The Rise of the Unicorns...

 

Giancarlo Stanton & Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh, AP

Enjoying the Yankees Ride…

For a team that generally starts slowly, the 2022 New York Yankees are different. Of course, I mean it in the best conceivable way. Their 24-8 record through thirty-two games is the first time it has happened since the legendary 1998 championship season. They were matched by only three other teams in franchise history (1928, 1939, and 1958). World Series championships awaited those four teams. Time will tell if the 2022 team joins that achievement, but the season, thus far, has been a tremendously fun ride. Surprisingly, the famed 1927 Murderers’ Row Yankees who won 110 games in a 154-game schedule and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series only had twenty-one wins after 32 games.

1928 Yankees, 101-53, Swept St Louis Cardinals in the World Series

1939 Yankees, 106-45, Swept Cincinnati Reds in the World Series

1958 Yankees, 92-62, Beat Milwaukee Braves in 7-game World Series

1998 Yankees, 114-48, Swept San Diego Padres in the World Series

It is way too early to talk about the World Series this year. Too many games between now and October. Yet, it is obvious that this team has an exceptional quality, and the team cohesiveness seems to be its strongest since the 2017 Baby Bombers made a deep October push that was thwarted by trash cans.

Leading the charge are Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. When both guys homered in last night’s 10-4 win over the Chicago White Sox, it improved the Yankees’ record to 5-0 in games when both giants go yard. Since Stanton joined the Yankees in 2018, the team is 21-1 in games when both men homer. Putting this season into further legendary status, Judge (12 home runs) and Stanton (10) are the first Yankees duo with double digit home runs after 32 games since Mickey Mantle (16) and Yogi Berra (12) in 1956. The only other time it happened was 1930 when Babe Ruth (14) and Lou Gehrig (10) achieved it. Standing among the Legends…

Stanton & Judge / Photo Credit: Si.com

Yogi Berra & Mickey Mantle / Photo Credit: AP

Lou Gehrig & Babe Ruth / Photo Credit: Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center

In speaking about what it must be like for opposing pitchers to face Judge and Stanton, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, last night’s winner, offered, “It’s brutal. There’s a lot of power. There’s different types of hitters, and Judge and Stanton are obviously kind of unicorns.” His inner dialogue was probably, “I am fuckin’ glad that I don’t have to face them!”

According to Fangraphs, the Yankees lead Major League Baseball with 7.6 fWAR. The closest team is the Houston Astros at 7.0. Comparing the Yankees to their AL East Rivals (courtesy of Fangraphs), I would say it is a clear and distinct advantage Yankees.

 

TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	GB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	fWAR
Yankees	24	8	-	.246	.325	.430	.335	125	7.6
Rays	20	13	4 ½	.236	.305	.381	.306	110	5.6
Jays	17	16	7 ½	.236	.299	.384	.304	99	3.8
Orioles	14	19	10 ½	.233	.308	.352	.299	97	2.9
Red Sox	12	20	12	.231	.287	.346	.283	83	0.7

If the Yankees can get Josh Donaldson and Joey Gallo going (both men homered last night), the offense becomes even more formidable. I love watching away game crowds flood the exit gates early like we have seen the last two games at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.

While I felt the Yankees had given Aaron Judge a fair contract offer prior to the season, there is no doubt Judge has let his play put the pressure on the Yankees to raise the ante.

This year’s trade deadline should be fun. Given how much last year’s moves helped the Yankees, it seems a few of the team’s current flaws could be eliminated with the right moves come July. Despite last night’s multi-hit performance and three-game hitting streak, Joey Gallo heads my list of regulars who could be dealt. A frequently rumored outfield target, Andrew Benintendi, defeated the Kansas City Royals in his arbitration case yesterday which increases the likelihood he will be moved. Benintendi, the former Red Sox outfielder, will make $8.5 million (or $1.2 million more than the Royals were offering). He will be a true rental since he will become a free agent following the season.

