OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Offering a Hall-of-Fame selection method (one solution to peak-and-career)

voxpoptart · 04-14-2005, 08:57 AM

For the record, here's how i make Hall of Fame decisions, my own solution to peak-versus-career. I like the results, although many here would not, so i offer it to anyone it appeals to. I was inspired by the many HOF-or-not threads.

I invented the system specifically to reward a wide variety of player types, and to be more potentially generous than is Cooperstown to sub-10-year dominance. It's less complex than it seems when i explain it.

1) At the end of each year, i assign an All-Star team in each league (i use two 14-team leagues). One started at each position, including a DH from any position; one backup at each field position; no distinction among LF/CF/RF as long as at least two of the outfielders play CF (for depth). Five starting pitchers, a closer, and five other relievers.

I use Value Over Replacement at Position, park-adjusted and modified by fielding, with a right to overturn close decisions to honor gaudy numbers a la realistic voters. You might use Win Shares or some less sabermetric approach. I assign MVP the same way, except that i often give the MVP to the 2nd- or 3rd-most valuable player if he, unlike the leader, helped win a division title.

2) In Hall of Fame considerations, a MVP award is worth 5 points; as is leading the league in VORP but being edged out for MVP; as is being the league's most valuable starting pitcher; as is having a spectacular pitching season but still being 2nd-most-valuable.

Starting the All-Star game, or being the #2 or #3 (or especially strong #4) starting pitcher, or being the league's best closer, or being all-of-baseball's best middle reliever: all 4 points.

All other All-Stars receive 3 points. Position players who have plausible All-Star-quality years but (due to a glut of good performance) miss the cut earn 2 points, as do the league's 6th-9th best starting pitchers and 7th-to-9th-best relievers.

The rest of the top 1/3 of position players receive 1 point -- sometimes this means 13 third basemen and 5 first basemen earn points, or vice versa -- as do the 10th-to-14th-best starters and relievers in each league.

Any other solid, above-average season is worth 0.5 points.

MVP of the league champion or world series is worth 1 point. The four best other performances in each playoff earn half-a-point.

A pitcher gets 0.5 points for his 80th win, and 0.5 points for each additional 20 wins.

3) I also, for players who entered the league's first year as stars, filled in back-history points, projecting previous performance from (a) their initial age, (b) the points they earned in the league's first four years, and (c) the draft-round in which they were chosen. Pick your own method; mine is a conservative one.

Beyond that, it's all an issue of what minimum score you want to use. My cut-off is 28.5 points, which seems to lead to almost three HOF-ers each year, which i like given the league size.

The most questionable case this cutoff allowed was a center fielder who came into the league as a 27-year-old first round draft choice, started five all-star teams and backed up one through the age of 32, won an MVP, and earned 2 points for playoff excellence while helping his team win two consecutive World Series. At 33, his batting average collapsed to .216; at 34, he hit .217 but with so much power/walks/speed that he earned half-a-point for above averageness; at 35, he was demoted to the minors mid-season. I scored him at 28.5 (two points for assumed youthful excellence) and elected him. If you wouldn't, set the bar higher. Enjoy!

best wishes,
- Brian

04-14-2005, 08:57 AM	#1
voxpoptart Major Leagues Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 387	Offering a Hall-of-Fame selection method (one solution to peak-and-career) For the record, here's how i make Hall of Fame decisions, my own solution to peak-versus-career. I like the results, although many here would not, so i offer it to anyone it appeals to. I was inspired by the many HOF-or-not threads. I invented the system specifically to reward a wide variety of player types, and to be more potentially generous than is Cooperstown to sub-10-year dominance. It's less complex than it seems when i explain it. 1) At the end of each year, i assign an All-Star team in each league (i use two 14-team leagues). One started at each position, including a DH from any position; one backup at each field position; no distinction among LF/CF/RF as long as at least two of the outfielders play CF (for depth). Five starting pitchers, a closer, and five other relievers. I use Value Over Replacement at Position, park-adjusted and modified by fielding, with a right to overturn close decisions to honor gaudy numbers a la realistic voters. You might use Win Shares or some less sabermetric approach. I assign MVP the same way, except that i often give the MVP to the 2nd- or 3rd-most valuable player if he, unlike the leader, helped win a division title. 2) In Hall of Fame considerations, a MVP award is worth 5 points; as is leading the league in VORP but being edged out for MVP; as is being the league's most valuable starting pitcher; as is having a spectacular pitching season but still being 2nd-most-valuable. Starting the All-Star game, or being the #2 or #3 (or especially strong #4) starting pitcher, or being the league's best closer, or being all-of-baseball's best middle reliever: all 4 points. All other All-Stars receive 3 points. Position players who have plausible All-Star-quality years but (due to a glut of good performance) miss the cut earn 2 points, as do the league's 6th-9th best starting pitchers and 7th-to-9th-best relievers. The rest of the top 1/3 of position players receive 1 point -- sometimes this means 13 third basemen and 5 first basemen earn points, or vice versa -- as do the 10th-to-14th-best starters and relievers in each league. Any other solid, above-average season is worth 0.5 points. MVP of the league champion or world series is worth 1 point. The four best other performances in each playoff earn half-a-point. A pitcher gets 0.5 points for his 80th win, and 0.5 points for each additional 20 wins. 3) I also, for players who entered the league's first year as stars, filled in back-history points, projecting previous performance from (a) their initial age, (b) the points they earned in the league's first four years, and (c) the draft-round in which they were chosen. Pick your own method; mine is a conservative one. Beyond that, it's all an issue of what minimum score you want to use. My cut-off is 28.5 points, which seems to lead to almost three HOF-ers each year, which i like given the league size. The most questionable case this cutoff allowed was a center fielder who came into the league as a 27-year-old first round draft choice, started five all-star teams and backed up one through the age of 32, won an MVP, and earned 2 points for playoff excellence while helping his team win two consecutive World Series. At 33, his batting average collapsed to .216; at 34, he hit .217 but with so much power/walks/speed that he earned half-a-point for above averageness; at 35, he was demoted to the minors mid-season. I scored him at 28.5 (two points for assumed youthful excellence) and elected him. If you wouldn't, set the bar higher. Enjoy! best wishes, - Brian