Quote:
Originally Posted by Robextend
Whenever someone asks me who the most underrated player of all time was, I say Ted Simmons. Compare his stats with Gary Carters and tell me Carter was better.
|
I'm with you on Simmons. I don't think he even got past the first year of eligibility.
I wouldn't kick Carter out either.
I had been going back and forth the last couple days with myself. Put Simmons in and kick out another catcher.
Fact is............there's no catcher in the Hall I'd kick out, regardless of Offensive stats. I might even consider putting somebody like Bob Boone in the HOF.
The absolute toughest position in baseball (by a mile) is woefully under-represented in the HOF..........and it is mostly because it's an offensively driven honor.
A valuable catcher who can make a pitching staff better, call a solid game behind the plate, block balls, throw runners out.........or just keep them on firmly planted on first base (like I-Rod did for many years of his career, though he may not have been the best handler of pitchers)............may be the most valuable guy on the team, regardless of the stats they put up. It's the reason why so many Catchers eventually become Managers after their careers are over.