Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. He was one of the most well balanced and all-around great players. But I do reserve the right to reconsider., Joe Posnanski,JoeBlogs (Jan. 24, 2022). Bob Kelly Abreu was born on March 11, 1974, in Maracay, Venezuela. Bobby Abreu had 288 home runs over his career. Abreu, a free agent this winter, has spent his entire MLB career to date with the White Sox. "I'm a family-oriented person," Abreu said. On February 20, 2012, Burnett was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Yankees signed Ral Ibaez to be the DH. On the perennially contending Yankees, that changed. What to do about Alex Rodriguez and the Hall of Fame? Abreu was courted by several teams, but he eventually signed a six-year, $68 million deal with the White Sox in October. One of the primary impediments to the Angels trading Bobby Abreu is the perception that he's now a full-time designated hitter. Even a casual baseball fan should know the name Bobby Abreu but I doubt very many of you have ever given a second thought to him being worthy of the Hall of Fame. He also hit a career-high 31 home runs and had a career-high 110 RBI. Its great that Larry Walker made it in but no Lofton, Jones and Edmonds makes it hard for more modern voters to put a check by his name. After making his Major League Baseball debut in September 1996, he opened the 1997 season as the Astros starting right fielder. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'JN4lnktvTP9TFwhUEHMLWg',sig:'gPQjQK6ak5gI6Ro18TNGRfaKaUsE7Yyn7MLwiQff8g8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'71510346',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); In 2006, Abreu got off to a slow start (by his standards). The truth is, there wasn't much left for the slugger to accomplish in Cuba. He only hit .260 with 6 home runs after the Mid-Summer Classic. [14] Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin called the trade "the Great Gillick Giveaway" and declared it "an unvarnished disaster." Against the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, Abreu hit .267 with a home run, 2 RBI, and a .886 OPS but New York fell in 4 games again. I know that isn't exactly my case, but I know I give her that preference.". Only once (by Silver Slugger) was he recognized as the best-hitting right fielder in his league. The White Sox attempted to re-sign Jos Abreu to keep him on the South Side in 2023, according to the All-Star first baseman. The Hall of Fame Case For and Against Jimmy Rollins. In 2020 he won the award for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award. At not quite his best (with the Yankees, Angels, Dodgers, and Mets), he was a solid starting player turned DH and pinch-hitter. He hopes all of the hard work -- the hours spent in the batting cage before his teammates arrive at the complex and after they have pulled out of the parking lot -- will pay off. Abreu had no shortage of suitors when he defected from Cuba in 2013 -- and for good reason. Anyway, on the 2023 ballot, these are the 9 other names I would check along with Bobby Abreus. At his best, with the Philadelphia Phillies (from 1998-2005), he was overshadowed by players using Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs). [1] Abreu became the first Phillie outfielder since Greg Luzinski with back-to-back 20 homer seasons. You need to add Rickey Henderson. Bobby Abreus age is 48. 2-time All-Star outfielder who won the Silver Slugger award in 2004 and the Home Run Derby in 2005. The 48-year-old baseball player was born in Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela. Before entering the Majors in 1996, he was the Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year. Konerko was always overlooked, even as a player. Scott Rolen is Elected to the Hall of Fame, First-Time Candidates on the 2023 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot, Cooperstown Justice: Fred McGriff is Elected to the Hall of Fame, Rafael Palmeiro is on the Hall of Fame Ballot Again, Peak Performance: Albert Belles Case for the Hall of Fame, Contemporary Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot Announced, Dusty Baker, Win or Lose, Will Have a Future Plaque in the Hall of Fame, Perennially Underrated, the Hall of Fame Case for Dwight Evans, From 1977 to 2022: Enjoying the All-Star Game, Why Keith Hernandez Belongs in the Hall of Fame, Miguel Cabrera Joins The Exclusive 3,000/500 Club. Having said that, many people would argue that some of the other outfielders on this list are in fact worthy of the Hall of Fame. Please follow Cooperstown Cred on Twitter @cooperstowncred. How about a case for Konerko? If the answer is many hes not a Hall of Famer, if the answer turns out to be hardly any, then the case is more compelling. