Hall of Stats

In Part 1 of this series, I started the process of building a Personal Hall of Fame.

The “personal Hall of Fame” is a simple concept—what would the Hall of Fame look like if you were able to start from scratch and populate it however you want?

One might think the Hall of Stats is my personal Hall. It’s close—but it’s not. There are players that the Hall of Stats removes that I don’t agree with. There are also several players in the Hall of Stats that I wouldn’t put in the Hall of Fame.

I was still on the fence about 16 players at the end of Part 1. I’m happy to say I’m ready to put eight of them in (while keeping the other eight on my “maybe” list). The players I’m adding are:

• Keith Hernandez
• Graig Nettles
• Buddy Bell
• Sal Bando
• Ken Boyer
• Bret Saberhagen
• Dave Stieb
• Reggie Smith

Of the 164 eligible players with a Hall Rating of 110 or better, I already added 156 to my Personal Hall. Here’s the breakdown by position so far:

• P: 46
• C: 11
• 1B: 18
• 2B: 13
• 3B: 12
• SS: 15
• LF: 14
• CF: 9
• RF: 16
• DH: 2

I don’t feel that every position should be equally represented, but I like to see them in the same ballpark. That said, a position like center field will have a tough time catching up since it is a position players move away from with age. Likewise, first base is a position that players move to when older.

Today I’m going to focus on Hall of Famers and non-Hall of Famers with a Hall Rating under 110. I’ll take it position by position.

Pitchers

Hall of Famers

• Yes: Don Sutton and Pud Galvin make it more on longevity than dominance. High-peak guys I’m adding are Sandy Koufax, Dizzy Dean, and Addie Joss. Hoyt Wilhelm makes it as perhaps the best eligible reliever. Whitey Ford’s Hall Rating may not dazzle, but he’s a shorter career guy with amazing postseason numbers.
• Maybe: Early Wynn, Red Ruffing, Eppa Rixey, Burleigh Grimes, and Rich Gossage.

Non-Hall of Famers

• Yes: All high-peak guys here: Wes Ferrell, Urban Shocker, Bob Caruthers, and Al Spalding (who is in the Hall of Fame as a pioneer/executive, but I feel belongs as a player).
• Maybe: Eddie Cicotte, Jim McCormick, Tommy John, Tony Mullane, Wilbur Wood, Billy Pierce, and Nap Rucker.

And that adds 11 more pitchers to the Hall with 12 more to debate.

Catchers

Hall of Famers

• Yes: Roy Campanella, who gets screwed both by the color line and his unfortunate career-ending injury.
• Maybe: Ernie Lombardi and Roger Bresnahan.

Non-Hall of Famers

• Yes: None. I have a bunch of maybes, though.
• Maybe: Gene Tenace, Charlie Bennett, Thurman Munson, Wally Schang, and Bill Freehan.

I added just one more, but I have seven more for the Maybe list.

Infielders

Hall of Famers

• Yes: Even if I’m only considering playing careers, I’d put John Ward in. His case is far more multi-faceted than that, though. I’ll also add Ross Barnes. His career was incredibly short, but being the best player in the first major league is huge.
• Maybe: At first base, Jake Beckley and Bill Terry. At second base, there’s Billy Herman, Bobby Doerr, Bid McPhee, and Nellie Fox. At third, only Jimmy Collins. Finally, Joe Tinker and Dave Bancroft at shortstop.

Non-Hall of Famers

• Maybe: A pair of third basemen—Darrell Evans and John McGraw (who is in as a manager).

There are two more Yeses here and 11 more Maybes.

Outfielders

Hall of Famers

• Yes: Larry Doby is an easy call in center. I’ll also add three right fielders: Elmer Flick, King Kelly, and Willie Keeler.
• Maybe: About a half dozen left fielders: Jim O'Rourke, Zack Wheat, Joe Medwick, Willie Stargell, Joe Kelley, and Ralph Kiner. In center, there’s Max Carey and Kirby Puckett. In right, Enos Slaughter, Chuck Klein, and Sam Thompson.

Non-Hall of Famers

• Yes: In left, I’ll add Minnie Miñoso in a heartbeat.
• Maybe: In left, Bob Johnson and Pete Browning. Paul Hines makes the list from center.

That’s five more for the yes list and 14 more to debate.

Updated Totals

We’re up to 175 Hall of Famers. I have a large “Maybe” list, however (53 players long).

Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Any advice?