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[QUOTE="jncuse, post: 3257457, member: 1969"]
I don't know about the NBA or NFL, but the MLB is way above the NHL,  (Bernie Federko, Guy Carbonneau, Phil Housley, Clark Gillies for example)

I do think you may be underrating Larry Walker.  (I may be biased as he was one of my three favourite Expos of all time and a Canadian).

He is a lower tier, but a hall of famer nonetheless -- so getting in the last year of eligibility to show his standing is fair enough.   His profile and complete ability to influence game makes him a much better hall of famer than Jim Rice for example, but Rice got in because he played for Boston.

Walker was a great hitter, who also got on base at a high rate.
Good power, not great.
Outstanding fielder -- range and arm, and so smart.

One of the smartest players I have ever watched play alot (when he was with the Expos) -- outstanding base runner who would steal bases at critical times.

Yes Colorado inflated his stats, but his road OPS while playing for Colorado was still .899.   Many players have been in with huge home / road splits (Wade Boggs for example -- sorry don't mean to pick on the Red Sox here).  And the other factor is people didn't respect how great a player he was between 1992-1994 in Montreal., but he was terribly under appreciated at the time.

His career WAR is 72.7 ... WAR is adjusted for stadiums, so it adjusts for his career in Colorado.  That WAR is at the borderline hall of fame level -- but most retired players around that level are in the Hall.  Amongst retired players I count 16 of the 23 players closest to him that are hall of famers.   (And will be 17 of 24 wehn you add in Jeter)

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In conclusion, I do think the case for Walker is pretty sound.    Is it clear cut?    No, which is why I won't rail anyone that does not believe he is a hall of famer.   A writer not having him on their ballot will indeed be making a mistake, but it is not an egregious one either.
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