Second Round Of Cuts

In September 2021, I published a post (https://thecooperstownadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/09/i-take-it-back.html) rescinding my arguments for some players I had written about on this blog. As I got a clearer understanding of what the Hall of Fame is and what it takes to earn a plaque, I have decided not to publish certain players in my book. Some more players who have appeared on the blog but will not (as of now) be advocated for in the book: 

Dave Foutz 

Mike (Elmer) Smith 

Mel Parnell 

Duke Farrell 

Jim Gilliam 

George Gore 

Pete Browning 

Harry Stovey 

Mike Griffin 

Charlie Buffinton 

Guy Hecker 

Hardy Richardson 

Cupid Childs 

Bob Caruthers 

Tip O'Neill 

Vern Stephens 

Ed McKean 

John Franco 

Frank Howard 

Robb Nen 

Allie Reynolds 

Al Rosen 

Ted Kluszewski 

Dick Groat 

Hal Trosky 

Charlie Keller 

John Wetteland 

Spud Davis 

Roger Peckinpaugh 

Fred Dunlap 

Herman Long 

Ginger Beaumont 

Glenn Wright 

Rudy York 

Mort Cooper 

Walker Cooper 

A.J. Pierzynski 

Bob Boone 

Jack Taylor 

Bobby Thomson 

Roger Maris 

Many of these guys are 19th century players who had impressive statistics, but compiled them mostly in inferior leagues, like the AA, NA, or UA. All the players on this list were good - some were very good - but probably not Hall of Famers. This isn't the end of the line for these players, however: I am constantly revising the players on my list, looking for the very best outside of Cooperstown. Let me know if you think I should include one of these guys in my book. 

WHY I THINK HARDY RICHARDSON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK HARDY RICHARDSON SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Hardy Richardson was, first of all, a very versatile fielder, playing second base, third base, and the outfield, compiling a career fielding percentage 16 points above the league average. Anywhere his managers needed him, they could be sure that he would give them consistent defense. At the bat, Richardson was a great power hitter, twice leading the MLB in homers and driving in 152 runs in 1890 at the age of 35. Rather famous in his time, Richardson was one of the “Big Four” (along with Jack Rowe, Dan Brouthers, and Deacon White) who played together for many years with two teams, leading the Detroit Wolverines to a championship in 1887. Hardy Richardson started his career with the Buffalo Bisons in 1879, batting .283 as a rookie. In 1881, the Big Four came together, and would dominate the NL hitting leaderboards until 1888. From 1883 through 1887, Richardson had five consecutive .300 seasons, leading the NL in hits and home runs in 1886. Richardson missed 76 of the Wolverines’ 134 games in 1888, but regrouped in 1889, hitting .304 in 132 games. In 1890, he joined the one year Players' League, and probably would have been the league MVP considering that he led the Majors in homers (16) and RBI’s (152) and led the Boston Reds to the pennant. In 1891, Richardson broke his foot, which devastated the rest of his career. He was no longer a nimble fielder, so he had to knock the ball out of the park to stay in the lineup. Richardson played in 148 more games in 1891-92 before he called it quits. Hardy Richardson was a great hitter, a consistent run producer, and a terrific fielder. He helped his clubs very much on both offense and defense, and was considered an elite player during his career. He would be a good addition to the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,334 season high: 133 in 1890 

At Bats career: 5,657 season high: 570 in 1890 led NL: 538 in 1886 

Hits career: 1,694 season high: 189 in 1886 led NL: 189 in 1886 

Doubles career: 305 season high: 34 in 1883 

Triples career: 126 season high: 18 in 1887 

Home Runs career: 73 season high: 16 in 1890 led NL: 11 in 1886 led PL: 16 in 1890 

Runs career: 1,127 season high: 133 in 1890 

Runs Batted In career: 828 season high: 152 in 1890 led PL: 152 in 1890 

Stolen Bases career: 207 season high: 47 in 1889 (Richardson’s stolen base information prior to 1886 is unavailable) 

