Let's talk about Hall of Fame candidates who have been "neglected"

[Ricky]

“A better defensive catcher than Campanella never played the game.”

Johnny Bench says hi.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Ricky

“A better defensive catcher than Campanella never played the game.”

Johnny Bench says hi.

If someone wasn't going to say it, I was at the ready. Campanella was indeed fantastic, but nobody could hold a candle to Bench.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by perezfan

If someone wasn't going to say it, I was at the ready. Campanella was indeed fantastic, but nobody could hold a candle to Bench.

I don't doubt that but how can you really know unless you saw Campanella catch regularly?

[55koufax]

Yadi perhaps deserves consideration as the best defensive catcher of all-time. His stats off the charts, however, I believe in intangibles......that is why Bengie and Jose should be included in this discussion!

[packs]

Maybe he's not a HOFer but I always thought Jorge Posada deserved more respect than a one and done ballot guy.

[Shoeless Moe]

I won't say anything bad about Bench, but sounds like Campy was right there.

He twice beat out Josh Gibson for starting catcher in Negro League All Star games, and after his late start to the Majors he won 3 MVPs, when the competition for that award was the likes of Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Duke Snider and Hank Aaron.

...and Vin Scully said he was the best he'd seen, so that's a nice recommendation on the ole' resume.

[campyfan39]

I approve of this post

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

I won't say anything bad about Bench, but sounds like Campy was right there.

He twice beat out Josh Gibson for starting catcher in Negro League All Star games, and after his late start to the Majors he won 3 MVPs, when the competition for that award was the likes of Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Duke Snider and Hank Aaron.

...and Vin Scully said he was the best he'd seen, so that's a nice recommendation on the ole' resume.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Maybe he's not a HOFer but I always thought Jorge Posada deserved more respect than a one and done ballot guy.

Overshadowed by many other big names but definitely a key to those great teams. You could do a lot worse than put him behind the plate for a decade and a half. Even as a Red Sox fan I always liked him for some reason.

[G1911]

I'd end up at no on Posada, but I think he merited actual consideration. There are a lot of guys who are not getting any real examination and immediately falling off the ballot these days that deserve better. Lofton, Posada, Delgado all 1 and done candidates.

[btcarfagno]

"Indian" Bob Johnson. Career starts at age 27. 13 year career never once had an OPS+ below 125. Never. Once. Also one of the best fielders of his era with massive outfield assist numbers. Only one year with a WAR under 3.0 (it was his final year when he had a 3.9. 8 100 RBI season out of 13 (on some bad Philadelphia A's teams mind you). Six years of 100+ runs. More walks than strikeouts.

Hall Of Famer

[G1911]

Munson posted a 101 OPS+ in 1978, and was at 95 in 1979, below league average. He was entering his decline already, but only a year and a half into it. Fisks prime was fairly similar to Munsons, except he then had a second career as a decent to good catcher after it. The rate stats argument that eliminates what would have been Munsons decline but includes Fisks isn’t fair, compare to prime to prime if we want to argue that their value during their good years means Munson is a Hall of Famer.

Wouldn’t be the worst catcher in the hall, one of the better ones who is not in the hall. He’s a fine choice, but I would probably vote no personally.
By WAR, the best non-HOF’ers are
Schang
Trance
Munson
Freehan
Posada
Kendall
Porter
Sundberg

All of whom are between 40-49 WAR. None of them feel like hall of famers to me.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If Munson had played almost anywhere but NY people would not even be having these discussions, IMO.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If Munson had played almost anywhere but NY people would not even be having these discussions, IMO.

The good news is that 100% of the people reading this agree with you…but only half have the same conclusions you do.