McVey played only nine years of professional ball, five seasons in the National Association and the first four of the newly formed Major Leagues.
Yet a strong case should be made for his induction to the Hall of Fame, and not solely on his “pioneering” status.
By the time McVey left the game in 1879 after two seasons with Cincinnati, he fashioned a .346 lifetime average while leading his league in runs batted in twice, doubles once, hits twice and runs scored his “rookie” year of 1871.
He was an important member of the N.A. Boston team that also featured Al Spalding, the Wright brothers and Ross Barnes (another player grossly over-looked by the Hall), then went on to team up with Cap Anson, Spalding, Barnes and Deacon White over in Chicago when the new league formed.
This guy is FULL of important baseball history, while also performing on the field as the numbers show.
Just one of my many gripes with the Hall of Fame (and especially the Veteran’s Committee).