Lucky Hall Of Famer Number 37 - Leo Durocher

    Leo Durocher made the Hall of Fame as a manager in 1994. He won 2,008 games, but also lost 1,709 for a career winning percentage of just .540. This is not a Hall of Fame number. Additionally, Durocher was nicknamed "The Lip" because he couldn't keep his mouth shut, and he often let the umpires have it when he disagreed with a call. As a result, he was ejected 100 times, the third most of all time. 

    Most importantly, Durocher was suspended for the entire 1947 season by commissioner Happy Chandler for associations with known gamblers. Look at what happened with Pete Rose, a man who actually did have Hall of Fame worthy credentials. He was kicked out of baseball for life. Durocher, despite his bad reputation and low winning percentage, did make the Hall of Fame, and right when the Pete Rose story was big news. 

My opinion: Leo Durocher is not a Hall of Famer. 

WHY I THINK CUPID CHILDS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK CUPID CHILDS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

Cupid Childs was one of the greatest all around second basemen who ever lived. Very few people nowadays have heard of him, and he is probably best known for his nickname, given him because he supposedly looked like a cherub (an angel of the second choir). A fine offensive second baseman, Childs batted .306 for his career with a .416 on base percentage and over a hundred triples. An ideal leadoff man, Childs had four seasons over .330 and scored 1,214 runs in only 1,457 games. Childs was also no slouch in the field, as he made more plays than the average second baseman of his era and thus put up robust career totals in every defensive statistic. Cupid Childs first made the Big Leagues in 1888 with the Philadelphia Quakers, but played in only two games before he saw his next Major League action in 1890. That season, he played for the Syracuse Nationals in the American Association, batted .345, and led the AA in doubles. He was traded to the Cleveland Spiders in 1891 and he starred, playing eight years with the club and enjoying the prime of his career. In 1892, he led the NL in both runs scored and OBP and helped the Spiders to the postseason, where he batted .409/.519/.591 in a losing cause. The Spiders would later win the Temple Cup in 1895. In 1896, Childs reached the 100 walk/100 run/100 RBI pinnacle for the only time in his career, and further joined an exclusive club with 100 RBI’s in a season with less than ten home runs (he had one). Childs batted .288 in 1898 and was moved over to the St. Louis Perfectos by a group that owned both clubs. The move, and several other unwise transactions, spelled disaster for the Spiders, as they fell from 81-68-7 (fifth place in the NL) to 20-134 (12th, and the worst record in MLB history). At any rate, Childs had one decent season in St. Louis (despite contracting malaria, which derailed the rest of his career) and two mediocre ones with the Cubs before he called it quits. Cupid Childs was a fine hitter, a good run producer, a practitioner of angelic patience, and a strong fielder. He has a solid case for the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 1,457 season high: 145 in 1892 led NL: 141 in 1891 

At Bats career: 5,622 season high: 558 in 1892 

Hits career: 1,721 season high: 177 in 1892 and 1896 

Doubles career: 205 season high: 33 in 1890 led AA: 33 in 1890 

Triples career: 101 season high: 14 in 1890 

Home Runs career: 20 season high: 4 in 1895 

Runs career: 1,214 season high: 145 in 1893 led NL: 136 in 1892 

Runs Batted In career: 743 season high: 106 in 1896 

Stolen Bases career: 269 season high: 56 in 1890 

Walks career: 991 season high: 120 in 1893 

Strikeouts career: 228 season high: 32 in 1891 (Childs’s strikeout information from 1890 is unavailable) 

Batting Average career: .306 season high: .355 in 1896 

On Base Percentage career: .416 season high: .475 in 1894 led NL: .443 in 1892 

Slugging Percentage career: .389 season high: .481 in 1890 

Total Bases career: 2,188 season high: 237 in 1890 

Sacrifice Hits career: 90 season high: 20 in 1900 (Childs’s sacrifice hit information from before 1894 is unavailable) 

