Cooperstown Chronicles: Sherry Magee

Third Stone From the Sun, a friend of mine from Sporting News, wanted me to profile Sherry Magee. Here are my findings.

The Numbers
2087 Games
7441 At Bats
.291 Batting Average
1112 Runs
2169 Hits
425 Doubles
166 Triples
83 HRs
1176 RBI
441 SB

Awards
7th in MVP Votes in 1914

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average - Twice (Led league in 1910)
On-base % - Five Times (Led league in 1910)
Slugging % - Eleven Times (Led league in 1910 & 1914)
OPS - Eight Times (Led league in 1910)
Games - Four Times (Led league in 1905)
At Bats - Three Times
Runs - Seven Times (Led league in 1910)
Hits - Six Times (Led league in 1914)
Double - Ten Times (Led league in 1914)
Triples - Nine Times
Home Runs - Seven Times
Total Bases - Nine Times (Led league in 1910 & 1914)
RBI - Nine Times (Led league in 1907,1910, 1914, 1918)
Walks - Once
Hit By Pitch - Six Times
Stolen Bases - Six Times

His numbers aren’t that impressive overall, but you have to consider that he played in the Dead Ball Era. He was easily one of the best hitters in his era, finishing in the top ten in virtually ever offensive category for a decade. He ranks 44th on the All-time Black Ink test and 34th on the Gray Ink test to determine his Hall of Fame worthiness. It’s a wonder to me how he escaped entry into the Hall of Fame this long, but if I were in charge he wouldn’t have to wait one more day.

References
Baseball Reference

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez
Chuck Finley
Fred McGriff
Wes Parker
Steve Finley
Orlando Cepeda
Albert Belle
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Luis Gonzalez
Lefty O’Doul
Rocky Colavito
Boog Powell
Jerry Koosman
Mike Cuellar
Edgar Martinez
Brooks Robinson
Roberto Alomar
Dave Stieb
John Franco
Maury Wills