Time to go an add should-be Hall of Fame catcher Ted Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals to my ongoing 1975 “In-Action” thread:
“Simba” was smack in the middle of an incredible run for ANY catcher in
Major League history, collecting over 190 hits twice, driving in over
100 runs twice, while hitting as high as .332, getting named to the
National League All-Star team three straight years between 1972-1974.
The man went on to have one of the greatest MLB careers for catchers,
playing 21-years for the Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta
Braves, hitting .285 with 248 home runs and 1389 runs batted in and
scoring 1074 runs, with 2472 hits and 483 doubles.
Along the way he made eight All-Star teams while getting MVP
consideration seven seasons, yet unbelievably, when it was time for him
to get some Hall of Fame love in 1994, he only received 3.7% of the
vote, knocking him of the ballot after only one year. Just ridiculous.
Seriously, this was one of those moments when I realized how much of a joke the HOF is, and I’ve been sour on it ever since.
Anyway, Ted Simmons, if not under the shadows of Johnny Bench, Gary
Carter, Carlton Fisk, would be in, and had an amazing career that should
be appreciated a lot more.