Which HOF "manager" was the best "player"?

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Posted By: Brian H (misunderestimated)

I think Griffith (who is not on Hal's list above) is in the HOF as a player not a Manager. Chance, who is in the HOF as a Player, is easily HOF class as a Manager as well. In fact, "the Peerless Leader" probably belongs more as Manager than as a Player.....

946 Wins 648 Loses .593 Winning percentage (6th All-Time) with 4 Pennants and 2 World Series Wins. In a five years span, 1906-10 he was 530 and 235. His receord with the Cubs (early/mid-season 1905 thru 1912) in 1178 games was: 768 Wins and just 389 loses that's .664. .664 would easily be first all-time.

I like to think that while he is one of the lesser players in the HOF he is a legitimate HOFer becasue of his leadership (i.e. managerial skill etc.). The same may not be true of his infield cohorts, Evers and Tinker who are marginal HOFers at best.

Another "Cub" player-manager, Cap Anson also rates HOF class as a Manger regardless of his playing achievements. Of course, Cap's contibutions as both a player and manager are forever stained by his role in facilitating Major League Baseball's aparthied.

If Baseball's Hall of Fame were like Basketball's -- or Rock'n Rolls for that matter -- Anson and Chance would be HOFers twice-over, as Players and Managers.