Walks career: 377 season high: 52 in 1890 

Strikeouts career: 446 season high: 47 in 1890 

Batting Average career: .299 season high: .351 in 1886 

On Base Percentage career: .344 season high: .402 in 1886 

Slugging Percentage career: .437 season high: .511 in 1890 

Total Bases career: 2,470 season high: 291 in 1890 led PL: 291 in 1890 

Sacrifice Hits career: N/A 

Fielding Percentage career: .913 season high: .959 in 1890 

Double Plays career: 266 season high: 45 in 1889 led NL 3B: 13 in 1879 

Putouts career: 3,243 season high: 328 in 1887 led led NL 2B: 275 in 1882 

Assists career: 2,529 season high: 344 in 1883 led NL OF: 45 in 1881 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-nicknamed “Old True Blue” 

-led the NL in plate appearances (584) and singles (140) in 1886 

-led NL third basemen in games (78) in 1879 

-went 3-0 on the mound with six career strikeouts in 16 innings 

-homered in the 1887 World Series 

-set a Major League record with homers in five straight games in July of 1890 

-hit four home runs each off of Hall of Famers Hoss Radbourn and John Clarkson, three off of Jim McCormick, two off of Charlie Buffinton, and one each off of Tim Keefe, Mickey Welch, John Montgomery Ward, and George Van Haltren 

-his 45 outfield assists in 1881, accumulated in only 79 games, rank third in MLB history 

-also played six games at catcher, 16 at first base, and 21 at shortstop 

As a side note, in my book, I will consider more statistics, including range factor. What reminded me to bring this up was Hardy Richardson’s amazing range factor. His career mark of 6.40 per game at second base ranks second in MLB history (minimum of 500 games), behind Joe Gerhardt.

WHY I THINK MIKE GRIFFIN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK MIKE GRIFFIN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Mike Griffin was probably the most dominant defensive centerfielder of all time. I say dominant because, compared to the average defender of his time, Griffin was otherworldly. His overall fielding percentage in the outfield - recorded mostly without a glove - was .956, a whopping 40 points higher than the league average. If a team wants to have a shot at a championship, it is vitally important that the centerfielder, who has higher priority and more space than any other fielder, is doing a good job out there. However, no matter how good a defensive centerfielder you are, that alone won’t get you into Cooperstown. Griffin was one of the handful of players ever to bat .300 or better in his first and last MLB seasons, retaining a lifetime mark of .296 across twelve seasons. Mike Griffin started his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles (AA) in 1887, batting .301 with 94 stolen bases. In a rather interesting statistical fluke, Griffin also had 94 RBI’s that season, and had the exact same totals (46 and 46) again the following season. Griffin led the Majors in runs scored in 1889 and jumped to the Players’ League in 1890. In its only season of operation, the PL welcomed an established star in Griffin, who put up a solid season with the Philadelphia Quakers. After the PL crumbled, Griffin found himself on the Brooklyn Grooms, and he led the MLB in doubles. After the mound was moved to its present distance in 1893, the whole league started hitting a lot more, and Griffin was no exception. In 1894 and 1895, he batted a combined .343 with a .453 on base percentage. Just think about what he could have done if the mound was never 50 feet away from the plate. You couldn’t afford to flinch if you wanted to hit the ball. Anyway, Griffin continued hitting steadily for the rest of his career, and was still at the top of his game in 1898, his age 33 season. He finished the year at .300 and filled in as an interim manager for a time, and signed a $3,500 contract to manage the club the following season. However, before the 1899 season started, Baltimore and Brooklyn merged together (as was not uncommon back then), and Ned Hanlon was named manager instead. Upset, Griffin sued the club and won $2,300. He then voluntarily retired from baseball. Mike Griffin was a fine hitter, a terrific defensive centerfielder, and a prolific base thief. Even though his lawsuit left a bad taste in everybody’s mouth and is what he’s best remembered for, we must not forget Mike Griffin the player, one of the greatest players of the 19th century and the game’s first great centerfielder. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,513 season high: 137 in 1888 and 1889 

