Monday, December 1, 2008

Greg Vaughn a Hall of Famer?


The official Rays website had an article about the 2009 Hall of Fame (HOF) voting and former Ray Greg Vaughn is on the ballot for the first time. Vaughn does deserve HOF consideration, but it seems impossible for him to get in due to the high standards. What comes to mind as a Rays fan is his role in the failed "Hit Show". But looking at his career numbers, Vaughn has had a respectable career as a typical power left fielder.
His career year was in 1998 as the starting left fielder for the National League champion San Diego Padres. Vaughn accomplished career highs in home runs, hits, RBIs, batting average, runs, OPS, and games played. In addition to being fourth NL MVP voting and winning a Silver Slugger, he helped lead the Padres to their second World Series appearance, hitting two home runs in the World Series. He had another great year in 1999 with the Cincinnati Reds and also finishing fourth again in the NL MVP vote. Now with two great seasons, Vaughn became a top free agent after the 1999 season, which the then Devil Rays took notice.
By hitting 95 home runs in two seasons, the Devil Rays signed him to a big contract giving him an average of 8 million in his three years as a D-Ray. But he performed more to his hitting days in Milwaukee, and eventually released before the 2003 season by the D-Rays. Vaughn ended his career with the Colorado in July of 2003 with career numbers of 355 homeruns and a .249 batting average.
Statistically, Greg Vaughn may not ever get in the HOF, but he does deserve some consideration has a proven MLB home run hitter.

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