tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post238682758867911831..comments2023-10-09T05:22:49.908-07:00Comments on St. Louis Cardinals' Cardboard: Ted Simmons the most forgotten modern catcher?Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00723730037880660613noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-19146346685894510682016-04-14T19:20:32.479-07:002016-04-14T19:20:32.479-07:00Just read an interesting article that listed a few...Just read an interesting article that listed a few cool facts:<br /><br />1. Career batting average was 18 points (or higher) than Johnny Bench, Gary Carter, and Carlton Fisk.<br /><br />2. Had more career hits and RBI's than those three HOFers.<br /><br />3. Hit more doubles than Brooks Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Jimmie Foxx, and Roberto Clemente.<br /><br />4. Simmons retired as the NL career switch-hitting home run king.<br /><br />5. Simmons and Bench share the exact same career fielding percentage... which ranks them 6th among HOF catchers.<br /><br />If you're bored, here's the article...<br /><br />http://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article17740520.htmlFujihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-35071217313774205982016-04-14T19:11:10.382-07:002016-04-14T19:11:10.382-07:00I definitely remember Simmons from my childhood. ...I definitely remember Simmons from my childhood. But it seems like the card companies have dropped the ball. It'd be nice to see him in a future Topps Archives Fan Favorites Autograph issue. I know I'd buy one for my collection.<br /><br />Off to read about the argument him and Whitey had ;)Fujihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-8379288683133789542016-04-11T18:40:30.967-07:002016-04-11T18:40:30.967-07:00True, was just talking to my wife that had they h...True, was just talking to my wife that had they had one solid play off run he would be in.Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00723730037880660613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-80633734016723093122016-04-11T18:39:49.819-07:002016-04-11T18:39:49.819-07:00Fantastic overview Tony, thank youFantastic overview Tony, thank youManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00723730037880660613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-75501645746263439212016-04-11T11:11:25.878-07:002016-04-11T11:11:25.878-07:00I agree his numbers get overlooked. In between pl...I agree his numbers get overlooked. In between playing the same time as Bench and the Cardinals being a bad team in the 1970s, Simmons did not get much media attention.CardinalsFan16https://www.blogger.com/profile/14120586875226942659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229213556047981911.post-34807559262933997212016-04-11T09:43:46.859-07:002016-04-11T09:43:46.859-07:00I think it was Bill James -- or the guys with Base...I think it was Bill James -- or the guys with Baseball Forecaster -- who coined the phrase "The Steve Carlton Path to Retirement" for guys who hung around the majors long enough for their numbers to get so wretched that people forget how good a player the guy was in his prime. <br /><br />I think Simmons qualifies for this. He's a unique player -- no one has a similarity score higher than 863 (Miguel Tejada). He was a bit aloof at times, certainly, but he was also erudite and spent his time and money on things like the opera and art museums.<br /><br />He is the top eligible catcher not in the HOF by JAWS and WAR (Ivan Rodriguez becomes eligible this year and should make it, I'd say). There are several HOF catcher below him on the list -- Buck Ewing, Ernie Lombardi, Roger Bresnahan, Ray Schalk and Rick Ferrell (also Roy Campanella, who I view as different thanks to his color keeping him out of the majors at the beginning of his career).<br /><br />I fully agree with you that he is overlooked, and I've said as much on my blog a few times too.Tony L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01349226671097456632noreply@blogger.com