Quote:
Originally posted by Modern Relic
Another way to look at it: If Brooks Robinson belongs in the Hall, Santo certainly does. Santo's defense was damm near as strong as Robinson's and his offense simply blew Brooks out of the water. Not even close.
If I'm drafting a 3rd baseman, I'm taking Santo WAY ahead of Robinson.
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I don't think Johnnie Bench and the Reds of 1970 would agree with you.
Brooks Robinson was a great clutch player who performed in pennant races and World Series. Santo rarely was in a pennant race and, as I pointed out earlier, choked in the big race he was in, along with the rest of his team in 1969. Its a lot easier to hit after your team is out of the pennant race. Just ask Albert Belle.
I'll spot you Santo and put Brooks Robinson at third and watch Robinson find a way to beat you, best 4 out of 7 every time.
The Cubs did have putrid pitching (and their attempts to shore it up backfired miserably. Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio being classic). But great players make their teammates better, and Santo never did.
I looked through a book I'm reading called "We played the game" which has player recollecionts of 1947 to 1964. There's little about Santo, but Dick Ellsworth, his friend and roommate, says, "He was never as great as he thought he was." Interesting. That might have been the opinion of Santo's contemporaries, too. He didn't explain that further. He did say Santo became the leader in the club house, not Banks. Which most of us knew.