My main thought is that in the Diamondbacks' situation, the pitcher should look to double off the lead runner before he looks to double off the runner on second base. Even as a general rule, the lead runner is usually the most important guy for the defense to retire. The 4th out rule actually benefits the defense, giving them a chance to retire the runner who left early from third even if they go to second base first. (Also, the Diamondback's coaching staff did a poor job in allowing their team to just walk off the field. If anyone ought to know each and every rule, it ought to be the coaches.)

According to this, the only players with 13 GGs are Brooks Robinson (in the Hall), Ozzie Smith (in the Hall), and two pitchers (Jim Kaat and Greg Maddux.) If Hunter gets 13 GGs, he would have more GGs than any outfielder, ever. I personally think that he wouldn't have deserved many (if not most) of those GGs, but if the sportswriters are willing to use that as an indication of how good he is, he would have something that, say, Bert Blyleven lacks--he would have an accomplishment that no other player at his position could claim.

And if Hunter made it in on defense--a case which, given the makeup of the electorate, would almost have to be made on the merits of GG's since sportswriters don't really believe in defensive statistics--it would set a bar for defense, but I don't think that it would actually set the bar lower for someone who falls short in two categories (GGs and HR, for instance.) The BBWAA (for worse IMO) seems to care more about being exceptional at one thing than being very good at many things. And I don't think that it would sway people on Kaat, because I think everyone believes CF defense is more important than P defense. (Otherwise, I think Kaat would already be in the HOF.)

This is something that generally isn't brought up regarding, say, Jim Rice. Because the voters voted him in on his "most feared hitter" reputation and not his stats, I don't think that future voters will use his stats as a new bar for admission. (I still think that he doesn't really belong, but I don't think that the voters are actually going to bother using his stats as the new benchmark.) And they could actually use Rice against some hitters of this era, claiming that even though they have some counting stats, they weren't "feared" like Rice was.

Also, the local news reports on the Brewers down here, which have shown me that it could be worse.

Early season struggles, early season struggles, early season stuggles....

Someone with enough sense lays it out: Torii needs to average above 200 hits a season for the next 8 years to make 3000 hits. Seeing that he's only had 170+ once in his career I'll take the under on Mr. ii making the 3000 mark.

Money well spent.

He’s only been here for a season, yet it seems like he’s been an Angel forever. Too bad he’ll be in the HOF as a Twin, if he gets there.

That's some optimism for the next few years there.