Quote:
Originally Posted by Topps206
I have no problem with that. I think he had an excellent career. He may have even been a Hall of Fame human being. He merely doesn't measure up to my criteria for Cooperstown.
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+1. He falls just short, and is quite comparable to Norm Cash, who compiled similar stats playing most of his career in the heart of the second toughest pitcher's era ever; Graig Nettles; Dale Murphy, Rocky Colavito, Joe Carter, Don Baylor and others in the mid 300 HR class.
I would put shortstop Vern Stephens in--adequate fielder, tremendous hitter for a shortstop--going purely by recollection, 247 career HR's, almost 1200 RBI's, and a batting average of about .285. Plus three RBI titles and led the league in HR's once. 39 HR and 159 RBI in 1949 for the Red Sox, hitting cleanup behind Ted Williams. OPS of .815, which is excellent for a shortstop, and includes 4 very down years at the end of his career. A seven-time all-star, and six times finished in the top ten in the MVP voting.
Regards,
Larry