Jim Edmonds_CF

[Van_Slyke_CF]

Jim Edmonds, the defensive whiz and all-around great player, was released by the San Diego Padres. Jim played the game the way it is supposed to be played-100% at all times. He didn`t think about his offensive stats and whether it would be a good idea to dive for so many balls or crash into walls on a regular basis, he was the consummate team player who always gave it his best.

Now it seems like the repeated injuries and Father Time have caught up to him. If this is the end, Jim finishes with a .286 average with 363 HRS and more than 1100 RBIs to go along with his Gold Gloves and World Series heroism. Thanks for the memories, Jim!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5151

 

[Don Wassall]

Jim Edmonds may be the best fielding center fielder ever as well as being atremendous five-tool athlete for a number of years. I don't think any outfielderhas made more greatcatches than Edmonds, including some of the best catches in baseball history. Even ESPNhad to show them, though often with a smirk and an attitude of "here we go again, another great catch by the annoying Jim Edmonds."

 

[mrjohnnynofear]

Here in St. Louis, we will miss him. Great guy on and off the field. And like Don said, a five tool player. If Frank Thomas can get picked up, I'm sure Edmonds will too. But if not enjoy your retirement, Jim. You will always be a legend in St. Louis (and a future HOF)!

 

[Van_Slyke_CF]

Jim Edmonds has been a valuable contributor to both Milwaukee and Cincinnati this year after taking off 2009.

I hope he stays for one more year and gets past 400 HRs and 2000 hits, supporting his case for the HOF one day.

But then again, a great player and person like Dale Murphy gets barely a mention each year in the voting, while DWFs and brain-dead sportwriters push more blacks and Hispanics, so I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Van_Slyke_CF]

Jim Edmonds, one of the best defensive CFs for many years and a tremendous hitter as well, has decided to retire once and for all. Considering some of the lesser players that are already in the HOF, I'd say Edmonds deserves a spot there, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Don Wassall]

Edmonds is more deserving for enshrinement in Cooperstown than Jim Rice and (drug trafficker) Orlando Cepeda, to name two that quickly came to mind. Rice and Cepeda were both two tool players, power and average, but mediocre to poor in other categories. Rice in particular was a joke as an outfielder for most of his careerwhile Edmonds was one of the best ever.

Edmonds' career offensive statsare less than thoseof Rice and Cepeda, but not by a whole lot--Edmonds had 393 HRs, 1199 RBIs and a .284 career batting average. Rice was 382/1451 and .298, while Cepeda was 279/1365 and .297.

But I suspect that Edmonds, just likeanother five-tool player, Dale Murphy, will not even come close to getting elected to the Hall of Fame.

 

[jaxvid]

No chance. No non-pitcher white guys allowed in the Hall unless they are in the top twenty of significant stats or starred for a long time in NY.

 

[PhillyBirds]

No chance. No non-pitcher white guys allowed in the Hall unless they are in the top twenty of significant stats or starred for a long time in NY.

This is pretty much right, I think. We're going to be seeing the same thing in Canton with quarterbacks in the coming years. I have a feeling that guys like Chipper, Jeff Kent, Edmonds, and Craig Biggio will not get as many votes as they rightfully deserve. We saw it this year with Jeff Bagwell. A trend that will most likely continue.

 

[LabMan]

Every chance the media gets,they show the Mays back to the infield catch in center field,Jim Edmonds has made at least 15 of those types of plays,not much praise for him.