Hall of Stats

A couple hours ago, Hall of Stats inductee Alan Trammell was finally selected for induction into the Hall of Fame. He is joined by his long-time teammate and sabermetric lightning rod Jack Morris. While I don’t think Morris quite meets the Hall of Fame standard, this is an election result I’ll gladly accept. It’s a better Hall of Fame with both Trammell and Morris than with neither.

Another Hall of Stats member, Ted Simmons, finished a single vote shy. While that’s disappointing, hopefully it bodes well for his induction in 2020.

Because Trammell was already in the Hall of Stats and Morris doesn’t meet the standard, the Hall of Stats was able to welcome two new members.

• Minnie Miñoso: This one feels great. He’s been just barely on the outside for so long that I’m glad to see him cross the line for the first time. Unfortunately, it probably won’t last long. I’m guessing he is knocked off next month as the Hall of Stats will welcome five new members (and I doubt the BBWAA will keep up).
• Jerry Koosman: When I was a kid, I knew him as the second half of Nolan Ryan’s rookie card, but he was a great pitcher in his own right. I don’t think he was quite a Hall of Famer (and he probably won’t be in the Hall of Stats very long), but it’s nice to see him briefly recognized.

It’s a shame that Marvin Miller didn’t make it, but I wasn’t expecting his induction. Since he passed away, his family has said that they would essentially boycott a posthumous induction. I’m sure the Hall doesn’t want that headache. If they wouldn’t induct him when alive, why would they induct him against his family’s wishes?