3 Hall of Fame Outfielders Who Aren't as Good as Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones was a five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner during his 17-year MLB career. His best baseball came with the Atlanta Braves from 1996-2007 and the former phenom finished his career with 434 home runs.

Yet Jones is having trouble getting votes when it comes to the Hall of Fame. He received under 20% of the vote this past year and is being overlooked even with his career WAR of 62.7. That is tied for 157th all time and also puts him ahead of several other outfielders who are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Jones can look at three outfielders in particular to help make a case as to why he should be an obvious choice for the Hall of Fame.

3. Ralph Kiner

Ralph Kiner had a short MLB career. / Kidwiler Collection/Getty Images

Ralph Kiner only spent 10 seasons in MLB, the majority of which came with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished with 369 home runs and a career WAR of 47.9. The six-time All-Star had a great run during his short career. However, Jones had higher marks in home runs, RBI, and WAR. If Kiner is a benchmark for the Hall of Fame then Jones surpassed him without a doubt.

2. Hack Wilson

Hack Wilson had a 12-year MLB career. / Photo File/Getty Images

Hack Wilson played in a different era during his career that lasted from 1923-1934. Yet he still had an insane 1930 season in which he launched 56 home runs and drove in 191 runs. Wilson's career WAR is only 38.2, which is tied for 572nd in MLB history. His one incredible season drove Wilson into the Hall of Fame. Yet once again, the full resume does not top that of Jones.

1. Jim Rice

Jim Rice made the Hall of Fame in 2009. / Mark Cunningham/Getty Images

Jim Rice is a more modern Hall of Famer who spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox from 1974-1989. He finished with a career WAR of 47.7 and just snuck into the Hall of Fame in 2009 with 76.4% of the vote in his final year of eligibility. The eight-time All-Star had 382 home runs and was the AL MVP in 1978. Jones is far ahead in WAR and his home run total also beats Rice. Yet Rice may be a comparable player for Jones' case. Neither of them were superstars, but they were consistently great and Rice was rewarded with enshrinement. Jones deserves the same.