Great thread, what about most under rated pre-war player?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

I've wondered if the delay on Mize had to do with him playing with the Yankees and Cardinals. Lots of Yankees got into the Hall.
Lots of Cardinals and Giants, too; many on merit, maybe a few from politics by Frisch and others. And politics may well have
helped a Yankee or two. If that was the perception then a backlash to that might have happened. Slaughter would have been
in the same boat. I recall the story about him sitting on the bench in the clubhouse, crying at the news that he'd been traded
to NY. Was Mize abrasive with the media? Was that a two way street??

In the Fall of 1981, I was fortunate to be set-up at a New Jersey BB card show next to the table that Johnny Mize was signing. The two
of us had a great time "Talking Baseball" for several hours. A really great guy, Mize invited me to visit with him, if I'm ever near Demorest,
Georgia.
In 1987, while visiting with friends in western North Carolina, I called Johnny, and drove down to Demorest. He was a most gracious host,
and we talked for about 2 hours. I recall this part of our conversation quite clearly....I asked Big John why he was traded by the Cardinals
at the end of 1941; and, then the Giants (1949), when he was at the top of his game. He told me that after 6 years of 100+ RBI's, a BA
that ranged from .314 to .364, he told Cardinals GM (Branch Rickey).."pay me or trade me". So, he was traded to the Giants. In 1947-48,
Mize's combined HR's = 91 and his RBI's = 263. In 1949, Mize felt he deserved an increase in salary. Leo Durocher and Horace Stoneham
disagreed, so Mize demanded to be traded.
Casey Stengel had followed Mize's career in the Nat'l Lge. since 1938, and the Yankees payed the Giants $40,000 to acquire the "Big Cat".
Mize was very instrumental in the Yankees success during 1949-1953. Especially in the 1952 World Series, which he hit 3 HR's, had 6 RBI's
and batted .400 (in 5 games). Mize was awarded the MVP of the Series. Mize was a tremendous clutch hitter. He still holds the record for
the most Pinch Hits in World Series play. And, hit 3 HR's in a game on 6 different occasions.

Regarding your question (Mize / HOF voting).....from 1960-1967, Mize received considerably less than 100 votes. Between 1968 to 1973,
the votes in favor of Mize started increasing to 157 (43%). Then, his status was in limbo till the Veteran's Committee elected him in 1981.







TED Z