Unlike Travis, Eric Davis' career was derailed by consistent injuries -- a function of the game he was playing. I've already said that I don't give credit for that. Darryl Strawberry's career was derailed by Darryl Strawberry. He doesn't get credit for screwing himself.
However, the Cecil Travis situation is pretty much unique. The only other ballplayer I can think of whose situation is even arguably similar is Dom DiMaggio, and he too has supporters who think he should be elected to the HOF.
If you use some of Bill James' statistical projection techniques, Travis projects out to about 2800 hits and a .320+ average if he doesn't go off to war and get frostbite during the Battle of the Bulge. Those are pretty special numbers for anyone, let alone a guy who spent a lot of time at SS. He didn't post those numbers, but to me, the biggest question is why?
Cecil Travis' situation is a function of things beyond his control. If Cecil Travis dies in a car wreck in 1942, we can talk about what might have been but the context is different. He didn't die, he didn't get hurt playing baseball, he didn't hurt himself with unhealthy personal habits, and his skills as a baseball player didn't suddenly decline. His best years were effectively stolen from him by a war and the effects of a war.
To me, that is an entirely different scenario than loss of a skill set due to injury, apathy or self-abuse. However, you, and evidently the BBWAA, take the position that it doesn't matter why his numbers aren't what they should have been. I simply disagree with that analysis.
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