Players in the Hall who spent time with the Dodgers

I got to thinking about this when Albert joined the Dodgers. Just how many HOFer’s have spent time with the Dodgers in Brooklyn or LA. The answer right now is 46. Also 7 managers and coaches, 3 executives, and 4 broadcasters. The broadcasters are Scully, Red Barber, Jaime Jarrin, and Ernie Harwell, who did most of his work in Detroit. But he worked with Barber for a while. The execs are Larry McPhail, Walter O’Malley, and Branch Rickey.

Managers and coaches were Lasorda, Alston, Ned Hanlon, Ted Lyons, George Sisler, Wilbert Robinson, and Babe Ruth. Pretty heady company. Players include the likes of Jim Bunning, Gary Carter, Ricky Henderson, Billy Herman, Waite Hoyt, Greg Maddux, Juan Marichal, Frank Robinson, Joe Medwick, Eddie Murray, Piazza, Lloyd and Paul Waner, Hoyt Wilhelm, Ernie Lombardi, who was originally a Dodger and was traded after his rookie year, and Hack Wilson.

Some of those guys only spent one season with the Dodgers. Maddux spent parts of two seasons with LA as Ned Colletti traded for him twice. Some were only there for a few games, like Marichal. The ones who spent a majority or all of their careers with the Dodgers are Campy, Reese, Robinson, Drysdale, Koufax, Snider, Sutton, Dazzy Vance, Zack Wheat. Leo Durocher spent time as a player and a manager. Max Carey, Casey Stengel, Burleigh Grimes, John Montgomery Ward, also played and managed.

Names you might not know, Ki Ki Cuyler, Dan Brouthers, Billy Herman, who was also a coach, Rube Marquard, Hughie Jennings, Wee Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley, George Kelly, Tony Lazzeri, Fred Lindstrom, Al Lopez, who managed against the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series, Heinie Manush, Rabbit Maranville, don’t you just love these names?? And Arky Vaughan. Lots of history there. Some good, some bad. Lindstrom was with the Giants when a ball kangarooed over his head and they lost a critical game.

Lazzeri’s nickname with the Yankees was Poosh ’em up. He is famous for being struck out by Grover Alexander when the Cards beat the Yanks in the 1926 World Series. Arky Vaughn was a career .318 hitter and spent 4 years with Brooklyn. Robinson, Frank that is, the only players to win an MVP in both leagues. Campy won 3 as a Dodger. You wonder sometimes how good Campy would have been had he come into the league sooner, and not had some nagging injuries during his outstanding career.

For me, it has always been what if, what if they had never traded Piazza. I will always blame FOX for that. There have been some borderline HOF players come through LA. Garvey, as good as he was, his numbers still fall short. Hodges belongs, pure and simple. This time the voters got it wrong. His numbers compare with Tony Perez except for the RBI’s, but Perez played longer. However, he is only a few HRs ahead of Hodges. Many say Fernando belongs. As a Cultural icon, and for what he did bringing the Latino community to games in droves, maybe. But his career stats are too weak to garner entry. I think he may get in as a broadcaster someday, or if they decide players who made contributions outside of their stats.

Albert is a lock. He will go in 5 years after he retires and there will be a StL on his cap. Some think Hershiser belongs. Again I think his career stats are just a little shy of election. But he might get in if the Veteran’s committee thinks he is good enough. Another player I think needs a look-see again is Maury Wills. Maury changed the game when he arrived and brought back the stolen base. He also was the first to break Cobb’s record of 96.

I think CK will get in. Most likely a first-ballot guy. The rest of today’s Dodgers, well, I think that only time will tell. But it is fun to look back on those who came before. Guys like Boog Powell and Rocky Colovito. Close, but just a little shy of being hall-worthy.

Only Dodger Minor League Game: OKC BOX – Kaybear with his 7th HR. LHP Justin Bruihl was promoted to OKC from Tulsa after 15 innings (1.20 ERA/0.67 WHIP). He now has 3.1 scoreless innings at OKC with 6 K’s. Watch this guy!