Curveball Specialist Bert Blyleven Belongs in Cooperstown

With baseball's Hall of Fame induction weekend coming up quickly, it is time to take a look at some players that should be in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York but are not. This article will look at starting pitcher Bert Blyleven.

The Case for Blyleven
Bert Blyleven won 287 games in his career, which currently ranks 26th all-time. He struck out 3,701 hitters. That places him in fifth place. He recorded 60 shutouts, which leaves him in ninth place. He also ranks in the Top 20 all-time in innings pitched and games started. He was durable. Ho possessed a lethal curve ball.

The Case Against Blyleven
Critics of Blyleven lobby against him for a couple of different reasons. First they say that he never had a monster year, as witnessed by the fact that he only placed in the top five for the Cy Young Award (given annually to the best pitcher in each league) three times in his career and never finished higher than third. They also claim that Blyleven only made two All-Star teams. Critics point to the high number of home runs that he gave up. Finally, Blyleven's winning percentage is considered pedestrian Bunk. All of it.

Don Sutton only placed in the top five for the Cy Young Award five times and also never one. Phil Niekro, like Blyleven, only has three top five appearances. Niekro also never brought home the hardware. Both Sutton and Niekro are already in. The difference between Blyleven, Sutton and Niekro? Only Blyleven failed to win 300 games.

First ballot Hall of Fame inductee Robin Yount only played in three All-Star games. But Yount reached the magical 3,000 hit mark - automatic enshrinement for a hitter the way 300 wins is for a pitcher. Fergie Jenkins only played in three All-Star games and didn't reach 300 wins, yet he is in the Hall of Fame.

Blyleven gave up the 8th most home runs ever. Of the seven pitchers ahead of him, five are in the Hall of Fame.

Blyleven's career winning percentage, though indeed pedestrian, is higher than Nolan Ryan's and nearly the same as Niekro's.