WHY I THINK THURMAN MUNSON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK THURMAN MUNSON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Thurman Munson was easily the best AL catcher of the 1970s and one of the best of all time. Munson was often compared with Johnny Bench (whom he outhit .292 to .267), and with good reason. Munson had the strongest throwing arm in the league for his whole career (?) and won three Gold Glove awards. Not only was Munson a good defensive catcher, but he could hit, too. He had five full seasons over .300 and one at .297 while also hitting for relatively good power, accumulating 113 home runs in just over ten full seasons. He also hit 20 or more doubles six times. Munson started his career by hitting .256 with a pair of triples in 26 games in 1969. He hit .302 in 1970 and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He slumped in 1971 but came back to hit .280 in 1972. Munson hit .301 and had 74 RBI’s on 20 homers in 1973 before falling to .261 and 13 homers in 1974. The heart of Munson’s career came in the three following seasons, as he batted .318, .302 and .308 and had 102, 105 and 100 RBI’s in the period. He also deservedly won the AL MVP Award in 1976. Munson hit .297 in 1978 and .288 in 97 games in 1979 before tragedy struck. He was practicing landing in a small plane in Ohio when he crashed into the ground. He broke his neck as a result, and later died of asphyxiation. The most important thing about Thurman Munson was that he was one of the last great Yankee captains, and with his shocking death in 1979 many thought that there would never be another. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS

Games career: 1,423 season high: 157 in 1975 

At Bats career: 5,344 season high: 617 in 1978 

Hits career: 1,558 season high: 190 in 1975 

Doubles career: 229 season high: 29 in 1973 

Triples career: 32 season high: 5 in 1977 

Home Runs career: 113 season high: 20 in 1973 

Runs career: 696 season high: 85 in 1977 

Runs Batted In career: 701 season high: 105 in 1976 

Stolen Bases career: 48 season high: 14 in 1976 

Walks career: 438 season high: 57 in 1970 

Strikeouts career: 571 season high: 70 in 1978 

Batting Average career: .292 season high: .318 in 1975 

On Base Percentage career: .346 season high: .386 in 1970 

Slugging Percentage career: .410 season high: .487 in 1973 

Total Bases career: 2,190 season high: 275 in 1977 

Sacrifice Hits career: 21 season high: 5 in 1970 

Fielding Percentage career: .982 season high: .998 in 1971 led AL C: .998 in 1971 

Double Plays career: 85 season high: 14 in 1975 led AL: C 11 in 1973, 14 in 1975

Putouts career: 6,342 season high: 743 in 1974 

Assists career: 742 season high: 95 in 1975 led AL C: 80 in 1970 and 1973, 75 in 1974

DID YOU KNOW?

-nicknamed “Tugboat”, “Squatty Body” and “The Walrus”

-owns a .445 career caught stealing percentage, which is the 11th highest of all time 

-played on three pennant winners and two World Series champions

-also played second, third, DH and outfield

-holds the record for the most runners thrown out stealing in an LCS career (12)

-holds the record for the most singles in a four game World Series (nine in 1976)

-is the only AL player with seven consecutive hits in World Series play

-was a seven time all-star

-won two Player of the Week awards

-led the AL in singes in 1975

-led the AL in games caught in 1970, 1972 and 1973 

-led the AL in caught stealing percentage in 1971 (.610) and 1975 (.504)

-had career totals of 30 games, 19 runs scored, 46 hits, nine doubles, three home runs, 22 RBI’s, one stolen base, five walks, 19 strikeouts and a .357 batting average in postseason play 

-has the 11th highest postseason batting average ever 

-went 2-for-3 with two RBI’s on his MLB debut 

-finished seventh in the AL MVP race in both 1975 and 1977 

-number 15 is retired by the Yankees and he is honored with a plaque in Monument Park

fix did you know? section

WHY I THINK GEORGE VAN HALTREN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK GEORGE VAN HALTREN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

