Who's Who and Who's Not (HOF)

[Archive]

Posted By: Brian H (misunderestimated)

Almost all of the earlier inductees you question probably don't belong but personally I would defend Bresnahan and Chance. Here's why:

Bresnahan was probably the best major league Catcher between Buck Ewing and Gabby Hartnett. It was a very demanding position and he could hit some too. His relative (to his time and position) Runs Created are among the highest ever -- they were the highest ever as of few years ago but Piazza or IROD may have passed him seince.

Chance had one MVP calliber season and several where he would have been the NLs All-Star at 1B (I think STATs gives him 6 retroactive All-Star appearances in addition to an MVP). Additionally he was a hell of a manager for the CUBS -- he won their only two World Series to date('07 and '08_ and his '06 team won a record 116 games (in a 155 game season) before folding against the Chisox in the World Series. His career numbers are a bit weak (he didn't play that long and he was injury prone) but his contributions as a player-mnager during the Cubs glory days warrant induction. He also stole 401 bases back when every base counted. In his nearly 8 seasons managing the Cubs his winning pct. was .664 -- hence his being called the "Peerless Leader." To put that in some perspective: Joe McCarthy's career percentage (the best ever) was just .615. Chance ranks 5th all-time in career winning percentage:
1) Joe McCarthy* .615
2) Jim Mutrie .611
3) Charlie Comiskey* .608
4) Frank Selee* .598
5) Billy Southworth .597
6) Frank Chance* .593
(McGraw is 7th).