Defending My Benito Santiago HOF Vote

The 2011 Hall of Fame voting has commenced and Offbase has received a letter from the one writer who voted for former catcher Benito Santiago.

My name is Rory Carsdale and I'm a staff writer/backdoor look out for the Plumptin Valley Times. I'm here to defend my Hall of Fame vote for Benito Santiago. Oh, hang on, somebody moved my Marvell Wynne bobblehead doll...and it's NEXT TO MY HOLE PUNCHER?! Barry!

OK. First of all, let's remember:

1. 1987
2. Rookie of the Year

I'm not sure why I need to continue, but I will. Benito Santiago, a catcher, tried to throw out would-be base stealers by throwing from his knees. And sometimes those runners would be out. You know what the opposite of "out" is? "In". Which is what Santiago should be in relation to the Hall of Fame.

Let's take a look at Santiago's career numbers:

* 217 home runs. 259th all-time, one behind Bob Horner, who once hit four home runs in ONE GAME.
* 1,830 RBIs. Most career RBIs by a Santiago.
* 1991: led the majors in grounding into double plays with 21. You know how many HOFers have led their league in GIDP? I have no idea and I'm not looking it up, but my bet is zero. The Hall needs a GIDP champion, and that champion is Benito Rivera Santiago.

One final thought: in 2002 Santiago, at age 37, finished 20th in the NL MVP voting. Junior Spivey finished six spots ahead of Santiago. Am I saying Junior Spivey should get a HOF vote? Check back with me in 2012.