...star second baseman with the Yankees and Indians 1938-1950 belongs in the Hall? I think he might be deserving. He had a short career, but he lost 2 seasons to WW2. His 264 career HRs are still the AL record for most home runs by a second baseman, impressive since he played in Yankee and Municipal Stadiums.
2007-12-20 13:55:34 · 5 answers · asked by Buffalo1 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I'd vote for him if I could. He did have a short career, but it was (for a second baseman, and position MATTERS) a truly brilliant one. That, to me, measures up.
My blogthoughts about Gordon, dating back to February when he was on the Veterans Committee ballot (scroll down to candidate #6):
(link deleted -- sorry, I keep forgetting that the Yahoo Powers Dat Be hate, hate, hate blogspot)
Herewith, the text:
Playing career: 11 seasons (with a two-year break for military service); New York Yankees (1938-43, '46), Cleveland Indians (1947-50).
Standout season(s): 1942 (.322/.409/.491, 173 hits, 103 RBI, 155 adjOPS).
Career stat highlight: 253 HR (hit 246 while playing second baseman, the positional record until Joe Morgan surpassed him; now 4th among 2Bmen).
Major honors and statistical crowns: 1942 AL MVP, nine All-Star selections, games played in 1940-41. Member of five World Series champion teams (1938-41, '43, '48) and one other AL champion (1942).
Primary position: second base.
BBWAA Hall voting: 12 ballots, peaking at 28.53%.
2003 VC voting: 23.5%
2005 VC voting: 17.5%.
Baseball bonus points: was a manager for five seasons, running the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, and the original (1969) Kansas City Royals. Famously helped the intergration of baseball by quickly befriending Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League, in 1947.
Gordon wasn't a huge, outfield/firstbase type bat, but he set the standard for second basemen. Very good hitter, excellent defense, got face time on champion teams, and if there had been a Rookie Of The Year Award in 1938 he'd probably have won it. About the only criticism here is the short career (not even discounting the time served in the military; many others from all walks made that sacrifice). However, it was a short, brilliant career. I'm good with that.
Chipmaker's vote: yes.
2007-12-20 15:05:16 · answer #1 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only problem is the current atmosphere of baseball tends toward the mean and not the kind. Never mind about how good he was or WWII, Yankees are hated and people are just too negative to care. You might be right, mind, but in the last 25 years that hasn't meant a thing, not even to the fans.
2007-12-20 14:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every "good" player can't make the elite group. His statute of limitations are probably over for him, and can't get on the ballot anyway. I doubt there are enough people like yourself around that have a vote that can even remember Joe Gordon. Making it in as a Write-in candidate is unlikely.
I think Davey Concepcion deserves to be in the HOF, but I doubt seriously he will ever make it because he didn't slug the ball. He was the infield catalyst for many Reds teams in the '70s and is in the Cincinnati HOF, but his time is running out also.
2007-12-20 23:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
That is an impressive HR total but he is a .260 hitter has less than 100RBI's . I know his career was short but he only has 1500 hits and never had 200 in a season. This is not a HOF player
2007-12-20 14:15:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, edspecially since he was a 2b man
2007-12-21 02:19:02 · answer #5 · answered by sugarpie2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