I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but played on the diamond for the Skunk Bears of UM. During my 19-year career in the Major Leagues I had 3,148 put outs, 5,858 assists, and a measly 235 errors, yet I only won 3 Gold Gloves. All the while I took home 9 Silver Slugger awards by finishing in the top ten of batting average four times, slugging % twice, hits three times, on-base % three times, and runs scored four times. I also finished in the top ten of stolen bases five times in my career. One year I led the league in at bats per strikeout – 24.5.
I played for one World Series winner. In my trophy case I have a Most Valuable Player award, a Roberto Clemente award, and a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. Will this be enough for a plaque at Cooperstown?
Who am I?
Barry Larkin. He should get in at the latest second ballot. If Ozzie is in, Larkin is in. Is it wrong to compare these two NL greats?
Barry Larkin
Oh man, just edged out by Rey. Well, at least it wasn’t Wally. 😉
Larkin’s Hall of Fame candidacy is intriguing. I’d vote for him, although he doesn’t have overwhelming numbers…less than 1000 RBI in a 19-year career, and some of the SABRmetric stats don’t really support his candidacy. But, it’s hard to argue with being considered the best offensive player at your position nine times, and being no slouch defensively either. Ozzie Smith was winning all the Gold Gloves in the first half of his career, and it’s hard to hold it against him that he didn’t win any after age 33, especially at such a highly skilled and important position.
Score one for Reynell.
Chas – you get a helmet sticker for the ‘just edged out…’ comment. As the hipsters would say I lol.
Rey
Nothing wrong with comparison – Ozzie 4,249 put outs, 8,375 assists, and 281 errors. 1 Silver Slugger – A LOT of sac hits – led the league twice/ finished twice two other times, top ten stolen bases 7 times, and a pretty good strike outs per at bat ratio – finished in the 3 – 8 times in his career.
Barry Larkin was a very good player, BUT I’m not thinking HoF for him. Just doesn’t climb into the “Great career” category, IMO. He may indeed end up being the Ron Santo of shortstops. (btw, I believe Santo should be in the HoF).
Of course I didn’t come in first with this … I was in my 4th hour of sleep last night. We’re 4 hours behind you EC guys! Unfair!! 🙂
Wally
Yeah – I was going to point out earlier the disadvantage Wally had on this one. Should we have a standard day/time for Who Am I? Sunday nights with POTW?
No way! Wally playing the unfair card? Unfathomable. And to think this is coming from a guy who lives in the state of our potential first female VP. Unfair? Hmpf!
🙂
I like the randomness of Who am I? posting. Don’t worry Wally it all comes out in the laundry. 🙂
Next thing you know – you guys will declare Happy Hour times as off limits. 🙂
And oh yeah – Wally – when you come on to comment please enter through https://ccww.wordpress.com.
Stop stealing my ultra-cheesy Pat Riley thumb nail! 🙂
Casey
Keep it random- reward those who check in more consistently than this bruised Pats fan…