Lou Whitaker might belong in the empty region just above where he is in your artistic Venn diagram, in the intersection of overlooked position, undervalued stats, and overshadowed career. He was at least a little bit overshadowed by Alan Trammell.
When they were establishing their image in Detroit and around MLB as young players, Trammell had the gaudier numbers, and the more gregarious relationship with the media. Whitaker was the ROY in their rookie year, but then had a down year or two. Tram got into the All-Star game first, and had a true MVP year in 1987 (even though the award went to George Bell). Whitaker caught Trammell and passed him in career WAR in the latter years of their careers, always under the radar. By then his image was fixed as the slightly dimmer star of their all-time partnership in the Detroit keystone. Whitaker seemed content to stay out of the spotlight, so he never caught up to Trammell in the eyes of the media, or the general public.
They should have gone into the Hall together. Whitaker's elimination from the ballot in the first round was a Hall of Fame voting atrocity. He needs to get in while they both are alive to enjoy it.
I do not get to vote but I love writing about the Hall of Fame and I have to say: you rock at this! You have a method, you think hard, you can change your mind (but not in an arbitrary silly way) and sure you don’t agree with everyone but here’s the rub: if we all agreed this would be easy
Wonderful explanation and I look forward to reading this next year! I am glad I found this Substack!
I'm not a Hall of Fame voter, but I have almost no disagreement with your ballot, Sam. It's basically perfect. I would have voted for Wagner over Buehrle but your argument for doing it the other way around is extremely compelling (especially as I feel that 3B is still underrepresented even after Beltré gets in; it shouldn't be the same with starting pitching).
I'm much the same. That's the only quibble I might have, but it's only to a degree. Very similar spots IMO, but Wagner has that immediacy/rarity going for him.
Thank you for writing a ballot explainer, Sam!
Lou Whitaker might belong in the empty region just above where he is in your artistic Venn diagram, in the intersection of overlooked position, undervalued stats, and overshadowed career. He was at least a little bit overshadowed by Alan Trammell.
When they were establishing their image in Detroit and around MLB as young players, Trammell had the gaudier numbers, and the more gregarious relationship with the media. Whitaker was the ROY in their rookie year, but then had a down year or two. Tram got into the All-Star game first, and had a true MVP year in 1987 (even though the award went to George Bell). Whitaker caught Trammell and passed him in career WAR in the latter years of their careers, always under the radar. By then his image was fixed as the slightly dimmer star of their all-time partnership in the Detroit keystone. Whitaker seemed content to stay out of the spotlight, so he never caught up to Trammell in the eyes of the media, or the general public.
They should have gone into the Hall together. Whitaker's elimination from the ballot in the first round was a Hall of Fame voting atrocity. He needs to get in while they both are alive to enjoy it.
I do not get to vote but I love writing about the Hall of Fame and I have to say: you rock at this! You have a method, you think hard, you can change your mind (but not in an arbitrary silly way) and sure you don’t agree with everyone but here’s the rub: if we all agreed this would be easy
Wonderful explanation and I look forward to reading this next year! I am glad I found this Substack!
You're good, Wagner was 5 votes shy.
Next year already freaking me out
How would you feel if you had the LOWEST disagreement score?
I'd feel amazing. Complete validation for my entire life.
I'm not a Hall of Fame voter, but I have almost no disagreement with your ballot, Sam. It's basically perfect. I would have voted for Wagner over Buehrle but your argument for doing it the other way around is extremely compelling (especially as I feel that 3B is still underrepresented even after Beltré gets in; it shouldn't be the same with starting pitching).
I'm much the same. That's the only quibble I might have, but it's only to a degree. Very similar spots IMO, but Wagner has that immediacy/rarity going for him.
I appreciate you presenting your ballot in the way that you did. Thanks Sam