As Gallo, it is tough. I really like the guy. He plays good defense and has an enjoyable personality. The home runs, when they happen, are beautiful, and the walks are nice, but the strikeouts are too much. Through last night’s game, Gallo has a 37.5% strikeout ratio. It is pretty much his career norm (lifetime percentage is 36.9%) so the Yankees clearly knew what they were getting when they acquired him. Yet, this is his last year with the Yankees. Either they trade him in July or let him walk in the off-season when he reaches free agency. I cannot see an extension on the horizon for him. Gallo could potentially flourish in a less-pressurized environment so I would prefer to get something for him rather than nothing.

The Yankees should include Chad Green in any Gallo deal. I remember when I dreaded it when Chad Green would start a game. The switch to the bullpen was magical for a couple of seasons, but now I get the same dread I used to when Green enters a game in relief. No lead is safe. Zack Britton could possibly return in August, and there will be other guys available later this summer like Domingo German and Stephen Ridings. At some point, there will be no room for Green. He is another guy who could benefit from a change in scenery.

I am not ready to give up on Jonathan Loáisiga. He is too talented, and I am confident he will find his way back to his standout 2021 performance. If the Yankees can get him right, it will be the latest testament to the success of pitching coach Matt Blake and the new superior philosophies developed and implemented by organizational pitching leadership team. The Yankees most likely need a new closer in 2023. Earlier this year, I had thought the natural successor for free agent-to-be Aroldis Chapman would be Loáisiga. Right now, he does not seem to be a viable candidate, but he can change that perception. I hope he does.

Jonathan Loaisiga / Photo Credit: Si.com

Setback for Ben Rortvedt. I feel badly for the young Yankees catcher. When he was dealt to the Yankees with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela, he seemed primed for a tremendous opportunity in Pinstripes. The oblique injury delayed his start and forced the Yankees to acquire elite framer Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers, who has essentially become a Major League block for Rortvedt. Rortvedt finally got into two rehab games for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons, picking up two hits including a home run, but has been sidelined again, this time for a knee injury.

This is shaping up to be a lost year for Rortvedt. Hopefully, the knee issue is not serious, and he can get back to his rehab games soon. If he is healthy and ready, he would be the first call if/when the Yankees need catching help. I really want to see him get to that place so that he can be prepared for his opportunity when it arrives. Get well soon, Ben.

Ben Rortvedt / Photo Credit: Si.com

Robinson Canó finds a new team. When the New York Mets designated Canó for assignment and subsequently released him, it appeared to be the end of the road for the one-time Yank. No way I wanted the Yankees to consider reuniting with the 39-year-old infielder (they did not have the room for him anyway), but I am surprised that a first-place club, the San Diego Padres, rolled the dice. The Padres have been struggling with consistent offense despite sharing the NL West lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they look to Canó for bench support and leadership. I hope it works out for him. This may be his last chance for another World Series championship. The Padres are hoping Canó can provide them what Albert Pujols gave the Dodgers last year.

Robinson Cano / Photo Credit: San Diego Padres

Canó will always be an ultimate ‘what if’ player for me. What if he had stayed with the Yankees and not traveled down the PED highway. What if he had kept up his numbers and performance through natural means. There is no doubt, in my mind, we would be talking about making room for him in Monument Park and pulling #24 out of circulation. I wish him the best in sunny San Diego as he attempts what might be his last opportunity in Major League Baseball.

As always, Go Yankees!

Brett Gardner WILL Get a Plaque in Monument Park (Opinion)

Gardner will probably get a plaque in Monument Park tbh. He didnt have the WS that Tino, Paul O, etc. Had, but still.

— Greedy Pinstripes (@GreedyStripes) November 12, 2019

When I made the above tweet, I had no idea how much discussion and general uproar that it would start among Yankees Twitter. On a lazy Monday night in mid-November when there was no Yankees-related news to really be found, I found myself defending the fact that the New York Yankees will likely give Brett Gardner a plaque inside Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park before it is all said and done. Do I believe that he deserves one? That is up for debate, and something I will try to determine over the course of this post, but whether I believe he deserves one is irrelevant. If history is any indicator of the future, Gardner’s bald head, goofy smile, and #11 uniform number will all be on a plaque inside Yankee Stadium during my lifetime.

