Chick Hafey - HOF...Why?

[Harliduck]

I picked up my SGC 34 Goudey Chick Hafey today, and as I do with all my pickups, I begin to do as much research and digging as I can to learn more about them. I only knew Chick from the fact he was a HOF player...but after looking into his stats...I gotta ask...seriously?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...afeych01.shtml

I also learned he was a hold out several times over money, often was at odds with management, and was traded to the last place Reds at the time to stick it to him. His stats are pedestrian, and his two claims to fame are one, getting the first hit in the first All Star game, and two, one of only two HOF players to wear glasses (Reggie Jackson). I can think of 30 players off the top of my head with better stats, careers, ect before I would put Chick into the HOF. He was inducted in 1971 by the Veterans Committee, which explains a little, but can someone tell me how he is justified to be in the Hall? Am I missing something? He was also an OFer...so I am not buying he was a defensive dynamo...(argument for some SSs or 2Bs). OFers need OFFENSE.


Here is my lastest pickup...great card...

[Harliduck]

I know Gil Hodges was still alive in 1971...I have this mental picture of him in a bar some place having a cold one and talking to some of his buddies about Chick getting in, and him saying...What do I have to do to get in?? Gil's stats BURY Chicks...I know that's not a rationale to get into the Hall...but...

[glchen]

Frank Frisch

[bender07]

Originally Posted by glchen

Frank Frisch

Nailed it. I was going to say "he was friends with Frankie Frisch". Same for Jim Bottomley.

[judsonhamlin]

And, if I'm not mistaken, Travis Jackson and High Pockets Kelly also rode the Frisch gravy train as well.

[Peter_Spaeth]

One of MANY utterly undeserving HOFers.