A Bobby Abreu stat for Hall of Fame voters to consider this offseason.
While once again up for National Baseball Hall of Fame consideration this offseason, former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu is among elite Major League Baseball company.
As Baseball America’s Matt Eddy points out, Abreu’s 60 WAR is tied with Ichiro Suzuki and Vladimir Guerrero for the most among right fielders for position players who debuted in 1995 or later. Albert Pujols (102 WAR) leads first basemen, followed by Adrian Beltre (94, 3B); Mike Trout (82, CF); Derek Jeter (71, SS); Robinson Cano (68, 2B).
WAR leaders trailing Abreu, Suzuki and Guerrero at their respective positions, Eddy continues, are Joe Mauer (55, C) and David Ortiz (55, DH); followed by Ryan Braun (47, LF). Just perhaps, this statistic should convince voters that Abreu deserves to be elected.
Who remembers when Bobby Abreu went absolutely bonkers at the 2005 Home Run Derby?
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 9, 2022
🎥: @Cut4pic.twitter.com/GDQnRlhFpX
Spanning 2,425 career games, Abreu slashed .291/.395/.475 with 2,470 hits; 288 home runs; 1,363 RBI; and 400 stolen bases. He is a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner. Some of Abreu’s impressive career feats in Phillies history are as follows:
- From 1999 to 2005, Abreu logged seven consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs — bested in Phillies franchise history by only Mike Schmidt (14) and Pat Burrell (8).
- In 2005, Abreu tied Pinky Whitney (1931) for a franchise-record 10 consecutive games with an RBI.
- Abreu’s 40 stolen bases in 2004 are the most ever by a Phillies right fielder in a single season.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame election is near, and on January 24, it will announce the results of its 2023 Hall of Fame vote. A 2019 Phillies Wall of Fame inductee, Abreu is on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for a fourth time — having received votes on 8.6 percent of ballots cast last year.
Fellow Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins is returning for his second year on the ballot after receiving 9.4 percent of last year’s vote. Jayson Werth will make his 2023 ballot debut. They join two other former Phillies up for Hall of Fame consideration: Scott Rolen (63.2%, sixth year) and Billy Wagner (51.0%, eighth year)
Candidates must receive votes on 75 percent of all ballots cast to earn Hall of Fame election. Just perhaps, Abreu will eventually receive enough votes to become forever enshrined in Cooperstown.