Player’s Name: Tim “Rock” Raines
Player’s Position: OF
Player’s Current Team: Retired (pictured with the Montreal Expos)
Price I Paid for the Card: I got this off ebay for $0.85.
Set it’s from: 2007 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic
What it’s Worth: Beckett has it listed for $8.00.
Why I like this card: Let me tell you something, back in the mid 80s, there were two guys in that Expos outfield that in 1986 I would have told you that they were both going to the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately Hawk and Rock have not entered the hall. Dawson deserves it, but Raines lots his way, mid way through his career. Nothing too shocking, he just lost his speed. There were six years where he stole 70 or more bases, he was a speed demon, but when that left him, he was reduced to a hitting specialist. I like this card, because when he was with the Expos, he was an absolute speed demon and I always liked the stolen base guys.
Why it’s a Cheap Hit: This was another one of those cards, where I had to decide whether it was a cheap or bad hit. I called it a cheap hit, but it really could have gone the other way. I look at it like this, for a solid decade he was one of the best lead off guys in the game (behind Ricky Henderson and Vince Coleman). There were very few guys that could disrupt a pitcher like Rock could and for that reason alone, I made this a cheap hit. Sire he’ll never make his way to the Hall of Fame, but he should be in the Hall of Very Good. Anyone who was as productive as he was for as long a time as he was, deserves consideration. His numbers though weren’t prolific and that’s why He’ll never make it in.
Will if ever be worth more? Nope. It is what it is a game used common.
Sadly you probably right that the Rock won’t make the HOF. But if he played for a high exposer team(pun intended) during his great years would people just right him off. He had 808 SB(5th all time), he hit .294 and an OBP of .385. If you added his hits with the number of walks he got he was on base nearly 4000 times.
Rock’s stats say he might not necessarily be considered a top tier Hall of Famer, but his stats definitely do say Hall of Famer in good standing. I definitely think he should and will get in, but it probably won’t be for another decade or so. It’ll probably be the last few years of eligibility before he makes it, but I have faith that he will. The Hall of Fame won’t be complete if he never makes it in, it’s as simple as that.