Pre-war Non-HOFers Worth Collecting

[molenick]

I will suggest 19th century outfielder Jimmy Ryan. It's not a travesty that his is not in the Hall of Fame but if he got in, he would be better than several already elected (of his ten most similar players, eight are HOFers). He is somewhere between the fourth and eighth best centerfielder of the 19th century (behind Hamilton, Duffy, and Browning and in the same group as Gore, Griffin, Hines, and Van Haltren). .308 lifetime average, 2513 hits, 1643 runs scored (sixth highest among 19th century players, based on eyeballing the list), and the career assists leader as an outfielder until Speaker passed him in 1924 (he is still third).

[Angyale]

Jim McCormick

[sdimag]

Ed Abbaticchio ,played infield with Honus Wagner with Pirates. Also a star football player for Latrobe from 1895-1900.Credited with developing the first spiral punt.Is also the first Italian surname to appear in the major leagues.

[John1941]

Harry Krause was basically the first Mark Fidrych, as in his rookie year he won 18 games and led the league in ERA. After that he hurt his arm, but went back to the minors and ended up with over 300 pro wins.

Joe Hauser doesn't have many cards, but he's definitely an interesting player. In 1924, he was second in the AL in homers with 27, behind only Babe Ruth, but then he got hurt, and never had a full season in the majors again, though he could still hit well. Going back to the minors, he had homer totals of 63 and 69 for the Baltimore Orioles and Minneapolis Millers. One of the great minor league sluggers of all time.

Jigger Statz is another one who is primarily noteworthy as a minor leaguer. In 1923 for the Chicago Cubs he hit .319 with 209 hits, but he spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Angels. Actually, the Angels were the only minor league team he ever played with, as he spent 18 years with them between 1920 and 1942. He had 737 hits in the majors and 3,356 in the PCL, and so is one of the few pro players with over 4,000 hits. Just realized he died today 33 years ago, so good timing I guess. RIP.

Jack Ogden is featured in 1933 Goudey as a Baltimore Oriole. He was the ace of the legendary Orioles during their dynasty, compiling a 213-103 record in AA, which was then the highest classification.

Joe Oeschger, of the legendary 26-inning duel, might be worth getting a card of.

[molenick]

Someone already mentioned that Bender shouldn't be on the original list (since he is in the HOF) and I will add that Bancroft is on the original list and is also in the HOF. As a replacement (although at a different position) here is Hal Trosky, who had some great years at first base with Cleveland in the 1930s, including 42/162/.343 in 1936. Despite leading the league in RBIs (and in total bases with 405) he did not make the All-Star team and finished 10th in MVP voting. Playing in the same era as Gehrig, Foxx, and Greenberg, Wikipedia says he is "widely considered one of the best players to never make an All-Star team".

[tennisguy]

Tinker to Evers to Chance to.......how about Harry Steinfeldt

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

What about Cy Seymour? He's the only player ever as a pitcher to lead a league in strikeouts and then also leads the league in hitting. Babe Ruth didn't even do that.

[Irishcollector]

Originally Posted by molenick

I will suggest 19th century outfielder Jimmy Ryan. It's not a travesty that his is not in the Hall of Fame but if he got in, he would be better than several already elected (of his ten most similar players, eight are HOFers). He is somewhere between the fourth and eighth best centerfielder of the 19th century (behind Hamilton, Duffy, and Browning and in the same group as Gore, Griffin, Hines, and Van Haltren). .308 lifetime average, 2513 hits, 1643 runs scored (sixth highest among 19th century players, based on eyeballing the list), and the career assists leader as an outfielder until Speaker passed him in 1924 (he is still third).

Absolutely. This is a great call. To think that Billy Hamilton and Jimmy Ryan grew up in the same town at the same time! Clinton pumped out some great ball players back then!