At Bats career: 5,923 season high: 542 in 1888 

Hits career: 1,755 season high: 174 in 1895 

Doubles career: 314 season high: 38 in 1895 led NL: 36 in 1891 

Triples career: 108 season high: 14 in 1889 

Home Runs career: 42 season high: 6 in 1890 and 1893 

Runs career: 1,406 season high: 152 in 1889 led AA: 152 in 1889 

Runs Batted In career: 720 season high: 94 in 1887 

Stolen Bases career: 473 season high: 94 in 1887 

Walks career: 809 season high: 93 in 1895 

Strikeouts career: 284 season high: 36 in 1892 

Batting Average career: .296 season high: .357 in 1894 

On Base Percentage career: .388 season high: .466 in 1894 

Slugging Percentage career: .407 season high: .485 in 1894 

Total Bases career: 2,411 season high: 238 in 1895 

Sacrifice Hits career: 38 season high: 12 in 1897 (Griffin’s sacrifice hit information prior to 1894 is unavailable) 

Fielding Percentage career: .950 season high: .977 in 1892 led NL OF: .960 in 1891, .986 in 1892, .965 in 1893, .969 in 1895, .974 in 1898 

Double Plays career: 83 season high: 13 in 1889 led PL OF: 10 in 1890 led NL OF: 12 in 1895 

Putouts career: 3,598 season high: 357 in 1895 led NL OF: 353 in 1891, 357 in 1895 

Assists career: 338 season high: 91 in 1889 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-led AA outfielders in games (137) in 1888 

-averaged better than a run scored per game in six of his twelve seasons 

-hit three home runs each off of Hall of Famers Kid Nichols and Amos Rusie and one each off of Hank O’Day, Vic Willis, Charlie Buffinton, Silver King, and John Clarkson 

-ranks 45th in career stolen bases 

-among MLB outfielders, ranks seventh in career double plays and 23rd in assists 

-his 12 double plays from the outfield in 1895 are the fourth most of all time, and his ten in 1890 rank 27th 

-also played 28 games at shortstop, seven at second base, 14 in rightfield, and seven in leftfield

WHY I THINK HARRY STOVEY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK HARRY STOVEY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Harry Stovey was one of the best overall players in the 1880’s, especially when it was his turn to hit. He set the single season home run record with 14 in 1883, was one of three players ever to average better than a run per game (the others were Billy Hamilton and George Gore), and dominated pretty much every offensive leaderboard in the 1880’s. A complete player, Stovey backed up his home runs with a high batting average, patience, and well over 500 career stolen bases. Not only was he the whole package on offense, but he was also a strong fielder both at first base (a defensive position until about 1925) and in the outfield. Harry Stovey began his career in 1880 with the Worcester Ruby Legs and immediately left his mark, leading the Majors in homers as a rookie. He would lead two leagues in home runs a total of five times, his next win being in 1883. In 1885, he became baseball’s career home run leader with 50, and would hold the title until 1887. Stovey regained the crown in 1889 and held it until 1894, when he was passed up by Roger Connor, the man who Babe Ruth eventually beat. Stovey joined the one year Players’ League in 1890, and continued his hitting ways with the Boston Reds, batting .298 with a dozen longballs and a league leading 97 stolen bases. Stovey had one last big season in 1891 (.279 average, MLB best 16 homers), but by 1892, he started to slow down a bit. Stovey was still an above average player when he stepped away from the game in 1893. In retirement, he became a police officer. Harry Stovey was a superb hitter, a proficient run producer, and a solid fielder whose career and reputation suggest that he was one of the very best players who ever lived. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,489 season high: 137 in 1889 led AA: 112 in 1885 

At Bats career: 6,153 season high: 556 in 1889 

Hits career: 1,775 season high: 171 in 1889 

Doubles career: 348 season high: 38 in 1889 led AA: 31 in 1883 

Triples career: 176 season high: 23 in 1884 led NL: 14 in 1880, 20 in 1891 led AA: 23 in 1884, 20 in 1888 

