Hall of Fame: Who Will Make It?

Three players were named to the NPB Hall of Fame this year: Marines' pitcher Choji Murata, former Seibu manager Masaaki Mori, and former NHK announcer Masayori Shimura. [Link - Japan Ball]

- Would they allow foreigners like Tuffy Rhodes, Alex Cabrera, etc. in?

Tuffy Rhodes might make the NPB Hall of Fame, as he is no longer counted as a foreign player.

I was referring to current players.

BTW, what would be the rules apply to Ichiro and Godzilla? Would it be 15 years after they play in Japan or 15 years after they retire period?

In my opinion, there is no way that current players end up in the JHOF. Consider - only three non-Asian foreigners are in there now; Lefty O'Doul, Horace Wilson, and Viktor Starffin. Of these three, O'Doul and Wilson were inducted as "New Century" inductees, which is basically a special induction.

Starffin has 300 wins on his resume, and he was the first player to reach that milestone. That's the kind of accomplishment it takes.

Now, if Cabrera sticks around for another 20 years, and reaches 800 HRs, ...

The funny thing is, NPB has, separate from the HOF, the "Meikyuukai" which is like a "Distinguished Players Club." To enter, you need 2,000 hits, 200 wins, or 250 saves. Reach it, and you're automatically in. These, they might be able to reach.

Ichiro and Godzilla are probably a lock for both of these "Halls."

- Tuffy Rhodes might make the NPB Hall of Fame, as he is no longer counted as a foreign player.

What do you mean? Did I miss something where Rhodes became a Japanese national?

Please read this thread.

Whoa! I had no idea that there even was such a rule! Thanks!

Though it does seem a bit unfair since foreign players retain their free agent status from the outset. But who am I to question the fairness of the NPB brass?

Let me rephrase, what current players will likely end up in the Hall of Fame in the future? Like when we say Barry Bonds is a "future HOFer," who has that status in Japan?

What would the rules be that apply to Ichiro and Godzilla as well?

Take a look at the first list in this article [Baseball Guru]. If you want more about each player,click on his name.

The list only goes through 2003, and I've recently realized there was a small glitch in the way I calculated the numbers, so I will be making some significant revisions because of this.

Jim Albright

Randy Bass was on the last Hall of Fame ballot, but fell just short of enough votes for induction.

Rhodes should definitely be inducted when he becomes eligible. However, none of the current crop of foreigners are likely to get in due to being in Japan too few years to build up the necessary stats. Petagine would have a shot if his knees weren't in such bad shape. Cabrera would have to play until he's 40 at least, and be productive all of those years to have a shot.

Incidently, Alex will become the fastest man to 200 homers this season in Japanese annals, barring injury.