Young: On three former Houston Astros outfielders
From SABR member Geoff Young at Baseball Prospectus on February 12, 2013:
While researching a recent article about players who received zero or one career Hall of Fame vote, I stumbled across a personal favorite: Jimmy Wynn. Despite being small enough to earn the nickname “Toy Cannon,” he posted ridiculous numbers for the Astros in a venue that depressed offense.
Wynn retired just as I became aware of baseball, but he’s one of those players who stand out when you start to study Bill James. Sure, he hit .250, but look at the walks. He broke triple digits six times and ranks 52nd in history for his career. That counts for something.
Then I got to thinking about other Astros greats. Craig Biggio is on folks’ minds right now because he just missed getting into Cooperstown on his first try. (This still strikes me as less about PEDs than about uncertainty over his status; compare with Roberto Alomar‘s Hall of Fame path.)
Jeff Bagwell? Well, if you’re thinking about Biggio, you’re thinking about Bagwell as well. And by extension, maybe Larry Andersen.
But what about José Cruz? Or César Cedeño? Those two, along with Wynn, could play a little.
Read the full article here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19598
Originally published: February 12, 2013. Last Updated: February 12, 2013.