4 worst Hall of Fame snubs in LA Angels history

Bobby Grich, LA Angels
Bobby Grich, LA Angels / Focus On Sport/GettyImages
2 of 4
Next
Chuck Finley, LA Angels
Chuck Finley, LA Angels / Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

The LA Angels aren't as represented in the Baseball Hall of Fame as they should be.

There are 14 Hall of Famers who are former Angels, and just two who went in AS Angels. That's ridiculous, as there have been far more than that who are both Hall of Fame players AND have been eligible.

There are four who come to mind in particular. Unfortunately, they aren't eligible for the writers to vote them in anymore, and it should have never got to that point. These four are some of the best of the best players to have ever played the game.

No. 4 worst Hall of Fame snub in LA Angels history: Chuck Finley

Chuck Finley has a higher career WAR than all-time great Hall of Famers Whitey Ford, Bob Lemon, and Sandy Koufax, yet the all-time great LA Angel is not in the Hall of Fame. The five-time All-Star was lights out for the Angels; the team he played for his whole career.

This is the same guy who had 13 complete games in one season in 1993. His career 3.85 ERA was solid, and he was always consistent, never having an ERA above 4.43 in his 15 years as a starting pitcher except for his second-to-last season in the league when he wasn't even healthy.

He posted a 140+ ERA+ four times in his career, making it to 158 one season. Posting a losing record just three times in those 15 years as a starter, he made his teams better.

California Angels
California Angels / Focus On Sport/GettyImages

No. 3 worst Hall of Fame snub in LA Angels history: Tommy John

Unlike Finley, Tommy John would not have gone to the Hall of Fame as an LA Angel. He played two full seasons and parts of two others with the Halos in his 26-year career. I'll still always make a case for him to be in Cooperstown.

Playing 26 years shows the longevity of John's career and the iron man that he was. He also looked great on the mound while doing it. Winning 288 games, John recorded a 3.34 ERA.

That's Hall of Fame worthy, right? Especially when he had a 3.38 FIP and only allowed 0.6 homers per nine innings, right? Apparently not.

I don't know why, but at the same time, I do. He faces the issue that many players face in that they never had a season where they were considered THE best pitcher in baseball. Not having any Cy Youngs hurts his case.

There weren't any seasons where people pointed to John as THE No. 1 guy in the game. Should that disqualify him from the Hall? Absolutely not.

It's clearly what's keeping him out, however, as his numbers are certainly good enough. The numbers are good enough, but the accolades aren't there.

Bobby Grich, LA Angels
Bobby Grich, LA Angels / Focus On Sport/GettyImages

No. 2 worst Hall of Fame snub in LA Angels history: Bobby Grich

Legendary LA Angel Bobby Grich is not in the Hall of Fame, and I have no idea why. Grich was superb on defense, winning four Gold Gloves in his 17-year career. He also made six All-Star rosters.

He played 10 years with Anaheim, so he would have gone down as an Angel. He had a great .371 on-base percentage. He always got on base, giving his teammates a chance.

In fact, there were also some times where it wasn't just his ability to get on that was big for him. He swung a big bat at points in his career too. In fact, he even topped the AL in slugging percentage at .543 one year, and he had teased that type of power in the past just a couple of seasons before that. In 1979 he had a .537 slugging percentage.

He's a guy who showcased many different tools at many different points in his career. Posting a 125 OPS+, he was a solid offensive player for a long time, and was already a great offensive player for a long time to go along with that.

Jim Edmonds, LA Angels
Jim Edmonds, LA Angels / Focus On Sport/GettyImages

No. 1 worst Hall of Fame snub in LA Angels history: Jim Edmonds

Unlike Grich, Jim Edmonds would not have gone into the Hall of Fame as a member of the LA Angels. Like Grich, he absolutely should be in Cooperstown. Debate a wall.

Edmonds was FILTHY on defense, patrolling center field better than almost anyone ever. Totaling eight Gold Gloves, Edmonds had the achievements to prove it. Hitting .284/.376/.527 (.903 OPS), he was also terrific swinging the bat.

I have no idea what the voters didn't see. This is the same guy who averaged 32 home runs and 101 runs per 162 games with top-tier defense. He had a complete skillset, yet is still looked over.

Recording a 132 OPS+, he had an on-base percentage of .410 or higher four times in his 17-year ride in the big leagues. Winning a World Series title in 2006, he was a winner too.

I sincerely can't figure out how he's not in. It's not like he was a slouch in the postseason. He hit .274/.361/.513 (.874 OPS) with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 64 games of October baseball.

Those are fantastic numbers.

Next. 10 stars you forgot were LA Angels. dark

For whatever reasons, none of these guys have plaques in Cooperstown. This should not be the case, but it's what we're looking at. At least we know our Angels have a sure-fire three-time AL MVP who will 100% be inducted when it's his time.

Next