Now before the outrage starts and before we start unfollowing me on Twitter, @GreedyStripes for the shameless plug, let me explain my thought process behind this. At one point and time, Monument Park and the subsequent retired numbers that generally came with being a legendary New York Yankee was an exclusive club. Names like Miller Huggins (the first ever inducted into Monument Park, trivia time), Lou Gehrig, Jacob Ruppert, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Roger Maris, Phil Rizzuto, Billy Martin, Lefty Gomez, Whitey Ford, Bill Dickey, and Yogi Berra, to name a few, were scattered throughout the center field area of Yankee Stadium, rivaling the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

And then George Steinbrenner and crew came along and kind of watered it down a bit.

When the Boss took over as the owner of the New York Yankees the dilution of the retired uniform numbers, the plaques or monuments inside Monument Park, and the Yankees captaincy, among other things, slowly began to mean less and less. At least in my opinion. Monument Park went from being a shrine to not only the greatest Yankees to ever play or touch the game, but some of the best in the sport to ever leave their mark on the game that we all love. Sure, under George’s tenure the Yankees added plaques or monuments for the likes of Ron Guidry, Allie Reynolds, Bob Sheppard, Red Ruffing, Jackie Robinson, and others… but there were also a few questionable decisions in there as well along the way.

Reggie Jackson played a whopping five years for the New York Yankees, 1977 – 1981. Sure, Reggie won a couple World Series championships with the New York Yankees, and yes, I am well aware that he hit three home runs in three at-bats while doing so, but still. There is no way that Reggie deserves a plaque in Monument Park, let alone his number retired by the club. Not after the “Bronx is Burning” years of feuds with then manager Billy Martin, and not after he dipped town after just one contract with the Yankees. Sure, Reggie had five great seasons in the Bronx averaging a .281/.371/.526/.897 quad slash while averaging around 30 home runs and over 100 RBI per season with a cumulative 17.2 WAR, but is that deserving of having his number retired and having a plaque inside Monument Park? Well, that’s debatable. In my opinion, the answer is no, but I respect if anyone else wants to say yes. I am well aware of the Yankees World Series drought before Reggie arrived on the scene, and if that weighs into the decision more than it should, fine… but what about Phil Rizzuto?

Now while the comparison may not be exactly fair, Rizzuto lost the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons to World War II and his service with the US Navy, this may be the closest comparison that we can come up with. Gardner has played in 12 seasons with the Yankees while Rizzuto played in 13 and the stats are pretty similar. Again, not comparing the players... but I am comparing the stats. Gardner never won an MVP like Rizzuto did in 1950, and Gardner never finished second like Scooter did in 1949. I am comparing THE STATS while keeping in mind, again in my opinion, that the requirements for Monument Park have been watered down a bit over the years. 


Gardner career: .260/.342/.401/.743 with 124 HR, 524 RBI, 41.6 WAR, 12.5 dWAR.
Rizzuto career: .273/.351/.355/.706 with 38 HR, 563 RBI, 40.8 WAR, 22.9 dWAR. 

You wanna laugh?

Gardner has a lifetime 41.6 WAR

Tino, who played parts of 7 years with us, lifetime 29 WAR.
Paul O'Neill = 38.8 WAR
Posada = 42.8 WAR
Jeter 72.4 WAR

Gardner ranks higher than both Tino & O'Neill.https://t.co/SkXMm1aMgr

— The Bronx Zoo (@TheBronxZooNYY) November 12, 2019

I am in no way saying Gardner is Phil Rizzuto, or even better than the Yankees he is likely to pass in 2020 assuming he comes back and has a productive season (a 1.6 WAR in 2020 would put him past Don Mattingly and Jorge Posada, and within striking distance of Thurman Munson… all who have plaques inside Monument Park), but what I am saying is that I can see the Yankees giving Gardner his spot inside Monument Park before it is all said and done. If you can make a case for Rizzuto being in there, and Reggie Jackson being there, Jorge Posada being there (check the stats… Gardner is right there with Jorgie statistically and in five less seasons), etc., then you can at least make the argument that Gardner will be there as well.

And while we are on the subject, where is Roy White Day and his plaque inside Monument Park? Talk about a travesty.

