Evers: Hall of Fame Error
Frank Chance Belongs. Johnny and Tinker Do Not
Johnny Evers' career spanned the years 1902-1917. He played for the Cubs from 1902-1913 and then was the second baseman on the 1914 Miracle Braves. He also played for the Phillies. Evers was a good player but not even close to being a Hall of Famer. A comparison with a fine second baseman, Bobby Grich, whose career spanned 1970-1986 illustrates that fact graphically. Grich played for the Orioles from 1970-1976 and then signed as free agent with the Angels, where he remained for the remainder of his career. Grich batted .266, averaging 18 home runs, 70 RBIs, and a .424 slugging average.
58 Double Plays in 1907
No one would argue that Bobby Grich belongs in the Hall of Fame, but in 1946, Evers and teammates Joe Tinker and Frank Chance became Hall of Famers. Johnny Evers teamed up with shortstop Joe Tinker and first baseman Frank Chance to form the Cubs' famous Tinkers to Evers to Chance double play combination. The most double plays they ever turned in a season was 58 in 1907. Joe Tinker's lifetime statistics are worse than those of Johnny Evers, but Frank Chance was a solid hitter and managed the last Cubs' World Championship team one hundred years ago. A player with a .270 lifetime batting average and a .955 fielding percentage is not a Hall of Famer.
It's An Impossible Comparison
Johnny Evers batted .350 in the 1907 and 1908 World Series, both won by his Cubs. He was a fine fielder compared to his competition. It is impossible to accurately compare players from different eras because there are too many uncontrollable variables. The ball was different, gloves were different, the playing fields were different, and of greatest importance, individuals were different. Johnny Evers was 5' 9" and weighed 125 pounds. You read that right. He weighed 125 pounds. How many of today's players would be afraid to try to take Evers out on an attempted double play?
Rabbit Maranville Batted .258
There are a few players who are in the Hall of Fame but who were not Hall of Fame level players. When Evers was traded to the Braves, his shortstop was Rabbit Maranville. The Rabbit had a .258 lifetime batting average, a .318 on base average and a .340 slugging average. Jeff Kent, who is borderline Hall of Fame at best, but who will make the Hall of Fame, has a .290 batting average, a .357 on base average, and a .504 slugging average.
Cobb's Batting Average is Higher Than Maz' On Base Average
Bill Mazeroski, despite being highly rated as a defensive player, should not have been elected to the Hall of Fame. His lifetime batting average is an anemic .260. His on base average is BELOW .300, at .299, while his slugging average is one point higher than Ty Cobb's BATTING AVERAGE. Mazeroski has a .983 fielding average, which is .006 points below that of Ryne Sandberg, who is also a borderline Hall of Fame.
Being elected to the Hall of Fame involves much more than baseball ability and making use of that ability. Other factors are involved, such as cronyism, bias, and sentimentality. Great players and Hall of Famers are not always synonymous. Ask Jim Rice.
References:
- Baseball-Reference
- Joe Tinker at Baseball Library
- Bobby Grich at Baseball Library
- Johnny Evers at Baseball Library
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