Chicago Cubs: Three newcomers, one holdover on 2018 Hall of Fame ballot; none deserve induction

Chicago Cubs: An old, old man who was once a Cubs rookie

Why is Jamie Moyer on this list?  Seriously, how did this happen? Is this a prank?

Moyer spent the first three years of his career with the Chicago Cubs. He would then go on to pitch for another 22 years, retiring at the ripe old age of 49. And honestly, that’s about the only thing he has going for him, as far as Hall of Fame credentials go.

In 2012, at age 49, Moyer became the oldest pitcher in MLB history to record  a win. That’s a neat part of baseball history, but that’s about all it is. Longevity alone isn’t enough to get a player into the Hall of Fame. At least, it shouldn’t be.

Moyer’s long career was incredibly average. Over the course of 4,074 innings pitched, he went 269-209 with a 4.25 ERA and a 4.47 FIP. He struck out 2,441 batters (5.4 SO/9) and gave up 522 home runs.

Moyer’s 269 career wins tops the Hall of Fame average of 253. But wins mean a lot less than they used to to voters. His ERA is more than an entire run above the Hall of Fame average of 2.98. Moyer had a handful of good years lumped in with even more less-than-mediocre years. He’s no Hall of Famer. He’s in the Hall of Mediocre.