Hall Pass

Baseball is a sucker for maudlin moments and this one stoked enough nostalgic fires to light the way from Seattle to Cooperstown, N.Y.

Players from both All-Star dugouts streamed onto Safeco Field to salute Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., two soon-to-be-retired sure-fire hall of famers and undisputed class acts.

In homes everywhere, dad gushed at the sight of two aging superstars who looked like his friends--one fat, the other bald--while junior nearly burst out of his Ichiro T-shirt at the sight of his heroes.

Standing near Ripken was Jason Giambi, a smoldering sight with tattooed arms and goatee. Next to Gwynn was Todd Helton, looking as cool as a Rocky Mountain refreshment.

For better or worse, baseball revels in its past. Grown men maintain an infantile infatuation over the Babe, get weepy over Wee Willie Keeler and loopy over Dizzy Dean.

But maybe it’s time to shake out the Cobb-webs and survey the diamond--the glory days are upon us. Certainly, a greater number of Hall of Fame careers are being built than at any time since 1967, the say-hey heyday of Cooperstown-bound ballplayers.

In ’67 it was Aaron, Aparicio, Banks, Bench, Brock, Bunning, Carew, Carlton, Cepeda . . .

Today it’s Alomar, Bagwell, Biggio, Bonds, Brown, Canseco, Clemens, Cone, Franco, Galarraga . . .

Everyone with a stake in the game--owners, the players’ union, networks and the guy who hawks memorabilia--can only pray that in 20 years youngsters of today will get a lump in their throat when an All-Star game is stopped to honor Albert Pujols and Tim Hudson.

Or Troy Glaus and Vladimir Guerrero.

Or Shawn Green and Mike Sweeney.

Or whomever. Set aside those players with only a few years’ experience. There are plenty more names with Hall of Fame game. According to formulas devised by baseball historian Bill James, 40 current players already have the numbers to merit strong Cooperstown consideration.

Someday their mere mention will prompt the same sweet smiles and faraway looks that the stars of 1967 elicit now. An all-time high 35 players active that year were eventually voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America and two more have been inducted by the Committee on Baseball Veterans.

In ’67 it was Clemente, Drysdale, Ford, Gibson, Hunter, Jackson, Jenkins, Kaline, Killebrew . . .

Today it’s Garciaparra, Glavine, Gonzalez, Griffey, Gwynn, Helton, Henderson, Jeter, Johnson, Chipper Jones . . .

Gwynn grew up admiring the greats of the ‘60s. He admires today’s players too, many of whom were children when he was a rookie in 1982.

“When I’m out there, I have in my own mind who is a hall of famer,” Gwynn said. “It’s easier for me to see it in other guys, whether or not they are worthy. There were a lot of guys on that field [at the All-Star game] who eventually will be there.”

Predicting who will get in can be tricky. The writers typically elect one to four players a year. The Veterans’ Committee currently chooses only one player annually, but its rules are changed more often than the batteries in a hearing aid.

The Veterans’ Committee of the 2030s could easily open the floodgates to current stars overlooked by the writers. After all, old-timers named Buck, King, Eppa, Elmer, Red, Chick, Amos and Addie were inducted with numbers that pale in comparison to those of today’s stars.

An era viewed with particular fondness by earlier Veterans’ Committees was the late 1920s. Fifty-two players active in 1928 have been inducted, but only 28 by the writers, seven fewer than the 1967 group.

In ’67 it was Mantle, Marichal, Mathews, Mays, McCovey, Morgan, Niekro, Palmer, Perez, Perry . . .

Today it’s Larkin, Lofton, Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Edgar Martinez, McGriff, McGwire, Palmeiro, Piazza, Raines . . .

But the biggest difference between 1928, 1967 and today is not perception, it’s pitching. Statistical standards must be adjusted to reflect the going, going, gone ‘90s.

“It’s interesting that 1967 was an era dominated by pitchers, yet all those guys got in the Hall of Fame,” James said. “It’s the opposite today.”

For example, 600 home runs has become what 500 was 40 years ago.

When Ted Williams hit his 500th home run in 1960, only three players had previously done it--Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott. The list has grown to 17. It’s a near certainty that Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds will reach 600, and they will be Nos. 4 and 5 to do so behind Hank Aaron, Ruth and Willie Mays.

But if hitting standards ratchet up, pitching standards must drop. Voters will have to reconcile their aversion to closers. Bottom line: the number of qualified active candidates will probably grow.

Like Casey Kasem, James’ formulas identify the Top 40. Yet several players not on the list--Gary Sheffield, Harold Baines, Paul O’Neill and Omar Vizquel among them--boast numbers comparable to many hall of famers.

