A Tribute to Tommy John

Tommy John, who won 288 games between 1963 and 1989, passed away on Saturday. He was 83 years old. 

Nicknamed "The Bionic Man," John was best known as the first to undergo an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, now forever known as Tommy John Surgery, on September 25, 1974. Despite the uncertainty of the procedure, John returned to the mound in 1976 and pitched another 14 seasons, finally hanging up his spikes at age 46. His 26 MLB seasons are the second-most of all time, and his 288 wins rank 26th. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Ten Best Catchers Not In Cooperstown

Catchers have historically been underrated both by the common fan and the Hall of Fame. Due to the physical and mental demands of catching a nine-inning game nearly every day, catchers tend to hit less than other fielders, making it harder for people to realize their true value. As it stands, there are only 18 catchers in Cooperstown, fewer than any other position except third base. However, due to the importance of a good catcher and the numerous demands of the position, more catchers should be considered by the Hall of Fame. 

Honorable mentions: Deacon McGuire, Elston Howard, Tim McCarver, Bob Boone, Tony Pena 

10. Jack Clements (1884-1900)

The greatest lefthanded catcher of all time, Jack Clements had a career batting average of .287 in an era when many backstops hit under .200. A strong defender behind the plate, Clements was also a convincing power hitter who clubbed 77 home runs in his career (at the time eleventh on the all-time list) and topped the NL in home run percentage in 1893 and 1895. 

9. Johnny Kling (1900-1913)

Also a renowned billiards player in his day, Johnny Kling was a key player on the Cubs' pennant winners of 1906-08 and 1910. The premier defensive catcher of his time, Kling dominated NL catching leaderboards throughout his career and had a lifetime caught stealing percentage of 48.5. He also batted .272 over his career and set a record in 1902 with a hit in 12 straight plate appearances. 

8. Gene Tenace (1969-1983)

Despite a low .241 batting average and only 1,060 hits, Tenace was nonetheless a strong contributor with the bat, slapping 201 home runs and drawing 984 walks for a career OPS of .817. A four-time World Champion, he earned the World Series MVP Award in 1972 with four homers and nine RBI's. 

7. Wally Schang (1913-1931)

A long-tenured catcher whose career spanned the dead-ball and live-ball eras, Schang batted .284 across 19 seasons with a .393 OBP and 121 stolen bases. A solid defender known for his strong arm, Schang led his teams to six World Series, winning three of them. 

6. Jason Kendall (1996-2010)

A five-time .300 hitter despite playing in the steroid era, Jason Kendall ranks third among all catchers with 2,195 hits and first with 189 steals (since the modern stolen base rule was implemented in 1898). Although not a premier defender, Kendall led his league in games caught eight times, double plays six times, and assists and caught stealing five times apiece. 

5. Thurman Munson (1969-1979)

Rifle-armed Thurman Munson was one of the most exciting players of the 1970's, earning a Rookie of the Year Award, an MVP, three Gold Gloves, and seven all-star selections during the decade. A .292 career hitter, he batted over .300 five times and knocked in 100 or more runs in three consecutive seasons. Sadly, he passed away partway through the 1979 season in a private plane crash. 

4. Jorge Posada (1995-2011)

The anchor of the last true Yankee dynasty, Posada was also an outstanding hitter, belting 275 homers and winning five Silver Slugger awards. He hit a career-high 30 homers with 101 RBI's in 2003 and batted .338 in 2007 at age 36. Posada only misses out on a higher rating due to so-so defense. 

3. Sherm Lollar (1946-1963)

Despite being largely forgotten today, Sherm Lollar was an elite defender in the 1950's and early 1960's, throwing out an impressive 46.8% of stolen base attempts. A five-time fielding champion and three-time leader in double plays, he won the Gold Glove award in its first three years of existence. No slouch with the bat, Lollar hit 155 home runs and had a career OBP of .357. 

2. Bill Freehan (1961-1976)

Famously described as "the thinking man's catcher" by Sports Magazine, Freehan was an eleven-time all-star and five-time Gold Glove winner. The holder of numerous fielding records, he was also a strong hitter who smacked an even 200 home runs, including 25 in 1968. Freehan finished third in the AL MVP voting in 1967 and second in 1968 behind teammate Denny McLain, whom he helped become the last man ever to win 30 games in a season. 

1. Lance Parrish (1977-1995)

Lance Parrish did just about everything in his Big League career. He was a World Champion (1984), eight-time all-star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and six-time Silver Slugger. Parrish hit 324 career homers, fifth among catchers behind four Hall of Famers, and turned 133 double plays. His combination of offense and defense was truly remarkable, and he should be in the Hall of Fame today. 

Amazing Baseball Quote #16

"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." - Rogers Hornsby 

Honestly a great point. 

Johnny Vander Meer

Johnny Vander Meer is best known as the only man in history to toss back-to-back no-hitters, a feat he achieved with the Reds in 1938. While this achievement is little more than a footnote today, it was the biggest story in baseball at the time. In addition to his consecutive no-hitters, Vander Meer had a long and successful career which should be remembered in its entirety. 

