The Keltner List

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

 

No. Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson were superior players.

 

2. Was he the best player on his team?

 

No. Wally Moon was better in 1961, Tommy Davis was better in '62, and from then on Wills was surpassed by Sandy Koufax.

 

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

 

Wills was the best shortstop in baseball from 1961-62, and the best in the National League from 1961-65.

 

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

 

Wills was the shortstop for four NL pennant winners, and three World Series winners.

 

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?

 

Yes. He played regularly until he was 38.

 

6. Is he the very best baseball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

 

No.

 

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?

 

Three of Wills' ten most similar players are in the Hall.

 

8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

 

Not quite. Wills scores 16 on the Black Ink test, 67 on the Gray Ink test, and meets 28.6% of HOF standards.

 

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

 

Wills won two Gold Gloves.

 

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?

 

No. Alan Trammell is more qualified.

 

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

 

Wills won an MVP award in 1962 (although several others were more qualified), and finished in the top ten four times.

 

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?

 

Wills played in five All-Star games.

 

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

 

Only in 1962, '63 and '65. Otherwise, no.

 

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

 

Yes. Wills restored the stolen base to prominence, setting a modern day steals record of 104 in 1962, and winning six consecutive stolen base crowns. The steal, dead as an offensive weapon in the '50s, skyrocketed in the '60s.

 

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

 

Wills was a petulant character, generally hard to get along with. His managerial stint was a disaster.

 

Conclusion: Another player with a few prime seasons, but otherwise an unimpressive resume. Wills was great for four years, but nothing special in his other seasons. I say no to Wills. He just wasn't great for long enough.

[bob_barron 0]

I've really enjoyed these Al.

 

I'd like to see you do famous Braves: Dale Murphy and David Justice.

 

I know both are no's but I just want to see where they measure up

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'll add them to the pile.

 

Here are the players I've done so far: Bert Blyleven, Dave Concepcion, Goose Gossage, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Roger Maris, Don Mattingly, Carl Mays, Fred McGriff, Minnie Minoso, Thurman Munson, Tim Raines, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Alan Trammell, Maury Wills, Jimmy Wynn.

 

Players in the Queue: Albert Belle, Andre Dawson, Wes Ferrell, Steve Garvey, Bobby Grich, Stan Hack, Tommy John, Davey Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Paul O'Neill, Dave Parker, Jim Rice, Ted Simmons, Lee Smith, Dave Steib, Luis Tiant, Joe Torre, Lon Warneke, Dale Murphy, Dave Justice.

[bob_barron 0]

Another quick question Al-

 

What is the Black and Gray Ink test?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Quite simply, it is a measure of how they fare on leaderboards. The Black Ink test measures how often a player led his league in stats such as home runs, RBIs, batting average, and so on. The Gray Ink test measures how often a player appeared in the top ten.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

hey thanks for linking to the Tim Raines post

 

 

ps - have you been following the Edgar discussion/argument at Primer?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Not closely. Last I checked it was at over 200 posts, which is somewhat intimidating. The specifics of the argument (low counting totals/DH vs. High OBP) are pretty much set as it is.

[the max 0]

I can't wait for Jim Rice.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I think Martinez may give Rice a run for his money as most borderline.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Tony Olivia.

 

Unfortuntley I don't think he measures up, but when he was healthy one of the best in baseball.

[Beast 0]

I think Martinez may give Rice a run for his money as most borderline.

 

Are you saying you think Martinez and Rice are the most deserving people not in the Hall or that they are borderline hall of famers, as in not quite making the cut? If it's the former, Martinez couldn't lick Santo or Sandberg's boots.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

borderline as in you can say the're in or out and not be wrong.

 

I agree with you on Sandberg by the way.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Sandberg isn't borderline. He is IN, and that the voters missed that is a disgrace.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

he seems pretty much guarenteed for the next class though