Fielding Percentage career: .930 season high: .944 in 1897 

Double Plays career: 602 season high: 73 in 1896 led NL 2B: 73 in 1896 

Putouts career: 3,868 season high: 375 in 1890 and 1896 led NL 2B: 375 in 1896, 323 in 1900 

Assists career: 4,681 season high: 487 in 1896 led NL 2B: 487 in 1896, 431 in 1900 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-led the AA in extra-base hits in 1890 (49) 

-led the NL in times on base in 1892 (303) 

-led NL second basemen in games in 1891, 1896, and 1900 

-led the NL in assists in 1896 

-hit two home runs off of Silver King and one off of Tim Keefe 

-his 18 total chances at second base on June 1, 1890 tied the single game record 

-is the Cleveland Spiders’ all time leader in career walks (758) 

-ranks 27th in career on base percentage 

-among MLB second baseman, ranks 44th in career games, 23rd in putouts, and 34th in assists 

-also played one game at shortstop in 1890

Active Starting Pitchers

Corey Kluber won game number 100 this season, but he blew his career ERA up another three points and wasted another season to solidify himself as a future candidate. He's got a very small chance of righting the ship and actually putting together a Hall of Fame worthy resume. 

Gerrit Cole had a good season for the Yankees (16-8, 3.23), but I don't really like his chances. He's got 117 wins at 31, and is going to get a bum rap for the cheating rumors. 

Chris Sale won five games in nine starts this season. He hasn't really produced at an average level since 2018, when he was just untouchable. If he can't get back to form, he'll be left out of Cooperstown. 

Jacob deGrom went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 15 starts this year. He's absolutely one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but if he can't last (77 career wins in 198 starts through his age 33 season), then I guess he can't make it. He needs 73 wins to match Dizzy Dean's total, who's got the fewest wins among Hall of Fame starters and had a similar career. 

Stephen Strasburg may still be in his prime, as he has pitched only 26 2/3 innings since 2019, when he led the NL in wins and innings. He's got only 113 lifetime wins and a 3.16 ERA, and seeing as how he's lost two seasons to injuries, I suspect that he won't make it. 

Madison Bumgarner had an appalling season with the Diamondbacks (4.67 ERA in 146 1/3 innings), but he went 7-10 for a team that went 52-110, and he was one of their best players this season. Since his catcher, future Hall of Famer Buster Posey, is now retired, there is little hope that MadBum will be able to make it. A Giants postseason legend, Bumgarner won't be forgotten, but it sure is sad seeing what looked like a Hall of Fame career just crumble. 

40 year old Adam Wainwright has just had an amazing season, as he went 17-7 with a 3.05 ERA. I like his chances for the Hall. 

David Price pitched 39 games (11 starts) for the Dodgers this season, providing much value as he returned to the starting rotation when the Dodgers lost Trevor Bauer and Clayton Kershaw. Unfortunately, voters don't seem to take those things into account, and he's not a Hall of Famer, anyway. 

Cole Hamels is probably retired. With a lifetime record of 163-122 and a 3.43 career ERA, he will not make it. 

Felix Hernandez is also retired, and he won't make the Hall of Fame either (169-136, 3.41). 

Jon Lester had a rough season this year, but it really doesn't matter. He won his 200th game this season, which certainly helps, and he's about to reach 2,500 strikeouts. That, and his performances for World Champions Boston in 2013 and Chicago in 2016, make him an easy Hall of Famer. 

Zack Greinke might finally be slowing down. He was tacked with a 4.16 ERA this season, but he will probably reach 3,000 strikeouts next season. He'll make it. 

Max Scherzer, at 37 years old, is still one of the best pitchers in baseball and might take home his fourth Cy Young Award after a great season (2.46 ERA). He struck out his 3,000th batter this season, and is starting to build a case as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. 

Justin Verlander didn't pitch this season, but his credentials are already going to do it (226-129, 3,013 strikeouts). Like Strasburg, he may still be in his prime, and if he is, then he could be the greatest pitcher of the 21st century. 

Clayton Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball since 2008, his rookie season. His 2.49 ERA and .688 winning percentage are some of the greatest marks in history. 