    John Samuel Vander Meer was born on November 2, 1914, in Prospect Park, New Jersey. Tall but skinny as a youngster, he eventually filled out to 190 pounds during his Major League career. A lefthanded first baseman and pitcher, he converted to the mound full-time with his local semipro team and tossed five no-hitters in 1932. He signed his first professional contract in 1933, pitching to an 11-10 record at age 18. 

    Vander Meer established himself as a top pitching prospect in 1936, going 19-7 with a 3.08 ERA and 313 strikeouts in the Reds' system. However, he also walked 141 batters in 236 1/3 innings. Control would be an issue for Vander Meer throughout his career, but he could usually keep runs off the board with a low opponents' batting average and a high strikeout percentage. He finished the season as The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year, catapulting him to the Majors in 1937. 

    Splitting time between the bullpen, the rotation, and the minors, Vander Meer pitched to a 3.84 ERA for the Reds but walked 17 more batters than he struck out. Working primarily on his control, he decreased his walk rate considerably in 1938, resulting in a breakout season (15-10 record, 3.12 ERA). On June 11, he no-hit the Boston Bees at home, and tossed a second no-hitter in as many starts against the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 15. 

    With his historic performance, Vander Meer became only the fourth pitcher in history to throw two no-hitters in an entire career. The feat was well-known and publicized, as he was honored in local celebrations, given a salary raise, selected to the NL all-star team, and named honorary mayor of Tampa, Florida (where the Reds played spring training games). He missed nearly a month later in the season with an illness requiring hospitalization, but was nevertheless named The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year, making him the first man ever to be Minor League and Major League Player of the Year. 

    Despite his success, Vander Meer could not replicate his performance in 1939, as injuries and illness limited him to 129 innings, in which he posted a mediocre 4.67 ERA. He spent most of 1940 in the minors but returned late in the season to help the Reds clinch the NL pennant. He pitched three scoreless innings in Game 5 of the World Series en route to a World Championship. 

    His late-season performance seemed to spark new life in Vander Meer, as he won 16, 18, and 15 games from 1941 through 1943 and led the NL in strikeouts each season. During those three seasons, he had a composite 2.71 ERA. However, his run of success was put to an abrupt halt by the escalation of World War II, and he missed the next two seasons to military service. 

    When he returned to the mound, Vander Meer was not quite the same, pitching to a 10-12 record and 3.17 ERA in 1946. He won 17 games in 1948 in what proved to be his final good season, and hung around through 1951 in various part-time roles. Vander Meer finished his MLB career with a 119-121 record and a 3.44 ERA, but pitched in the minors through 1955, tossing a no-hitter for the Tulsa Oilers in 1952. He appeared on 14 Hall of Fame ballots, earning as much as 29.8% of the BBWAA vote in 1967. 

    Johnny Vander Meer was a very fine pitcher in his day. Although best known for his consecutive no-hitters, his career was much longer and more notable than one accomplishment. He deserves to be remembered for nearly two decades of success on the mound, not just one incredible feat. 

Ten Best Relief Pitchers Not In Cooperstown (Active Players Included)

Honorable mentions: Mike Marshall, Dan Quisenberry, Troy Percival, David Robertson 

10. Robb Nen (1993-2002)

In only ten MLB seasons, Robb Nen compiled 314 saves, making him one of 31 pitchers to reach 300 in a career. A three-time all-star, Nen had a career ERA of 2.98 and topped the NL with 45 saves in 2001. 

9. John Wetteland (1989-2000)

Perhaps best known as the predecessor to Mariano Rivera, John Wetteland was a top closer in his own right, collecting 330 saves with a 2.93 ERA from 1989 through 2000. He earned 150 saves for the Rangers and 105 for the Montreal Expos, making him one of a handful of pitchers to save 100 games for multiple teams. 

8. Joe Nathan (1999-2016)

Although not a full-time closer until age 29, Joe Nathan collected 377 career saves, ranking 11th on the all-time list. Originally a starter, his ERA sits at 2.87 for his career, but was 2.50 as a relief pitcher, better than every reliever in the Hall of Fame except Mariano Rivera and Hoyt Wilhelm. Nathan made six all-star teams and twice finished in the top 5 in the Cy Young Award voting. 

7. John Franco (1984-2005)

One of only eight men to save 400 or more games, Franco compiled 424 of them over 21 seasons (the most of any lefthander) and also tallied 90 wins. A three-time leader in saves, he pitched in the Majors until age 44, appearing in a total of 1,119 games. 

6. Francisco Rodriguez (2002-2017)

A September call-up turned instant phenom, Rodriguez struck out 13 of 21 batters in the 2002 regular season and won five games in the playoffs, helping the Angels capture their only World Series Championship. Stuck behind all-star closer Troy Percival, "K-Rod" finally became the stopper in 2005 and led the league in saves three of the next four years, setting the current single-season record with 62 in 2008. Rodriguez finished up in 2017 with six all-star selections, 437 saves, and 1,142 strikeouts. 

5. Jonathan Papelbon (2005-2016)

A six-time all-star, Papelbon had a career ERA of 2.44, lower than any Hall of Fame reliever except Rivera, despite pitching much of his career in Fenway Park. The owner of 368 saves, the highlight of Papelbon's career was the 2007 World Series, when he posted a 0.00 ERA and saved three games, including the clincher. 