This Day in New York Yankees History 5/4: Yogi Berra & the New Jersey Hall of Fame

On this day in 2008 Yogi Berra was one of 15 inaugural honorees to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Yogi was not without a "Yogism" as he called fellow inductee Albert Einstein "a pretty smart guy," although he did not think the Nobel Prize winner for physics would have made a good MLB manager.

Also on this day in 2006 Forbes magazine valued the New York Yankees at $1 billion making the Yanks the first Major League Baseball team to be valued over $1 billion. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were valued at $209 million coming in last in the publication.

Also on this day in 1981 the Yankees Ron Davis set a major league mark for consecutive strikeouts by a reliever when he struck out eight consecutive Angels batters in a 4-2 New York victory. Davis came in for the seventh inning and immediately got Don Baylor to pop up and followed to strike out the rest of the batters he faced en route to a save and a Yankees victory.

Also on this day in 1968 the song Mrs. Robinson made its debut on the Billboard Top 40. The lyrics in the song ask "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you."

Finally on this day in 1931 the Yankees put Babe Ruth at first base to take some strain off his legs and moved Lou Gehrig to right field. Gehrig commits an error in right and the Senators would win the game 7-3.

This Day in New York Yankees History 4/9: Joe Torre Re-Signs w/ Yankees

On this day in 2004 the New York Yankees and manager Joe Torre agreed on a new three year deal, a three year pact that would be his last in Yankees pinstripes. The deal also included an additional six year deal in which the 62 year old manager would become a team adviser through the 2013 season.


Also on this day in 1965 the Houston Astros opened the first domed stadium when they hosted the New York Yankees at the Astrodome. During the opening ceremonies 24 astronauts threw 24 ceremonial first pitches in the "Eight Wonder of the World" as the Colt .45's became the Astros.



Finally on this day in 1963 Yogi Berra made an appearance on the television soap opera General Hospital as Dr. Lawrence Berra, a brain surgeon. Yogi did this as a favor to former Indians infielder Johnny Berardino, now known as Johnny Beradino who played Dr. Steve Hardy on the soap.

Hall of Fame Tracker – Catchers

In this investigation, we will rank Hall of Famers, future eligible Hall of Famers, and active players at each respective position through generating a formula that captures how talented a particular player is relative to the other best players in that specific era. 

Numerous conditions will be in effect:

• HOF members who played solely in the NL (Negro Leagues) will be excluded from the comprehensive rankings because it would be illogical/imprecise to compare numbers from one league (NL) to another (MLB)

• PED/Steroid users Javy Lopez, Jim Leyritz, and Benito Santiago will be excluded from the 5 year interval averages (which will be explained below)

• Player must have played at least 5000 innings at primary position in order to be eligible for the list
• Player must have amassed at least 4000 career PA in order to be eligible for the list
• If a player is no longer eligible for the list (was not voted into the HOF), he will be excluded

• When a player accumulates less than 150 PA in a season, stats from that year will be excluded.
• If a player registers less than 250 PA in his penultimate season, offensive stats from that year will be factored out so long as he accrues less than 250 PA in his final season (in which case stats from that year would also be ruled out)

• When a player plays less than 300 innings at his primary position, stats from that year will be excluded.
• If a player plays less than 500 innings at his primary position in his 5th to last season (of playing his primary position – in this case catcher), defensive stats from that year will be factored out so long as he accrues less than 500 innings in each of his final 4 seasons (in which case stats from those years would also be ruled out)

• If a player plays less than 10% of their games at a secondary position, the defensive stats he accumulated at that position will be unaccounted for
• If a player qualifies for a secondary position, their stats (during a particular season) at that position will never be excluded (even if they play less than 300 innings at that secondary position)
• Under the circumstances that a player’s secondary position is the OF — and the OF position he played is not listed — the positional adjustments (see below) for the 3 OF spots will be averaged

• If a player plays his last year before 2002, TZ will be used as the fielding metric
• If a player plays his first year after 2001, Fielding Value (which is based on UZR and can be found on FanGraphs) will be used (a player’s UZR at secondary positions will be subtracted from his overall Fielding Value)
• If a player plays his first year before 2002 and his last year after 2001, Fielding Value (based on TZ before 2002) will be used (once again, a player’s TZ and/or UZR at secondary positions will be subtracted from his all-encompassing Fielding Value)