WHY I THINK JACK QUINN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK JACK QUINN SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

Jack Quinn was a great pitcher who lasted forever. He debuted in 1909, a 25 year old spitballer for the Yankees, and pitched his last game in 1933, a 50 year old reliever for the Reds. He was also a good fielding pitcher and a good enough hitter to be played in the outfield several times in his career. Jack Quinn debuted on April 15, 1909, pitching nine innings without allowing an earned run and finishing the season with nine wins and a 1.97 ERA. He went 18-12 in 1910 with a 2.37 ERA, but fell off a bit and was used more in relief. He jumped to the Federal League in 1914 and posted a record of 26-14 with a 2.60 ERA for the Baltimore Terrapins at the age of 30. After a slow 1915 season, Quinn was banished to the minors for the next two seasons. However, Quinn dominated in class AA and was promoted to the Majors again in 1918 as a member of the White Sox. The Yankees got him back and he had two fine seasons with them in 1919 and 1920. Quinn solidified himself as one of the most consistent starters of the 1920’s, as he won 131 games and posted a 3.50 ERA in the big hitting decade. In 1928, his age 44 season, he went 18-7 with a 2.90 ERA. A master of control, Quinn survived on fastballs, changeups, curveballs, and spitballs (he was one of the 17 pitchers who were allowed to throw them until the end of their careers when the spitball was outlawed in 1920) and allowed an average of just two walks per nine innings. He won 17 more games in the 1930’s, twice led the NL in saves, and earned his first MVP votes in 1931 (he finished 17th). He was the oldest pitcher ever to start a World Series game (in 1929) and on Opening Day (1931). He finally called it quits in 1933, pitching his last MLB game at the age of 50 (one hit across 1 ⅔ scoreless innings). Jack Quinn was a truly great pitcher and had amazing longevity. If he’d gotten started a few years earlier, he would have approached 300 wins and surpassed 4,000 innings. As it is, Quinn is still a very good candidate for the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games Pitched career: 756 season high: 46 in 1914 

Starts career: 443 season high: 42 in 1914 

Complete Games career: 243 season high: 27 in 1914 

Shutouts career: 28 season high: 4 in 1914, 1919, 1922, and 1928 

Games Finished career: 218 season high: 32 in 1932 led AL: 19 in 1911, 29 in 1931, 32 in 1932 

Wins career: 247 season high: 26 in 1914 

Losses career: 218 season high: 22 in 1915 led FL: 22 in 1915 

Winning Percentage career: .531 season high: .720 in 1928 

ERA career: 3.29 season low: 2.37 in 1910 

WHIP career: 1.300 season low: 1.154 in 1910 and 1919 

Innings Pitched career: 3,920 ⅓ season high: 342 ⅔ in 1914 

Strikeouts career: 1,329 season high: 164 in 1914 

Strikeouts Per Nine Innings career: 3.1 season high: 4.3 in 1914 

Walks career: 860 season high: 65 in 1914 and 1919 

Strikeouts Per Walk career: 1.55 season high: 2.52 in 1914 led AL: 2.10 in 1920 

Saves career: 56 season high: 13 in 1931 led NL: 13 in 1931, 9 in 1932 

Fielding Percentage career: .969 season high: 1.000 in 1927 led AL P: 1.000 in 1927 

Double Plays career: 39 season high: 5 in 1910 

Putouts career: 144 season high: 19 in 1914 

Assists career: 1,240 season high: 111 in 1910 

Caught Stealing Percentage career: .407 season high: .625 in 1924 (Quinn’s caught stealing information from before 1918 is unavailable) 

Pickoffs career: 34 season high: 5 in 1919 (Quinn’s pickoff information from before 1918 is unavailable) 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-won World Series rings with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929 and 1930 

-allowed the fewest home runs per nine innings in the FL in 1914 

-allowed the fewest walks per nine innings in the AL in 1920 and 1927 

-pitched over 200 innings in a season eleven times 

-had a career fielding percentage 17 points above the league average 

-is one of only six MLB players ever to play past the age of 50 

-is the oldest player ever to hit a home run in the American League 

-hit home runs off of Chief Bender, Stan Coveleski, and Urban Shocker 

-was used as a pinch hitter in 15 games 

-ranks 50th in career wins, 45th in innings pitched, and 45th in batters faced 

-among MLB pitchers, ranks eighth in career assists 

-was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2006

Remember This?

