[Sabertooth]

Anyone know why Bill Freehan, an 11-time All-Star catcher and the last to catch a 30-game winner (Denny McLain) isn't in the Hall?

[AmishDude]

Well, yes. He hit .300 exactly once. Never hit more than 25 homers. Most importantly, he never hit 85 RBI's. Not a bad player, but not HoF material. Stats

[Dan from Michigan]

Freehan might make it someday, but Denny McClain - No way. For one, I don't think he played long enough, and he was a 3 year wonder. He's also a career criminal doing time in Club Fed for fraud.

I'd take Mickey Lolich before McClain.
That said, the next Tiger to go in is Jack Morris. That guy's a winner whereever he has played.

[be-baw]

Bill Freehan should be in the HOF.

In fact, Lou Whitaker should be in the HOF before Ozzie Smith. Sweet Lou played second but was an outstanding fielder and very good hitter. Last year was Lou's first year of eligibility, and he did not fare well. He was not a gregarious guy in public, was not media savvy so the press liked to pick on him.

I believe next year is his partner (the other half of one of the best double play combinations in history), Alan Trammell's first year of eligibility. Their career stats were almost identical. I'll bet that Trammell gets in while Lou will be ignored, probably until he gets in as an Old-Timer.