Anyone who doubts Dahlen must have difficulty understanding what the numbers mean in the context of the time in which he played. He was arguably the best shortstop from the mid to late 1890s to 1907 or so, other than Wagner, and should have been in long ago. I can see an argument for Herman Long, but I would personally pick Dahlen first.
Phillippe falls into the same category as do a large number of pitchers with similar stats from that era, some of who are in, many of whom are not. See, e.g., Sam Leever, Babe Adams, Ed Reulbach, Jesse Tanehill, Al Orth, etc. Their numbers are every bit as good as some of those who have been elected, in some cases better, but they will continue be on the outside looking in.
Beaumont was a great player with a short career, so he probably won't make it. The same with Donlin. Larry Doyle was an awesome player at a position the HOF hasn't honored too much. I would have no heartburn were he to be elected, but it isn't going to happen any time soon. Jack Quinn was the Tommy John of his era, long career, pretty decent stats. I doubt John has as good a claim for induction as does Quinn, but if either one gets in, it will be John under a primacy and recency theory.
|
03-11-2014, 08:56 PM
Threaded Mode