sheffield of dreams

The day after Gary Sheffield hit his 500th home run is the when the debate begins. Should Sheffield be inducted in the Hall of Fame after he retires? There are 25 players in the history of major league baseball who have hit 500 or more home runs. Ten of those players do not have plaques hanging in Cooperstown, but eight are still active and thus not eligible, and the other two are Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. Both McGwire and Palmeiro have been embroiled in steroid controversy and that may keep them out of the Hall. 500 home runs almost amounts to a ticket to Cooperstown.

Sheffield has 500 home runs, but that is not the only statistic in his favor. He also has over 1,500 RBI and runs scored. Out of the 25 players to have all of these numbers 19 are in the Hall of Fame. Sheffield is also a member of an even more select statistical group. He has stolen 251 bases. There are only four players with 500 home runs and 251 stolen bases: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, and Sheffield. Sheffield's statistical case is very solid. But as Tim Kurkjian, of ESPN, says "Sheffield's candidacy for Cooperstown has several issues -- some character and behavioral -- that could keep him out of the Hall in his first year of eligibility. Maybe his first five years. Maybe forever. But the statistics, the raw numbers, aren't an issue."

Those character issues are not minute, but are they condemning? They include: throwing a live ball into the stands during a game to garner a trade when he was a young player and a small involvement in the 2003 BALCO steroids case that has tarnished Barry Bonds' historic career and may keep him from the Hall of Fame.

Gary Sheffield's case for inclusion in baseball's greatest distinction is strong, but so is the case against him. Major League Baseball doesn't look highly upon the players who have done anything to damage the image of the game. Just ask Pete Rose! Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro may find this out soon as well. But has Gary Sheffield, himself, disgraced the game? No. Is he as great a hitter as Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, or even Ken Griffey Jr.? No. But is he, however, a Hall of Famer? Yes he is.