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Choose your favorite team's Non-HOFer all-star squad
2006-01-10 18:51
by Bob Timmermann

Houston Mitchell of the L.A. Times has his picks of the best Dodger players not in Cooperstown.

If you don't want to read through it, it goes:

  • Catcher - John Roseboro
  • First baseman - Gil Hodges
  • Second baseman - Davey Lopes
  • Third baseman - Ron Cey
  • Shortstop - Maury Wills
  • Outfield - Babe Herman
  • Outfield - Willie Davis
  • Outfield - Pedro Guerrero
  • Pitcher - Fernando Valenzuela

Personally, I'm not so sold on Willie Davis as being an unrecognized great. I look it at him more as an overrecogniezed mediocrity.

If anyone wishes to contribute a list from their own favorite team, let it rip.

Comments
2006-01-10 19:10:09
1.   Sam DC
Babe Herman? Not in the Hall? Just doesn't seem right.
2006-01-10 19:13:30
2.   Bob Timmermann
It's surprising that Herman didn't make the HOF since a lot of the other stars of the NL from that time period did.

Herman did have a career OPS+ of 140. He was a great player, but I guess he was no Chick Hafey.

2006-01-10 19:13:38
3.   GoBears
All in all, however, if that's the list of closest Dodgers, then it looks like the Dodgers have nothing to complain about. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Dodgers are high up the list of teams with the greatest number of undeserving HOFers. Just a guess.
2006-01-10 19:15:37
4.   Bob Timmermann
Probably the least deserving Dodger HOFer is Don Drysdale, who benefited from being teammates with Koufax and having the scoreless inning streak.
2006-01-10 20:25:35
5.   Bill Crain
The Drysdale argument has been covered at great length by Bill James and I won't bother to repeat it. Just let's say his reputation for "winning the big ones" may have been overstated. Willie Davis, on the other hand, "should not be regarded as a failure, merely because he had to play his prime seasons in such difficult hitting conditions." (James, HistAbstII, p 743) On Willie in general, James has him rated 27th among center fielders. Kenny Lofton is #41, Rick Monday is #42 (#47282172 as a broadcaster), and Billy Beane's roommate, Len Dykstra, is #44. It's all about context. Or, you might say, "to live outside the law you must be honest." (Marcus Grisson clinging to #61, Devon White #81, Steve Finley is #74, even before the famous slam.)
2006-01-10 20:45:39
6.   geb4000
Oakland A's:
Catcher-Tenace
First Base-Giambi
Second Base-Dick Green
Third Base-Bando
Shortstop-Campy
Left Field-Rudi
Center Field-Murphy
Right Field-Tony Armas
Pitcher-Stewart
2006-01-10 21:05:10
7.   Bob Timmermann
You'll need a new first baseman since Giambi is still active. Mike Epstein perhaps?
2006-01-10 21:36:48
8.   Ken Arneson
I'd say put Tenace at first base, and make Terry Steinbach the catcher. Otherwise, that sounds right to me.
2006-01-10 22:17:06
9.   Jesse
dodger outfield honorable mention...

brett butler, augie galan, dixie walker (purely numbers with dixie)

and i'd take gilliam at second over the heart string favorite of lopes. though gilliam was more great uitility.

2006-01-10 22:35:07
10.   Cliff Corcoran
Yankees:

1B - Don Mattingly
2B - Joe Gordon
SS - Kid Elberfeld (weak position)
3B - Graig Nettles
C - Thurman Munson or Elston Howard
RF - Roger Maris
CF - Bobby Murcer
LF - Charlie Keller (over Bob Meusel)
P - GOOSE FREAKING GOSSAGE

Gossage and Gordon should be in already.

2006-01-11 15:17:22
11.   Voxter
Red Sox:

1B - Mo Vaughn (sigh)
2B - Pete Runnels (Only five seasons w/ Sox, and two as a 1B, but posted .400+ OBP in four of those seasons, including all three spent at 2B)
3B - Larry Gardener
SS - John Peskovitch
C - Rich Gedman, I guess
OF - Dwight Evans
OF - Jim Rice (is this kosher?)
CF - Dom DiMaggio

2006-01-11 15:19:28
12.   Voxter
And I forgot this one:

P - Wakefield

For purely sentimental reasons.

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