Interesting Trivia Question

[trdcrdkid]

After reading all the comments, I caved and looked it up. The answer made me slap my forehead and say, “Oh, OK!” It’s arguably a little bit of a trick question. Interestingly, Hornsby #8 on the overall list, the highest on any right-handed hitter, and one of only two righties in the top 17. The highest-ranked active player (obviously not a HOFer yet) is #11, and is not who I would have guessed.

[Dewey]

First thought was Ichiro. But he's not in HOF. Duh. Then thought it must be a trick question, like it's a pitcher. Thought Don Newcombe. But I have no clue, so off to google I go!

[timn1]

There are many routes to the HOF

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by timn1

There are many routes to the HOF

Utilizing Tim's thought, perhaps Tommy LaSorda?

Brian

[Bpm0014]

Wasn’t he named above??

[Peter_Spaeth]

There is no freaking way a pitcher has an all time high on base percentage.

[brianp-beme]

I'm going the pitcher route...Red Ruffing?

Brian

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

After reading all the comments, I caved and looked it up. The answer made me slap my forehead and say, “Oh, OK!” It’s arguably a little bit of a trick question. Interestingly, Hornsby #8 on the overall list, the highest on any right-handed hitter, and one of only two righties in the top 17. The highest-ranked active player (obviously not a HOFer yet) is #11, and is not who I would have guessed.

I would have guessed Trout so that must be wrong.

[oldjudge]

As a little, but not very useful clue, his OBP was .466. He was not a pitcher and had a seventeen year MLB career, mostly as an infielder.

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I would have guessed Trout so that must be wrong.

No, Trout is the only other active player in the top 50, but way down the list at #34.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

No, Trout is the only other active player in the top 50, but way down the list at #34.

Cabrera or Votto then.

[steve B]

I didn't have any good guesses so I looked it up.

It's really interesting.

[oldjudge]

I will put the correct answer out sometime after midnight EDT. As a final clue, this HOF and at least eight other fellow members share the same initials(just first and last names).

[Misunderestimated]

Smartest (baseball IQ at least) player ever -- John McGraw a 3B. Alternatively, another "Old Oriole" Hugh Jennings whose HBP drives his OBA up. Also most of their actual playing days was during the inflated average 1890's --

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Cabrera or Votto then.

Yeah, Votto is #11. Cabrera is way down at #78, #4 among active players. Can anybody guess who is #3 among active players, #60 all time?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

Yeah, Votto is #11. Cabrera is way down at #78, #4 among active players. Can anybody guess who is #3 among active players, #60 all time?

Pujols?

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Pujols?

Nope, he's #7 active, tied for #124 all time.

Goldschmidt is #3 among active players.