Let's Create Our Own TCB Astros Hall Of Fame

by David Coleman on Jan 9, 2012 11:02 AM CST in Editorials

We'll get into the actual Hall of Fame debate later today, as we find out for another year whether baseball's media voters ignored Bagwell because of vague rumors and innuendos about his possible steroid use during a time when they weren't banned.

We'll laugh. We'll cry. We'll get all indignant once again. But, what if there were another way? What if we just ignored that pesky HOF debate and created our own Astros Hall, one that could be inclusive of players without any misguided justifications for blackballing them from the honor.

Isn't it a good idea? Kind of like the Ring of Honor in Dallas and a little bigger than simply retiring a number. We can induct five members each year, but we have to have at least 75 votes for one player to get them in.

That' right, you, dear readers, will be the driving force behind this. Let's set up our first ballot:

Jeff Bagwell, 1B

Craig Biggio, 2B

Nolan Ryan, SP

Cesar Cedeno, CF

I'd say those four are pretty much locks to go in this year. They're arguably the four best players in team history and had a long and lasting impact on the franchise. Only Cedeno didn't get to experience playoff success in some form, but all of them had memorable moments aplenty. We can debate merits a little, but I'm pulling executive privilege on this first ballot and saying those four will be on it.

That leaves one spot left to vote on, which is where things get harder. Who are the candidates for the final spot this season?

Roger Clemens, SP

Jimmy Wynn, OF

Larry Dierker, SP/Manager

Jose Cruz, OF

Lance Berkman, OF/1B

Roy Oswalt, SP

It's a tough list to pick from, but that's your task. We'll set it up as a poll, so go ahead and vote for who you think should be the fifth and final member of the first annual TCB Astros Hall of Fame class. Go ahead and put your reasoning for your pick in the comments, too. Do Roy and Lance have enough time in an Astros uniform to justify a spot? For that matter, does Clemens, even if he may be the best pitcher to ever suit up for Houston?

Let's do this. Let's change the tenor of this day to one of celebration as we welcome a new class of Hall of Famers to TCB.

Poll

Who is your final member of the TCB Astros Hall of Fame class of 2012?

Roger Clemens

7 votes

Jimmy Wynn

42 votes

Larry Dierker

66 votes

Jose Cruz

40 votes

Lance Berkman

72 votes

Roy Oswalt

33 votes

260 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Clemens should get the shut-out

He was great as an Astro. For 2 seasons. My vote went to Roy-O, the best pitcher in Astros history.

by CRPerry13 on Jan 9, 2012 11:14 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, Clemens didn't spend nearly enough time as an Astro to qualify.

My vote went to Cheo.

by mike_o on Jan 9, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

I don't even consider Clemens an astro.

It should be Berkman or Roy. I voted Berkman.

"Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!" - George S. Patton

by chilam balam on Jan 9, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed. Should be a 5-year minimum in Houston to qualify.

by jmike on Jan 9, 2012 7:13 PM CST up reply actions

I voted Berkman

I think he’s easily one the best players in Astros history, had a big role on the Astros playoff teams of the 2000s, was the face of the franchise, and at the end of his career (which shouldn’t be too far) will merit some HOF consideration, too.

Oswalt would be a close second choice because of his win total with the franchise, was the longtime #1 pitcher on some very good rotations, and played a big part on playoff teams.

Cruz comes in third because he was a good player who played on the 1980 and 86 playoff teams and then was a coach throughout the 90s and 2000s.

Dierker and Wynn are icons in their own right, but I consider them good but not great players on mostly bad to mediocre teams of the 60s and 70s.

Clemens is clearly the best player on this list, but his tenure with the Astros was too short in my opinion to merit any consideration.

by ToyCannon on Jan 9, 2012 11:17 AM CST reply actions

Tough call - Wynn

Wynn wins the tiebraker over Oswalt and Berkman for me. His “peak” with the Astros was really impressive, given the home field he had to work with. I also wanted to go with someone from the more distant past – as a chance to remember excellence that is quickly forgotten.

by pacbellpilgrim on Jan 9, 2012 11:27 AM CST reply actions

Wynn

Well, I made the choice easier for myself by eliminating players who are still playing. The Hall of Fame waits until players’ careers are completed before inducting them, so I will do the same. Of the remaining players I will go with Jimmy Wynn, whose number has already been retired by the Astros (like Dierker and Cruz). Wynn’s power was amazing when you consider that he played in the toughest stadium anywhere to hit HRs. Wynn also was a good defensive player who could play CF. If Wynn had played elsewhere, his HR numbers would have been even higher and he would be more revered.

by clack on Jan 9, 2012 11:30 AM CST reply actions

I went Dierker

Pitcher, broadcaster and manager, and even with those days behind him he’s still involved with the Astros.

