I liked Pinson better than Robinson, though Robinson was obviously the better player. HOF monitor is just based on stats. Actual voters bring personal prejudices that may influence the way they feel.So I found Vada. Thanks again Bernie.
Pinson was a 95 on that scale, compared to 99 for Rolen and 87 for Ken Boyer. I guess that confirms his status as close, but no cigar. But very close.
What does piss me off is for someone that close he never got much respect at all from the HOF voters -- he stalled out with no shot. That wasn't fair.
There was a time (no longer true) that Vada Pinson had more base hits than anyone not in the Hall of Fame. That's tough.
Some stats: He had a.286 career batting average with 2,757 hits, 256 home runs, 1,169 runs batted in, and 1,365 runs scored. Pinson was selected to play in 4 All-Star Games. He also won a Gold Glove as a center fielder in 1961 -- when Willie Mays was still close to his prime and the National League was absolutely packed with great outfielders.
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