Now that the 2021 baseball season is over, I will return to a couple of posts that I published back in January and February about my predictions for the Hall of Fame among active players. 

Outfielder/DH Giancarlo Stanton hit 35 home runs in 139 games for the Yankees this year, bringing his career total to 347. 2021 was his age 31 season, so if he can average 25 homers a year through his age 40 season, then he'd have 522, which would be good enough to get him over the top. We'll see what happens, because if he doesn't get to 500, then he probably won't get in. 

Third baseman Josh Donaldson batted .247 with 26 homers this season, making it .269 and 251 homers through his age 35 season. It looks like he's going into his declining stage, and if he's already had his prime, then he's not getting in. 

Catcher Salvador Perez just led the MLB in home runs (48) and RBI's (121). That, and his 1,000th career hit, actually make him a potential candidate in the future. 

Outfielder Bryce Harper jut had a fantastic season for the Phillies (.309/.429/.615, 35 homers). He'll probably make it. 

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen soldiered through 2021 (.222 average but 27 homers and 81 walks), playing in 144 games and generally batting 4-5-6 in the Phillies' lineup and providing above average value. Seeing as how this is his age 34 season, and that his career is a little short of the Hall of Fame (1,761 games, .280/.373/.476, 270 homers, 197 stolen bases), he probably won't end up in Cooperstown. 

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has just batted .223/.283/.274 for the Twins in 131 games. His primary value lies in fielding skills and contact hitting, and he still excels at both, but this season's hitting was just disappointing. Unless he can rack up a few more Gold Gloves and get his average back in the .280 range to stay, Simmons just won't make it. 

Despite injuries and complications due to the COVID-19 vaccine, third baseman Evan Longoria still put together a pretty good season (13 homers and 46 RBI's in 81 games). Considering what kind of defensive marvel he has been for his entire career and just how good an RBI man he is, I feel confident that he will probably find himself in the Hall of Fame one day. 

At this time in 2019, most people would probably think that outfielder Christian Yelich was going to put up a Hall of Fame career. He had previously won two straight Batting Titles, finished first and second in the NL MVP Award voting, had a career batting average of .301, and was only 27 years old. Since then, however, he's batted .234 in 175 games, lowering his average to .292 and wasting away two precious peak years. Now, he's about to turn 30, and has yet to collect his 600th career RBI. He's in deep trouble. 

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is just a machine. He is a vacuum cleaner at first base and has just hit 30 home runs in a season for sixth time. At 33, he's still one of the top offensive producers in baseball. He'll get the counting statistics. He'll get a plaque. 

Former outfielder Nick Markakis is not active anymore. His only shot at Cooperstown was getting his 3,000th hit, and seeing as how he doesn't have it, his case just falls apart. He won't make it, or get very much consideration, either. 

Welcome to your new home away from home, Francisco Lindor! After six brilliant seasons with the Cleveland Indians, the 27 year old shortstop (he turns 28 on November 14) has just suffered through a tough season (.230 average) with the Mets. He's still got a fine career and he is still one of the better shortstops in the game, so if he can get used to his new surroundings, he very well may get to the Hall of Fame someday. 

Shortstop Elvis Andrus had another bad looking season, but like Lindor's, it was actually a decent year (although way off from his previous production). It's too bad seeing the Rangers dump him, and he looks to be declining, but nevertheless he still has a chance to make it. 

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has also had an off year, and his career before 2021 wasn't that convincing in itself, but Rizzo did add another 22 homers to his lifetime total and was a big part in the Yankees' wild card berth. It all depends on what he can do in the Bronx for the next few years. Striking out Freddie Freeman is also something that gives him a bit of notoriety. 

