The election of Fred McGriff to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2022 reopened one of baseball’s most fascinating debates: How many overlooked first basemen deserve another shot at Cooperstown?
McGriff’s induction through the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee was celebrated throughout baseball. “The Crime Dog” finished with 493 home runs, a career .284 average, five All-Star appearances, and one of the most respected reputations of his era. But his election also forced voters and fans to reconsider several other first basemen whose resumes stack up surprisingly well against his.
Some dominated offensively. Some changed the game defensively. Some were postseason icons. Others were simply victims of playing in crowded Hall of Fame eras. Here are five first basemen whose Hall of Fame cases deserve renewed attention.
Five First Basemen Who Deserve a Second Look for Hall of Fame Induction
1. Carlos Delgado
Carlos Delgado may be the most statistically overlooked slugger of the last 30 years. The longtime Toronto Blue Jays star blasted 473 home runs, drove in 1,512 RBI. posted a .929 OPS, and finished with 44.4 WAR despite playing much of his career during the steroid era offensive explosion. Delgado hit 30 or more home runs in 10 different seasons and was one of the most feared left-handed hitters in baseball for over a decade.
What hurts Delgado historically is timing. He debuted on a Hall of Fame ballot loaded with PED-era superstars and fell off after receiving less than 5% of the vote. But compared to McGriff, Delgado’s offensive profile is remarkably close:
- McGriff: 493 HR, .886 OPS
- Delgado: 473 HR, .929 OPS
In many ways, Delgado was actually the more dominant hitter at peak value. He also became one of the greatest Puerto Rican players in MLB history, giving him an enormous cultural impact on the game. The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee should absolutely revisit his candidacy.
2. Keith Hernandez
If modern analytics had existed during his prime, Keith Hernandez likely would already have a plaque in Cooperstown. The former New York Mets captain revolutionized first-base defense while remaining an elite contact hitter and on-base machine. Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves, captured an MVP Award in 1979, and helped lead the Mets to a World Series title in 1986.
His career numbers:
- .296 batting average
- 2,182 hits
- .384 OBP
- 128 OPS+
Unlike Delgado or McGriff, Hernandez’s value came from completeness rather than power. Advanced defensive metrics now support what fans and teammates long believed: he may have been the greatest defensive first baseman ever. That matters more today than it did when BBWAA voters originally evaluated him. Hernandez also helped define baseball culture in New York during the 1980s and later became one of the sport’s most beloved broadcasters. His legacy within the game remains enormous.
3. Don Mattingly
Few players have inspired more emotional Hall of Fame debates than Don Mattingly. At his peak, “Donnie Baseball” was one of the faces of the sport. From 1984 to 1989, the New York Yankees legend hit .327 with elite defense, power, leadership, and consistency. He won:
- 1 MVP
- 9 Gold Gloves
- 6 All-Star selections
- 3 Silver Sluggers
Mattingly’s problem was longevity. A chronic back injury shortened what looked like a clear Hall of Fame trajectory. Still, peak dominance matters increasingly more in Hall discussions, especially in today’s analytical environment. Compared to McGriff, Mattingly lacks the massive counting stats, but his cultural significance arguably exceeds almost everyone on this list. During the 1980s, he was baseball royalty. The Veterans Committee has repeatedly discussed Mattingly, and his candidacy continues to gain sympathy as Hall standards evolve.
4. John Olerud
John Olerud may quietly own one of the most underrated careers in MLB history. The smooth-swinging first baseman hit .295 lifetime with a remarkable .398 OBP and won three Gold Gloves. His 1993 season with the Toronto Blue Jays remains legendary:
- .363 batting average
- 24 HR
- 107 RBI
- Silver Slugger
- World Series champion
Olerud’s value extended beyond raw numbers. He was one of the smartest hitters of his era and an elite defensive player who excelled during baseball’s highest offensive period. Like Hernandez, Olerud suffers because first base has traditionally been judged overwhelmingly through home run totals. But modern baseball analysis values elite on-base skills and defense far more than voters once did. His candidacy deserves more respect than it received during his brief Hall ballot appearance.
5. Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey’s Hall of Fame debate has lasted decades for a reason. The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers star was one of baseball’s defining players during the 1970s and early 1980s. Garvey won:
- 1974 NL MVP
- 10 All-Star selections
- 4 Gold Gloves
- 2 NLCS MVP Awards
- A World Series title
He collected 2,599 hits and became one of the most recognizable stars in baseball. Critics point to advanced metrics that rate him lower than other candidates, but Hall of Fame voting has never been purely analytical. Fame, postseason moments, leadership, and cultural impact matter too. Garvey was one of baseball’s biggest stars for over a decade. In terms of fame and era-defining presence, few first basemen matched him.
Fred McGriff Opened the Door
Fred McGriff’s election proved something important: Not every Hall of Famer needs 500 home runs, 3,000 hits, or overwhelming WAR totals. Sometimes consistency, respect, peak performance, cultural impact, and historical context matter just as much. That reality should benefit players like Carlos Delgado, Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly, John Olerud, and Steve Garvey. Whether it happens through the Veterans Committee or the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, all five deserve another serious Cooperstown conversation.
