Richie Allen and Dave Parker.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Not starting until age 27 obviously hurt Bob Johnson a lot.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not starting until age 27 obviously hurt Bob Johnson a lot.

His minor league numbers were not all that good at ages 23 or 24. By age 25 and 26 he was tearing up the PCL though. He also could have stayed around a bit longer. Had 5 homers and .283 batting average in PCL in just 145 at bats at age 42 three years after his last major league at bat. Hit .326 the next year in B level ball, walking more than twice as much as he struck out.

Just think he is worthy of a discussion from those who make those decisions.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

His minor league numbers were not all that good at ages 23 or 24. By age 25 and 26 he was tearing up the PCL though. He also could have stayed around a bit longer. Had 5 homers and .283 batting average in PCL in just 145 at bats at age 42 three years after his last major league at bat. Hit .326 the next year in B level ball, walking more than twice as much as he struck out.

Just think he is worthy of a discussion from those who make those decisions.

His stats also benefited from playing full seasons throughout the war years against notably depleted competition.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

His stats also benefited from playing full seasons throughout the war years against notably depleted competition.

Mel Ott
Joe Medwick
Lou Boudreau
Rick Ferrell
Bobby Doerr (in military only 1945)
Ernie Lombardi
Hal Newhouser

Wasn't a problem for them.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Most of Bob Johnson’s highest ranking stats that have been mentioned are primarily a result of high walk totals based on his plate appearances per season and career. Walks aren’t nearly as impressive to me as hits and extra base hits where you have the ability to drive in more runs, not just get on base to score them. Don’t really think he deserves to be in the Hall and very little support for him over the years, that’s probably why.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Most of Bob Johnson’s highest ranking stats that have been mentioned are primarily a result of high walk totals based on his plate appearances per season and career. Walks aren’t nearly as impressive to me as hits and extra base hits where you have the ability to drive in more runs, not just get on base to score them. Don’t really think he deserves to be in the Hall and very little support for him over the years, that’s probably why.

He drove in 100 runs or more seven years in a row. I think he did just fine with the extra base hits and driving in the runs.

He averaged 60 extra base hits per year over his entire career.

[btcarfagno]

I definitely understand the arguments against him and they are valid for sure. He just seems to be someone who deserves a pretty long conversation.

Had he come to the majors at age 26 instead of 27, he would have been one of only 9 players in major league history with 400 doubles 100 triples and 300 home runs. And he would have reached 1300 runs and 1300 RBI.

I know it's just a hypothetical. But he was that close.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Most of Bob Johnson’s highest ranking stats that have been mentioned are primarily a result of high walk totals based on his plate appearances per season and career. Walks aren’t nearly as impressive to me as hits and extra base hits where you have the ability to drive in more runs, not just get on base to score them. Don’t really think he deserves to be in the Hall and very little support for him over the years, that’s probably why.

He had 1283 RBIs with only 2051 hits and had an OPS+ of 139. For his career, he hit .306 with an OPS of .931 with runners in scoring position. Seems like he did a pretty good job at driving in runs regardless of how many walks he had.

[btcarfagno]

And on a personal note, he is of Native American heritage. Would love to get us some more representation in the Hall.