[greymule]

Slaughter did play in Larsen's perfect game. That's why I was confused about the mention of Rizzuto.

But I was wrong about 8 HOF players. It was 7. I looked up Maglie a while back and remembered erroneously that he was in the HOF. Of course, I could claim that by saying "future" Hall-of-Famers, I was including Hodges on the assumption that he'll eventually make it. And I'd take Furillo and Bauer ahead of some guys who are in.

HOF in bold:

Maglie Campanella Hodges Gilliam Robinson Reese Amoros Snider Furillo Mitchell

Larsen Berra Collins Martin Carey McDougald Slaughter Mantle Bauer

I gave up on HOF arguments long ago. The criteria for entry are not clear enough. (Does a good, solid—but hardly great—pitcher get in if his arm hangs in there for 18 years and he wins 220 games? How low can an infielder hit and still make it? If being a scumbag can keep you out, can being a swell guy nudge you in?)

We can all name our choice of guys who are in but shouldn't be and guys who aren't in but should be. And we're all aware that there are players who are better than their stats, and players not as good as their stats.

Also, it's obvious that politics has played a significant part with regard to the borderline players.

I enjoy more trying to put together first, second, third team All-Time All Stars (who would your three outfielders be?), even though it's hard to compare players across eras.