4. Tom Henke (1982-1995)

A 6'5" fireballer known as The Terminator, Tom Henke was the most feared reliever of his day, blowing hitters away with his fastball or folding them with his forkball. He had a 2.67 career ERA and 311 saves, topping the AL with 34 in 1987. In 1995, he enjoyed the best season of his career, pitching to a 1.82 ERA and saving 36 games before retiring to spend time with his family. 

3. Craig Kimbrel (2010-present)

A nine-time all-star and 2011 Rookie of the Year, Kimbrel topped the NL in saves every year from 2011 through 2014, and has 440 in his career. Although no longer a dominant closer, he was nearly untouchable in his prime, sporting a 1.91 ERA and 41.6% strikeout rate between 2010 and 2018. 

2. Aroldis Chapman (2010-present)

Much could be said about the amazing career of Aroldis Chapman, from throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history as a rookie, to his incredible performance in the 2016 stretch run with the Cubs, to reestablishing himself as an elite closer in his age-37 and -38 seasons. The all-time leader in strikeouts by a relief pitcher, Chapman could take over the #1 spot on this list if he continues his superb pitching. 

1. Kenley Jansen (2010-present)

Jansen's 489 saves lead active pitchers and are the third most of all time behind Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. The owner of a 2.61 ERA and over 1,300 strikeouts, Jansen is well within reach of 1,000 appearances and 500 saves, making him a slam-dunk Hall of Fame candidate. 

Lucky Hall of Famer Number 67 - Ford Frick

Ford Christopher Frick served as NL president from 1934-1951 and as commissioner from 1951-1965. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970, but I do not believe he deserves the honor. 

    Frick was fairly unpopular both as league president and as commissioner, playing a central role in several controversies. His most unpopular decision was known as "the Asterisk," when in 1961, he requested record-keepers to list Roger Maris's new single-season home run record alongside Babe Ruth's old 154-game mark, instead of acknowledging Maris as the true record holder. Regardless of Frick's intentions, after all the pressure and abuse Maris withstood in chasing the record, the Asterisk was a slap in the face. Frick, a friend of Ruth's, seemed to let favoritism sway some of his decisions, as he was also continually accused of favoring the National League in his rulings as commissioner. 

    Frick's greatest contribution to baseball was his role in founding the Hall of Fame. However, Frick was not the only one who founded the museum, and he wasn't even the one who had the idea (that would be Stephen C. Clark). Considering the many controversies he brought upon the game as an executive, I do not believe it is enough to merit his induction. 

My opinion: Ford Frick is not a Hall of Famer. 

Ten Best Starting Pitchers Not In Cooperstown

Honorable mentions: Dolf Luque, Tommy John, Roy Oswalt 

10. Tim Hudson (1999-2015) 

Hudson was about as steady as they came, winning 222 games and losing only 133 for a remarkable .625 winning percentage, yet never won a Cy Young Award. The owner of a 3.49 career ERA, Hudson became the oldest man to start Game 7 of the World Series in 2014 at age 39. 

9. Luis Tiant (1964-1982) 

The son of a former negro league hurler, Tiant was a top pitcher in his day, winning 229 games and leading the AL in shutouts three times. A two-time ERA champ, Tiant is perhaps best known for his performance in the 1975 postseason, going 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA in four starts, including a 163-pitch victory in Game 4 of the World Series. 

8. Bret Saberhagen (1984-2001) 

Saberhagen was one of the most exciting young players in the game during the 1980's, winning two Cy Young Awards before he turned 26. The MVP of the 1985 World Series with a 0.50 ERA, Saberhagen won 167 games and lost 117 for a .588 winning percentage across sixteen seasons. 

7. Mickey Lolich (1963-1979) 

One of the most colorful characters in the game, Lolich won 217 games over 16 seasons and tallied 2,832 strikeouts, at the time a record for southpaws. He won three games in the 1968 World Series (homering in Game 2) and tossed an incredible 376 innings in 1971, the most since 1917, allowing him to win 25 games and rack up 308 K's. 

6. Jack Quinn (1909-1933) 

Jack Quinn had a late start in baseball (debuting at 25), but more than made up for it with his longevity, pitching his last game at 50. He won 247 games in his career, including 26 in 1914 and 18 in 1928 as a 44-year-old. Quinn earned MVP votes in 1931 at age 47 and led the NL in saves in both 1931 and 1932. 

5. Orel Hershiser (1983-2000) 

Nicknamed the Bulldog, Hershiser captured the nation's attention in 1988 when he threw a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings, leading to 23 wins and a Cy Young Award. He had a 2.26 ERA that season and had other seasonal marks of 2.03 (1985) and 2.31 (1989). Hershiser won 204 games in his career and additionally went 8-3 with a 2.59 ERA in the playoffs. 