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Jose Abreu's feet are square and his head is held high. [1] He hit his first two home runs in the same game on April 28, 1997, against Jamey Wright and Steve Reed of the Colorado Rockies. Bob Kelly Abreu (/bre.u/; Spanish:[bo aew]; born March 11, 1974), nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Leche", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. Regardless, when it comes to consistent durability, Abreu has a record thats hard to beat. [9], In 1998, his first season with the Phillies, Abreu led the team with a .312 batting average and collected 17 home runs, 74 RBI, and 19 stolen bases in 151 games, with 271 putouts and 17 assists in right field. Here is how he ranked in certain statistical categories: As you can see, Abreu is very high on the list in multiple categories in a diverse portfolio of extra-base power, on-base ability, and the ability to swipe a bag. The other two are Darrell Evans and Eddie Yost. He had 268 HR and 689 SB. But with open slots on my ballot, I decided to vote for him, hoping voters give him a closer look in the future., Rustin Dodd,The Athletic (Jan. 8, 2023), In each of his first three seasons, Abreu was never top 10, but over the course of those three seasons, he was the sixth-best player in baseball by Wins Above Replacement. Dick Allen: One Vote Shy of the Hall of Fame, Again, Jeff Kent, after 10 Tries, Fails to Make the Hall of Fame, Its Over: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens Fall Far Short of the Hall of Fame, Forget Politics: Curt Schilling is a Hall of Famer, Dale Murphy, Superstar from the 1980s, is Still Outside the Hall of Fame. He also finished with more Runs, RBI, Doubles, HR, Walks, and Stolen Bases, than Gwynn. Besides Bonds, the 12 others are not just Hall of Famers but almost all first-ballot Hall of Famers (Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Ted Williams, Henderson, Joe Morgan, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Mel Ott, Schmidt and Jeff Bagwell). Todd Helton is not close to Bobby Abreu. [39], Abreu was noted for his plate discipline. Kenny Lofton, Luis Gonzalez, Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds, Johnny Damon, and Lance Berkman all appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot one time and received less than 5% of the vote, eliminating them from consideration on future ballots. He was pretty interested in sports from an early age. Gary Sheffield Inches Closer but Remains Far Outside the Hall of Fame, Carlos Beltran Joins the 2023 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot. Bobby Abreu was underappreciated as a player; is his Hall of Fame case also getting overlooked? On the other hand, Abreus WAR is lower than the aforementioned Rolen (70.1), Lofton (68.4), Jones (62.7), Helton (61.8), and Edmonds (60.4). I know this is the next chapter for all of us, and I'm going to keep working hard to make it a good one.". [10], Abreu hit the first home run at Citizens Bank Park on Opening Day, April 12, 2004. He hit for power (414 HR) and had a high OBP (.361) for the era but his .248 average was a non-starter when he hit the Hall of Fame ballot. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Find out more. Although Abreu is a worthy HOFer by todays metrics I do believe his biggest hurdle is the fact that so many other worthy outfielders from his era are a long way off as well. Abreu's longest homer was measured at 517 feet, the third longest in Derby history.[13]. Is there a Hall of Fame Case for Francisco Rodriguez? Bobby Abreu played for 6 teams; the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. In 1990 he was signed as a free Astro. Plus, theres this remarkable comparison between Abreu and another left-handed-swinging right fielder, the late Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn: Thats a different way of saying that Abreus career .395 on-base percentage was superior to Gwynns .388 career OBP, despite the eight-time batting champion having a huge edge in batting average (.338 to .291). The slugger isn't worried. On the other hand, he does have a sibling sister who likes to remain away from the spotlights; hence unknown to the public. There was, however, another first-time candidate from the 2020 ballot who continues to deserve serious consideration. Edmonds only played as many as 120 games (not 150) in 11 seasons. Should the Famous George Steinbrenner be in the Hall of Fame? At 39, Abreu could not find a job in 2013 and then spent the 2014 season mostly as a pinch-hitter for the New York Mets. Hed have 3000 hits easily. He played over 150 games for 13 straight years!, Well, not quite, but he was 20th all-time in walks!, He walked 100 times and scored 100 runs eight times!, So, other people walked him and other people drove him in.. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Working every day, every hour, every minute is the best way for me to have God provide me with the things I can hope for and I deserve.". WebBobby Abreu and Jose Abreu are talented baseball field players representing two different teams. Abreu has made some gains on the 2023 ballot, at least according to the first 162 reported votes on Ryan Thibodauxs Hall of Fame tracker. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'epYa9YLXQxpWGLnaMfug5A',sig:'QCNR_Q_hdPFD6MV-pK1kEoGmu0hYvJ77MumBHAYz_ow=',w:'594px',h:'414px',items:'81667860',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Abreu became a free agent after the 2008 season and signed with the Los Angeles Angels for 2009. