MLB- 1940s-1960s compared to today

coinkat

One question comes to mind- does the legacy of players that did not quite make into the HOF grow in view of what MLB has become?

Seriously-

Simple questions that have been debated here about Gil Hodges, Frank Howard and his legendary blasts, Ron Santo among others.

Among older folks, that seems to be the case

NVbaseball

No matter what happens in 2013, it does not change what happened in 1955

Since you choose to mention "HOF" making it somewhat of a loaded question:
Everything that Gil Hodges did in his career did not meet the standards for the Hall-of-Fame. When Hodges was on the ballot, Johnny Mize still hadn't been inducted. Since then there have been a few first baseman better than him who have been left out: Dick Allen, Keith Hernandez, Will Clark, Jeff Bagwell

Howard is well below even Hodges. Nothing that happens now changes how bad of a fielder he was

JoeBanzai

Hodges should be in, Dick Allen as well.

1985fan

Gil Hodges should be in the hall of fame? Seriously? A guy who finished with just 3 top 10 MVP votes in his 16 year career, with his best being a 7th place finish? A guy whose career OBP is .354, and whose 370 HRs puts him just ahead of Adrian Beltre for 73rd all time? No, he had a very nice career, but suggesting he's hall worthy is ludicrous.

Dick Allen had a marginally better career (winning an MVP), but essentially his stats mirrored Hodges'. Similar OBP (.378), similar number of HRs (351 but in fewer years), but no, no way is he Hall worthy.

If a player didn't excel enough on the field in his time to make the hall, then we shouldn't sit back through the clouded lens of memory and trying to admit more guys in. If anything, a BUNCH of guys made it in the hall in the 60s and 70s that weren't worthy, and throwing in more now would only dilute the already diluted hall even more.

JoeBanzai

Anytime you disagree with me, I know I am right.