Home Runs career: 122 season high: 19 in 1889 led NL: 6 in 1880, 16 in 1891 led AA: 14 in 1883, 13 in 1885, 19 in 1889 

Runs career: 1,495 season high: 152 in 1889 led AA: 110 in 1883, 124 in 1884, 130 in 1885, 152 in 1889 

Runs Batted In career: 912 season high: 119 in 1889 led AA: 119 in 1889 

Stolen Bases career: 509 season high: 97 in 1890 led AA: 68 in 1886 led PL: 97 in 1890 (Stovey’s stolen base information prior to 1886 is unavailable) 

Walks career: 664 season high: 82 in 1890 

Strikeouts career: 452 season high: 69 in 1888 and 1891 led NL: 69 in 1891 (Stovey’s strikeout information from 1883 through 1886 is unavailable) 

Batting Average career: .288 season high: .326 in 1884 

On Base Percentage career: .361 season high: .403 in 1890 

Slugging Percentage career: .462 season high: .545 in 1884 led AA: .506 in 1883, .525 in 1889 led NL: .498 in 1891 

Total Bases career: 2,841 season high: 292 in 1889 led AA: 213 in 1883, 292 in 1889 led NL: 271 in 1891 

Sacrifice Hits career: N/A 

Fielding Percentage career: .943 season high: .963 in 1883 led AA 1B: .965 in 1883 

Double Plays career: 286 season high: 49 in 1885 

Putouts career: 7,527 season high: 1,061 in 1884 

Assists career: 329 season high: 38 in 1889 led AA 1B: 28 in 1885 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-was the first player in MLB history to (1), hit 100 home runs, (2), wear sliding pads, and (3), slide feet first 

-also led his league in extra-base hits five times, home run percentage four times, and plate appearances once 

-pitched four career games, striking out seven batters in 9 ⅓ innings 

-was also the career leader in triples for a time 

-hit for the cycle on May 15, 1888 

-hit three triples in one game on July 21, 1892 and two in one inning on August 18, 1884 

-hit five home runs each off of Guy Hecker and Silver King, four each off of Hoss Radbourn, Tim Keefe, Mickey Welch, Jim McCormick, and Will White, three off of Tony Mullane, two each off of Pud Galvin, Bob Caruthers, and George Van Haltren, and one each off of Hank O’Day, Mike Smith, and Dave Foutz (sheesh!) 

-ranks 21st in career triples and 35th in stolen bases

fix label outfielder

WHY I THINK A.J. PIERZYNSKI SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK A.J. PIERZYNSKI SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

A.J. Pierzynski’s Hall of Fame case rests on a lot of principles upon which Bob Boone’s lies: on the value of a good, durable catcher. Catchers have by far the toughest job of any player on a baseball team, and while this point is important and needs to be stressed, I won’t get into any of the details as I have several times before. Catchers have an insane amount of work to get done, and it is reflected in their lack of big hitting statistics compared with players from other positions. Pierzynski, however, was a superb hitter for his entire career, batting .300 or better in four full seasons and .280 for his career. He collected over 2,000 hits (13th among MLB catchers), including 407 doubles (fourth). He hit 188 homers (21st), including 27 in 2012, his age 35 season. Some may knock his defense, citing a relatively low caught stealing percentage of .245, which is almost Piazza-esque, but he backed it up with a nifty .995 career fielding percentage - 12th in history among MLB catchers (minimum 500 games caught). Pierzynski also ranks high in games caught (ninth) and putouts (fifth), and led the AL in double plays three times. He also caught two no-hitters in his career, including Phil Humber’s perfect game on April 21, 2012. This probably offsets a low caught stealing percentage. Pierzynski also had remarkable longevity (19 seasons), and a head for the game, which mostly went unnoticed but showed itself infamously in the 2005 ALCS. In Game 2, the score was 1-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, when Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar retired the first two hitters and struck Pierzynski out. However, Pierzynski thought the ball might have skipped in the dirt, and ran to first base after Angels catcher Josh Paul rolled the ball back to the mound. Home plate umpire Doug Eddings let him stay, which caused a minor rhubarb. In the end, Pierzynski was called safe, replaced by a pinch runner, and the White Sox won the game when the pinch runner scored on a Joe Crede double. While the White Sox beat the Angels in five games, it was still a significant occurrence, and who knows if any other batter would have thought to do it. It’s just things like that. Pierzynski may not have peppered stat lines like, say, Johnny Bench did, but he was very good at baseball. He was a heady receiver, a talented hitter, and a complete player. To put A.J. Pierzynski in the Hall of Fame shows that the Hall really knows what it’s talking about. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,059 season high: 140 in 2006 