4. Ron Guidry (1975-1988) 

Guidry enjoyed one of the greatest seasons any pitcher ever had in 1978, going 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA and 248 strikeouts as the runaway Cy Young Award winner. He followed up in 1979 with a second ERA Title and led the AL in wins again in 1985. Guidry won 170 games in his career and lost only 91, giving him an astronomical winning percentage of .651, one of the highest marks of all time. 

3. Billy Pierce (1945-1964) 

Pierce was one of the finest pitchers of his day, winning 211 games and making seven all-star teams. He led the Majors with a 1.97 ERA in 1955, a stunning 66 points lower than runner-up Whitey Ford (against whom Pierce had an 8-6 lifetime record). Pierce won 20 games in two different seasons and led the AL in complete games in 1956, 1957, and 1958. 

2. Johan Santana (2000-2012) 

Perhaps baseball's best pitcher in the 2000's, Santana won two Cy Young Awards and three ERA Titles during the decade, leading the AL in a litany of pitching categories. Injuries cost him his entire 2011 season and eventually ended his career, but he returned for a final season in 2012, tossing a no-hitter on June 1. He finished with 139 wins and a .641 winning percentage. 

1. Curt Schilling (1988-2007) 

I haven't written a unique article about Schilling, so I'll spend more time on him here. 

PED users aside, Curt Schilling is undoubtedly the best starting pitcher outside the Hall of Fame. Despite pitching in an artificially offense-heavy period, he had a 3.46 career ERA (127 ERA+), 216 wins, and 3,116 strikeouts, 17th on the all-time list. Although he never won a Cy Young Award, he finished second three times, twice losing to teammate Randy Johnson. A rare power pitcher who seldom issued walks, his 4.38 career K/BB rate ranked second in baseball history when he retired, trailing only Tommy Bond, who pitched before the standard four-ball walk. In addition, Schilling was one of the greatest playoff pitchers of all time, going 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA in postseason play, winning three World Series rings and two series MVP Awards (1993 NLCS, 2001 World Series). His 56 strikeouts in the 2001 postseason set a record which still stands. 

Say what you want about his conduct - during his career he won no fewer than four character-based awards (Lou Gehrig, Roberto Clemente, Branch Rickey, Hutch). By all reasonable measures, Schilling is a Hall of Famer. The only reason for his exclusion is political, and politics should have no place in the Hall of Fame debate. 

Top Ten Hall of Famers Inducted by the Veterans Committee

The Veterans Committee was founded in 1953 to honor Hall of Fame candidates overlooked by the Old Timers Committee and the BBWAA. The idea was that players of the past would be more likely to remember, and better able to assess, their contemporaries who played decades before. However, players sometimes have their biases, being more likely to remember players with whom they had closer encounters, and made a series of bad selections in the 1970's, which led to revisions to the Committee and eventually its termination in 2013 in favor of Eras Committees. 

    Despite their mistakes, the Veterans Committee did a positive service to baseball by recognizing dozens of all-time greats who would otherwise be forgotten. Here is a list of the ten best Hall of Famers inducted by the VC. 

Honorable mentions: Billy Hamilton, Chief Bender, Frank "Home Run" Baker, Sam Rice, Joe Sewell, Joe Gordon, Pee Wee Reese 

10. Goose Goslin (1968) 

Leon Allen "Goose" Goslin played leftfield from 1921 through 1938 for the Senators, Browns, and Tigers. He batted .316 in his career, winning the AL Batting Title in 1924, and had eleven seasons with 100 RBI's. Goslin's candidacy gained a boost after he was interviewed for Lawrence Ritter's 1966 bestseller The Glory of Their Times, and he was inducted by the Veterans Committee two years later. 

9. John Clarkson (1963) 

John Clarkson was a dominant pitcher in the 1880's, leading the league three times in wins, three times in strikeouts, and four times in innings, topping out at 623 in 1884. He finished playing in 1894 with 328 career wins, third on the all-time list at the time. 

8. Richie Ashurn (1995) 

Although he was overshadowed by Willie, Mickey, and the Duke in centerfield, Richie Ashburn was a top player in the 1950's, capturing two Batting Titles during the decade. In addition to his hitting, Ashburn was a marvelous defensive outfielder, leading in putouts a stunning eight times. 

7. Arky Vaughan (1985) 

Floyd Ellis "Arky" Vaughan was an all-star for nine consecutive seasons between 1934 and 1942, establishing himself as a premier shortstop in the NL. A .318 career hitter, he led the league three times each in runs scored, walks, OBP, and triples, and captured a Batting Title in 1935 with a .385 mark. 

6. Ron Santo (2012) 

The last player ever elected by the traditional Veterans Committee, Santo was a nine-time all-star, five-time Gold Glove winner at third, and four-time leader in walks. Santo hit 342 home runs from 1960 through 1974, including four straight seasons with 30 or more. 

5. Tim Keefe (1964) 

Tim Keefe was probably the best pitcher of the 19th century, winning 342 games and three ERA Titles between 1880 and 1893. He also achieved fame as an umpire. 

4. Johnny Mize (1981) 

Johnny Mize led the NL once in batting, four times in homers, and three times in RBI's, yet never won a Triple Crown. The owner of a .312 / .397 / .562 career slash line, Mize hit 51 homers in 1947 at age 34, making him one of the oldest men ever to hit 50 home runs. He had 359 longballs in his career and could have had 100 more if not for three seasons lost to military service. 

