JRull86
Registered User
By this logic, Bret Boone should also be a borderline HOFer.
9 year stretch: 197 HR, 763 RBI (22/85) while also playing gold glove defense.
Yet he got ONE vote on his only year on the ballot.
Red Sox/MLB 2024 Spring Training Part 4: - Ownership seems content with another last place finish in 2024
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9 year stretch: 197 HR, 763 RBI (22/85) while also playing gold glove defense.
Yet he got ONE vote on his only year on the ballot.
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 30,808
- 42,467
He was a tremendous first baseman defensively and offensively, but the impact of D at that position is generally regarded as the least important of all positions. Having a Mattingly over a random fat slugger who's jusy there to hit may save you an extra base hit or two a week, a couple runs a month, and possibly a few games a year. Compared to catcher where a good game caller and thrower can make a major, major difference in runs allowed. And if that defensive stalwart can hit like Mauer, you've got an MVP in every sense.
Mattingly was the all around best at his position in the 80s, it was just the least important position and the voters hold that against him.
Dennis Bonvie
Registered User
Brett Boone had 3 seasons in his career with over 100 RBI. A far cry from 8 times in 9 years.
Not to mention those 3 seasons were more than likely steroid enhanced.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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Growing up watching Mattingly from beginning he was the best player in the game for a half dozen seasons till his back did him in
When you watched him he stood at the intersection of respect and greatness
He’s a hell yah guy to me
We had season tickets in row 1 is section 27 GS ($12 to $15 I believe) and saw him a lot / he was beloved by the most Yankees hating Red Sox fan
We had Boggs who many Sox fans hated and wished it was Donny Baseball
Life is cruel when Mattingly has to retire early and Boggs wins a WS with Yankees
When you watched him he stood at the intersection of respect and greatness
He’s a hell yah guy to me
We had season tickets in row 1 is section 27 GS ($12 to $15 I believe) and saw him a lot / he was beloved by the most Yankees hating Red Sox fan
We had Boggs who many Sox fans hated and wished it was Donny Baseball
Life is cruel when Mattingly has to retire early and Boggs wins a WS with Yankees
I can't emphasize the bolded part enough.......
Not sure how many of you played baseball beyond Little League, or how many of you were catchers, but the absolute beating your body takes, playing that position day after day is something that a lot of casual fans (and HOF voters for that matter) don't appreciate. Try catching 4 games in 5 days in the heat of a St Louis summer and you'll see Yadier Molina in a whole new light.
I absolutely think that catchers should be compared to other catchers, rather than players at the other 7 (non pitching) positions on the field when considering HOF eligibility.
Now in the case of Mauer, yes, he played the back half of his career as a 1B so the Mattingly comparison is somewhat fair. But the reason he got put there, was because his body just couldn't take the abuse anymore. It shortened Posey's career as well. But in fairness to Mauer, his greatest statistical years were behind the plate.
As a Catcher, he definitely deserves to be in the HOF. As a first baseman....no.
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Dennis Bonvie
Registered User
Mattingly had a fantastic 6 year prime.
His last 6 were average due to injury.
Consistently walked more than he struck out (588/444).
Career .307 hitter.
I'd have voted him in.
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 30,808
- 42,467
Here's a stupid and irrelevant Mattingly story.....
I got the baseball Don Mattingly hit to tie Dale Long's record for most consecutive games with a HR (8 games). I remember that game was on my 19th birthday.
I was working the Field Crew with my brother for the Texas Rangers in the summer of 1987. He was on regular staff, I was a summer job fill in. There was like a 3ft gap between the OF bleachers and the OF wall at the old Arlington Ballpark, and his home run just cleared the wall and landed in that gap.
My brother and I were taking trash out to the dumpster underneath the outfield bleachers when the ball came flying in. I picked it up and was gonna put it with all the other balls, until we found out who hit it. We ended up giving it to Don, and he ended up signing a new ball for me in return. I have no idea where that autographed ball is, now.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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Jimy Williams, who managed Red Sox from 1997-2001, dies at 80 after brief illness - The Boston Globe
Williams led Boston to back-to-back 90-plus-win seasons in 1998 and 1999, and won two World Series rings coaching elsewhere.
www.bostonglobe.com
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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22Brad Park
Registered User
Funny how they look at things because to me a 1st baseman is important with guys throwing balls across the diamond into the dirt and him needing to pick it out.A good 1st baseman makes infielders relax more, I know that much.They also are taking throws from pitcher .I mean RF to me does barely anything if I am being honest.Anyways I get what you are laying down and think you are correct with how they look at things.
BigBadBruins7708
Registered User
JRull86
Registered User
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 30,808
- 42,467
Schiraldi and McNamara shoulder way more of the blame for 1986 than Buckner.
LOL. I'd forgotten he hit that off of Jose Guzman...
That guy always had really good stuff, he just never had any command whatsoever.......On the odd day where he could locate his pitches, he was just about unhittable. He'd go 7+ scoreless one start, and then give up 5 on 3IP with 5 walks the next.
I think he still does the Spanish broadcast for the Rangers....
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DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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His opening press conference he got roasted by media and always was distrustful after
Felt bad for him but they and fans were very mean to this guy
Frog booty something or other statement
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 30,808
- 42,467
Because the media all wanted Whitey Herzog who wanted to stay retired or Jim Leyland who chose Florida over Boston, so he came in as a third choice option in their book and had a southern drawl that didn't fit in in New England.
I don't think Jimy was anywhere near the greatest field manager this franchise has had, but he was there for some memorable moments and really the majority of my formative years watching baseball, so I wish his family the best.
EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
Jimy Williams was a good manager who got more out of his players than an average coach would have. He was also a little weird and people focused on his oddities more than they should have. If he coached now, though, he'd be a cult hero.
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
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Yes
By all accounts he was a fantastic guy - a throwback
Unfortunately he was here when a WS seemed like a fantasy and we were cynical
I was still expecting the Cardinals to rally with 4 in the last of the 9th
I was a fan since 1967 and many many of the Sox teams were powerhouses
A good 10 seasons between 1967-2004 the Sox were good enough to win a WS
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