Jim Edmonds: Long-time Angel, long-time Cardinal, short-time Cub, acrobat.
He will not be entering the Hall of Fame after last week’s Hall reveal, and, indeed, won’t even be on the ballot next year. But Edmonds was a fantastic player and an even better center fielder.
As a Cub fan, it was hard to accept Edmonds at first, after the team traded for him in 2008, but I remember my opinion shifting after he made one of his signature catches in center field of Minute Maid Park.
I remember the catch he made that night in Houston, but I don’t think it stacks up to this:
The Hall of Fame case for Jim Edmonds, the CF who doubled as an aerial acrobat: https://t.co/r77gQKyzGX pic.twitter.com/0sC4P1WNru
— Cut4 (@Cut4) December 24, 2015
That’s one of the most unbelievable catches you’ll see. The type you have your friend set you up for, when you’re playing “Amazing Catches.” Jim Edmonds might not be enshrined in the Hall, but he certainly had a fantastic career, underscored by his highlight reel defense in center field.
There’s an argument to be had that Edmonds should be a Hall of Famer. Even if he’s not, the fact that he fell off the ballot after a single vote is criminal.
In short, Edmonds was robbed like a fly ball hit out to deep center field … you get the picture.
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.