3. Jake Beckley (1971) 

First baseman Jake Beckley was one of the top sluggers of the 19th century, banging out 244 triples and 87 home runs between 1888 and 1907. A .308 career hitter, Beckley compiled nearly 3,000 hits in his twenty seasons (2,938), but was largely forgotten until the Veterans Committee rediscovered him in the early 1970's. 

2. Roger Connor (1976) 

Roger Connor was best known as baseball's all-time home run king prior to Babe Ruth, slugging 138 longballs between 1880 and 1897. As of this writing, he currently ranks in a tie for 681st in career homers. Connor batted .316 and collected 2,467 hits in his career. 

1. Sam Crawford (1957) 

"Wahoo Sam" Crawford was one of the greatest hitters of the deadball era. The first man ever to lead both the AL and NL in home runs, Crawford also led his league in triples six times, contributing to his record total of 309 career three-baggers. Crawford batted .309 over 19 seasons and finished his career just 39 hits shy of 3,000. 

Bill White Receives 2026 Buck O'Neil Award

Today, Bill White, 92, received the 2026 Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award is given to honor an individual "for extraordinary efforts to enhance baseball's positive impact on society." 

White's career as a player spanned from 1956 through 1969, although he missed all of 1957 and most of 1958 in military service. A first baseman for the Giants, Cardinals, and Phillies, White had seven 20-homer seasons, won seven Gold Gloves, and played in eight all-star games. He finished his career with a .286 batting average and 202 homers. 

In 1971, White became a broadcaster for the Yankees, a position he would hold for 18 years. In 1989, he left the broadcast booth to become NL President, which he was voted for unanimously. He served as president for five years, presiding over expansion in 1993. He later became a member of the Veterans Committee. 

Bill White served baseball for over 40 years in various capacities. His impact on the game was monumental and brought genuine improvements to our National Pastime. Congratulations to White for a well-deserved award. 

Evaluating Minor League Feats

While the minor leagues today exist solely to feed the Majors, that was not always the case. From the dawn of the 20th century until the 1950's, the quality of play in the high minor leagues, particularly the Pacific Coast League, was comparable with the Major Leagues. Many high-profile MLB players, including Ed Konetchy and Del Pratt, chose to play in these leagues for a number of reasons, including better location, competitive pay, or a longer season, when they were still quite productive in the Majors. Despite continuing their highly successful careers against quality competition, these years in the minors are often forgotten by history and the common fan. 

    This all begs the question: how important are minor league achievements in the Hall of Fame discussion? As I recently wrote in my piece on Konetchy, I don't believe these feats should count for nothing. For one thing, they provide evidence that these players could still play at a high level, and for another, the players were still helping their teams win, even if they were not Major League teams. Local leagues had pride, and players genuinely cared about representing their local clubs and helping them win (unlike today, when any players of meaningful talent use collegiate and minor league teams merely as a path to the high-paying Majors). After all, the shrine at Cooperstown is the National Baseball Hall of Fame, not the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, and leagues like the Pacific Coast League and the Texas League used to be a major part of baseball in America (especially considering that there were no MLB clubs West of St. Louis until 1957). If baseball back then were what it is today, then very few, if any, Major League stars would jump to rival leagues, but would instead compile their career statistics in the Majors, where the Hall of Fame would pay attention to them. 

    When evaluating Hall of Fame candidates who continued playing well in the high minors, I tend to use their Major League records as the baseline for their cases and look to their minor league numbers to fill in the cracks. For example, I would not advocate for Johnny Bassler due to a short MLB career, but Konetchy and Pratt could be considered borderline candidates for their Major League achievements alone, and their minor league feats can provide an extra boost to their cases. Although I give precedence to MLB statistics, being more mainstream and of somewhat higher quality, the records of the minor league stars are truly significant, both historically and statistically, and they should be recognized as such by the Hall of Fame. 

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WHY I THINK ED KONETCHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK ED KONETCHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

While first base is an offensive position today, that was not always the case. Up until around 1920 (the start of the live-ball era), ground balls, bunts, and trick plays like the Baltimore Chop were far more common than they are today, requiring the first baseman to work as hard as any other infielder. A first sacker who played from 1907 through 1921, Ed Konetchy was a strong hitter and an outstanding fielder at one of the most important positions on the diamond. Considering the hard work required to play first base in Konetchy’s era, it makes his batting feats even more impressive. 

Edward Joseph Konetchy was born on September 3, 1885, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was one of seven children to Bohemian immigrant parents. As a child he worked for a candy factory, and at age 16 he joined the factory’s baseball team. At 19 he was playing for the local professional team, the La Crosse Pinks (named after manager Pink Hawley), and after three seasons in the minors, he was ready for the Big Leagues. 

Konetchy made his MLB debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1907. After a strong all-around season, he locked down the Cards’ first base job. On a lackluster team with few bright spots, Konetchy was St. Louis’s hero for years. Not only was he developing into a top-notch defender, but he was also establishing himself as a top hitter, consistently finishing in the NL’s top ten in batting, home runs, and RBI’s. His power hitting feats earned him the nickname “Big Ed.” 

