Womack: The rest of this season could make or break Joey Votto’s HOF case
From SABR member Graham Womack at The Sporting News on June 15, 2016:
This much is clear. Through the end of last year, Joey Votto was on-pace to be one of the best first basemen in baseball history.
Over his first nine seasons, the Cincinnati Reds stalwart compiled 29.2 Wins Above Average, ninth-best among all first basemen for these years. Of the eight men in front of Votto, five are in the Hall of Fame, Albert Pujols and Jeff Bagwell are likely selections, and Todd Helton will at least draw some votes.
Votto has had his detractors, people who don’t ascribe to sabermetrics, people who say he walks too much. Perhaps these people could knock Votto as well for the Reds not winning any championships during his career, though great players don’t always experience this. Until this season, Votto’s critics have mostly looked misguided.
Read the full article here: http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/joey-votto-hall-of-fame-reds/1snqghycd5ozg159s2kdayxt3r
Originally published: June 15, 2016. Last Updated: June 15, 2016.