Then there are guys who haven’t played long enough to compile the necessary stats, but who will. And how many rookies have untapped greatness? The rookie class of 1967 included Johnny Bench, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver. That year, Bench batted .163 and Jackson .178.

In ’67 it was Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Ryan, Seaver, Stargell, Sutton, Wilhelm, Williams, Yastrzemski.

Today it’s Ramirez, A-Rod, I-Rod, Ripken, Smoltz, Sosa, Thomas, Vaughn, Walker, Williams.

Assembling a career worthy of Cooperstown can be a daunting thought for a young player. Sweeney is well down the list of hard-hitting active first basemen, but his 2000 season is worth noting: .333 average, 29 homers, 144 runs batted in.

Repeat it a dozen times and it’s hello Hall of Fame.

“The consistency and longevity, that’s the tough part,” Sweeney said. “I’ve had 2 1/2 solid years. To look at Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn and their 20-plus solid years, that’s amazing.”

Long careers fold one era over the next, Nap Lajoie to Ruth, Ruth to Hank Greenberg, Greenberg to Duke Snider, Snider to Willie Stargell, Stargell to Gwynn.

Hanging in the home of Sweeney’s parents is a 1986 photo of their son at 12 standing with Gwynn. Fifteen years later, Gwynn and Ripken prepare to count down the five years before their Hall of Fame inductions. Sweeney and dozens of others earnestly pursue the dream. A September call-up will take his first step toward Cooperstown when he walks into a big league clubhouse.

Baseball connects generations. Dad is sentimental about yesterday and the kids are excited about tomorrow. But take a look around, the best players are active today.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Busting Out--Selection of players who are building the stats to qualify for baseball’s most prestigious accolade, the Hall of Fame.

Bagwell

Martinez

Williams

Larkin

Piazza

Biggio

Alomar

Palmeiro

Times researcher Houston Mitchell compares some contemporary players with Hall of Famers who hae played in a similar number of games:

