Evan Longoria has been a standout player in Major League Baseball for over a decade, earning numerous accolades and helping lead his teams to success.
As he approaches the end of his career, the question of whether he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame is becoming more pressing.
The Hall of Fame is the highest honor a player can receive in baseball, and it is reserved for the game’s greatest players.
In this blog post, we will examine Longoria’s career statistics, awards and accolades, place in baseball history, and his chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Evan Longoria’s Career Statistics
Evan Longoria has been a consistent performer throughout his career, which began in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
As of my knowledge cutoff of 2021, Longoria had a career batting average of .267, with 301 home runs, 1,059 runs batted in, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .824. He has also been a reliable fielder at third base, earning three Gold Gloves over his career.
Comparison to Other Third Basemen in the Hall of Fame
In comparison to other third basemen in the Hall of Fame, Longoria’s numbers fall somewhat short. For example, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, widely considered one of the greatest third basemen of all time, had a career batting average of .267, with 548 home runs, 1,595 runs batted in, and an OPS of .908.
Longoria’s numbers are certainly respectable, but they do not stand out in the same way as some of the all-time greats at the position.
Discussion of Longoria’s Advanced Metrics, Such as Wins Above Replacement (War)
Advanced metrics such as Wins Above Replacement (WAR) provide a more nuanced view of a player’s overall value. Longoria has a career WAR of 56.6, which is a solid total but falls short of the typical threshold for Hall of Fame consideration, which is usually around 70 WAR or higher for position players.
In comparison, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt had a career WAR of 106.5, demonstrating the gap between Longoria’s numbers and those of the all-time greats at the position.
Awards and Accolades
Evan Longoria has earned three Gold Gloves, been named to three All-Star teams, and finished as high as fourth in MVP voting during his career.
He has also been a key player in helping lead his teams to success, including a World Series championship with the San Francisco Giants in 2021.
Comparison to Other Hall of Fame Third Basemen in Terms of Awards and Accolades
In comparison to other Hall of Fame third basemen, Longoria’s awards and accolades are respectable but not outstanding.
For example, Mike Schmidt won 10 Gold Gloves, was named to 12 All-Star teams, and won three MVP awards during his career. Longoria’s three Gold Gloves and three All-Star selections pale in comparison.
However, it’s worth noting that some players with fewer awards and accolades than Longoria have been inducted into the Hall of Fame based on other factors, such as their longevity, impact on the game, or unique contributions to the sport.
Importance of Awards and Accolades in Hall of Fame Voting
Awards and accolades are an important factor in Hall of Fame voting, but they are not the only factor. Voters also consider a player’s overall statistical performance, their impact on the game, their postseason success, and other intangible factors.
However, having strong awards and accolades resume can certainly help a player’s candidacy, as it demonstrates that they were highly regarded by their peers and the media during their career.
Longoria’s Place in Baseball History
Evan Longoria has been a key player on several successful teams throughout his career, including the Tampa Bay Rays, where he helped lead the team to the World Series in 2008, and the San Francisco Giants, where he was a key contributor to the team’s championship run in 2021.
Longoria has been known for his consistency, leadership, and clutch performances in big moments, earning him the respect of fans and teammates alike.
Comparison to Other Players in His Era and in Baseball History
In comparison to other players in his era and in baseball history, Longoria’s numbers and impact fall somewhat short of the all-time greats. He played in a particularly strong era for third basemen, which included players like Adrian Beltre, David Wright, and Alex Rodriguez.
While Longoria was certainly a standout player in his own right, he did not dominate the position in the same way that some of these other players did.
In terms of baseball history, Longoria’s career numbers and impact do not stand out in the same way as some of the all-time greats at the position, such as Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, and George Brett.
Longoria’s Overall Legacy and How It Compares to Other Hall of Fame Players
Evan Longoria’s overall legacy is certainly impressive, but it falls short of the standard set by many Hall of Fame players.
While he was a consistent performer throughout his career and played an important role in his teams’ successes, his overall numbers and impact do not compare favorably to many other Hall of Fame third basemen.
