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LivnLegend · 12-15-2002, 02:30 AM

Jason, you set me up! Put me right on the tee and took a whack with your driver.

OK, first of all, Wills was not just a one dimensional player. Wills was generally regarded as the top all around SS during his prime. As a fielder Wills was top notch; he had a n accurate, strong arm (remember, he was originally a minor league pitcher) which complimented his speed and quickness in the field. Wills won two Gold Gloves early in his career; before he could be accused of winning the GG award more for his bat or "reputation" as we have seen with some well-known players.

In the early 1980's there were very few shortstops in the Hall. Many well-respected sports writers (Hall of fame writer Jim Murray & Pulitzer winning Dave Anderson are two examples) generally agreed the Hall would do well to add Luis Aparicio, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, and Maury Wills. I'm not sure why the first three were added but Wills was not. He stands right with all of them in most, if not all, respects (okay, Aparicio's fielding prowess aside).

Also, Jason, I think you are a big fan of Bill James if I remember correctly. I know someone else earlier tried to say James is on record discrediting Wills but here's a quote:

"While active, I think it was generally assumed that Wills was a Hall of Fame-caliber player. . . . He was a smart player, and, as a Gold Glove winner, .300 hitter and base-stealing champion on an outstanding team, a player with too many positives to be lightly dismissed." Bill James, Historical Baseball Abstract, 1985, p. 372

12-15-2002, 02:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hunters Ridge, CA Posts: 5,530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1x in 1 post	Jason, you set me up! Put me right on the tee and took a whack with your driver. OK, first of all, Wills was not just a one dimensional player. Wills was generally regarded as the top all around SS during his prime. As a fielder Wills was top notch; he had a n accurate, strong arm (remember, he was originally a minor league pitcher) which complimented his speed and quickness in the field. Wills won two Gold Gloves early in his career; before he could be accused of winning the GG award more for his bat or "reputation" as we have seen with some well-known players. In the early 1980's there were very few shortstops in the Hall. Many well-respected sports writers (Hall of fame writer Jim Murray & Pulitzer winning Dave Anderson are two examples) generally agreed the Hall would do well to add Luis Aparicio, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, and Maury Wills. I'm not sure why the first three were added but Wills was not. He stands right with all of them in most, if not all, respects (okay, Aparicio's fielding prowess aside). Also, Jason, I think you are a big fan of Bill James if I remember correctly. I know someone else earlier tried to say James is on record discrediting Wills but here's a quote: "While active, I think it was generally assumed that Wills was a Hall of Fame-caliber player. . . . He was a smart player, and, as a Gold Glove winner, .300 hitter and base-stealing champion on an outstanding team, a player with too many positives to be lightly dismissed." Bill James, Historical Baseball Abstract, 1985, p. 372 __________________ 1977 Dodgers MLB Replay - A replay of the '77 Dodger season, managing each game individually Pastoral Baseball Union - An 1800's Dynasty I'm going back to where I started. I'm flashing back into my pan.