Talk:Barry Larkin

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was barry larkin always number 11

He was #15 in 1986-1987 and #11 thereafter. --Jeff 20:39, 7 August 2007 (EDT)

How the heck does Cal Ripken make the Hall of Fame almost unanimously on the first ballot while Barry Larkin, the best shortstop of that generation, barely gets 50% of the vote? Rip-off. Racism. - --Mischa 08:58, 8 January 2010 (EST)

Ripken was an excellent player, but very overrated in the media (remember the hoopla about breaking Lou Gehrig's streak in 1995 ?). Larkin was a much better and more consistent player, but had less of the flashy numbers, and suffered in comparison with Roberto Alomar, who was arguably a slightly better player, or at least was perceived as such. I'm sure he will be elected within a few years. --Philippe 09:39, 8 January 2010 (EST)

I expected Larkin to be a first-round pick, but on the other hand, he doesn't have the obvious Hall of Fame markers - no 3,000 hits, no 500 home runs, etc. And he had "only" 3 Gold Gloves. Plus, he played in Cincinnati which doesn't get much attention. So he didn't get the vote he deserved. - Randy 11:57, 8 January 2010 (EST)

I always thought the perception of Larkin was hurt by Ozzie Smith. Ozzie was the flashy fielder a couple years ahead of Larkin, but Larkin was actually the better player. The same thing happened to Tim Raines. Raines was arguably the 2nd best leadoff of all time, but he happened to also be the 2nd best leadoff hitter of his time. So he didn't get in because he played at the same time as Henderson. So, even though I think both of these guys (Larkin and Raines) are HOFs, they are hurt by contemporary players who are perceived as being better. --Jeff 14:38, 8 January 2010 (EST)

Finally got in. Should have been there two ballots ago. - --Mischa 09:37, 10 January 2012 (EST)

It sometimes takes a while, but the BBWAA has a pretty good track record in spite of the criticisms they get all the time; the Veterans Committee is another matter though. Anyway, my post three above this one will prove I called it right two years ago ! Congrats to Barry, it's well deserved. --Philippe 11:56, 10 January 2012 (EST)

I read that Larkin was also a football recruit in college and was redshirted as a freshman. Did he ever play? If he was on the roster as a redshirt, does he still get the college football category? - --Mischa 13:33, 11 January 2012 (EST)

I think you actually need to have taken the field in a college football game to deserve the tag. --Philippe 16:38, 11 January 2012 (EST)