Carlos Delgado hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2009, but the long-time Blue Jay has finally officially announced his retirement. Coming up as a catcher, Toronto moved Delgado to first-base and he didn’t look back. Though he played during a time of huge offensive numbers, his career should not be overlooked – especially how much dread he inspired in opposing pitchers. The other prominent aspect of Delgado’s time in the majors that people will remember is his quiet protest of the Iraq war by staying in the dugout during the singing of God Bless America. Regardless of your stance on the issue, I don’t think it should have an impact on Delgado’s case for the Hall of Fame. How do his numbers stack up?
473 career home runs ranks 30th all-time (though first amongst Puerto Ricans) – right behind Stan Musial and Willie Stargell. Delgado crossed the 40 home run plateau three times in his career, and went over 30 bombs 11 times. Beyond the long-ball, he could also take a walk. That kept his OPS up (.929), despite what was often a lack-luster average. 2000 excepted there, of course, when Delgado hit .344/.470/.664 but finished just 4th in MVP voting (also had a league leading 57 doubles that year).
So Delgado could certainly swing the bat, but I don’t think it was enough to be enshrined in Cooperstown. The bar for offense at first-base is high; he didn’t add any value with his glove (and it was probably a fairly sizable minus); and he played during an era where 35 home runs and a .950 OPS were only enough to maybe sneak into the top 10 (in the league).
Jim Rice got in though, and Delgado was pretty clearly the superior hitter (.280/.383/.546 vs. .298/.350/.502). And he grounded into less than half as many double plays (152 vs. 315). Both were feared sluggers, even if Delgado didn’t get quite as much love from awards voters (though he was intentionally walked well more than twice as often – 186 IBB vs. Rice’s 77). And talk about clutch; Delgado hit 351/.442/.757 in his 10 career playoff games, while Rice hit an anemic .225/.313/.366. The Red Sock gets the edge in defensive value, but that leaves them pretty close to even overall. Being only as worthy as Rice means that Delgado shouldn’t get into the Hall, but it does mean that he had a great career.