Konetchy led the league with 38 doubles in 1912 and batted .314 in 1913, sparking a thunderstorm of trade rumors. “I’m the most traded man in baseball without getting anywhere,” he once remarked. John McGraw made frequent attempts to get him, and Fred Clarke of the Pirates even considered trading an older Honus Wagner for him. Konetchy eventually went to Pittsburgh in an eight player deal (which did not include Wagner) on December 13, 1913. After an off year, he jumped to the Federal League’s Pittsburgh Rebels, where he batted .314 with 10 homers, 93 RBI’s, and led the league in total bases and extra-base hits. After the Federal League folded, Konetchy returned to the NL, playing all 158 of the Boston Braves’ games in 1916 and providing the best bat in their lineup. 

Konetchy played in the Majors until 1921, his age-36 season. He was still a productive player, batting .308 in 1920 and reaching his career high in homers in 1921. Despite playing his final MLB game, Konetchy’s career was far from over, as he spent six seasons in the minor leagues. The high minors in those days were comparable, if not equivalent, to the quality of the Major Leagues, and they sported many MLB stars still at the top of their game. Konetchy spent four of his final six seasons in class-A ball, including 1923, when he batted .307 with 50 doubles and 22 home runs, and 1925, when he hit .345 and led the Texas League in homers (41) and RBI’s (166) in 155 games. Konetchy had one more productive season in 1926 (.325 average, 21 homers) and hung up his spikes for good after a short stint in 1927. He had played 23 seasons in organized ball, collecting over 3,000 hits and 500 doubles. 

Ed Konetchy was one of the best players of his era and has a strong case for the Hall of Fame. WAR is relatively tough on him because he was a first baseman, but WAR makes the assumption that first base is a premium offensive position, whereas in Konetchy’s time that was simply not the case. In reality, he was a premier defender at a defense-first position, leading his league in fielding eight times, putouts five times, and assists five times. Konetchy was also a talented hitter with a career OPS+ of 123, a remarkable number for a defensive player. In addition to his power, Konetchy was known for his speed, stealing 255 bases and rapping 182 career triples, the most of any player outside of Cooperstown. He even tried his hand at pitching, earning a win in 1913 and throwing a complete game in 1918. And while his minor league statistics should not be counted with his MLB stats, they shouldn’t count for nothing, as they provide evidence that he could still clearly play at a high level. 

Ed Konetchy was a complete player with a long career in a pitcher-friendly era. He was consistently one of the league’s best players, both offensively and defensively, and never had a declining phase. He would be a worthy pick for the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,085 season high: 158 in 1911 and 1916 led NL: 158 in 1911 and 1916 

At Bats career: 7,649 season high: 576 in 1909 and 1915 

Hits career: 2,150 season high: 181 in 1915 

Doubles career: 344 season high: 38 in 1911 led NL: 38 in 1911 

Triples career: 182 season high: 18 in 1915 

Home Runs career: 74 season high: 11 in 1921 

Runs Scored career: 972 season high: 90 in 1911 

Runs Batted In career: 992 season high: 93 in 1915 

Stolen Bases career: 255 season high: 27 in 1911, 1913, and 1915 

Walks career: 689 season high: 81 in 1911 

Strikeouts career: 719 season high: 69 in 1908 

Batting Average career: .281 season high: .314 in 1912 and 1915 

On Base Percentage career: .346 season high: .397 in 1910 

Slugging Percentage career: .403 season high: .483 in 1915 

Total Bases career: 3,080 season high: 278 in 1915 led FL: 278 in 1915 

Sacrifice Hits career: 253 season high: 25 in 1908 and 1914 

Fielding Percentage career: .990 season high: .995 in 1913 and 1914 led NL 1B: .991 in 1910 and 1911, .995 in 1913 and 1914, .994 in 1917 and 1919, .992 in 1918 led FL 1B: .994 in 1915 

Double Plays career: 1,094 season high: 96 in 1916 led NL 1B: 96 in 1916 

Putouts career: 21,378 season high: 1,652 in 1911 led NL 1B: 1,584 in 1909, 1,499 in 1910, 1,652 in 1911, 1,576 in 1914, 1,626 in 1916 

Assists career: 1,297 season high: 122 in 1908 led NL 1B: 122 in 1908, 97 in 1909, 98 in 1910, 93 in 1914, 96 in 1916 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-Stole home twice in one game on September 30, 1907 

-Had a 20-game hitting streak from August 27 through September 22, 1910 

-Hit two inside-the-park home runs in one game on August 5, 1912 

-Tied a record with 10 consecutive hits from June 28 through July 1, 1919 

-Earned MVP votes in 1911 (22nd) and 1912 (12th) 

-Ranks 15th in career triples and 39th in sacrifice hits 

-Among MLB first baseman, he ranks third in career putouts, 15th in games, and 28th in assists 

Ferris Fain

    It's a shame that hardly anyone remembers Ferris Fain anymore. He was a truly incredible first baseman with an extraordinary batting eye, but his career lasted only nine seasons due to various injuries. While his career was too short to merit Hall of Fame consideration, Fain was a truly remarkable player who ought not to be forgotten. 

