However, Smith is, again IMHO inarguably, the GREATEST fielding shortstop of all time; not merely "no slouch". That's why he goes in. Concepcion was solid; Smith spectacular - head and shoulders above everyone else.
This might irritate you, but I don't think that Tony Perez should be in the HOF. Perez was solid, and had solid stats. But, as I stated earlier, the HOF is for the best of the best. He's very similar to Steve Garvey, but not in the same category of Cepeda, Stargell, or McCovey. Perez, IMHO, is the hitting equivalent to Don Sutton, Tommy John, Bert Blyleven, and Jim Kaat - consistent over a long period of time, racking up the numbers. If Perez is in, why not Gil Hodges, or even George Foster?
If you look at it, it's why Aaron is never really mentioned in a lot of people's top 10 outfielders. He never got hurt, and put up great numbers over a long period of time. But even though he was number one in hr's and rbi's, would you rather have him over Ruth, Cobb, Williams, DiMaggio, Mays, or even Mantle?
But, again, that's PERCEPTION. And where do you get the idea? From SportsCenter highlights and media hype. It's from all the press reports *telling* you that Ozzie is the greatest.
**This might irritate you, but I don't think that Tony Perez should be in the HOF. Perez was solid, and had solid stats. But, as I stated earlier, the HOF is for the best of the best. He's very similar to Steve Garvey, but not in the same category of Cepeda, Stargell, or McCovey. Perez, IMHO, is the hitting equivalent to Don Sutton, Tommy John, Bert Blyleven, and Jim Kaat - consistent over a long period of time, racking up the numbers. If Perez is in, why not Gil Hodges, or even George Foster?**
I actually agree with you. The question isn't why Concepcion should not be in. The burden of proof is on you and the starter of this thread as to why Ozzie not only should be in but on the first ballot when, offensively, he's no better than Concepcion. Again I ask, is defense alone the difference between first-ballot HOFer and no induction at all? If so, maybe we should make room for Ordonez in Cooperstown?