At Bats career: 7,290 season high: 534 in 2008 

Hits career: 2,043 season high: 152 in 2003 

Doubles career: 407 season high: 35 in 2003 

Triples career: 24 season high: 6 in 2002 

Home Runs career: 188 season high: 27 in 2012 

Runs career: 807 season high: 68 in 2012 

Runs Batted In career: 909 season high: 77 in 2004 and 2012 

Stolen Bases career: 15 season high: 3 in 2003 and 2010 

Walks career: 308 season high: 28 in 2012 

Strikeouts career: 895 season high: 78 in 2012 

Batting Average career: .280 season high: .312 in 2003 

On Base Percentage career: .319 season high: .360 in 2003 

Slugging Percentage career: .420 season high: .501 in 2012 

Total Bases career: 3,062 season high: 240 in 2012 

Sacrifice Hits career: 28 season high: 6 in 2010 

Fielding Percentage career: .995 season high: .999 in 2004 and 2005 led AL C: .999 in 2005, .995 in 2011, .998 in 2013 

Double Plays career: 101 season high: 8 in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013 led AL C: 8 in 2005, 2012, and 2013 

Putouts career: 12,600 season high: 913 in 2008 led AL C: 865 in 2010 

Assists career: 823 season high: 71 in 2012 led AL C: 71 in 2012 

Caught Stealing Percentage career: .245 season high: .329 in 2013 

Pickoffs career: 9 season high: 2 in 2001 and 2010 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-finished 30th in the AL MVP Award voting in 2006 

-was a two time all-star (in 2002 and 2006) 

-won a Silver Slugger award in 2012 

-was named AL Player of the Week on April 6, 2008 

-handled 962 consecutive errorless chances across two seasons, establishing the AL record at any position 

-went 1-for-3 in his final MLB game 

-batted .292/.367/.500 with five homers and 18 RBI’s in 32 career postseason games, and helped the White Sox to their first World Series victory in 88 years in 2005 

-became the sixth player in history to homer in five consecutive games in 2012 

-ranks 43rd in career hit by pitch (129) 

-also played 32 games as a DH and 165 as a pinch hitter 

-has been a full time MLB broadcaster since 2017, and called postseason games while still active in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015

WHY I THINK BOB BOONE SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK BOB BOONE SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