    Ferris Fain started his professional career with the San Francisco Seals in 1939, playing twelve games under manager Lefty O'Doul. He played with the Seals until 1942, when he enlisted in the service during World War II. When he returned in 1946, Fain batted .301 and led the PCL with 112 RBI's, resulting in his promotion to the Majors in 1947. 

    As a 26-year-old rookie for the Philadelphia Athletics, Fain batted .291 and drew 95 walks, giving him an on-base percentage of .414. He drew 113 walks in 1948 and had 100 or more walks in five different seasons, including two with over 130. Fain also won Batting Titles in 1952 and 1953, contributing to a lifetime OBP of .424, which is the 15th highest mark of all time (minimum 3,000 plate appearances). 

    In addition to his on-base skills, Fain developed a reputation as a brilliant defensive first baseman, particularly on bunt plays. An extremely aggressive fielder, Fain would often field bunts on the third base side of the field and throw out the lead runner, leaving his opponents in disbelief. Onlookers swore he was the best first baseman they had ever seen, and the statistics back him up. In 1949, despite playing a 154-game season, Fain turned 194 double plays, the most of any first baseman in history, topping the previous record by 31. The very next year, Fain turned 192 twin-killings, to this day the second most in history and ten more than the third-place finisher. If Gold Gloves existed back then, Fain would have been a perennial winner. 
    Unfortunately, knee troubles took their toll on Fain, and he was limited to 65 games in 1954. However, he still managed to make his fifth consecutive all-star team, combining with White Sox teammates Nellie Fox, Chico Carrasquel, and George Kell to form the first starting all-star infield from one team. Fain finished the season batting .302 and played one last season in 1955, drawing 94 walks in 114 games between the Tigers and the Indians. 

    Ferris Fain was a great player whose abilities on both offense and defense were simply magnificent. If his career were longer, he would have been a legitimate Hall of Fame candidate. Nonetheless, Fain made his mark on baseball history and ought to be remembered today. 

Lucky Hall of Famer Number 66 - Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kuhn was the Commissioner of Baseball from 1969 through 1984 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007. As I wrote in December of 2022, most commissioners do not deserve a spot in the Hall, but Kuhn was especially dubious. 

    During his time as commissioner, baseball underwent a period of great turmoil. The first-ever player strike occurred in 1972 and the umpires struck in 1979. In 1981, the season was torn apart by the worst player strike in history to that point. Over Kuhn's 16 seasons as commissioner, MLB was faced by no less than eight work stoppages of varying significance. 

    Other than the changes to the reserve clause during his tenure, on which I have no comment, Kuhn's most controversial decision as commissioner was to ban Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle from baseball due to their employment at casinos. However, neither Mays nor Mantle promoted sports betting, much less betting on baseball, but worked as greeters and autograph signers. While Kuhn meant to disassociate from any kind of gambling "in the best interests of the game," banning two of the most famous players in history wasn't exactly in the game's best interest. The bans were lifted almost immediately by Kuhn's successor Peter Ueberroth in 1985. 

One last note: Kuhn's Hall of Fame plaque mentions that he tripled MLB attendance. As a matter of fact, even with the expansion of the league, attendance did not come close to tripling between 1968 and 1985. 

My opinion: Bowie Kuhn is not a Hall of Famer. 

Amazing Baseball Quote #15

"All the fat guys watch me and say to their wives, 'See, there's a fat guy doing okay. Bring me another beer.'" - Mickey Lolich 

Lolich opened a donut shop in the Detroit area in 1977. 

Yogi-isms

Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra was an all-time great player, winning three MVP Awards and ten World Series rings with the Yankees. He was also well-known for a little bit of an odd personality, which led to some utterly hilarious quotes. Here are my ten favorite "Yogi-isms." 

"All pitchers are either liars or crybabies." 

"Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded." 

"You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise they won't come to yours." 

"You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six." 

"Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets." 

"It was impossible to get a conversation going - everybody was talking too much." 

"The future ain't what it used to be." 

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." 

"Ninety percent of baseball is half mental." 

"I never said most of the things I said." 

There are many more priceless quotes I could have picked from, but these are my top ten. Anyone else have any favorites? 

Lucky Hall of Famer Number 65 - Dave Parker

My first official backtrack in article form on this blog, I previously advocated for Dave Parker in 2021, prior to his election in 2024. Since then, I have become more of a small-Hall guy, and after reevaluating his career, I have changed my mind about his case. He was a very good player, but short of the Hall's standards. 

    A seven-time all-star, two-time Batting Champion, and 1978 NL MVP, Parker was an imposing figure on the diamond, standing 6'5" and weighing a robust 230 pounds. He hit over 20 home runs in nine different seasons and drove in as many as 125 runs in 1985. All told, Parker hit 339 home runs and collected 2,712 hits while batting .290 over a 19-year career. 

