Friday, April 18, 2014

2045 Hall of Fame Inductees

2B Sean Vogel - 21 seasons from 2023-2044
In with 100% of the vote

Notable distinctions:  2,761 Hits 1,630 R 614 2B 607 HR 2,167 RBI 884 BB 22 SB .301/.366/.586  14 All-Star Games, 5 MVP Awards, 5 Gold Gloves

Why he's in:  This paragraph feels unnecessary given what Vogel accomplished.  Let's talk about the accomplishments (hang in there, it may be awhile): 607 homeruns which puts him in the Top 10 of major league baseball all-time just behind Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey Jr.  In context of FCM this accomplishment is almost 100 homeruns better than the man in second place (514 - Steve Miller) who was a first ballot all-time great.  His 2761 hits ranks him 4th all time in FCM.  His 2167 RBI are 400 higher than the next best in FCM history and 4th all-time in MLB history.  (Better than the likes of Barry Bonds and Lou Gehrig)  His 1600 runs scored is third all time in our league.  His 614 doubles is only 10 away from Hank Aaron for 10th all time in major league history.  His 5 MVP awards trail only Barry Bonds as the most won by any player in history.  In FCM/mogul he won 5 gold gloves (meaning he probably could've had 10-15 in real life) including one at 3B and four at 2B.  He holds positive DRAA at three different infield positions (2B, SS, and 3B).  He had a career .301 average as a switch hitter.  He's 8th all time in extra base hits.  He's 9th all-time in slugging.  He's also a 14 time all-star and a 5 time world champion.

To put it simply: he's unquestionably the best hitter in FCM history without any rational debate on the matter.  He's also, in all likelihood, the best player the league will ever see.  He was an elite player at several premium positions that included outstanding defense and record breaking offense.  There is no hall of fame without Sean Vogel.

His General Manager:  We drafted a switch hitting third baseman in the fourth round (116th overall) in 2023.  In that draft we bragged about Jon Vanmeter being the steal of the draft but it became apparent the real steal was in the fourth round.  Last year we inducted another fourth rounder that transformed our franchise in Bosworth, this year we induct the man that cemented the franchise as the standard bearer of the league.  Vogel was a year in, year out juggernaut.  None of his peers could match him and he is, unquestionably in my mind, the greatest player our league has ever or will ever see.  As his general manager I will miss him greatly and am honored to induct him into the Hall of Fame.  It appears, afterall, Rafael Baca is no Sean Vogel.
Being inducted as: Toronto Blue Jay

SP Fernando Ontario - 19 seasons from 2025-2044
In with 95% of the vote

Notable distinctions: 267-103 Record 3.03 ERA 0.50 HR/9 2.31 BB/9 6.33 K/9 .240 OBA
10 All-Star Games, 4 Cy Young Awards

Why he's in:  Fernando Ontario has the 4th most wins in FCM history with 267.  His four Cy Young Awards tied him for 2nd most in the league's history behind only Donovan Pace.  He was a 10 time all-star and an outstanding pitcher at keeping the ball in the park despite playing in a very offense-friendly home park.  His 3.03 ERA was even more impressive given his home ballpark being a virtual band box.  He recorded over 2000 strikeouts versus 850 walks in 3300 innings.  12 times in his career he pitched 190 innings or more.  He was one of the most durable starters in the AL for two decades and one of the best starters in that league in that stretch.  He also recorded over 200 post season innings with a record of 15-7 and a 3.21 ERA.  He was the World Series MVP in 2030 with his 2 starts going 15 innings, giving up only 1 run, and recording 14 strikeouts.  2030 was one of 4 world championships he recorded with the Toronto Blue Jays.

His General Manager:  It was said of Fernando Ontario at the time of the trade from Cleveland that he "would be the ace on a few World Series titles in Toronto" and that turned out to be 100% accurate.  Fernando was our workhorse on the way to many division titles and deep runs in the playoffs.  He was an exceptionally reliable, if not flashy, starter who was exceptional over a number of years.  We would not have been able to win the four titles during his tenure without him.  He belongs amongst the greats and we are honored to see him get this richly deserved honor"
Being inducted as:  Toronto Blue Jay

3B Marv Eason - 21 seasons from 2020-2041
In with 75% of the vote

Notable distinctions: 2,520 Hits 1,448 R 427 2B 369 HR 1,415 RBI 1,478 BB 43 SB .291/.393/.479    4 All-Star Games

