Why is Joe Tinker in the HOF

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Posted By: Brian H (misunderestimated)

Tinker is probably among the least deserving HOfers in my mind -- somewher in the "top" (perhaps "bottom" is a better word) 15 or so mistakes.
I would rate him above:
Lindstrom
G. Kelly
Bancroft (probably some of the other Frisch-Giant HOFers I am missing)
Marquard
Pop Haines
Tommy McCarthy
Travis Jackson
and more or less in the "ballpark with":
Rizzuto
Chesbro
Ferrell
Kell
Schalk
Wallace
Hafey
Mazeroski
Drysdale
Pennock
Bender
(note the number of middle infielders)

But in his defense: he was a key player on a great team; a top notch fielder; clutch hitter (especially off of Matty, the Cubs nemesis); he seldom struck out*

http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tinkejo01.shtml

His offense probably looks particulary weak through our eyes because he played his entire career in the dead ball era and played SS, a no-hit great field position until recently.
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* Those "3 seasons without a K" are not documented -- batter's Ks were not recorded from what I've seen until the 1910 season.