Follow my ramblings on Twitter .

by Timothy De Block on Jan 9, 2012 11:50 AM CST reply actions

Ditto

I agree

For what it’s worth I would not put Cedeno automatically in or even in the top four.

As a nonplayer – Roy Hofheinz getting the MLB team AND the Astrodome deserves generational remembrance.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jan 9, 2012 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

Good call on Hofheinz.

by jmike on Jan 10, 2012 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

I'm submitting a write-in.

Don Wilson.

by mikrobass3 on Jan 9, 2012 12:36 PM CST reply actions

comments

First Astrodome no-hitter; first Astro with 2 no-hitters, ERA of 3.15, 104-92 for teams that almost always had a losing record.

by mikrobass3 on Jan 9, 2012 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

I would like to move

Nolan Ryan off the “sure” 4 and replace him with Don Wilson. Ryan is a dirty Ranger anyway, just look at the HoF hat.

Follow my ramblings on Twitter .

by Timothy De Block on Jan 9, 2012 12:46 PM CST up reply actions

I could argue JR Richard over Don Wilson

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Jan 9, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

I’d be happy with either one over Ryan

Follow my ramblings on Twitter .

by Timothy De Block on Jan 9, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

8 yrs with the stros, from the houston area. 4 yrs with the team from occupied oklahoma south, not from the southern occupied oklahoma south. still pisses me off.

by HTown80 on Jan 9, 2012 3:06 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Torn between the Puma and Roy but I went with Berkman

by johnny_ramone on Jan 9, 2012 2:07 PM CST reply actions

Cheo

I was torn between Lance Berkman and Jose Cruz.
(Ironically, Cruz and Berkman have played for the same 3 teams. Astros, Yanks, Cardinals for Lance. Cards, Astros, Yanks for Cruz.)

Ultimately, I voted for Cheo because he edged out Lance in Astros service time and WAR.

Time as an Astro: Cruz 13, Berkman 12
WAR (as an Astro, according to BBR): Cruz 49, Berkman 46

Also Cruz served additional years in Houston as a coach, while Berkman is still playing and wouldn’t be eligible for the actual Hall. In other words, since we’re only electing 5 Lance(and Roy) can wait.

P.S. Cheo’s Yrs as an Astros and WAR is almost identical to Cedeno. They were both Astros for 12 years. Cedeno had 49.4 WAR to Cruz’ 49.

by Hal J on Jan 9, 2012 5:04 PM CST reply actions

Correction

Jose had 13 years to Cesar’s 12.

by Hal J on Jan 9, 2012 5:05 PM CST reply actions

entirely arbitrary

i like the ‘5 years minimum as an astro’ rule and also the more traditional ‘5 years removed from an active roster’ rule. that would preclude berkman, biggio and oswalt at this time and clemens forever. also, i am judging players based on their career as an astro only.

my first five players would be: bagwell, cedeno, dierker, richard and wynn. biggio (eligible next year), cruz, ryan, scott and wilson get in on the next ballot. glenn davis, joe niekro, doug rader and dave smith are on the bubble. berkman and oswalt are sure-fire first timers when they become eligible (i.e., old enough).

by mikrobass3 on Jan 10, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions

90's Starting Pitchers

There’s got to be room for Pete Harnisch, Mark Portugal, Mike Hampton, Daryl Kyle, and Jose Lima. Maybe even Shane Reynolds.

by Brad E on Jan 11, 2012 3:34 AM CST via mobile reply actions

hall of pretty good

I think those guys make it a “hall of pretty good” not a hall of fame.

by garyfan on Jan 11, 2012 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

The Importance of George Springer

by ntn 12 days ago

27 comments | 2 recs

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Current Series

4 game series vs Rockies @ Coors Field

Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes @ Colorado Rockies Purple Row Monday, May 28, 2012, 2:10 PM CDT Coors Field Wandy Rodriguez vs Juan Nicasio Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. Complete Coverage >
Mon 05/28		7:10 PM CDT
Wed 05/30		7:40 PM CDT
Thu 05/31		7:40 PM CDT

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	27	20	.574	0	Won 2
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	26	22	.541	1.5	Won 1
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	23	24	.489	4	Won 3
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	25	.468	5	Lost 2
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	28	.404	8	Lost 2
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	32	.319	12	Lost 12