27 best players not in the Baseball Hall of Fame

14. Graig Nettles, 3B, 1967-1988

While playing in the same era as elite third basemen like Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson, Nettles never really got his due. Still, Nettles put together a strong career and deserves recognition as one of baseball’s best, if not as a Hall of Famer.

Nettles provided power from a position that wasn’t known yet for the long ball (aside from Schmidt), hitting 390 career home runs per Baseball Reference. He led the league with 32 homers in 1976 and topped the 120 OPS+ mark in five separate seasons.

That may have not been enough for Nettles to be established as one of baseball’s best, but he was also very strong defensively. Nettles won two Gold Gloves, ranks among the top 10 third baseman ever in multiple defensive metrics, and provided an all-time moment with his game-saving play in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series.

Nettles’ all-around talent puts him at 68 career WAR, ahead of the third base average of 62. All seven eligible third baseman with more career WAR than Nettles have already been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Third base has historically been a very tough position for players to be elected for whatever reason, so Nettles slid off the ballot after four years despite posting a worthy resume.

Next: 13. Curt Schilling, SP, 1988-2007