4 Reds Hall of Fame snubs that look more egregious after 2024 election

2. Dave Concepción

The case for Dave Concepción is bit more nuanced than that of Vada Pinson, but the fact remains that the former Cincinnati Reds shortstop belongs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Concepción had the left side of the Reds' infield on lockdown for almost two decades.

Ironically, it was Concepción's protégé, Barry Larkin, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. But Concepción's defense is arguably the best in team history. Concepción's 21.4 defensive bWAR is is better than both Joe Mauer (3.0) and Todd Helton (-5.0).

Concepción's five Gold Gloves match Adrian Beltré's total and are just one less than Helton and Mauer combined. Concepción was went to the Midsummer Classic nine times. You'd have to combined the All-Star trips of both Beltré and Helton in order to hit that number. Mauer falls short as well with only six All-Star Games under his belt.

Concepción was a key piece of the Big Red Machine. And while the shortstop wasn't the team's best hitter, he was certainly manager Sparky Anderson's best defender. Concepción was part of the one of the greatest teams ever assembled and helped Cincinnati win back-to-back World Championships and five division crowns.

Dave Concepción has been inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, and has his No. 13 is hanging above the diamond at Great American Ball Park. If Harold Baines, who has fewer All-Star appearances, zero World Championships, no Gold Gloves, and lower bWAR (38.8) can be enshrined in Cooperstown, then there's no excuse to exclude Concepción.