Speaking of Freeman, the Atlanta (as of now) first baseman has just had another fine season (.300 average, 31 homers). A contract dispute might hurt him a little bit, but a World Series ring is a nice addition to his trophy room. He'll probably make it. 

Outfielder Mookie Betts won't make it. Between the cheating scandal and how he's hit for the Dodgers, I wouldn't vote for him in a hundred years (that is, if he was still on the ballot). 

If the Angels had Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and third baseman Anthony Rendon all playing full time this season, they probably would've made the playoffs. Unfortunately, Rendon played in only 58 games this year, and didn't produce much when he was in the lineup (.240/.329/.382). He has a while to get back and track, and I think that he will. It will be interesting to follow his career from now on and see if he puts up a Hall of Fame resume. 

DJ LeMahieu had also had an off year, but it was nevertheless a good season for a second baseman. If he doesn't start to hit like he did in 2019-2020 for the Yankees, his name will be written off as one who was aided by the Coors Field boost and he won't make it. However, I am confident that he will return to form and if he can keep it up for a while, then he'll get a plaque. 

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is now retired. He may or may not have been a part of the Red Sox's cheating scandal, but if he was, then he'll be severely chastised by the voters, including myself if I ever get the opportunity. Considering the fact that we probably won't ever be able to prove that he wasn't in on it, and that Fenway Park does still provide a good hitting environment, I predict that he probably won't make it to Cooperstown. 

Third baseman Nolan Arenado will probably make it for the sake of his defense (eight career Gold Gloves). He hit 34 home runs and drove in 105 for the Cardinals this season, who do not play in Coors field, so on the surface it looks like he's had a tough year, but in reality he's probably improved. I think he should make it. 

Another all-star season for 39 year old catcher Yadier Molina really wasn't even necessary, as he was already a lock. He could reasonably be put in a list of the top ten catchers of all time. 

Catcher Buster Posey is another obvious Hall of Famer. With another fantastic season (he was by far the best catcher in the NL this season), Posey is going out in style. I am looking forward to his induction in 2027. 

First baseman Joey Votto hit 36 home runs with 99 RBI's this season, reaching three important milestones - 2,000 career hits, 300 home runs, and 1,000 RBI's. The 38 year old slugger sports a career slash line of .302/.416/.520, and is another lock for the Hall. 

Outfielder Mike Trout missed 126 games this season with injuries, but still batted .333 with a .466 OBP. It's a shame that his best season was so short. At any rate, he'll make it. 

First baseman Miguel Cabrera is still going strong, still batting cleanup for the Tigers at the age of 38. The four time AL Batting champ and 2012 Triple Crown winner hit his 500th home run this year, and is an easy pick for the Hall of Fame. 

First baseman Albert Pujols may or may not come back in 2022, but he has nothing left to prove. The three time NL MVP has 3,301 career hits and 679 home runs. He would have been a Hall of Famer if he'd retired eleven years ago. 

NOTE: I will make another such post about the active starting pitchers who I wrote about. That's coming soon. 

WHY I THINK JOHN OLERUD SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK JOHN OLERUD SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

By- Damien 

John Olerud was one of the best players in baseball for his entire career. Largely overlooked because he wasn’t primarily a power hitter, Olerud was a genuine superstar and a clean player in the midst of the steroid era. He may have been the finest pure hitter of his time (not excluding Tony Gwynn) because he hit for average (two seasons over .350), power (500 doubles and 255 home runs), and took his walks (over 1,200 of them). He also played for a relatively low salary, providing financial value to his team, and played remarkable defense at first base. John Olerud started his career with the Blue Jays in 1989, batting .375 in six games. He had suffered a brain aneurysm in January of that year, which required surgery, and he was allowed to wear a helmet in the field. He played his first season as a full time regular in 1993, which was also the best season of his career. That year, Olerud batted .363 with 24 homers and 107 RBI’s, leading the AL in batting, doubles, OBP, and OPS. Olerud slumped to .297 in 1994 and stayed in the .290 range with moderate power until 1998, when he came back with a .354 mark for the Mets. In 1999, he set the Mets’ single season franchise record for walks (125). He signed with the Mariners in December of 1999 and became a force in Seattle, posting two .300 seasons and winning three Gold Glove awards with the club. He played a little bit with the Yankees in 2004 and finished up in 2006 with 87 games for the Red Sox. John Olerud was a great defensive first baseman, a team leader, and one of the most skilled hitters in recent years. For all of his accomplishments and for staying productive throughout his entire career without really spindling off at the end like most players do, John Olerud gets my vote for the Hall of Fame.

