Larry Doyle and the HOF

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Not necessarily saying he SHOULD be in, but boy a LOT of similar players from his era ARE in. Heavily associated with one team (and a New York team at that) won an MVP, was well liked by his peers and definitely an above average ballplayer. Had some pop for the dead ball era, especially for a second baseman. Odd there's no real reason I can find for him retiring at 33, no injury or illness and he put up decent numbers in his final two seasons. Lots of guys like him (and frankly more than a few who were considerably worse!) were voted in by their buddies on Old Timers Ballots, wonder why not Doyle?

[Donscards]

Scott I think you are right on Doyle, I think if he would have played 2 more solid years, he would be in the Hall---He did have some Home Run power for that era , he hit 13 Homers in 1922 also had 25 Triples---I think most everybody that votes today has forgot about him. Anyway a very interesting player.

[btcarfagno]

Doyle is certainly the most deserving second baseman from that era, but there is a fairly long list of more deserving second basemen from subsequent generations who deserve enshrinement before he were to get in IMHO.

Grich, Whitaker, Randolph, Kent among others.

Tom C

[bn2cardz]

I don't have an answer as to why he never got in, but I can share some visuals to the thread:




https://www.flickr.com/photos/bn2car...57680676887830

[packs]

I've always thought he was a HOFer. He was the best second basemen in his league for pretty much his entire career. When you're the best player at your position for your generation, I don't see why that wouldn't merit a HOF induction.

[Brian Van Horn]

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[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

I've always thought he was a HOFer. He was the best second basemen in his league for pretty much his entire career. When you're the best player at your position for your generation, I don't see why that wouldn't merit a HOF induction.

No, you could argue he was the best at his position from 1909-1915, maybe. From 1916 on Rogers Hornsby was the best. In the other league Eddie Collins and Nap Lajoie were the best and all 3 are light years ahead of Doyle. Even Johnny Evers has a higher WAR and WAR7 and many don't think he belongs in the HOF. In 3 Hof ballots he received 4, 2 and 1 vote. Hall of Good not Hall of Fame.