If Kirby Puckett is a Hall of Famer, what about Albert Belle?

"We will see you tomorrow night!"

Bad argument... how many Gold Gloves did Mr. Belle (0) bring in Puckett has 6. Belle Silver slugger awards 6 Puckett 6. Puckett had 600 more hits, no way Belle catches him in 2 seasons try 3.5. All-Star selections Belle 5, Puckett 10. I could go on for a long time, Belle was a great Power hitter for a few years but didn't have the longevity to hit the 500hrs. Puckett has awards all over defensively and offensively.

Kirby Puckett is highly UNDER rated.

Yes, he had a personality that made Ernie Banks look depressed. What's wrong with that? Didn't Ernie earn baseball a lot of fans, and aren't we all high on him because of his personality? Well, Kirby deserves the same. He wouldn't go to autograph signings to make money. He was the highest paid ballplayer in history -- for one day. When reporters asked him if he'd ask for more, he said no. He was proud enough to have been the highest paid once in his life.

Now look at his record. He was one of the 3 biggest hitters of his day, the others being Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly. He fits right in between the two, beats Boggs for power, and won 2 World Series to Mattingly's none. He won the Series MVP for his hitting AND his fielding. He is a Hall of Famer all the way.

I like Albert Belle and think he is WAY under rated, too, but he is about where Mattingly is: needed just a couple more years to qualify.

Kirby Puckett was one of the most clutch players of all time. His Game winning HR in the world series was unbelievable. Albert Belle has no rings, and although he did have that great 50-50 season, he also finished his career early. Not only that, but he was a huge SOB. He was such a bad person; even after his career ended, he got in the news for stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Puckett also was forced from the game early by a health condition that kept his career numbers lower then they would have been. Albert Belle was a thug who threw a baseball at a fan, yes temperment and citizenship do come into play when HHOF voters cast their ballot. But if you want to cry for someone who has been excluded because of temperment, there are lot of guys more worthy then Albert Belle.

Albert Belle's career was too short. The Indians also never won a World Series when Belle was on the team. He played from 1989-2000. His personality wasn't that great either. The Indians wouldn't even have his #8 retired, so therefore, he isn't a Hall of Famer.

I agree with Justine T. Albert made a big splash for a couple seasons with his bat, antics, and personality but over the course of a career he is miles behind Puckett. It's not just the stats (Okay, for me it's mainly the stats) but baseball is America's past time...to not be fan friendly goes a long way in the eyes of the voters. Ultimately, it is about selling the game as much as playing it and Kirby stood for what was good in the game.

You are comparing stats in which Puckett got glaucoma and had to retire so he would have had even better numbers. You already stated the fact that Puckett lead his team to championships while Belle dragged himself along with the image of the team he was on during is episodes through the mud.

Puckett was elected in 2001. Belle is in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame but he'll never be in the MLB Hall of Fame.

I think you've covered it pretty well. The Baseball Writers Association can be your best friend or your worse enemy. In this case Belle continued to shoot himself in the foot throughout his career. You're correct in every way.

One other aspect about their careers, and that is, Puckett earned a couple of rings, Belle didn't.

Personality plays a big part of getting in the Hall of Fame, especially with the media. That is also a big reason why Jim Rice hasn't made it in. Kirby got in not only for his personality but his playing. Belle will have a tough time becasue of his personality, even if his numbers are comparable.