7 Current NY Athletes Who Could Be Bound For Hall Of Fame
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The candidates for next year's football and baseball Hall of Fame classes have been announced in recent weeks. They include such notables of local interest as Tiki Barber, Carl Banks and Jorge Posada.
While we await the votes, we thought we'd look even further ahead -- to Hall of Famers who are still suiting up for teams in New York and New Jersey.
Here's a look at seven athletes currently playing in the area who are either shoo-ins or at least have a decent case for the highest honors in their sports.
The list does not include younger athletes who are so far on a hall-of-fame track but who have yet to assemble a large enough body of work. Think John Tavares or Odell Beckham Jr.
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Argument for him: The Knicks' superstar has been to nine All-Star Games and already ranks in the top 30 all-time in scoring, having surpassed Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler, Gary Payton and Larry Bird, to name a few. And at 32, Anthony isn't exactly entering the home stretch of his career. He could very well find himself in the top seven in scoring before it's all said and done. Basketball-Reference.com puts his Hall chances at 95 percent.
Argument against him: Critics will mention his lack of a title and the fact that he's never seriously challenged for a MVP, but those gripes won't be enough to keep him out.
Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
Argument for him: The Rangers goalie ranks 14th all-time in wins (383), is fifth all-time in save percentage (.921), won a Vezina Trophy and finished in the top five of voting for the award five other times. "King Henrik" has 60 career shutouts. Only one eligible goalie with 60 shutouts (Lorne Chabot, who played 80 years ago) is not in the Hall.
Argument against him: He hasn't won a Cup.
Nick Mangold, Jets
Argument for him: The Jets center's seven Pro Bowl appearances are two more than Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson and as many as ex-Steeler Dermontti Dawson. At 32, Mangold could still add to that total (although a nagging sprained ankle will likely prevent that from happening this season).
Argument against him: Hall of Fame centers these days generally have at least four first-team All-Pro selections. Mangold has two. He might need a couple of more strong seasons.
Eli Manning, Giants
Argument for him: The Giant has won two Super Bowls, which generally gets a QB in (unless you're Jim Plunkett) and also has two Super Bowl MVPs. Manning just needs 108 more yards to pass former Giant Fran Tarkenton for eighth on the NFL's all-time passing yardage list.
Argument against him: His four Pro Bowls would be on the low end of Hall of Fame quarterbacks, although not unprecedented (Terry Bradshaw was selected to just three). His critics will likely also argue that, during his era, Manning was never considered to be among the top tier of signal-callers, which included brother Peyton, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.
Brandon Marshall, Jets
Argument for him: The Jets wide receiver is a six-time Pro Bowler who owns the NFL record for most 100-catch seasons (six). His 925 career receptions are already more than all but five wide receivers in Canton. After this week, he will likely have more receptions, yards and TDs than Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.
Argument against him: Believe it or not, there really aren't any strong cases to be made for keeping him out, but Marshall, who also has played for the Broncos, Dolphins and Bears, could certainly fortify his case by tacking on another 1,000 yards or so before he retires.
Darrelle Revis, Jets
Argument for him: Revis is a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro selection. While even he admits he's on the decline now, Revis was largely considered to be the best cornerback of his era.
Argument against him: His career interception total (28 to date) is much lower than the 50-plus you generally see from Hall of Fame defensive backs, but his supporters will argue, rightfully, that he was so dominant that opposing QBs avoided throwing in his direction.
CC Sabathia, Yankees
Argument for him: The Yankees pitcher is a six-time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner. His 223 wins are more than Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz, and he could catch Catfish Hunter and Whitey Ford before he retires. His strikeout total compares favorably as well.
Argument against him: He wasn't as dominant as pitchers like Randy Johnson or Pedro Martinez were during their heyday. And his 3.70 career ERA would be the third-highest in Cooperstown.
IF YOU'RE WONDERING …
David Wright was once thought to be on track for Cooperstown, but his hopes have been derailed in recent years. The longtime Mets third baseman has just 1,777 hits and 242 homers. He probably needs another 600 to 700 hits to have a chance. At his age (33) and with his back problems, that is extremely unlikely to happen.
