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The Hall of Fame Case: Randy Winn

The Hall of Fame Case: Randy Winn

Sure, there will be plenty who vote for the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell on their National Baseball Hall of Fame player ballots, but there are players on the ballot that require a little more voter-cajoling. Players that may not have the on-field resume, but deserve an impassioned Hall of Fame case nonetheless. Players like …

Dwight Randolph Winn. Or, as anybody besides his mother probably calls him, Randy.

Winn played for 13 seasons from 1998-2010, serving time with the Rays, Mariners, Giants, Yankees and Cardinals. The quiet, unassuming outfielder put up a stellar career both on and off the field, and here's why he deserves your consideration for the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Consistent

It wasn't his nickname (his nickname was Randy), but Winn was one of the more consistent players in the league during his prime years. He averaged 156 games, 15 home runs, 74 RBIs, 22 steals and a .296/.353/.453 slash line from 2002-05. He also made just 11 errors during that time period, while moving around between all three outfield spots. Plus: Cove. Power:

Um, he helped birth an entire MLB franchise

Winn was part of the original 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- playing alongside the likes of Wade Boggs, Fred McGriff and perhaps the greatest named person in the history of the world, Quinton McCracken. Winn is also in the top 15 of nearly every statistical category in Rays history, including 10th in hits, sixth in steals and third in triples.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays v Baltimore Orioles : News Photo 

Inside-the-park grand slams? Cycles? You got it

Yep, Randy hit an inside-the-park grand slam during a game against the Yankees in 1999. It's just the 28th such time this feat has been accomplished in the last 50 years and was the most recent until the Phillies' Aaron Altherr did it this season. Winn also became just the eighth Giant to hit for the cycle in a 2005 matchup with the Reds. Getting into the Hall of Fame is rare and, quite clearly, Randy Winn knows rare.

He played college basketball with Steve Nash, made a half-court shot at an NBA game

Winn and Nash were roommates in a "messy ... very messy" apartment at Santa Clara in the early-90s. Winn backed up the future NBA MVP at point guard on the hardwood for two seasons before switching over to baseball. They remain good friends to this day.

Winn

Later, at a 2002 Clippers game, Winn was picked randomly out of the crowd to attempt a half-court shot for a new car. Winn banked it in and gave the prize to his mom ... because Winn's a professional athlete, and that's just what professional athletes do.

He made unbelievable catches into oncoming traffic

Winn

If these reasons don't convince you, remember that DJ Khaled might have written a song about Winn and he da best.