Joe Jackson in the middle
of Sam Crawford and Ty Cobb
On this date in 1917, Sam Crawford, one of the underrated great players in MLB played his last game. After starting his career in 1899 with the Cincinnati Reds, he jumped over to the American League's Detroit Tigers for the 1903 season. That was where he remained for the rest of his career, usually playing along side the great Ty Cobb in the Tiger's OF. As a representative of the "dead ball era", Crawford made the most of his legs, setting an all time MLB record with 309 career triples. He also had 51 inside-the-park homeruns, which is also a MLB record.
His accomplishments on the field represented more than that, as he always played in the shadow of Cobb, who I said before could arguably be the best player to ever play in this game. But Crawford was sort of Cobb's Robin if Cobb was Batman (or Howard Stern). Though Cobb and Crawford did not get along, they both benefitted from being on the same team. Baseball reference's bullpen says Crawford and Cobb would never speak unless one was calling a flyball that was hit in between them. Similar to Cobb, Crawford had the ability to drive in a lot of runs without hitting homeruns, as he hit 97 for his career, while driving in 1525. Remember, 51 of his 97 HRs were inside the park which is a phemoninal stat.
He finished his career with a .309 average, which was a model of the consistency he had during his time. Though he hit .378 in 1911, most of his seasons were between .300-.325. He finished off with 2961 hits and 458 2Bs, 1391 runs scored and 367 SB.
My issue with MLB is why did it take so long for Crawford to be put in Baseball's Hall of Fame? The Veterans Committee finally inducted him in 1957, when he was eligible the first year the Hall was open. He received 0.4% of the vote in 1936, 2.5% in 1937, 4.2% in 1938, 2.2% in 1939, 0.9% in 1942 and 1.6% in 1945. He also received 4.5% in a nominating vote held in 1946. I don't get how it took until 1957 for the guy to get into the HOF. 21 years after the Hall opened? I understand how he could have been left out the first five or so years due to the Hall just opening up and all the greats who stood out a little more. 21 years was too long. He was 77 when he was enshrined; at least he was alive to enjoy the honor.
Baseball reference has Crawford ranked 54th all time among batters to ever play this game. Most played after he retired in 1917; to me that adds another reason he should have made the hall sooner. His relationship with Cobb had nothing to do with it, as few players- teammates or opponents- got along with Ty. Perhaps it was an oversight, but great to see him finally get in, in 1957.
He finished his career with a .309 average, which was a model of the consistency he had during his time. Though he hit .378 in 1911, most of his seasons were between .300-.325. He finished off with 2961 hits and 458 2Bs, 1391 runs scored and 367 SB.
My issue with MLB is why did it take so long for Crawford to be put in Baseball's Hall of Fame? The Veterans Committee finally inducted him in 1957, when he was eligible the first year the Hall was open. He received 0.4% of the vote in 1936, 2.5% in 1937, 4.2% in 1938, 2.2% in 1939, 0.9% in 1942 and 1.6% in 1945. He also received 4.5% in a nominating vote held in 1946. I don't get how it took until 1957 for the guy to get into the HOF. 21 years after the Hall opened? I understand how he could have been left out the first five or so years due to the Hall just opening up and all the greats who stood out a little more. 21 years was too long. He was 77 when he was enshrined; at least he was alive to enjoy the honor.
Baseball reference has Crawford ranked 54th all time among batters to ever play this game. Most played after he retired in 1917; to me that adds another reason he should have made the hall sooner. His relationship with Cobb had nothing to do with it, as few players- teammates or opponents- got along with Ty. Perhaps it was an oversight, but great to see him finally get in, in 1957.
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