Quote:
Originally Posted by packs
I guess I'll have to take your word for it. Whitaker's 117 OPS + is 10 below Mattingly's at 127. Whitaker, who I guess played good enough defense to merit consideration also only won three gold gloves compared to Mattingly's nine. Even Sandberg won nine. Sandberg and Mattingly also won MVPs. I really don't see what elevates Whitaker over either of them other than some outlier WAR total that doesn't seem to fit his actual production.
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Context certainly plays a role, here, too. Mattingly's career is also considered against the first basemen in the Hall, which is stacked. Whitaker is up against second basemen, of course, which is a different thing all together.
I highly recommend reading the Cooperstown Cred article on Whitaker regarding his comparisons and defensive abilities:
https://www.cooperstowncred.com/when...-hall-of-fame/