Bob Boone’s Hall of Fame case is heavily based on the underappreciated job that every catcher has to play (see a previous post, Catchers and Third Basemen). As for Boone in particular, he was the most durable catcher of the modern era. He retired with the career record for games caught, played his last season at 42, and had two of his best offensive seasons at 40 and 41. Bob Boone started his career with the Phillies in 1972, batting .275 in 16 games. Boone took over as the Phils’ regular catcher in 1973, hitting 10 homers and driving in 61 runs en route to a third place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year Award balloting. In 1976, Boone batted .271 and was named to his first all-star team. He did better in 1977, batting .284 with 11 homers, but didn’t get the nod. No matter. He got it in 1978 with nearly identical offensive numbers and his first of seven Gold Glove awards. Boone had another fine season in 1979 but slumped in 1980, batting .229. He made up for his lackluster regular season performance by helping the Phillies to their first ever World Series Championship, batting .412 with four RBI’s and catching all six games against the Royals. In 1981, the strike hit, splitting the season in half. Boone led the Phillies to another postseason but was largely unappreciated because he led the players in negotiations during the strike. He was traded to the Angels after the season and helped the Angels to their second ever division title. Boone homered and drove in four runs in the ALCS, but they lost out to the Brewers. Boone had another all-star season in 1983 but hit solid ground in 1984, batting a career worst .202. At 36, it looked like his career was over, but in 1986 he helped the Angels to the postseason and started a mini-streak by winning four consecutive Gold Gloves. In 1988, Boone hit a robust .295, and had one last big year in 1989 with a .274 mark for the Royals. Boone played part of the 1990 season, but a broken finger led to his retirement. While Boone was a renowned defensive catcher and a convincing hitter, he was best known for his family ties. He was the son of Ray Boone, quite the player himself in the 1950’s. Two of his sons - Bret and Aaron - also made the Big Leagues and both became famous. Anyway, Bob Boone was a legendary defensive catcher, incredibly durable, and a strong hitter for a backstopper. Anyone who knows baseball and the Hall of Fame well enough can understand why Bob Boone is included here, and he really should be in Cooperstown today. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,264 season high: 150 in 1985 

At Bats career: 7,245 season high: 521 in 1973 

Hits career: 1,838 season high: 136 in 1973 

Doubles career: 303 season high: 26 in 1977 

Triples career: 26 season high: 4 in 1977 and 1978 

Home Runs career: 105 season high: 12 in 1978 

Runs career: 679 season high: 55 in 1977 

Runs Batted In career: 826 season high: 66 in 1977 

Stolen Bases career: 38 season high: 5 in 1977 

Walks career: 663 season high: 49 in 1979 and 1989 

Strikeouts career: 608 season high: 54 in 1977 

Batting Average career: .254 season high: .295 in 1988 

On Base Percentage career: .315 season high: .352 in 1988 

Slugging Percentage career: .346 season high: .436 in 1977 

Total Bases career: 2,508 season high: 192 in 1977 

Sacrifice Hits career: 142 season high: 23 in 1982 

Fielding Percentage career: .986 season high: .991 in 1989 led NL C: .991 in 1978 

Double Plays career: 155 season high: 16 in 1973 and 1986 led AL C: 12 in 1983, 15 in 1985, 16 in 1986 

Putouts career: 11,325 season high: 868 in 1973 led NL C: 825 in 1974 led AL C: 650 in 1982, 752 in 1989 

Assists career: 1,185 season high: 89 in 1973 led NL C: 89 in 1973 led AL C: 87 in 1982, 83 in 1983, 71 in 1984, 84 in 1986, 66 in 1988 

Caught Stealing Percentage career: .397 season high: .582 in 1982 led AL C: .582 in 1982, .441 in 1985, .463 in 1987 

Pickoffs career: 79 season high: 9 in 1973 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-finished 16th in the AL MVP Award voting in 1982 

-finished 23rd in the NL MVP Award voting in 1978 

-batted .400 with two RBI’s in four all-star games 

-went 2-for-3 with an RBI in his final MLB game 

-batted .311 in 36 career postseason games 

-caught 117 career shutouts 

-six times led the AL in games caught and three times led his league in caught stealing 

-caught Mike Witt’s perfect game on September 30, 1984 

-hit four home runs off of Hall of Famer Jack Morris, two off of Don Sutton, and one each off of Phil Niekro and Juan Marichal 

-went 371-444 as a manager and managed son Aaron on the Reds from 2001 to 2003 

-among MLB catchers, ranks third in career games caught, seventh in double plays, tenth in putouts, 26th in assists, and 27th in caught stealing 

-also played eight games at first base, seven at third base, one in leftfield, one as a DH, 50 as a pinch hitter, and one as a pinch runner 

-coached the Reds in 1994