrote that Pettitte will probably get in.

And, as far as the ERA, well, let’s not forget that Andy faces A.L. East teams – sans the time he was in Houston – about 10 to 15 times a year…and those are some pretty small parks in Tampa, Baltimore, and Boston…
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I’d love to read that article. Bill James is obviously good at what he does but…JEEZ…Pettitte is totally not a Hall of Famer.

Moose spent his ENTIRE career in the AL East and had better numbers and there is a healthy debate on whether or not he belongs in Cooperstown. I can’t for the life of me understand why people would think Pettitte belongs.

MJ wrote:

How could you make a pretty good case for Andy Pettitte? A career ERA of 3.92 (and climbing) and not nearly enough K’s to make it in that way. He’ll have to win 300 games to make it in and I really can’t see him lasting long enough for another 77 wins…

FWIW, Bill James recently wrote that Pettitte will probably get in.

And, as far as the ERA, well, let’s not forget that Andy faces A.L. East teams – sans the time he was in Houston – about 10 to 15 times a year…and those are some pretty small parks in Tampa, Baltimore, and Boston…

You can make a pretty good case for all of them, and once one of them gets in, the other two are going to get in, too. I’d bet that Posada is the one that makes it first, though Pettitte has a pretty good shot, too.
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How could you make a pretty good case for Andy Pettitte? A career ERA of 3.92 (and climbing) and not nearly enough K’s to make it in that way. He’ll have to win 300 games to make it in and I really can’t see him lasting long enough for another 77 wins…