I have no problem with Morris and Trammell making the hall. Liked both players. But when the voting hits an obvious set up, it makes it hard to appreciate the award.
Here’s a comparison:
A six-time All-Star, Trammell scored 1,231 runs and drove in 1,003. He batted .285 with 185 home runs and a .352 on-base average — he walked 850 times and struck out 874.
On the other hand, Chipper Jones scored 1,619 runs and drove in 1,623. He batted .303 with 468 home runs and a .401 OBP. He won a batting title in 2008. He was an all-star eight times and an MVP once and won 2 silver slugger awards. He is recognized as the best switch hitter ever as he is only one of the three to hit over 400 home runs and have a lifetime average over .300. Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray are the other two.
Another problem with it is that the Tigers were not as competitive as the Braves. They played with Trammell one time in a world series and one division series.
The Braves played in three world series with Jones and 14 division title years.
Whereas I appreciate the work Ron Trammell did, when such glaring stats come out it, it kind of ruins the award and looks like it was given just to give the two a chance to go in together rather than being the best player selected. And I’m not a Braves fan.
rwood
Mickey Mantle was the greatest switch hitter ever!
People worship “round” numbers far too much. Ok, so Chipper Jones hit the magic .300 for his career. That is a huge achievement, no doubt.
But Mickey Mantle batted .298 for his career while doing so many other great things. Falling an eyelash or two below .300 does not lessen Mantle’s achievements overall.
Not sure what the Chipper Jones complaint is. 2018 is his first year of HOF eligibility, he’s on the ballot, and is considered a first-ballot lock.
Trammell was a marvelous shortstop. Fluid. No notice was paid to that aspect of the game in this report. The same sort of thing happened with Mazeroski. His batting was so-so but his nickname, “no-hands” said it all. He led second basemen in fielding for many many years. I don’t know, but I would suggest that Trammell might have done the same, and like Mazeroski he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
One of the problems with your analysis is the fact that the HoF — right of wrong — seeks to compare players of any given era by the position that they played.
Richie Ashburn was a 2-time batting champion centerfielder for the Phillies. His problem — Willie Mays, Mickie Mantle and Duke Snider were considered to be better. Now Ashburn finally got in, but it was via the Veterans Committee.
Chipper Jones will get in too, I expect. I know he killed the Phillies. Clutch player.
Good analysis on Chipper Jones and Trammel.
The problem is that Baseball is position oriented.
Trammel was a middle infielder for the bulk of his career, so Trammel’s numbers look excellent from middle infield.
Chipper Jones, was a corner infielder which is a power position.
That’s the difference.
The Braves won only one World Series during that span. It was fun watching the Braves ultimately go down in defeat again and again. Jones will get in .