Tony Mullane

[Cowtipper]

A part of me would really like to see Tony Mullane in the Hall of Fame. Over 13 years in the majors, Mullane went 284-220 with a 3.05 ERA. He won 30 games five seasons in a row, and he won 20 or more games eight times. He was often in the top ten in his league in IP, ERA, wins and complete games.

Mullane is third all-time in wins amongst pitchers not in the Hall of Fame.

According to TheBaseballPage, he was "arguably the most popular player in baseball in the 1880s."

A versatile player, he also played a fair amount of games in the outfield even some in the infield.

His black ink is respectable at 28, and his grey ink is terrific, at 198. Seven of the ten pitchers most related to him are in the Hall of Fame, while the other three - Gus Weyhing, Tommy John and Jim McCormick - all have something of an argument for the HOF as well.

So, should Tony Mullane be in the Hall of Fame?

[jjpm74]

Mullane is right at the cutoff for me, but should be in the HOF, IMO.

[leecemark]

--Say "Yes" to the Appollo of the Box.

[Brad Harris]

--Say "Yes" to the Appollo of the Box.
All the ladies do. ;)

[KCGHOST]

Well, maybe. Most of Mullane productivity is because he played half of his career in the American Association. That is not the most stellar of competition. Much like Pete Browning, the great hitting OFer, Mullane's performance is usually heavily discounted because of that.

Mullane does have seven HoF comps which is usually a clear sign of a Hofer, but his top two comps are a suspect (Grimes) and a mistake (Welch).

[leecemark]

--There is only one reason Mullane is not already in Cooperstown. He was blacklisted over a contract dispute and missed a season, leaving him short of 300 wins.

[Brad Harris]

In the [Has it really been that long?] years I've been here, one of the best examples I can give of the good folks here offering persuasive arguments is that I've gone from believing Bob Caruthers is the most deserving pre-1920 pitcher outside the Hall to believing that man to be Tony Mullane. Once again, there's no better place for a baseball fan to get your mind sharpened, your funnybone tickled, or your ideas challenged than right here at Baseball Fever.

Thanks guys. :)