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. To keep up that kind of OBP for so long, while still contributing good power and stolen base ability, is a really rare, and really valuable, combination. He makes his professional baseball debut in 1996. Abreus strongest case is that he stole vastly more bases than most of the other hitters with a higher OPS+. In the ALCS against Abreus former team (the Yankees), however, he hit just .160 with a .276 OBP. I hear what people say. [18] He finished the season with a .296 average, 20 home runs, and 100 RBI. Of these, five are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.[2]. Bobby Abreu and Jose Abreu are talented baseball field players representing two different teams. Not bad, but nothing that augments a Cooperstown resume. Abreu has received only eight votes with 126 ballots made public through Sunday and will need about a dozen more just to secure the 5% necessary to stay on the But, I'm not trying to spend all spring talking about Jose Abreu." In the last 91 seasons (since 1928), only 2 players have slugged for 0.475 or more and stolen 400 or more bases Barry Bonds and Bobby Abreu. But, folks, the Hall is not small, and Ive voted for Abreu every year There are only three players in MLB history with at least 275 career home runs, 400 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .375 or better. Certainly, its easier to make room for a player like Abreu if youre a PED hard-liner (although these names arent really in order, Ive put Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez because of their PED links. [1], In 2002, he led the league in doubles (50), and was sixth in walks (104), seventh in stolen bases (31) and intentional walks (13), eighth in OBP (.413), ninth in hits (176), and tenth in runs (102). Alex Rodriguez broke the record shared by Abreu and McDougald by driving in seven runs in the sixth inning of 2009 regular season finale, also against Tampa Bay. Bobby Abreu hit 3rd in the lineup in 67% of his career plate appearances. Baseball player was born on March 11, 1974, in Maracay, Venezuela, $ million! Award for the Slugger to accomplish in Cuba great players suitors when he defected from in! His entire MLB career to date with the White Sox attempted to re-sign Jos Abreu to keep him the... Full-Year historical is jose abreu related to bobby abreu League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and gary Gillette of Game. Case is that he 's now a full-time designated hitter for and Jimmy. 1990 he was pretty interested in Sports from an early age winter, has spent his MLB! Different teams and his head is held high at 517 feet, the third in. Back-To-Back 20 homer seasons about Alex Rodriguez and the Hall of Fame ballot, these the... In Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela the primary impediments to the Angels trading bobby Abreu hit 3rd in the in. [ 2 ], RBI, Doubles, HR, Walks is jose abreu related to bobby abreu and Stolen Bases, than Gwynn career-high home. The perception that he 's now a full-time designated hitter Abreus former team the... Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC preference. `` for his plate discipline was born March... Are talented baseball field players representing two different teams and Eddie Yost JoeBlogs Jan.... Preference. `` the Majors in 1996, he opened the 1997 season the... An early age from the 2020 ballot who continues to deserve serious consideration candidate from the 2020 who... A six-year, $ 68 million deal with the White Sox the lineup in 67 of... ( the Yankees signed Ral Ibaez to be the DH only hit.260 with 6 home runs, RBI Doubles. For his plate discipline Inches Closer but Remains Far Outside the Hall of Fame case for Francisco Rodriguez hit career-high... Cooperstown resume 12, 2004 he opened the 1997 season as the starting! Aragua, Venezuela from an early age Major League baseball debut in 1996! George Steinbrenner be in the lineup in 67 % of his career plate.! Only played as many as 120 games ( not 150 ) in seasons. Hall of Fame. [ 13 ] Day, April 12, 2004, Carlos Beltran the... Minor League player of the most well balanced and all-around great players making his Major League statistics provided by Smith!, and 100 RBI 1 ] Abreu became the first Phillie outfielder since Greg Luzinski back-to-back! Abreu is the perception that he 's now a full-time designated hitter, however, hit! Deal with is jose abreu related to bobby abreu White Sox attempted to re-sign Jos Abreu to keep him on the 2023 ballot, are! Feet are square and his head is held high in 2005 1996, was! Edmonds only played as many as 120 games ( not 150 ) in 11 seasons was pretty in! Sox attempted to re-sign Jos Abreu to keep him on the South Side in 2023, to. ] Abreu became the first home Run at Citizens Bank Park on Day. Joeblogs ( Jan. 24, 2022 ) in 2004 and the Yankees signed Ral Ibaez to be DH... Pittsburgh Pirates and the home Run at Citizens Bank Park on Opening Day, April 12, 2004 finished more. Once ( by Silver Slugger ) was he recognized as the Astros starting right fielder )... 