The following positional adjustments will be instituted (using FanGraphs’ Positional Adjustment tool as a basis tool) in regards to secondary positions:

• DH: -2.5 (per 162 games)
• 1B: +1 
• LF and RF: +2.5
• CF, 2B, and 3B: +5
• SS: +7.5
• C: +10

To view the “Hall of Fame Tracker – Catcher” spreadsheet (which I highly recommended viewing), click here

The equation used to calculate a player’s FINAL HOF SCORE (blue cells in spreadsheet) incorporates the following:

• OFF-DEF Score – compares Player A’s AVG, OBP, HR, RBI, SB, and TZ/UZR/FIELDING VALUE to the ^average of a top 10 player in each category (in 5 year intervals) for the duration in which Player A played, plus any regular season MVPs, World Series MVPs, and/or AL/NLCS MVPs Player A won

^ = the averages (which are outlined in the left side of the spreadsheet) are calculated within 5 year intervals (the first one being 1880 – 1884 and the most recent one being 2015 – Present — 2019 will be the 5th year of the latter interval) 

• Preliminary HOF Score – Player A’s OFF-DEF Score * (0.01 * PA)

• Adjusted HOF Score – Player A’s Preliminary HOF Score / (&Average Preliminary HOF Score / &Average fWAR)

& = the average of all the catchers that are in the HOF (who played in the MLB)

• Final HOF Score – (Player A’s Adjusted HOF Score + Player A’s fWAR) / 2

Here are the Final HOF Score rankings (KEY: Italicic = in the HOF; Bold = active player; Italic and Bold = retired player who is HOF eligible)

No.	Player Name	Primary/Current Team	Final HOF Score
1	Johnny Bench	Cincinnati Reds	81.5
2	Ivan Rodriguez	Texas Rangers	76.1
3	Yogi Berra	New York Yankees	75.5
4	Gary Carter	Montreal Expos	60.4
5	Carlton Fisk	Chicago White Sox	59.6
6	Gabby Hartnett	Chicago Cubs	56.3
7	Bill Dickey	New York Yankees	55.6
8	Mike Piazza	New York Mets	52.9
9	Mickey Cochrane	Philadelphia Athletics	48.3
10	Joe Mauer	Minnesota Twins	46.6
11	Roy Campanella	Brooklyn Dodgers	45.9
12	Buck Ewing	New York Giants	42.5
13	Yadier Molina	St. Louis Cardinals	37.7
14	Ernie Lombardi	Cincinatti Reds	35.4
15	Buster Posey	San Francisco Giants	34.6
16	Russell Martin	Los Angeles Dodgers	34.2
17	Brian McCann	Atlanta Braves	34.1
18	Roger Bresnahan	New York Giants	32.9
19	Ray Schalk	Chicago White Sox	31.7
20	Victor Martinez	Cleveland Indians	30.6
21	Rick Ferrell	Boston Red Sox	23.6
22	A.J. Pierzynski	Chicago White Sox	22.9
23	Jonathan Lucroy	Los Angeles Angels	20.3
24	Matt Wieters	St. Louis Cardinals	18.4
25	Kurt Suzuki	Washington Nationals	18.2
26	Chris Iannetta	Colorado Rockies	14.8

1. Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds 

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1967 – 1983
• Induction Year: 1989
• Stats (factoring out excluded offensive and/or defensive seasons (except for TZ/UZR/FIELDING VALUE at secondary position[s] for all players when pertinent)
  • PA: 8576
  • AVG: .268
  • OBP: .343
  • HR: 388
  • RBI: 1370
  • SB: 68
  • TZ at primary position: 97
  • MVPs: 2
  • WS MVPs: 1
  • Final HOF Score: 81.5
    • fWAR: 75.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 87.9

2. Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers

• Career Duration: 1991 – 2011
• Induction Year: 2017
• Stats 
  • PA: 10133
  • AVG: .297
  • OBP: .335
  • HR: 308
  • RBI: 1313
  • SB: 127
  • TZ at primary position: 161.3
  • MVPs: 1
  • AL/NLCS MVPs: 1
  • Final HOF Score: 76.1
    • fWAR: 68.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 83.5

