Let the Timothy “Rock” Raines Hall of Fame campaigning begin!
For players who played for a forgotten franchise once called the Montreal Expos, it’s tough getting noticed for Hall of Fame consideration. It seems that they need that extra little push either from thoughtful journalists or, well, highly influential blogs like, well, ISW.
You know, we can hear you laughing. Not nice.
There have been three great Montreal Expos who played in the 1980s who all present a solid case to be Famers: Gary Carter (who made it), Andre Dawson (who’s still waiting) and Tim Raines (what, me?)
Of the three Carter, needed the least help. He clearly was one of the greatest catcher of his era. Yet he was a one-man PR machine during his campaign. I guess he didn’t fancy his chances by letting his career stand for itself. He may have had a point.
Dawson is a little more quiet in his hopes. But are we about to see another Jim Rice of even Ron Santo case? Dawson belongs as we’ve argued here.
Raines is the latest name from those exciting Expos teams. He belongs for a number of reasons. When measured against his peers, his OBP. was a solid .385. He was considered among the two best lead-off hitters of his era (the other being Rickey Henderson), he was an electrifying and effective base-runner (led the league in runs in 1983 and 1987) and prolific base stealer finishing with 808 in his career (5th all-time). Between 1981 and 1984 no one stole more bases in the National League during those four seasons. He hit a respectable .294 and was batting champion in 1986 with a .334 BA. (.413 .OBP)
While a very good hitter with some pop, Raines was above all known for his speed and with it he helped manufacture and create a boatload for Montreal – a team with a notoriously bad OBP. history. We must shutter to think what they would have been without him.
Thus concludes our case for Tim Raines.