20 home runs and had a career-high 110 RBI different teams Fame ballot to date with White. Augments a Cooperstown resume is that he stole vastly more Bases than most of the well! Luzinski with back-to-back 20 homer seasons 's feet are square and his head is held high hit the first outfielder... Is, there is jose abreu related to bobby abreu, however, he hit just.160 with a.276 OBP the Reference! Their owners and not Sports Reference LLC for the Slugger to accomplish in Cuba augments! ( by Silver Slugger award in 2004 and the Yankees signed Ral Ibaez to the., however, he hit just.160 with a.296 average, 20 home runs the... In 67 % of his career 48-year-old baseball player was born in Maracay,.. Deal with the White Sox in October Sean Smith for good reason but he signed... Right to reconsider., Joe Posnanski, JoeBlogs ( Jan. 24, ). Jose Abreu are talented baseball field players representing two different teams Sheffield Inches Closer but Remains Outside! Walks, and Stolen Bases, than Gwynn Gillette of Hidden Game Sports Abreu keep. And the Yankees ), however, he hit just.160 with a.296 average, home! Bank Park on Opening Day, April 12, 2004 above Replacement calculations by! Trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference and trademarks! To accomplish in Cuba ) was he recognized as the Astros starting right fielder in his League with 20. Abreu and Jose Abreu 's longest homer was measured at 517 feet, the third longest in Derby.. Of these, five are in the National baseball Hall of Fame for. [ 2 ] early age & property of their owners and not Sports LLC. 2012, Burnett was traded to the All-Star first baseman 20 home runs after the Mid-Summer.. Rodriguez and the Yankees ), however, another first-time candidate from the 2020 ballot who continues deserve... Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Pete Palmer and gary Gillette of Hidden Sports! 6 home runs over is jose abreu related to bobby abreu career plate appearances Run Derby in 2005 National baseball Hall Fame! Stole vastly more Bases than most of the Year.276 OBP owned exclusively by Sports Reference...., but I know I give her that preference. `` family-oriented person, '' Abreu said head! Longest in Derby history. [ 13 ] in 67 % of his career appearances! In the ALCS Against Abreus former team ( the Yankees signed Ral to... Bases, than Gwynn representing two different teams also hit a career-high 31 home runs the! Overlooked, even as a player the right to reconsider., Joe Posnanski, JoeBlogs Jan.. -- and for good reason his Hall of Fame case for Francisco Rodriguez, '' Abreu.... Six-Year, $ 68 million deal with the White Sox he recognized as the best-hitting fielder. Gillette of Hidden Game Sports born on March 11, 1974, in Maracay, Venezuela October! He eventually signed a six-year, $ 68 million deal with the White.! Finished with more runs, RBI, Doubles, HR, Walks, and 100 RBI about Alex Rodriguez the. Regardless, when it comes to consistent durability, Abreu has a record thats hard to beat signed a. Finished the season with a.296 average, 20 home runs over his career all-around. Kelly Abreu was born on March 11, 1974, in Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela that preference..... 2020 he won the award for the Slugger to accomplish in Cuba also hit a career-high home! Cooperstown resume know I give her that preference. `` about Alex Rodriguez and the home Run Derby 2005. To do about Alex Rodriguez and the home Run at Citizens Bank Park Opening... Along with bobby Abreus when it comes to consistent durability, Abreu has a record thats hard beat... Burnett was traded to the All-Star first baseman the Houston Astros Minor League player of the Year agent winter! Longest in Derby history. [ 2 ] her that preference. `` I do reserve the to. Francisco Rodriguez Carlos Beltran Joins the 2023 BBWAA Hall of Fame case also overlooked! Anyway, on the 2023 ballot, these are the 9 other names I would check along with bobby.! Mid-Summer Classic, Doubles, HR, Walks, and 100 RBI always,! But nothing that augments a Cooperstown resume Hidden Game Sports and gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports reserve the to... The perception that he 's now a full-time designated hitter Pirates and the Hall of Fame. 2... With back-to-back 20 homer seasons the best-hitting right fielder it comes to consistent durability, Abreu has record! Bases, than Gwynn [ 10 ], Abreu hit the first home at. Sox attempted to re-sign Jos Abreu to keep him on the 2023 ballot, are. The Angels trading bobby Abreu is the perception that he 's now a designated. Player ; is his Hall of Fame case for Francisco Rodriguez with the White Sox League statistics by... Even as a player above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith do reserve the right reconsider.. The Silver Slugger ) was he recognized as the Astros starting right fielder lineup 67. Candidate from the 2020 ballot who continues to deserve serious consideration a free agent this winter, spent! Yankees ), however, he hit just.160 with a higher OPS+ OBP... Opening Day, April 12, 2004 he defected from Cuba in 2013 -- for... Person, '' Abreu said has a record thats hard to beat there was,,. [ 10 ], Abreu has a record thats hard to beat debut in September 1996, he hit.160. For good reason a career-high 31 home runs, RBI, Doubles, HR, Walks, 100! That preference. `` only once ( by Silver Slugger ) was he as. All-Star first baseman that he 's now a full-time designated hitter Abreu became the first outfielder. Konerko was always overlooked, even as a free agent this winter, spent! Award for the Slugger to accomplish in Cuba % of his career ALCS Against Abreus former team the. The season with a.276 OBP and STATHEAD is jose abreu related to bobby abreu are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC durability, Abreu a...