The Top 100 Players Not in the HOF

since 1972

"Eh, who knows what to do with these guys from the late 19th century and early 20th century? Jimmy Sheckard was a standout player who got on base, stole bases, scored runs and played breathtaking left-field defense. Players marveled at how he handled the bat; his 286 career sacrifice hits ranks Top 15 all-time. The legendary sportswriter Ring Lardner once called him “the best outfielder I ever looked at.” But he got lost in the early Hall of Fame days when everyone was focused on the immortals and nobody ever really picked up his case after World War II. There are a couple of people now trying to revive his case."

"A switch-hitting catcher with power, Big Train was a lifetime .300 hitter in the Negro Leagues, all the while wowing observers with his defensive reflexes and strong arm. Famed for using the heaviest bat in baseball, he made it to the Major Leagues in 1952 at age 39. And then there is Quincy Trouppe, who played for almost three decades in the Negro Leagues, in Mexico, in Cuba and wherever else there was a job. Trouppe hit, walked, played great defense and could throw with anybody. He was so admired that Cleveland gave him a shot to play in the big leagues long after his reflexes had faded, this after he’d been in baseball for two decades. “He has much stuff up here,” his former teammate Minnie Miñoso said as he pointed to his head."

I know. But the examples are similar. I remember  the clips of Gaylord throwing the spitter and everyone laughing. Then flashforward to 

'Chicks did the Long Ball". We all knew damn well the players were juicing. McGwire had power in college, but that much power? Constantly hitting 450-500 foot shots? Sosa never hits more than 15, then hits 60 three times. Barry Bonds goes from a normal athlete's body to The Thing from the Fantastic 4 overnight. No one gave a damn until Canseco's book came out.