    Despite beefy counting statistics and a few great individual seasons, Parker wasn't consistently one of the game's greatest players. While he was certainly one of the best for a five-year stretch in the late 1970's, he was merely average for the rest of his career, except for two strong seasons in 1985 and 1986. His .290 / .339 / .471 slash line was good, but a little weak for a Hall of Fame rightfielder who didn't reach 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. And despite winning three Gold Gloves, he was a mediocre fielder, leading his league in errors seven times. He also played 484 games as a DH, which allowed him to play past age 40 and compile his counting statistics while providing little value to his club. 

My opinion: Dave Parker is probably not a Hall of Famer. 

Amazing Baseball Quote #14

"The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing." - Dizzy Dean 

Already known as Dizzy before the quote, Jay Hanna Dean was a colorful and very quotable character in his day. Pinch running in Game 4 of the 1934 World Series, Dean was struck on the head by a thrown ball, and he made this candid quote to reporters when describing the incident. 

One of the best pitchers in the game in the 1930's, Dean later became a famous broadcaster. 

Lucky Hall of Famer Number 64 - Tom Yawkey

Tom Yawkey was the owner of the Boston Red Sox from 1933 until his death in 1976. He also served as the AL Vice President from 1956 through 1973. Yawkey was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, but I don't exactly understand why. 

    While Yawkey was a longtime executive in baseball, he didn't bring much success to the game. His Hall of Fame plaque mentions that his team was the first to travel by plane, but that was about the extent of Yawkey's impact. In his 44 seasons with the Red Sox, they only won three pennants and no World Series, so he couldn't have been elected for his club's success. He seems to only be in the Hall for having a long career, not for any particularly important accomplishments. In my opinion, a long career is not enough to merit induction on its own. 

    Despite being in the Hall of Fame, Yawkey's name has often been mentioned with distaste. The Red Sox were the last existing MLB team to integrate, not fielding their first black player until 1959. Whatever the reason may be, the ensuing controversy didn't exactly help Yawkey's image, and it doesn't make me more inclined to support his already weak Hall of Fame case. 

My opinion: Tom Yawkey is not a Hall of Famer. 

Some Other Things to Look for in a HOF Candidate (Beyond Statistics)

Very often when considering Hall of Fame candidates, it is tempting to reduce them merely to names and numbers. Of course historical context is important too, but evaluating careers commonly becomes nothing more than a math problem. Does he have enough hits? A high enough WAR? 
    While statistics are undoubtedly important, even primary, in discerning fitting candidates, there are more to players than merely their numbers, as they had a real historical impact on the game, for better or for worse. Here are some other factors I tend to look for in a candidate beyond what is recorded in the stat sheet, which affect the game both on and off the field. 

1. A truly good baseball player is a good teammate. Baseball is a team sport, and damaging influences on a team's culture can prove cancerous to a ballclub's on-field success. If a team doesn't work well together, then it generally won't succeed. This is true at any level at which the game is played. 

2. A Hall of Famer should treat fans well and generally be a good ambassador for the sport. After all, professional baseball is ultimately entertainment, and the players are the entertainers (and often celebrities). Being a good entertainer is vital to being a respectable MLB player. Hall of Famers should also help serve the game in other ways besides their on-field contributions and should never harm the game in any respect. 

3. Like any other profession, baseball is a job, so one must be a good employee. Again, being a team player is critical to being a good player, as is showing up on time, giving your best effort, respecting superiors such as managers, and generally avoiding unreasonable contract disputes. 

4. Something that is key to on-field success is good strategy. In today's fast-paced game, the intricacies of each pitch are easily lost, and the only strategy today seems to be throwing harder, hitting farther, and running faster. In addition to these necessary skills, intelligence and heads-up play can make the difference between a win and a loss. For example, Willie Mays sometimes used to awkwardly whiff on breaking pitches early in a game in hopes of getting the same pitch in a critical spot later in the game, leading to many clutch RBI's. Roberto Clemente used to bobble singles on purpose to bait runners to try for second, where he'd often gun them down. Al Kaline and countless others in years past sacrificed many an at bat by moving runners with ground balls, which counts negatively in the stat sheet but is very beneficial in a game. A truly great baseball player is not only fast and strong, but also smart and team-oriented. 

5. While fielding statistics, both traditional and advanced, are important in evaluating a player's defense, they remain very limited, more so than other statistics. Therefore, contemporary opinion and the eye test are important when considering a player's defense. Outstanding plays often count just the same as average ones, and many errors were committed on difficult plays that are rarely attempted today, leading to a discrepancy between statistics and on-field impact. Additionally, there are plays that are not accounted for in fielding statistics that are absolutely necessary to make and can often save a game. For example, saving an errant throw or choosing to hold the ball (and thereby a runner) are critical to a locked-down defense, but do not receive their proper credit in the record books (it looks as though nothing happened, when in reality the play saved something from happening). In addition, errors are usually only charged for physical errors, not mental errors (which can be worse depending on the situation). 

Just as a disclaimer, I am not saying these things should replace common methods of statistical analysis in evaluating a Hall of Fame candidate, nor am I discrediting the Ty Cobbs of the world as Hall of Famers. I am merely suggesting that these things can and should make some sort of difference in considering candidates, and indeed they could be enough to sway one's perspective on a borderline candidate.