Are some baseball players victims of Hall of Fame prejudice?
Is prejudice within the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee blocking great players from enshrinement among the game's legends?
Here's one theory why Ron Santo, Jim Kaat, Vada Pinson and Bobby Richardson -- four great players from the 1960s -- have been kept out of the Hall of Fame, and are likely to be denied that honor again. It seems that Hall of Fame voters may have a prejudice against 1960s players.
There are already 50 Hall of Famers who played at some time during the 1960s. Maybe the voters think that’s enough, even to the exclusion of great players such as Santo, Kaat, Pinson and Richardson. Their absence demonstrates the Hall’s reluctance to honor any more stars from the 1960s, despite the fact that their careers were Hall of Fame worthy.
What qualifies these players for the Hall of Fame? Consider these facts:
Ron Santo had the 5th highest RBI total during the 1960s … more than Hall of Fame contemporaries Ernie Banks, Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey. He holds or shares the National League record for years leading the league in third base chances (9), assists (7) and double plays (6), and has 5 Gold Gloves at third base, more than Hall of Fame third basemen Wade Boggs, George Brett and Eddie Mathews.
Jim Kaat had 283 career victories, more than 38 current Hall of Famers, including contemporaries such as Jim Palmer, Whitey Ford and Don Drysdale. He won 16 Gold Gloves, more than any other Hall of Fame pitcher (at least until Greg Maddux gets there). And he struck out 2,461 batters … more than 45 current Hall of Famers, including Robin Roberts, Early Wynn and Lefty Grove.
Vada Pinson retired with 2,727 hits, more than 97 current Hall of Famers, including Goose Goslin, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks. He had 485 career doubles, more than 99 current Hall of Famers, including Zack Wheat, Reggie Jackson and Jimmie Foxx. And Pinson’s .286 career batting average is higher than 30 current Hall of Famers, including Carl Yastrzemski, Yogi Berra and Dave Winfield.
Bobby Richardson in the Hall of Fame? You bet. The Yankees' second baseman has more hits (13) in a World Series (1964) than any other major league player, and drove in more runs (12) in a World Series (1960) than Hall of Fame Yankees Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Lou Gehrig. Richardson won 5 Gold Gloves at second base, more than Hall of Fame Gold Glove infielders Nellie Fox, Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken. And he was the second base anchor for 7 pennant-winning teams in his 12-season career.
More statistical ammunition to support these players' enshrinement can be found at 1960sbaseball.com.
These were great players whose performance on and off the field deserved more than obscurity. It wasn't their fault that there were so many outstanding players during the 1960s.
These guys belong in the Hall of Fame. And if 1960s prejudice isn't keeping them out, what is?
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