2014 Reds Hall of Fame Candidates

Here is a brief statistical overview of the five candidates for 2014 induction into the Reds Hall of Fame.  You can vote through the end of August at www.RedsMusem.org.

Ken Griffey, Jr. (2000-2008)
6th in OPS as a Red (minimum 500 games) - .876
7th all-time in HRs - 210
WAR doesn't like him - only 47th on Reds all-time position player list

Reggie Sanders (1991-1998)
15th in OPS as a Red (min. 500 G) - .829
19th in SB - 158
20th in HR - 125
20th in WAR - 21.5

Their main difference in value was in the field.  Sanders was 2.0 dWAR, Junior was -7.5.

As for the pitchers...since they were all relievers for most of their careers, we can compare them pretty easily as well.  Of course, some of Graves' stats were brought down by the ridiculous stint he was forced to serve in the rotation.

Saves as a Red:
1) Danny Graves - 182
3) John Franco - 148
5) Jeff Brantley - 88

ERA+ among Reds relievers (min. 200 IP)
3) Brantley - 159
5) Franco - 153
25) Graves - 112

WAR among Reds relievers
1) Franco - 13.0
11) Brantley - 6.8
12) Graves - 6.6

Total appearances as a Reds pitcher:
4) Graves (pitched for us from 1997-2005) - 465
6) Franco (1984-1989) - 393
25) Brantley (1994-1997) - 185


Ultimately, I think the most deserving is Franco.  But I wouldn't be surprised at all to see any of the five get in eventually because:

- Sanders was a well-rounded player with an extended stay on the team, and rates pretty well in WAR
- Griffey may be legendary for going downhill in his time here, but he still has his last name, his previous reputation as a superstar, and he gets some credit for wanting to come play for his hometown team.
- Graves is our all-time saves leader...and as much of a joke as the stat is, you know it affects his chances.
- Everyone knows Cowboy as an announcer (extending his career as part of the Reds organization, which otherwise was by the far the shortest on this list) and that will help him.

Statistics for this post were gathered from MLB.com and baseball-reference.com