Quote:
Originally Posted by George Anderson
I found these names on another site of players who were one and done. Meaning they didn't get the required 5% on their first time eligible to stay on the ballot.
C - Ted Simmons
1B - Darrell Evans
2b - Bobby Grich
SS - Bert Campaneris
3B - Buddy Bell
Lf - Reggie Smith
CF - Kenny Lofton
RF - Jimmy Wynn (never got a single vote)
SP - Kevin Brown
SP - David Cone
SP - Dave Steib
SP - Rick Reuschel
U - Lou Whitaker
U - Willie Randolph
IMO and more importantly in Bill James opinion both Bobby Grich and Ted Simmons should be in Cooperstown. Sadly they didn't even make the cut the first year eligible. Lotsa very stupid voters out there.
|
I'm clearly in the Ted Simmons camp because of homerism. At the very least, I don't think he should have been taken off the ballot after the first vote. Aside from Bench, Simmons was the premier offense catcher of his era. He also wasn't that bad of a defensive catcher as well, though people aren't going to remember him for his glove.
Another guy vastly overlooked, in my opinion, is Kenny Lofton. He was an elite defensive player and stole a ton of bases. He compares favorably with other notable CFers of his day. Again, I'm not saying he should be in the HOF but he shouldn't have been taken off the ballot after just the first vote.