Larsen's Perfect Game

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by greymule

Phil Rizzuto did not play in that game. He played his last game in August 1956.

For years I had assumed that Hodges was in the Hall of Fame, but of course he's not. If Hodges makes it (lifetime .273), and with Arky Vaughn, Phil Rizzuto, and Harmon Killebrew there, you could make a case for Bauer (.277 lifetime and a fine clutch player). Actually, if you're enshrining everybody above "pretty good," then Dale Mitchell belongs there too (.312 lifetime).

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Phil Rizzuto hung on to play for the '56 Yanks, as did Enos Slaughter.

That was my exact quote. I didn't say that Rizzuto played in that game, but that he played for the club that year, as did Slaughter. Williams played for the Dodgers that year , also. I never said he played in that game, either.

Regarding the Hall of Fame: Batting averages have little to do with anything when it comes to Hall of Fame voting or candidacy. In fact, they have virtually nothing to do with it when used in a comparison like that. "Pretty Good"? Harmon Killebrew hit 573 home runs, which was second all time in the A.L to Babe Ruth when he retired. Killebrew had six home run crowns, eight 40-homer seasons and nine 100-RBI seasons. He was also an MVP. Pretty good, huh? His low average is inconsequential when compared to some others without anything close to Killebrew's production. You didn't give it much thought when you put his name in there based on batting average.

Gil Hodges played Gold Glove caliber defense and had seven consecutive 100-plus RBI seasons and a 98-RBI season and for a Brooklyn club that won six pennants. He also had a pair of 40-homer seasons and four others of 30 or more. He was one of the game's true gentlemen and one of its most respected leaders. Then there's the little matter of winning a World Series as manager of the Amazin' Mets.

Hodges is not in the Hall, because Ted Williams led a contingent of veterans committee voters to stop electing any 50s era Dodgers after Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider got in. Hodges is not an overwhelming choice, but with Orlando Cepeda and Tony Perez in there, Hodges, the 50s version of Perez (but with better hands) should be in there too.

Bill Mazeroski had over 100 double plays a year. He may have been the best defensive second baseman ever. That's why he's in the Hall--despite his .260 batting average.