LIFETIME STATISTICS

Games career: 2,234 season high: 162 in 1999 led NL: 162 in 1999 

At Bats career: 7,592 season high: 581 in 1999 

Hits career: 2,239 season high: 200 in 1993 

Doubles career: 500 season high: 54 in 1993 led AL: 54 in 1993 

Triples career: 13 season high: 4 in 1998 

Home Runs career: 255 season high: 24 in 1993 

Runs career: 1,139 season high: 109 in 1993 

Runs Batted In career: 1,230 season high: 107 in 1993 

Stolen Bases career: 11 season high: 3 in 1999 and 2001 

Walks career: 1,275 season high: 125 in 1999 

Strikeouts career: 1,016 season high: 96 in 2000 

Batting Average career: .295 season high: .363 in 1993 led AL: .363 in 1993 

On Base Percentage career: .398 season high: .473 in 1993 led AL: .473 in 1993 

Slugging Percentage career: .465 season high: .599 in 1993 

Total Bases career: 3,530 season high: 330 in 1993 

Sacrifice Hits career: 12 season high: 3 in 1991 

Fielding Percentage career: .995 season high: .998 in 1996, 2003, and 2004 led AL 1B: .996 in 2000, .998 in 2004 

Double Plays career: 1,581 season high: 154 in 2000 led AL 1B: 122 in 2002 

Putouts career: 16,165 season high: 1,344 in 1999 

Assists career: 1,418 season high: 132 in 2000 led AL 1B: 132 in 2000, 121 in 2001, 125 in 2003 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-cousin of Dale Sveum 

-was nicknamed “Johnny O” 

-was a two time all-star (in 1993 and 2001) 

-finished fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 1990 

-finished third in the AL MVP Award voting in 1993 and 12th in the NL MVP voting in 1998 

-went 1-for-1 in his MLB debut

-twice led the AL in sacrifice flies 

-won two World Series rings with the famous Blue Jays dynasty in 1992 and 1993 

-was a regular with the 2001 Seattle Mariners who won a record 116 games 

-won the 1993 Hutch Award, two career Player of the Month awards, and five Player of the Week awards 

-made over 1,000 putouts eleven times, over 100 double plays ten times, and over 100 assists seven times 

-among MLB first basemen, he ranks 17th in career games, 20th in fielding percentage, 16th in double plays, 34th in putouts, and 13th in assists 

-had career postseason totals of 66 games, 35 runs scored, 66 hits, ten doubles, nine home runs, 34 RBI’s, one stolen base, 31 walks, and a .278 batting average 

-had two career cycles 

-also played 133 games as a DH, 102 as a pinch hitter, and one as a pinch runner

-was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007

-has an award named after him: the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award (he pitched in college, further attesting to his playing abilities)

-skipped the minor leagues entirely, making his professional debut with the Blue Jays

WHY I THINK JIM EDMONDS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK JIM EDMONDS SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