However, it’s worth noting that some players with similar resumes to Longoria’s have been inducted into the Hall of Fame based on other factors, such as their longevity, character, or unique contributions to the sport.
Ultimately, whether Longoria is inducted into the Hall of Fame will depend on how voters weigh his overall career against the other players in his era and in baseball history.
Hall of Fame Criteria and Longoria’s Candidacy
The criteria for Hall of Fame induction include a player’s overall statistical performance, their impact on the game, their postseason success, their character and sportsmanship, and their contributions to the sport beyond their playing career.
These criteria are evaluated by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) and other voting bodies to determine whether a player should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
How Longoria Stacks Up Against Those Criteria
When evaluated against these criteria, Longoria’s candidacy has some strengths and weaknesses. While his overall statistical performance is solid, it does not compare favorably to many other Hall of Fame third basemen.
His impact on the game has been significant, but not necessarily to the same extent as some of the all-time greats at the position. He has had some postseason success but has not been a dominant force in October.
In terms of character and sportsmanship, Longoria has a reputation as a leader and a team player, which could work in his favor. However, his contributions to the sport beyond his playing career are unknown at this time.
Longoria’s Chances of Being Inducted Into the Hall of Fame
Given Longoria’s overall career numbers and impact, it seems unlikely that he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, he does have some factors working in his favor, such as his consistency, leadership, and postseason experience.
Additionally, voters may take into account some of the intangible factors that are not necessarily reflected in Longoria’s statistics, such as his impact on his teams and his importance to the game during his era.
Ultimately, whether or not Longoria is inducted into the Hall of Fame will depend on how voters evaluate his overall career against the other players in his era and in baseball history.
Comparing Evan Longoria’s career statistics to those of some other notable third basemen:
| Player | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Longoria | 1862 | .265 | 342 | 1308 | .810 | 54.2 |
| Mike Schmidt | 2404 | .267 | 548 | 1595 | .908 | 106.5 |
| George Brett | 2707 | .305 | 317 | 1596 | .857 | 88.7 |
| Ron Santo | 2243 | .277 | 342 | 1331 | .826 | 70.4 |
| Brooks Robinson | 2896 | .267 | 268 | 1357 | .723 | 78.4 |
This table compares Longoria’s career statistics to those of four other notable third basemen: Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Ron Santo, and Brooks Robinson.
It shows Longoria’s career games played, batting average, home runs, RBI, OPS, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), along with those same statistics for each of the other players.
This table helps to provide context for Longoria’s career and his place in the history of the third base position.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Longoria compare to other third basemen who are currently in the Hall of Fame?
Longoria’s statistics compare favorably to some Hall of Fame third basemen, but fall short of others. For example, his career batting average and OPS are higher than Hall of Famers Ron Santo and Brooks Robinson, but lower than Mike Schmidt and George Brett.
Did Longoria win any major awards during his career?
Longoria was a three-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards during his career. He also finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice.
How important are postseason performances in Hall of Fame voting?
Postseason success can be a factor in Hall of Fame voting, but it is not necessarily a requirement. While some players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame largely based on their postseason success, others have been inducted primarily based on their regular season performance.
Has Longoria made any significant contributions to the sport beyond his playing career?
It is not yet known whether Longoria has made any significant contributions to the sport beyond his playing career. However, his reputation as a leader and a team player could potentially translate to coaching or front office roles in the future.
When will Longoria be eligible for Hall of Fame induction?
Longoria will be eligible for Hall of Fame induction five years after he retires from baseball.
To Recap
Evan Longoria’s candidacy for the Baseball Hall of Fame is a topic of debate. While he had a solid career and was a key player on several successful teams, his overall numbers and impact fall somewhat short of the all-time greats at the third base position.
However, there are some intangible factors, such as his leadership and postseason success, that could work in his favor with Hall of Fame voters.
Ultimately, whether or not Longoria is inducted into the Hall of Fame will depend on how his overall career is evaluated against the other players in his era and in baseball history. Only time will tell if he will join the ranks of the game’s greatest players in Cooperstown.
