Rangers Hall of Fame Predictions Part 2 of 3

Two weeks ago I analyzed the 1970’s candidates for the 2006 Rangers Hall of Fame induction. This week, I will look at the players from the 1980’s decade.

Decade 2: Steve Buechele, Danny Darwin, Pete O’Brien, Larry Parrish, Jeff Russell and Mickey Rivers.

Steve Buechele:
Steve played for the Rangers from 1985-91 and 1995. Buechele ranks 10th on the Rangers’ all-time number of games list. Steve set a MLB record with a .991 fielding percentage at third base in 1991. I think he is the least deserving on this list but the most popular which makes me think that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Percentage 55%

Danny Darwin:
Danny played with the Rangers from 1978-1984 and in 1995. The “Bonham Bullet” is tied with 3 players for the best Rangers record after 10 decisions at 9-1 in 1980. He’s 8th on the Rangers’ all-time games list at 224. Danny is 7th on the Rangers’ all-time loss list with 52 but is also 8th on their all-time wins list with 55. Darwin is tied for 9th with 4 others on the Rangers’ all-time shutouts list with 5 and 10th on their all-time strikeouts list with 566. He is also 7th on their all-time ERA list at 3.71. Darwin is definitely close to the top half for the most deserving but also is the least popular in the ‘80’s, so I think that he will not make it this year.
Percentage 3%

Pete O’Brien:
Pete was a 1st baseman for the Rangers from 1982-88 and ranks 9th on their all-time # of games. He’s 9th on the Rangers’ all-time RBI list with 487 and also is 10th on their all-time runs list with 419 (tied with Larry Parrish). Pete is 6th on the Rangers’ all-time walks list 444, 8th on their all-time slugging percentage list at .432, and 9th on their all-time hits list at 914. Pete also ranks 6th on the Rangers’ all-time OBP list with .348. He is decently popular and decently deserving which I think gives him a decent chance of winning.
Percentage 32%

Larry Parrish:
Larry played for the Rangers from 1982-88 just like Pete O’Brien. He is tied for the AL record for the most grand slams in a week with 3 other players at 3 in 1982 and ranks 7th on the all-time Rangers’ home run list with 149. Parrish is 7th on the Rangers’ all-time RBI list with 522 and also is 10th on their all-time runs list tied with Pete O’Brien with 419. He also ranks 7th on their all-time slugging percentage list at .454 and 10th on their all-time hits list at 852. He was an All-Star in 1987 for the Rangers. Larry isn’t that popular but is very deserving as he played very well for the Rangers. He is probably not going to be inducted this year.
Percentage 10%

Jeff Russell:
Jeff played with the Rangers from 1985-92 and 1995-96. He is tied with 3 players for the best start for a Rangers starting pitcher at 6-0 in 1988. Jeff ranks 2nd on the Rangers’ all-time games list at 445 and 2nd on their all-time saves list with 134. He also ranks 8th on their all-time ERA list at 3.73. During his career as a Ranger he was an All-Star in 1988 and 1989. I think Jeff is very deserving but isn’t popular enough to win this year.
Percentage 12%

Mickey Rivers:
Mickey played with the Rangers from 1979-84. He holds the highest batting average in a season for a Rangers’ left-hander at .333 and the most singles in a season by a Ranger at 165 in 1980. Rivers also ranks 7th on the Rangers’ all-time batting average list at .303. Mickey is probably the 3rd most popular player (after O’Brien and Buechele) in this decade and the 2nd most deserving (after Russell) in this decade, which gives him a pretty good chance.
Percentage 38%

Come back next week for the conclusion of my Hall of Fame analysis series.