Lucky Hall Of Famer Number 22 - Herb Pennock

    Herb Pennock pitched from 1912 through 1934 and was remarkably inconsistent and definitely not at a Hall of Fame level. Let me explain why he was undeserving of the honor. 

    Pennock debuted in 1912 with the Philadelphia A's at the age of 18, and was a very poor pitcher until 1914, when he went 11-4 with a slightly below average ERA. Pennock continued to struggle until 1918, when he went into service with the U.S. Navy in World War I, and came back in 1919 to go 16-8 for the Red Sox. After that season, Pennock continued to pitch badly until 1923, his age 29 season, when he went 19-6 for the Yankees and led the AL in winning percentage. From 1923 through 1928, he did pitch like a Hall of Famer, as he went 115-57 (.669; albeit with the greatest hitting team in history) with a 3.03 ERA and 17 saves. In 1929, Pennock skidded to a halt, and pitched quite badly until 1934, when he went 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 62 innings at the age of 40. He never again pitched in the MLB after that season. 

    Pennock shouldn't be within 100 miles of Cooperstown. His record (241-162) looks good, but he had plenty of help from the Yankees' Murderers' Row lineup. Pennock pitched well for seven seasons and a tiny stint, and average at best in his other 14. His adjusted ERA is 106. Does this sound like a Hall of Famer to you? 

My opinion: Herb Pennock is not a Hall of Famer.