Outfielders

Players: Kenny Lofton

G: 1,314

AB: 5,238

R: 1,003

H: 1,582

2B: 245

3B: 67

HR: 85

RBI: 521

AVG: .302

OB%: .378

SLG%: .423

*

Players: Ross Youngs

G: 1,211

AB: 4,627

R: 812

H: 1,491

2B: 236

3B: 93

HR: 42

RBI: 592

AVG: .322

OB%: .399

SLG%: .441

*

Players: Andres Galarraga

G: 1,993

AB: 7,393

R: 1,113

H: 2,136

2B: 409

3B: 32

HR: 371

RBI: 1,318

AVG: .289

OB%: .347

SLG%: .503

*

Players: Johnny Mize

G: 1,884

AB: 6,443

R: 1,118

H: 2,011

2B: 367

3B: 83

HR: 359

RBI: 1,337

AVG: .312

OB%: .397

SLG%: .562

*

Players: Tim Raines

G: 2,375

AB: 8,728

R: 1,544

H: 2,570

2B: 421

3B: 112

HR: 168

RBI: 964

AVG: .294

OB%: .386

SLG%: .426

*

Players: Max Carey

G: 2,476

AB: 9,363

R: 1,545

H: 2,665

2B: 419

3B: 159

HR: 70

RBI: 800

AVG: .285

OB%: .361

SLG%: .386

*

Players: Bernie Williams

G: 1,237

AB: 4,806

R: 862

H: 1,463

2B: 278

3B: 50

HR: 181

RBI: 802

AVG: .304

OB%: .392

SLG%: .496

*

Players: Chick Hafey

G: 1,283

AB: 4,625

R: 777

H: 1,466

2B: 341

3B: 67

HR: 164

RBI: 833

AVG: .317

OB%: .372

SLG%: .526

*

Players: Sammy Sosa

G: 1,668

AB: 6,258

R: 1,030

H: 1,715

2B: 271

3B: 38

HR: 421

RBI: 1,178

AVG: .274

OB%: .339

SLG%: .531

*

Players: Albert Belle

G: 1,539

AB: 5,853

R: 974

H: 1,726

2B: 389

3B: 21

HR: 381

RBI: 1,239

AVG: .295

OB%: .374

SLG%: .564

*

Players: Juan Gonzalez

G: 1,457

AB: 5,652

R: 933

H: 1,678

2B: 337

3B: 22

HR: 389

RBI: 1,237

AVG: .297

OB%: .346

SLG%: .571

*

Players: Ralph Kiner

G: 1,472

AB: 5,205

R: 971

H: 1,451

2B: 216

3B: 39

HR: 369

RBI: 1,015

AVG: .279

OB%: .398

SLG%: .548

Infielders

Players: Frank Thomas

G: 1,550

AB: 5,542

R: 1,091

H: 1,770

2B: 364

3B: 10

HR: 348

RBI: 1,193

AVG: .319

OB%: .438

SLG%: .577

*

Players: Jeff Bagwell

G: 1,582

AB: 5,752

R: 1,155

H: 1,747

2B: 376

3B: 24

HR: 338

RBI: 1,183

AVG: .304

OB%: .415

SLG%: .554

*

Players: Hank Greenberg

G: 1,394

AB: 5,193

R: 1,051

H: 1,628

2B: 379

3B: 71

HR: 331

RBI: 1,276

AVG: .313

OB%: .412

SLG%: .605

*

Players: Roberto Alomar

G: 1,980

AB: 7,606

R: 1,306

H: 2,333

2B: 435

3B: 68

HR: 183

RBI: 986

AVG: .307

OB%: .378

SLG%: .454

*

Players: Bobby Doerr

G: 1,865

AB: 7,093

R: 1,094

H: 2,042

2B: 381

3B: 89

HR: 223

RBI: 1,247

AVG: .288

OB%: .362

SLG%: .461

*

Players: Mike Piazza

G: 1,210

AB: 4,466

R: 753

H: 1,453

2B: 214

3B: 34

HR: 304

RBI: 944

AVG: .325

OB%: .391

SLG%: .579

*

Players: Roy Campanella

G: 1,215

AB: 4,205

R: 627

H: 1,611

2B: 178

3B: 18

HR: 242

RBI: 856

AVG: .276

OB%: .362

SLG%: .500

*

Players: Edgar Martinez

G: 1,624

AB: 5,720

R: 1,031

H: 1,824

2B: 430

3B: 14

HR: 249

RBI: 995

AVG: .319

OB%: .426

SLG%: .530

*

Players: Earl Averill

G: 1,668

AB: 6,353

R: 1,224

H: 2,019

2B: 401

3B: 128

HR: 238

RBI: 1,164

AVG: .318

OB%: .395

SLG%: .534

*

Players: Rafael Palmeiro

G: 2,202

AB: 8,234

R: 1,318

H: 2,425

2B: 478

3B: 36

HR: 428

RBI: 1,423

AVG: .295

OB%: .372

SLG%: .517

*

Players: Fred McGriff

G: 2,154

AB: 7,702

R: 1,214

H: 2,216

2B: 390

3B: 20

HR: 436

RBI: 1,361

AVG: .288

OB%: .382

SLG%: .513

*

Players: Orlando Cepeda

G: 2,124

AB: 7,927

R: 1,131

H: 2,351

2B: 417

3B: 27

HR: 379

RBI: 1,365

AVG: .297

OB%: .353

SLG%: .499

*

Players: Barry Larkin

G: 1,854

AB: 6,843

R: 1,161

H: 2,048

2B: 373

3B: 70

HR: 181

RBI: 851

AVG: .299

OB%: .377

SLG%: .454

*

Players: Tony Lazzeri

G: 1,740

AB: 6,297

R: 986

H: 1,840

2B: 334

3B: 115

HR: 178

RBI: 1,191

AVG: .292

OB%: .380

SLG%: .467

*

Players: Ivan Rodriguez

G: 1,346

AB: 5,151

R: 770

H: 1,564

2B: 307

3B: 26

HR: 192

RBI: 754

AVG: .304

OB%: .340

SLG%: .485

*

Players: Ernie Lombardi

G: 1,853

AB: 5,855

R: 601

H: 1,792

2B: 277

3B: 27

HR: 190

RBI: 990

AVG: .306

OB%: .358

SLG%: .460

*

Players: Larry Walker

G: 1,480

AB: 5,243

R: 1,027

H: 1,641

2B: 359

3B: 44

HR: 299

RBI: 994

AVG: .313

OB%: .393

SLG%: .569

*

Players: Hack Wilson

G: 1,348

AB: 4,760

R: 884

H: 1,461

2B: 266

3B: 67

HR: 244

RBI: 1,063

AVG: .307

OB%: .395

SLG%: .545

*

Players: Craig Biggio

G: 1,902

AB: 7,174

R: 1,269

H: 2,095

2B: 427

3B: 44

HR: 176

RBI: 790

AVG: .292

OB%: .382

SLG%: .437

*

Players: Lou Boudreau

G: 1,646

AB: 6,029

R: 861

H: 1,779

2B: 385

3B: 66

HR: 68

RBI: 789

AVG: .295

OB%: .380

SLG%: .415

Pitchers

*--*

Pitcher G IP H BB SO W-L ERA Tom Glavine 434 2,900 2,751 965 1,811 208-125 3.39 Bob Lemon 460 2,850 2,559 1,251 1,277 207-128 3.23 David Cone 420 2,745 2,336 1,067 2,540 184-116 3.40 Lefty Gomez 368 2,503 2,290 1,095 1,468 189-102 3.34

*--*

*

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

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