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

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Posted By: Ryan Christoff

Gilbert,

Since you seem to think McGraw's numbers were 1 or 2 year aberrations, I made up a spreadsheet with a more detailed statistical analysis comparing the career of John McGraw to the career of Don Mattingly and both of their contemporaries. To show that the year I gave in the first example wasn't a fluke, I've included statistics for his entire career in comparison with the league average and league leaders in the categories of BA, HR, and RBI.

I couldn't get it to line up right when I tried to post it so I was going to e-mail it to you, but you left no e-mail address.

Based on that comparison, it looks like you must believe that Mattingly belongs in the Hall more than I do. And my son's middle name is literally "Mattingly."

25th in lifetime average? Yes.
Highest finish? 3rd.
Next highest? 3rd.
Next? 5th.
Next? 10th.

Four top ten finishes with none higher than 3rd is not a HOFer unless they have amazing power. Do McGraw's 13 career home runs qualify as amazing power? Don Mattingly hit more home runs in a season than McGraw did in his career...8 times!

McGraw was never even close to winning a batting title. His best season was 19 points below the league leader.

In the season that the LEAGUE AVERAGE was .309 and McGraw hit .340, he still finished 100 points behind Hugh Duffy!

By the way, Hal McRae, Amos Otis and Lou Piniella all had 4 top ten finishes as well. Looks like the Kansas City Royals might need their own wing in Cooperstown!

Oh, and Al Oliver had 9 top ten finishes including a batting title. Factor in his 2,700+ hits and must seem like Ted Williams to you. Why aren't you championing the cause of Al Oliver in the Hall?

My point is: John McGraw is not a HOF-worthy candidate based on his playing career alone.

-Ryan