Soon the Hall of Fame will announce the 2009 inductees. Hype always goes to the players who are on the ballot for the first time: Ricky Henderson this year, or players who are on the "brink" of getting in: Jim Rice for the longest time. But year after year, one of the greatest players of all time is widely ignored: Tommy John.
The Hall of Fame, and those who vote, must realize one thing. Namely, that stats are not the only thing that determines whether or not one should be inducted. The person's importance to the game is incredibly important. Recent examples of players who were inducted thanks in part to there importance to the game were Effa Manley, the first woman ever elected to the Hall, and Ray Brown, a great Negro Leagues player.
The legacy that Tommy John left is as clear as day: Tommy John surgery. Needless to say, but Tommy John was one of the first persons ever to have this surgery. John had the surgery after pitching 11 and a half seasons in the majors. The chances of success were low, and after the surgery, medical experts thought John would never pitch again. But he did, with great results. After coming back to the majors, John won 20 or more games in three of the next five seasons.
However his importance to the game is not the only thing, of course. Stats-wise, John clearly deserves to get in:
-John won 288 games, the most for any pitcher during the modern era (post 1900) not to get into the Hall of Fame.
-John had 2245 strikeouts, 48th all time.
-He missed half of the 1974 season and missed all of the 1975 season to have his surgery, which was in the prime of his career. With this time, almost undoubtedly he would have won 300 games in his career.
-His career E.R.A. was 3.34, which is less than Hall of Famers Phil Niekro, Early Wynn, and Dennis Eckersley, amongst others.
Showing posts with label Early Wynn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Early Wynn. Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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