George Van Haltren was easily one of the best players in baseball for most of his career, possessing all the skills that make for a superstar. He was remarkably consistent, with a .386 lifetime on base percentage, and very fast, with over 160 career triples and almost 600 stolen bases. He also had a very strong left arm, three times leading his league in outfield assists, and he also put it to use by pitching a few good ballgames in his time, with a 40-31 lifetime record. George Van Haltren started his career with the Chicago White Stockings in 1887, posting an 11-7 record and the most saves in the NL (one). He went 13-13 in 1888, leading the Majors in games finished, and also batted .283 in 81 games. In his first season as a regular outfielder, 1889, Van Haltren batted .322. He joined Brooklyn of the Players League in 1890, and after a year off he tried his hand at pitching again, recording a 15-10 mark, and additionally batted a lusty .335. In fact, Van Haltren topped .300 every season from 1889 through 1901 excepting a .293 in 1892. Despite hitting like nobody’s business, Van Haltren spent the next three seasons with three different teams. He settled down with the New York Giants in 1894, helped them win the Temple Cup, and made himself a fixture with the club for the next decade. Van Haltren continued his hitting ways throughout the 1890’s and led the Majors in steals in 1900. In 1901, his last year as a regular, he batted .335. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle early in 1902, ending his season and devastating the rest of his career. Van Haltren batted .257 in roughly half a season in 1903 before the Giants released him. He played for the PCL Seattle Siwashes in 1904, smacking 252 hits in 222 games and setting a few minor records, and hung around in class A ball through 1909, his age 43 season. George Van Haltren was an amazing hitter, a solid fielder, and a great baserunner. Again, not every .300 hitting outfielder can post a winning record on the mound. I cannot understand why he is not in the Hall of Fame today. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,990 season high: 156 in 1898 led NL: 139 in 1894, 133 in 1896, 156 in 1898 

At Bats career: 8,043 season high: 654 in 1898 led NL: 566 in 1897, 654 in 1898 

Hits career: 2,544 season high: 204 in 1898 

Doubles career: 286 season high: 30 in 1900 

Triples career: 161 season high: 21 in 1896 led NL: 21 in 1896 

Home Runs career: 69 season high: 9 in 1889 and 1891 

Runs career: 1,642 season high: 136 in 1891 and 1896 

Runs Batted In career: 1,015 season high: 105 in 1894 

Stolen Bases career: 583 season high: 75 in 1891 led NL: 45 in 1900 

Walks career: 871 season high: 82 in 1889 

Strikeouts career: 498 season high: 46 in 1891 

Batting Average career: .316 season high: .351 in 1896 

On Base Percentage career: .386 season high: .422 in 1893 

Slugging Percentage career: .418 season high: .503 in 1895 

Total Bases career: 3,359 season high: 272 in 1896 

Sacrifice Hits career: 65 season high: 13 in 1894 and 1900 (Van Haltren’s sacrifice hit information prior to 1894 is unavailable) 

Games Pitched career: 93 season high: 30 in 1888 

Starts career: 68 season high: 25 in 1890 

Complete Games career: 65 season high: 

Shutouts career: 5 season high: 4 in 1888 

Games Finished career: 23 season high: 5 in 1888 and 1891 led NL: 5 in 1888 

Wins career: 40 season high: 15 in 1890 

Losses career: 31 season high: 13 in 1888 

Winning Percentage career: .563 season high: .611 in 1887 

ERA career: 4.05 season low: 3.52 in 1888 

WHIP career: 1.528 season low: 1.315 in 1888 

Innings Pitched career: 689 ⅓ season high: 245 ⅔ in 1888 

Strikeouts career: 281 season high: 139 in 1888 

Strikeouts Per Nine Innings career: 3.7 season high: 5.1 in 1888 

Walks career: 244 (0 intentional) season high: 89 in 1890 

Strikeouts Per Walk career: 1.15 season high: 2.32 in 1888 

Saves career: 4 season high: 2 in 1890 led NL: 1 in 1887 

Fielding Percentage career: .908 season high: .952 in 1896 

Double Plays career: 94 season high: 22 in 1891 

Putouts career: 3,761 season high: 325 in 1900 

Assists career: 750 season high: 185 in 1891 led NL CF: 23 in 1901 led NL OF: 31 in 1897, 28 in 1900, 23 in 1901 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-nicknamed “Rip” 

-was once traded for Hall of Famer Joe Kelley and $2,000 (a testament to who was considered superior at the time) 

-led the NL in plate appearances (722) in 1898 

-four times led NL outfielders in games and led NL centerfielders in 1901 (135) 

-scored over 100 runs in a season eleven times 

-hit more triples than doubles in 1888 (14 to 9), 1890 (9 to 8), 1891 (15 to 14), 1896 (21 to 18), and 1902 (2 to 1) 