Why he's in: There were two things that caught my mind about this man when I drafted him 3rd overall: his name and his eye. I hadn't met too many people named Marv, and I sure as hell hadn't met anyone with that kind of mental focus and plate discipline. During Marv's best year, at least in my opinion, he hit .364, but he had a .477 on-base percentage. The man was getting on base almost two times a game, so of course he'd have 100+ runs and 100+ RBIs in almost every season as a Red. Marv had a great glove too, so I never had to worry about him being a liability at the hot corner. If I had to do this whole thing all over again, I would build 10 teams of 10 around a guy like Marv Eason. Any GM would.


His General Manager: Eason was a great find at the top of a decent draft. He was another player I wanted to make sure I had the money for. As one of "The Three Amigos" he helped the Reds see some success they weren't used to, and I was happy to pay for most of it out of pocket. It was tough trading Marv away when I did, but I wanted him to get a ring and at the time Cincinnati was not the place to get one. Seeing Marv get into the Hall is one of the best things I've ever seen. - Jon, jps93, Reds General Manager

Being inducted as: Cincinnati Red

RF Mike Gartner - 15 seasons from 2021-2036
In with 75% of the vote

Notable distinctions: 2,106 Hits 1,275 R 399 2B 384 HR 1,357 RBI 76 SB .299/.392/.535
7 All-Star Games, 1 MVP Award, 4 Gold Gloves

Why he's in: If Cincinnati built it's own modern version of Mt. Rushmore, Mike Gartner's face would most certainly be on it. From the day that he was drafted 10th in that 2021 draft, I know he'd be a special player, and after spending 8 1/2 full seasons on the Reds, he proved me right. Mike was special because it was never just about the bat. Mike had to show off his strong arm and his golden glove whenever he could, and boy did he. A guy who posts double-digit outfield assists both early and late in his career is truly special. No one wanted to run on him, and even fewer wanted to hit in his direction. By the time he was traded from the Reds in 2030, he had 4 All Stars, 3 Gold Gloves, an MVP award, and he lead the league in RBIs twice.

Mike was one of my favorite players to watch at the plate because he had incredible patience at the plate. His walk totals always exceeded his strikeouts, and he was a consistent .300 hitter, 30 home run getter, and .900 OPS producer. Mike deserves to be in the Hall, and the Hall deserves to have Mike.

His General Manager: Cincinnati has seen it's share of tough times. Having one of the 5 lowest payrolls in baseball it was always difficult to balance success and budget, but one player I made sure I had room for, at least for as long as I could, was Mike Gartner. He's the kind of player people came to see and he always wanted to see the people. I will always regret not being able to get Mike a ring, but I'm proud as hell to call him a Red. - Jon, jps93, Reds General Manager

Being inducted as: Cincinnati Red

LF Philip MacGruer - 16 seasons from 2026-2042
In with 75% of the vote

Notable distinctions: 2,543 Hits 1,490 R 513 2B 210 HR 1,371 RBI 638 BB 692 SB .305/.359/.465
6 All-Star Games, 3 Gold Gloves

Why he's in:  P-Mac's 2500 hits rank him 10th all-time in FCM.  His career average was over .300 and his career OPS was over .800 for the speedy LF.  He ranks fourth all time in stolen bases with 692.  He's the only hitter in our league with over 500 stolen bases and 200 home runs.  He ranks 5th all time in runs scored.   He was a five time world champion, a three time gold glover, and a six time all-star.   He may have been the most ideal #2 hitter the league has ever seen.  He provided power, speed, and contact.  He was the Robin to Sean Vogel's batman - the catalyst for a dynamic offense.  With a growing percentage of players who have limited specialties they provide, P-Mac provided plenty of everything on his way to being the centerpiece to multiple championships.

His General Manager:  I loved being able to draft P-Mac as a compensation pick!  He had everything I wanted - left handed, great speed, good fielder, and looked to be a five tool player.  Without him, Vogel and Vargas wouldn't have the RBI totals they do.  He was our pitchers' best friend in CF and largely in LF as a rangy athlete tracking down fly-balls.  He was the ultimate wing-man to the middle of the order sluggers and is the perfect mold for any team's #2 hitter.  Toronto will be blessed to see another OF of his quality again.

Being inducted as:  Toronto Blue Jay

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