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

[tedzan]

For sure, there's no doubt about it, politics do play a role in these HOF selections....and, most likely played a part in Mize's long delayed
entry into the HOF.

In the Fall of 1981 when I was with Johnny Mize, he was delightful, friendly, and was very responsive to the many questions I asked him.
That Summer, Mize was finally recognized for the tremendous ballplayer that he was. Our conversation started off on the right track, by
my telling Johnny that one of my fondest memories when I was a 10-year old kid was when I read in The Sporting News (Aug. 23, 1949)
that he was sold to the Yankees.

In the Summer of 1982, I had a lot business trips to Denver; and, I timed one in order to attend the St Louis National. Enos Slaughter was
one of many guests. A bunch of us gathered around Enos as he was holding court. A very interesting story-teller. His parting words to us
were...."I have told my daughters not to accept the HOF award if those idiots elect me into the HOF after I'm dead". And, he was "deadly"
serious about this. As you know, Enos was inducted into the HOF three years later.

Even though I was an avid Yankees fan as a kid, one of my best neighborhood friends, Gary Morit, was an avid Cardinals fan. So, between
Gary, my Bowman BB cards, and The Sporting News, I was well versed on your Cardinals as a kid.

Best regards ole buddy,

TED Z