Posted By:
Ryan ChristoffAren't we missing the point here? Hal posted a list of HOFers who were inducted as MANAGERS and then posed the question: which of THESE GUYS had the best playing career.
The question wasn't "Who is the best player who ever managed?"
That's why Cobb and other greats mentioned were not on the list.
In my opinion, Rube Foster is the only Hall-worthy candidate based on playing career only. I personally like the way McGraw played the game, but even with a .334 career average he falls a bit short in my book due to the era he played in.
For example, in 1894 McGraw hit .340. Pretty good, right? Well, that was 3 points BELOW his team's average of .343 which wasn't even the best team average in the league! Philly hit .349 as a team. I guess it helps when you have 4 guys bat over .400.
So McGraw's .334 career average doesn't look quite so spectacular in proper context. Or at least not Hall-worthy.
-Ryan