3. Yogi Berra, New York Yankees 

• Career Duration: 1946 – 1965
• Induction Year: 1972
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8168
  • AVG: .285
  • OBP: .348
  • HR: 348
  • RBI: 1398
  • SB: 29
  • TZ at primary position: 29
  • TZ at secondary position (LF) + positional adjustment (per 162 games): 1.1
  • MVPs: 3
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 75.5
    • fWAR: 61.8
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 89.2

4. Gary Carter, Montreal Expos

• Career Duration: 1974 – 1992
• Induction Year: 2003
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8990
  • AVG: .262
  • OBP: .335
  • HR: 323
  • RBI: 1219
  • SB: 37
  • TZ at primary position: 106
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 60.4
    • fWAR: 68.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 52.0

5. Carlton Fisk, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1969 – 1993
• Induction Year: 2000
• Stats
  
  • PA: 9617
  • AVG: .271
  • OBP: .343
  • HR: 370
  • RBI: 1299
  • SB: 125
  • TZ at primary position: 34
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 59.6
    • fWAR: 67.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 51.3

6. Gabby Hartnett, Chicago Cubs

Photo: wgntv.com

• Career Duration: 1922 – 1941
• Induction Year: 1955
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6949
  • AVG: .299
  • OBP: .373
  • HR: 229
  • RBI: 1138
  • SB: 26
  • TZ: 12
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 56.3
    • fWAR: 53.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 59.2

7. Bill Dickey, New York Yankees

• Career Duration: 1928 – 1946
• Induction Year: 1954
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6889
  • AVG: .314
  • OBP: .383
  • HR: 200
  • RBI: 1197
  • SB: 37
  • TZ: 19
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 55.6
    • fWAR: 55.3
    • Adjusted HOF: 56.0

8. Mike Piazza, New York Mets

• Career Duration: 1992 – 2007
• Induction Year: 2016
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7745
  • AVG: .309
  • OBP: .378
  • HR: 426
  • RBI: 1328
  • SB: 17
  • TZ at primary position: -36.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 52.9
    • fWAR: 63.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 42.1

9. Mickey Cochrane, Philadelphia Athletics

• Career Duration: 1925 – 1937
• Induction Year: 1947
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5902
  • AVG: .322
  • OBP: .417
  • HR: 115
  • RBI: 803
  • SB: 63
  • TZ at primary position: -2
  • MVPs: 2
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 48.3
    • fWAR: 48.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 48.4

10. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

• Career Duration: 2004 – 2018
• Eligibility Year: 2024
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7838
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .388
  • HR: 137
  • RBI: 906
  • SB: 52
  • TZ at primary position: -3.6
  • TZ at secondary position (1B) + positional adjustment: 21.8
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 46.6
    • fWAR: 48.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 45.2

11. Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers

Photo: roycampanella.com

• Career Duration: 1948 – 1957
• Induction Year: 1969
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4816
  • AVG: .276
  • OBP: .360
  • HR: 242
  • RBI: 856
  • SB: 25
  • TZ at primary position: 17
  • MVPs: 3
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 45.9
    • fWAR: 38.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 53.6

12. Buck Ewing, New York Giants

• Career Duration: 1880 – 1897
• Induction Year: 1939
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5668
  • AVG: .304
  • OBP: .352
  • HR: 71
  • RBI: 860
  • SB: 349
  • TZ at primary position: 51
  • TZ at secondary positions (1B and OF) + positional adjustments: 18.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 42.5
    • fWAR: 47.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 37.4

13. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

• Career Duration: 2004 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 0.282
  • AVG: .282
  • OBP: .334
  • HR: 146
  • RBI: 859
  • SB: 60
  • TZ at primary position: 82.0
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 37.7
    • fWAR: 37.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 37.6

14. Ernie Lombardi, Cincinnati Reds

• Career Duration: 1931 – 1947
• Induction Year: 1986
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6231
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .359
  • HR: 186
  • RBI: 969
  • SB: 8
  • TZ at primary position: -21
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 35.4
    • fWAR: 41.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 29.2

15. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

• Career Duration: 2009 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4691
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .375
  • HR: 133
  • RBI: 635
  • SB: 23
  • TZ at primary position: 18.4
  • TZ at secondary position (1B) + positional adjustment: 7.1
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.6
    • fWAR: 39.1
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 30.1

16. Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

• Career Duration: 2006 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6399
  • AVG: .249
  • OBP: .349
  • HR: 185
  • RBI: 751
  • SB: 100
  • TZ at primary position: 27.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.2
    • fWAR: 37.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 30.6

17. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

• Career Duration: 2005 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6534
  • AVG: .263
  • OBP: .338
  • HR: 270
  • RBI: 714
  • SB: 25
  • TZ at primary position: 15.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.1
    • fWAR: 36.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 31.3

18. Roger Bresnahan, New York Giants

• Career Duration: 1897 – 1915
• Induction Year: 1945
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5231
  • AVG: .278
  • OBP: .385
  • HR: 25
  • RBI: 512
  • SB: 208
  • TZ at primary position: -1
  • TZ at secondary position (OF) + positional adjustment: 2.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 32.9
    • fWAR: 38.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 27.2

19. Ray Schalk, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1912 – 1929
• Induction Year: 1955
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6112
  • AVG: .253
  • OBP: .340
  • HR: 11
  • RBI: 583
  • SB: 174
  • TZ at primary position: 47
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 31.7
    • fWAR: 22.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 41.4

20. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

• Career Duration: 2002 – 2018
• Eligibility Year: 2024
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8130
  • AVG: .295
  • OBP: .360
  • HR: 245
  • RBI: 1173
  • SB: 7
  • TZ at primary position: -13.7
  • TZ at secondary positions (1B and DH) + positional adjustment: -6.6
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 30.6
    • fWAR: 28.3
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 33.0

21. Rick Ferrell, Boston Red Sox

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1929 – 1947
• Induction Year: 1984
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6957
  • AVG: .281
  • OBP: .378
  • HR: 28
  • RBI: 722
  • SB: 29
  • TZ: -4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 23.6
    • fWAR: 27.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 20.0

22. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1998 – 2016
• Eligibility Year: 2022
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7680
  • AVG: .280
  • OBP: .318
  • HR: 186
  • RBI: 894
  • SB: 14
  • TZ at primary position: -27.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 22.9
    • fWAR: 22.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 23.6

23. Jonathan Lucroy, Los Angeles Angels

• Career Duration: 2010 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4240
  • AVG: .277
  • OBP: .337
  • HR: 100
  • RBI: 509
  • SB: 30
  • TZ at primary position: 17.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 20.3
    • fWAR: 22.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 17.9

24. Matt Wieters, St. Louis Cardinals

• Career Duration: 2009 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4092
  • AVG: .249
  • OBP: .314
  • HR: 130
  • RBI: 501
  • SB: 8
  • TZ at primary position: 34.9
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 18.4
    • fWAR: 16.6
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 20.1

25. Kurt Suzuki, Washington Nationals

• Career Duration: 2007 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5319
  • AVG: .258
  • OBP: .315
  • HR: 114
  • RBI: 619
  • SB: 19
  • TZ at primary position: -1.1
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 18.2
    • fWAR: 18.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 17.4

26. Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies

• Career Duration: 2006 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 3996
  • AVG: .229
  • OBP: .346
  • HR: 133
  • RBI: 471
  • SB: 11
  • TZ at primary position: -16.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 14.8
    • fWAR: 18.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 11.7

1. Josh Gibson, Homestead Grays

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1930 – 1946
• Induction Year: 1972
• Stats
  • PA: 2119
  • HR: 113
  • RBI: 361
  • SB: 26

2. Biz Mackey, Hilldale Giants

• Career Duration: 1920 – 1947
• Induction Year: 2006
• Stats
  • PA: 3969
  • HR: 57
  • RBI: 403
  • SB: 72

3. Louis Santop, Hilldale Daisies

• Career Duration: 1911 – 1926
• Induction Year: 2006
• Stats
  • PA: 1312
  • HR: 16
  • RBI: 208
  • SB: 33