-managed the NL Baltimore Orioles for eleven games in 1892 (1-10) 

-hit two home runs each off of Hoss Radbourn, Clark Griffith, and Silver King and one each off of Kid Nichols and Bob Caruthers 

-ranks 21st in career stolen bases, 38th in both runs scored and triples, and 45th in singles (2,028) 

-among MLB outfielders, ranks 13th in career double plays and fourth in assists 

-also played 79 games at shortstop, two at first base, five at second base, and three at third base

In a Perfect World

    Sometimes I think that the Hall of Fame was never meant to be so large. Remember my post Hall of Fame Ratings? It chronicled and classified every Hall of Famer between three categories - the Elite, the Rank and File, and the Basement. Well, I get the impression that only the Elite were meant to be in. When the Old Timers' Committee started to go nuts circa 1946, it lowered the Hall's standard quite a bit, and hence we get the Rank and File (typical Hall of Famers) and the Basement (mistaken selections). If the Hall had stayed pure, then guys like Babe Ruth and Willie Mays would be immortalized, and being in the Hall of Fame would be more meaningful. People could still remember how good George Kell and Andre Dawson were without making them Ruthian. As it is now, the Hall of Fame makes no distinction between guys like Honus Wagner and guys like Joe Tinker. Now this blog mostly advocates for players who could be in (i.e. those who would fall among the Rank and File). The reason why it is here in the first place is to point out mistakes made by the "real" Hall of Fame. If they had done their jobs in the first place, then I wouldn't have to write for this blog at all. Don't get me wrong. I truly enjoy writing for this blog and my book. What I don't appreciate is constantly criticizing an institution that's supposed to know what it's talking about. I shouldn't have to. 

WHY I THINK TOM HENKE SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK TOM HENKE SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Out of all the star relievers who came up in the 1980’s, none was more feared than Henke. A 6’5’’ fireballer, Henke was one of the first to make the splitter into a power pitch. Henke used the splitter and his fastball to post a 2.67 career ERA (lower than those of Hall of Fame relievers Trevor Hoffman, Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, and Bruce Sutter) and 311 saves (more than Gossage, Sutter, and Hoyt Wilhelm). Tom Henke started his career with the Rangers in 1982, but didn’t reach rookie status until 1985, his age 27 season. As a Blue Jay, he spun 13 saves and a 2.03 ERA. Henke brought the heat in 1986, fanning 118 batters and getting 128 the following year. In 1987, the year when the ball was souped up, Henke led the AL in saves (34) and games finished (62). Now baseball’s best closer, Henke continued his dominant run with the Blue Jays, earning a World Series ring in 1992, but was granted free agency immediately afterwards (in fact, the same day as the deciding Game 6). The Rangers, who got rid of him early on, signed him and reconfigured their bullpen. Henke rewarded them with a great season in 1993 (40 saves) but had an off year in 1994. The Rangers again pulled the plug on him too early, and the second time was more excruciating than the first. For in 1995, as a member of the Cardinals, Henke put up probably the best final season ever by a reliever, posting 36 saves and a career best 1.82 ERA. Then he was granted free agency again. If Henke hadn’t gotten off to such a late start, and if he’d improved upon his best overall season, there’s no telling what he could have done. As it is, Henke probably should have been inducted into the Hall of Fame already. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games Pitched career: 642 season high: 72 in 1987 

Starts career: 0 

Complete Games career: 0 

Shutouts career: 0 

Games Finished career: 548 season high: 62 in 1987 led AL: 62 in 1987 

Wins career: 41 season high: 9 in 1986 

Losses career: 42 season high: 6 in 1987 and 1994 

Winning Percentage career: .494 season high: 1.000 in 1982 and 1983 

ERA career: 2.67 season low: 1.15 in 1982 

WHIP career: 1.092 season low: 0.874 in 1991 

Innings Pitched career: 789 ⅔ season high: 94 in 1987 

Strikeouts career: 861 season high: 128 in 1987 

Strikeouts Per Nine Innings career: 9.8 season high: 12.3 in 1987 

Walks career: 255 (29 intentional) season high: 32 in 1986 

Strikeouts Per Walk career: 3.38 season high: 5.25 in 1985 

Saves career: 311 season high: 40 in 1993 led AL: 34 in 1987 

Fielding Percentage career: .982 season high: 1.000 in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 

