Best MLB players not in the Hall of Fame: Los Angeles Angels, Chuck Finley
WAR value: 52.0
Some Los Angeles Angels fans may have expected to see Mike Trout’s name on this list. But he is still in the prime of his career so we wanted to get a bit more historical.
Thus, Chuck Finley makes the list as the franchise’s all-time leader in WAR for pitchers. The southpaw spent 14 seasons with the Angels, reaching four All-Star Games in that time period. He is the franchise leader in pitcher wins as well with 165.
Finley is a pitcher who never had a flashy win total or strikeout number. He was just consistent and the WAR continued to build during what was a solid career without any major lows. He had at least 200 strikeouts in three separate seasons and won at least 15 games in six seasons.
Finley ultimately wrapped up his career in Cleveland and St. Louis before calling it quits. He did make the All-Star Game in 2000, so his value stretched throughout his entire career.
The former Angel fell off the Hall of Fame ballot almost immediately, but was recognized in the Angels Hall of Fame. That appears to be his peak after a great, but not legendary career. So when it comes to Angels in general, Trout is the automatic lock waiting to get into the Hall of Fame. But if he can stay healthy, that enshrinement will not be for nearly two decades.