2002 BBWAA (45.3%)
2003 BBWAA (50.0%)
2004 BBWAA (50.0%)
2005 BBWAA (52.3%)
2006 BBWAA (61.0%)
2007 BBWAA (56.7%)
2008 BBWAA (65.9%)
2009 BBWAA (67.0%)
2010 BBWAA (77.9%)

9 years to get in and to get in at 77.9% does not bode well for Beltran right now if through age 35 Dawson was BETTER than Beltran.

0 MVP, 2 Top 5 MVP, 1 Silver Slugger, 4 time AS

Pair that with 1,949 hits over 17 years and I think you have enough reasons to just call him a great defensive player who had HR power – not an all time great.

All you can do is judge them NOW.

Dawson through age 35
2,201Hits–1,130Runs–396Dubs–346HR–1231RBI–300SB–.283AVG-ROY–8 GG–1MVP

Beltran through age 35
2,064Hits–1,267Runs–416Dubs–334HR–1243RBI–306SB–.282AVG–ROY–3GG-0MVP

Who’s resume is more impressive?

And the fact remains Dawson barely got the vote in 9 tries. I agree with you that Beltran may be better in his older age but only time will tell. The question is right now is he a HOF?

Also consider this: For me, a player doesn’t get into the HOF because of what they do after their prime years. Guys like Blyleven to me accomplished something great with 287 wins, but that doesn’t mean he was an all-time great. It just means he hung around long enough.

Put it like this: There’s a huge difference between Blyleven winning 287 and Bob Gibson winning 251.

If you judge Beltran from start to age 35, was he an all-time great? If Dawson needed 9 tries to get to 77% and Dawson had a better resume — then I can’t say Beltran is a HOF.

If Beltran gets to 3,000 hits then sure – but that ain’t happening.

Beltran: .282 .360 .496 .856 122 OPS+, 3 gold gloves

Edmonds: .284 .376 .527 .903 132 OPS+ , 8 gold gloves

Dawson played till 42. Beltran is 35.

Expect Beltran to surpass him in just about everything, if he plays as long.

Also, Beltran has done what he has as switch hitter which should put his final power and production totals amongst the elite in that category should he stay healthy enough to play another 4 or 5 years.

He’ll soon surpass him in a whole bunch of other categories – including Doubles, RBI, Runs, Hits, Total Bases. The only thing he won’t surpass Williams is in BA and OBP.

A few more good seasons, and Beltran I think is a lock. His manager just needs to give him adequate rest so he stays consistent throughout the season. He played in 151 games in 2012 – I think too many. 140-145 probably makes him more productive overall.

As it is, he’s the only switch hitter in major league history with 300 steals and 300 homers, and a great teammate, consummate professional who works hands-on to make them better. And 400 homers, 300 steals puts him in rare territory. If Beltran stays healthy for a few more seasons, he’ll achieve the above threshold, and likely beyond – amongst the most productive switch hitters and primarily CF in MLB history, a player who did everything well and looked smooth as silk doing it. When all is said and done, Hall of Famer and I think likely first ballot one.

If right now Beltran is worthy than it is not like his career is head shoulders above Williams where then Williams is not even a consideration.

Beltran is a Rookie of the year winner, 7 Time All Star, 3 Gold Gloves and 2 Silver Sluggers

Williams is a 5 Time All Star, 4 Gold Gloves and 1 Silver Slugger.

Beltran over 15 years is a lifetime .282 hitter with 2,064 Hits, 334 HR’s, 1,243 RBI’s and 1,267 Runs scored.

Williams over 16 years is a lifetime .297 hitter with 2,336 Hits, 287 HR’s, 1,257 RBI’s and 1,366 Runs scored.

Finally to compare Beltran to Winfield is fine but Winfield in his prime was a 12 Time All Star with 7 Gold Gloves and 5 Silver Slugger Awards. He then at the age of 40 won another Silver Slugger making the total 6.

If Beltran can continue to produce for another 3 years at an All Star level then obviously his Hall Of Fame eligibility will become MUCH clearer. Until then If his career ended today (God forbid) I believe he is for now at a point where he can be considered.

I still think Dawson is a better comparison for Beltran and I think Dawson has a better resume and BARELY got into the HOF.

For me – a player doesn’t earn a HOF spot because of what he does after his 35th birthday. Yes a guy will get his 3,000th hit maybe after that, but that’s a different story. Beltran won’t hit that milestone.

It’s not that rare, I looked and 18 players have done it in the last three seasons.