GaryMrMets
01-06-2005, 06:03 PM
http://www.yesnetwork.com/announcers/article.asp?article_id=331
Not-so-hot corner in Cooperstown
http://www.yesnetwork.com/images/talent/small/pepe_head_sm.jpgBy Phil Pepe
Special to YES Network Online
January 4 2005
Wade Boggs' election to the Hall of Fame makes him only the 10th major league third baseman so enshrined (two others, Ray Dandridge and Judy Johnson gained admittance as stars of the Negro Leagues), the fewest number of any position. By comparison, there are 14 catchers, 17 second basemen (with Ryne Sandberg's induction) and 22 shortstops with plaques in Cooperstown.
THIRD BASEMEN IN HALL OF FAME
Frank "Home Run" Baker
Wade Boggs
George Brett
Jimmy Collins
* Ray Dandridge
* Judy Johnson
George Kell
Fred Lindstrom
Eddie Mathews
Brooks Robinson
Mike Schmidt
Pie Traynor
* Denotes Negro Leagues
Only 10 third basemen deemed worthy of so lofty a perch by the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Veterans Committee in the almost 130-year history of organized baseball, or roughly one every 13 years.
How do we explain this bias against denizens of the hot corner? Surely, there are other third basemen deserving of a place in Cooperstown, so as a service to members of the BBWAA and the Veterans Committee, YES Network Online presents 10 third basemen who merit consideration:
PLAYER YEARS HITS AVG HR RBI COMMENT
Pete Rose 1963-86 4,256 .303 160 1,314 No brainer if eligible
Ron Santo 1960-74 2,254 .277 342 1,331 This could be his year
Ken Boyer 1955-69 2,143 .287 282 1,141 Long overdue
Joe Torre 1960-77 2,342 .297 252 1,185 Only three seasons at 3B
Dick Allen 1963-77 1,848 .292 351 1,119 Only five seasons at 3B
Graig Nettles 1967-88 2,225 .248 390 1,314 Have glove, will travel
Darrell Evans 1969-89 2,223 .248 414 1,354 Most home runs and RBIs
Bill Madlock 1973-87 2,008 .305 163 860 Four batting titles
Buddy Bell 1972-89 2,514 .279 201 1,106 Consistency
Gary Gaetti 1981-2000 2,280 .255 360 1,314 Big power numbers
THE BEST OF THE REST
PLAYER YEARS HITS AVG HR RBI
Sal Bando 1966-81 1,790 .254 242 1,039
Ron Cey 1971-87 1,868 .261 316 1,139
Bob Elliott 1939-53 2,061 .289 170 1,195
Stan Hack 1932-47 2,193 .301 57 642
Pinky Higgins 1930-46 1,941 .292 140 1,075
Bob Horner 1978-88 1,047 .277 218 685
Frank Malzone 1955-66 1,486 .274 133 728
Larry Parrish 1974-88 1,289 .263 256 992
Al Rosen 1947-56 1,063 .285 192 717
Cecil Travis 1933-47 1,544 .314 27 657
The preponderance of stars at one position in baseball has often been cyclical. Based on early returns, there currently is a plethora of outstanding third basemen in the major leagues, indicating they could put a rush on Cooperstown in the next two decades.
Alex Rodriguez leads the field at the hot corner, a certain first ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes. But will he go in as a third baseman or a shortstop?
As for the rest of the field, the following eight third basemen are on the fast track to Cooperstown: Adrian Beltre, Hank Blalock, Eric Chavez, Troy Glaus, Chipper Jones, Mike Lowell, Aramis Ramirez, and Scott Rolen.
Acclaimed author Phil Pepe is a regular contributor to YES Network Online. Phil's latest book, "Unhittable: Reliving the Magic and Drama of Baseball's Best-Pitched Games," published by Triumph Books, is in stores now.
Not-so-hot corner in Cooperstown
http://www.yesnetwork.com/images/talent/small/pepe_head_sm.jpgBy Phil Pepe
Special to YES Network Online
January 4 2005
Wade Boggs' election to the Hall of Fame makes him only the 10th major league third baseman so enshrined (two others, Ray Dandridge and Judy Johnson gained admittance as stars of the Negro Leagues), the fewest number of any position. By comparison, there are 14 catchers, 17 second basemen (with Ryne Sandberg's induction) and 22 shortstops with plaques in Cooperstown.
THIRD BASEMEN IN HALL OF FAME
Frank "Home Run" Baker
Wade Boggs
George Brett
Jimmy Collins
* Ray Dandridge
* Judy Johnson
George Kell
Fred Lindstrom
Eddie Mathews
Brooks Robinson
Mike Schmidt
Pie Traynor
* Denotes Negro Leagues
Only 10 third basemen deemed worthy of so lofty a perch by the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Veterans Committee in the almost 130-year history of organized baseball, or roughly one every 13 years.
How do we explain this bias against denizens of the hot corner? Surely, there are other third basemen deserving of a place in Cooperstown, so as a service to members of the BBWAA and the Veterans Committee, YES Network Online presents 10 third basemen who merit consideration:
PLAYER YEARS HITS AVG HR RBI COMMENT
Pete Rose 1963-86 4,256 .303 160 1,314 No brainer if eligible
Ron Santo 1960-74 2,254 .277 342 1,331 This could be his year
Ken Boyer 1955-69 2,143 .287 282 1,141 Long overdue
Joe Torre 1960-77 2,342 .297 252 1,185 Only three seasons at 3B
Dick Allen 1963-77 1,848 .292 351 1,119 Only five seasons at 3B
Graig Nettles 1967-88 2,225 .248 390 1,314 Have glove, will travel
Darrell Evans 1969-89 2,223 .248 414 1,354 Most home runs and RBIs
Bill Madlock 1973-87 2,008 .305 163 860 Four batting titles
Buddy Bell 1972-89 2,514 .279 201 1,106 Consistency
Gary Gaetti 1981-2000 2,280 .255 360 1,314 Big power numbers
THE BEST OF THE REST
PLAYER YEARS HITS AVG HR RBI
Sal Bando 1966-81 1,790 .254 242 1,039
Ron Cey 1971-87 1,868 .261 316 1,139
Bob Elliott 1939-53 2,061 .289 170 1,195
Stan Hack 1932-47 2,193 .301 57 642
Pinky Higgins 1930-46 1,941 .292 140 1,075
Bob Horner 1978-88 1,047 .277 218 685
Frank Malzone 1955-66 1,486 .274 133 728
Larry Parrish 1974-88 1,289 .263 256 992
Al Rosen 1947-56 1,063 .285 192 717
Cecil Travis 1933-47 1,544 .314 27 657
The preponderance of stars at one position in baseball has often been cyclical. Based on early returns, there currently is a plethora of outstanding third basemen in the major leagues, indicating they could put a rush on Cooperstown in the next two decades.
Alex Rodriguez leads the field at the hot corner, a certain first ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes. But will he go in as a third baseman or a shortstop?
As for the rest of the field, the following eight third basemen are on the fast track to Cooperstown: Adrian Beltre, Hank Blalock, Eric Chavez, Troy Glaus, Chipper Jones, Mike Lowell, Aramis Ramirez, and Scott Rolen.
Acclaimed author Phil Pepe is a regular contributor to YES Network Online. Phil's latest book, "Unhittable: Reliving the Magic and Drama of Baseball's Best-Pitched Games," published by Triumph Books, is in stores now.