The Case for Cooperstown: Andrew McCutchen

Brian Kenny takes a look at the case for Cooperstown for Pirates legend Andrew McCutchen. Does he get your vote?

[rickflinn]

I think Andrew Mccutchen is, and has been a great ball player and a good man. Some may see a great talent in Mchaddo and that he should be in the hall of fame. Mccutchen has good sportsmanship and a persevering commitment to the game. Thus; exceptional and noteworthy for Hall of Fame.

[Hollowsmith]

Above and beyond Cutch's elite 6 year run from 2010 through 2015 that saw him win an MVP with 5 consecutive all-star appearances, I'll *ALSO* add that even if Cutch retires today, he already has HISTORICALLY broad statistical excellence. I'll prove it...

* Cutch is over 300 home runs.
* Cutch is over 2, 000 hits.
* Cutch is over 1, 000 walks
* Cutch is over 400 doubles.
* Cutch is over 200 stolen bases.

How many players in major league HISTORY can claim all 5 of those? It's an *EXTREMELY* short list. In fact if one of you stat-heads can look that up, I bet you'll find less players can claim all 5 of those in major league history than you think. It requires good power, good average, good batting patience, and good speed, all over a significant length of time. Throw in former golden glove fielding skills and a 5 to 6 year run of truly elite play (not to mention making the Pirates relevant post-season contenders for a few years for the first time in decades) and I really think you have to consider him. Cutch is not A+ at anything, but he's A- at damn-near EVERYTHING.

[erichite]

its not all 100% about numbers (Which are already very impressive). Andrew McCutchen led a full scale baseball revival in my city of Pittsburgh. He took this downtrodden and depressed fanbase that knew nothing but losing and taught us how to smile again, he told the rest of the baseball world hey, the pittsburgh pirates still exist. What he meant to the game, to the city, he deserves to be in cooperstown. I look forward to the day when they retire #22 at PNC Park.

[benmartinez]

If he has a career year and takes the bucs deep in the postseason, i’d say give him the nod.

[tonychen]

Cutch might be able to if he plays alright through mid 40s(a long shot), or an era-comittee entry long after. He will have his #22 retired by Bucs, and a spot in hof in the team at least.

[sah]

The numbers are close, what he meant and will always mean to Pittsburgh and the comeback of a baseball city should make him a HOFer. Also one of the most respected players in this era I would say

[aaronshoaf]

If we’re gonna look at a player’s 6-year peak who aren’t in the Hall of Fame, the. Joey Votto needs to be in that conversation. From 2008-2013, he was a 4x All Star, won MVP in 2010, an average WAR of 5.7, and 156 OPS+. Looking at a 3-year span from 2015-2017, Votto only went to 1 All Star game (should’ve went in 2015 and 16), an average WAR of 6.7, and 167 OPS+. He was regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball during those seasons because his average, OBP, and SLG were so good, and that led to phenomenal OPS numbers. He should get in.

[kelseywhitlatch]

Add another milestone to the list 300 homers.. the man did this all while playing mostly for bad “and some really good during his 4 years as the best” Pirate teams. Making it even more impressive

[gabrielv.]

He was a phenomenal player in his prime, but he isn't a hall of famer in my opinion, he will be for sure for the pirates hall of Fame and number retired, but big difference in franchise hall of Fame to the MLB

[matthewstewart]

Cutch is a nice player, but Jim Edmonds and Andruw Jones are better CF’s who aren’t in the hall of fame

[Huntrace]

I would say now definitely. He's one of the main reasons we turned this team around again! His leadership alone they say is unmatched. He's supposedly a great guy also. He's a mvp silver slugger Roberto clemente award winner! Till he's done, I would say he's definitely worthy..

[Spinach_D]

Comparing Cutch to non HoFers does help his case to make the HoF

[lebronjameslol]

Posey is first ballot HOFer not sure why he is in the conversation as he isnt eligible yet

[thatboydre]

Hes changed my view jusr by lookibg at the smalllis of playerswhowerethe best for3-4 years😊

[joshlaguardia]

i think if he was healthy the past 5 years and did a little more

[Lennoxroadpoe]

Cutch isn’t done he got a good 4 years left his numbers will look better at the end

[samthompson]

he deserves it going to games in pittsburgh through 2012-2015 was electric and other than that im surprised posey ain't in it tbh i thought he was already

[DA-ogpx]

Why has Brian Kenny been pushing these very good but not elite players for the HOF so much lately? Four or five years of excellent (or ‘peak’) stats isn’t enough for the Hall of Fame, in my opinion. 10 seasons or more of all-star calibre play should be the standard.

[draneym]

And yet Jeter, with zero MVPs is the GOAT, all on team accomplishments. The Hall is broken.

[doncoder-channel]

Never forget this is the guy who says what Arraez is doing is not impressive because of some creepy obsession with analytics stats