Jim Edmonds was one of the greatest defensive outfielders of all time, winning eight career Gold Gloves, six straight from 2000 - 2005, and posting a fielding percentage five points above the league average (a significant number for an outfielder). He was also a great power hitter, connecting for almost 400 home runs with a lifetime slugging percentage of .527. He was also a fine contributor to many great teams, as he was productive for the final 16 years of his career and played in seven postseasons, driving in 42 runs in 64 games. Jim Edmonds started his career with the California Angels in 1993 and exceeded rookie status in 1994, batting .273 in 94 games. In 1995, Edmonds hit 33 home runs with 107 RBI’s (the first of four seasons with as many RBI’s) and followed up with 27, 26, and 25 homers in the three seasons that followed. Edmonds also had two .300 seasons during that span out of five total. He set the Angels’ single season record for runs scored (120; since broken) in 1995. In 1999, Edmonds missed much of the season with injuries, and was traded to the Cardinals in 2000 because the Angels had four all-star outfielders and none particularly wanted to DH. In 2000, Edmonds had one of the best seasons of his career, batting .295 with 42 homers and 108 RBI’s. He hit no fewer than 28 homers in any season until 2006, when he played in only 110 games but helped the team to the World Series title with four RBI’s in the five game Series. He batted .311 in 2002 and .301 with 42 homers and 111 RBI’s at the age of 34 in 2004. That season, he powered the Cardinals in the NLCS, winning Game 6 with a walkoff home run and saving Game 7 with the above catch. In 2008, he was traded to the Padres, but was released after 26 games. The Cubs picked him up and he gave them 19 homers in 85 games. Edmonds did not play in the Majors in 2009 but played a bit for the Brewers and Reds in 2010, batting .276 with 11 homers (including one in his final MLB at bat) in 86 games. Jim Edmonds was a fantastic power hitter, an amazing centerfielder, a postseason hero, a clean power hitter in the steroid era, and a remarkably consistent player for his entire career. He was amazing in every phase of the game. For all of his skills and great longevity, Jim Edmonds has earned his spot on The Cooperstown Advocate. He really should have received a higher honor, a plaque in the Hall of Fame, by now. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,011 season high: 154 in 1998 

At Bats career: 6,858 season high: 699 in 1998 

Hits career: 1,949 season high: 184 in 1998 

Doubles career: 437 season high: 42 in 1998 

Triples career: 25 season high: 4 in 1995 

Home Runs career: 393 season high: 42 in 2000 and 2004 

Runs career: 1,251 season high: 129 in 2000 

Runs Batted In career: 1,199 season high: 111 in 2004 

Stolen Bases career: 67 season high: 10 in 2000 

Walks career: 998 season high: 103 in 2000 

Strikeouts career: 1,729 season high: 167 in 2000 

Batting Average career: .284 season high: .311 in 2002 

On Base Percentage career: .376 season high: .420 in 2002 

Slugging Percentage career: .527 season high: .643 in 2004 

Total Bases career: 3,615 season high: 320 in 2004 

Sacrifice Hits career: 10 season high: 2 in 2007 

Fielding Percentage career: .989 season high: .998 in 2005 

Double Plays career: 68 season high: 10 in 1994 led NL CF: 4 in 2002 and 2007, 5 in 2003 

Putouts career: 4,930 season high: 402 in 1995 

Assists career: 160 season high: 20 in 1994 led AL CF: 9 in 1997 led NL CF: 12 in 2001, 11 in 2002 and 2004 

DO YOU KNOW? 

-nicknamed “Jimmy Ballgame”, “Jimmy Baseball”, and “The Jibmaster” 

-he, Albert Pujols, and Scott Rolen were nicknamed the “MV3” for their great 2004 seasons 

-had a career batting average of .333 with a .429 on base percentage in four all-star games 

-finished eighth in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 1994 

-finished fourth in the NL MVP Award voting in 2000, fifth in 2004, 17th in 2002, 26th in 2005, and 27th in 2003 

-finished 14th in the AL MVP Award voting in 1995 

-won a Silver Slugger award in 2004 

-won seven career Player of the Week awards and one Player of the Month award 

-set the Cardinals’ single season record for home runs by an outfielder in 2000 and tied it in 2004 

-had 13 career postseason home runs 

-led all NL outfielders with 4 double plays in 2007 

-among MLB centerfielders, ranks 24th in career double plays and 29th in assists 

-also played 57 games at first base, 62 in leftfield, 48 in rightfield, 21 as a DH, 124 as a pinch hitter, and six as a pinch runner 

-was elected to the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014