Double Plays career: 4 season high: 1 in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1995 

Putouts career: 43 season high: 9 in 1987 

Assists career: 67 season high: 12 in 1987 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-finished 13th in the AL MVP Award voting in 1987 and 20th in 1985 

-finished 22nd in the NL MVP Award voting in 1995 

-finished seventh in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 1985 

-won Rolaids Relief in 1995 

-had a career ERA of 0.00 in two all-star games (1987 and 1995), one in each league 

-pitched 2 ⅔ scoreless innings on his MLB debut (look up each first, last game for each player, or exclude them all)

-saved his last career game 

-went 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and five saves in postseason play 

-ranks 25th in career saves and 30th in games finished

WHY I THINK GLENN WRIGHT SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK GLENN WRIGHT SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

In advocating for Glenn Wright I am really advocating for all players on their way to the Hall of Fame whose careers were ruined by injuries. The Hall of Fame is really for those players who stood out as being great baseball players and were lucky enough to be able to last. Now Glenn Wright was an outstanding baseball player, but without taking this into consideration he wouldn’t be a Hall of Famer. The same goes for Don Mattingly, Ted Kluszewski, Al Rosen, and many others (but no, I won’t write a post about Tony Conigliaro). Glenn Wright began his career with the Pirates in 1924, and immediately became one of the best players in the game. The 23 year old shortstop drove in 111 runs as a rookie and set the MLB record for shortstops with 601 assists. Only one player ever did better - Ozzie Smith (surprise), who had 621 for the Padres in 1980. This achievement is even more remarkable when it is realized that Wright played in all 153 games the Pirates played in 1924, whereas Smith played in 158 of the Padres’ 163. Wright had another excellent season in 1925, batting .308 with 18 home runs and 121 RBI’s. The Pirate cleanup hitter followed up with another .308 season in 1926. Wright drove in over 100 runs for the third time in four seasons in 1927, and had his third .300 season in 1928 with a .310. In 1929, however, Wright suffered a massive shoulder injury, which limited him to only 24 games all year (21 as a pinch hitter) and drastically shortened his career. He had a couple good seasons after the injury, however, and even hit .321 with 22 homers (at the time the NL record for shortstops) and 126 RBI’s in 1930. From then his career slowly wound down, and he looked finished after he batted .255 in 71 games in 1933. He made a brief Major League comeback with the White Sox in 1935, batting 3-for-25 in nine games, and never again appeared in a Big League game. When he was healthy and available, Glenn Wright was the standout shortstop in the Major Leagues. If he had never gotten hurt, then his career could have looked like that of Joe Cronin, for example. I would like to give this Hall of Fame talent some credit for his lost years. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,119 season high: 153 in 1924 and 1925 led NL: 153 in 1925 

At Bats career: 4,153 season high: 616 in 1924 led NL: 616 in 1924 

Hits career: 1,219 season high: 189 in 1925 

Doubles career: 203 season high: 32 in 1925 

Triples career: 76 season high: 18 in 1924 

Home Runs career: 94 season high: 22 in 1930 

Runs career: 584 season high: 97 in 1925 

Runs Batted In career: 723 season high: 126 in 1930 

Stolen Bases career: 38 season high: 14 in 1924 

Walks career: 209 season high: 39 in 1927 

Strikeouts career: 407 season high: 70 in 1930 

Batting Average career: .294 season high: .321 in 1930 

On Base Percentage career: .328 season high: .360 in 1930 

Slugging Percentage career: .447 season high: .543 in 1930 

Total Bases career: 1,856 season high: 295 in 1925 

Sacrifice Hits career: 113 season high: 18 in 1924 

Fielding Percentage career: .941 season high: .964 in 1930 

Double Plays career: 705 season high: 109 in 1925 led NL SS: 102 in 1924, 109 in 1925 

Putouts career: 2,240 season high: 338 in 1925 led NL SS: 296 in 1927 

Assists career: 3,504 season high: 601 in 1924 led NL SS: 601 in 1924, 530 in 1925 

DID YOU KNOW?
-nicknamed “Buckshot” 

-finished fourth in the NL MVP Award voting in 1925, 11th in 1924, and 25th in 1931 

-homered off of Hall of Famer Stan Coveleski in Game 2 of the 1925 World Series, helping the Pirates to the World Championship 

