Potential Baseball Hall of Famers (Part 3 of 3)
With Spring Training in session, I thought it would be fun to think about the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is one of my foremost hobby interests, and it has been a few years since I have addressed the topic in a blog post.
The last time I authored an article about Baseball Hall of Famers was the summer of 2020. Included on that list were Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Buster Posey, who have since retired. These three individuals are not eligible for election but are likely to be enshrined someday.
More importantly, the list from 2020 mentioned Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve, Corey Seager and Giancarlo Stanton as having decent shots to make it to Cooperstown. In the past three years, these players have not helped, and in most cases hurt, their chances. It is doubtful that these eight players will make it to the Hall of Fame when their careers conclude. With this in mind, take what you read below with a grain (or perhaps a pound) of salt.
I divided my list of eighteen players into three parts. In early February, I started part 1 with those who I believe have the most work to do to get elected. A few weeks ago, part 2 contained players who are likely, but not guaranteed to be in Cooperstown someday. Below is part 3 which is comprised of six players who almost certainly will be Hall of Famers.
Manny Machado
In eleven Major League seasons, Machado has been an All-Star six times and won two Gold Glove Awards. Last year, his fourth with the Padres, he hit more than 30 home runs for the sixth time in his career, led the team in on-base plus slugging percentage, and finished second in the NL MVP vote.
Machado will turn thirty-one in July and appears to be well on his way to Cooperstown. Machado has prospect cards in 2010 Bowman Chrome showing him in his Orioles and Team USA uniforms, and his Topps Chrome rookie is from the 2013 edition. The 2013 Topps Chrome costs $50 in PSA 9 and $150 in PSA 10.