-turned an unassisted triple play on May 7, 1925, tagging out future Hall of Famers Jim Bottomley and Rogers Hornsby 

-led the NL in assists at any position in 1924 

-led NL shortstops in games in 1924, 1925, and 1927 

-hit two home runs off of Hall of Famer Eppa Rixey and one each off of Carl Mays and Wilbur Cooper 

-also played 12 games at first base, eight at second base, three at third base, one in rightfield, 52 as a pinch hitter, and one as a pinch runner

WHY I THINK KEN SINGLETON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK KEN SINGLETON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

Ken Singleton was a pretty fair hitter during his time, batting .282 lifetime while averaging close to 20 homers and 100 walks per season. All things considered, he falls a little short of the Hall of Fame as a player, but he has also been calling baseball games for almost 40 years, and has become quite popular. Between his playing skills and broadcasting career, I think he could be in the Hall of Fame. Ken Singleton started his career with the New York Mets in 1970, batting .263 in 69 games. He reached rookie status in 1971, hitting 13 homers in fewer than 300 at bats, and was traded to the Expos at the end of the year. Singleton had a breakout season in 1973, batting .302 with 23 homers and 103 RBI’s and topping the Majors in OBP. He came over to the Orioles in 1975 and made an immediate impact, batting .300 with 118 walks. Singleton remained in Baltimore for the next decade, and became a local hero. He earned his first all-star selection in 1977 when he batted .328, and his second in 1979 when he hit 35 homers. That season he helped the Orioles to the postseason, batting .375 as they downed the Angels in the ALCS and .357 in a losing cause against the Pirates in the World Series. Singleton had another fine season in 1980 (104 RBI’s) and was an all-star again in 1981. Singleton had been a fine defensive rightfielder, and was coming off a perfect season in 1981, but as his speed deserted him, he was used almost exclusively as a DH for the rest of his career. He did well in 1982 and 1983 but slipped in 1984, batting .215 with six homers. Singleton retired after the season to call Expos games, which he did until 1997. Since then he has been calling Yankee games, and has become the best in the business. Singleton announced his retirement on October 2, 2021. 

Ken Singleton was a fine player and a famous broadcaster. To this day he remains a hero in Baltimore and a favorite in New York. He would be an okay Hall of Famer. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,082 season high: 162 in 1973 led NL: 162 in 1973 

At Bats career: 7,189 season high: 586 in 1975 

Hits career: 2,029 season high: 177 in 1980 

Doubles career: 317 season high: 37 in 1975 

Triples career: 25 season high: 4 in 1975 

Home Runs career: 246 season high: 35 in 1979 

Runs career: 985 season high: 100 in 1973 

Runs Batted In career: 1,065 season high: 111 in 1979 

Stolen Bases career: 21 season high: 5 in 1972 

Walks career: 1,263 season high: 123 in 1973 

Strikeouts career: 1,246 season high: 118 in 1979 

Batting Average career: .282 season high: .328 in 1977 

On Base Percentage career: .388 season high: .438 in 1977 led NL: .425 in 1973 

Slugging Percentage career: .436 season high: .533 in 1979 

Total Bases career: 3,134 season high: 304 in 1979 

Sacrifice Hits career: 29 season high: 4 in 1970, 1972, and 1978 

Fielding Percentage career: .980 season high: 1.000 in 1981 led AL RF: .986 in 1977, 1.000 in 1981 led AL OF: 1.000 in 1981 

Double Plays career: 17 season high: 3 in 1973 led AL RF: 2 in 1981 

Putouts career: 2,684 season high: 285 in 1975 

Assists career: 82 season high: 21 in 1973 led NL RF: 21 in 1973 led NL OF: 21 in 1973 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1982 

-finished second in the AL MVP Award voting in 1979, third in 1977, tenth in 1975, 21st in 1980, 23rd in 1981, and 34th in 1978 

-finished ninth in the NL MVP Award voting in 1973 

-led the AL in plate appearances (714) and times on base (295) in 1975 

-led the AL in intentional walks in 1979 (16) and 1983 (19) 

-won a World Series ring with the Orioles in 1983 

-holds the MLB record for hits in consecutive at bats (10), set in 1981 

-also played 246 games in leftfield, three in centerfield, and 102 as a pinch hitter 

-won two AL Player of the Week awards and one Player of the Month award 

-led his league’s rightfielders in games three times and twice led all outfielders