Freddie Lindstrom

[Sockeye]

Does Freddie Lindstrom deserve to be in the hall of fame?

Please consider all aspects of his game and put fourth your best argument one way or another.

[BlueBlood]

Had friends in high places and an inflated BA due to his era. An OPS+ of 109 with just 8 full seasons played makes him a huge mistake.

[jalbright]

I'll wait to see if anyone seriously tries to make a case for him.

[Freakshow]

with just 8 full seasons played makes him a huge mistake.
Actually, only 7 full seasons.

[BlueBlood]

True, 1925 was a 104 game season for Lindstrom. That only makes his case even worse.

Take a look at his five best OPS+ marks in complete seasons:

1930: 141
1928: 131
1933: 127
1927: 111
1926: 108

Only three of these are above the average for a HOF candidate well worth discussing (a 120 OPS+, disregarding position). Two of those seasons took place when he was primarily an outfielder. That leaves us with one head-turning, pretty good season at 3B. This guy has got to be one of the five worst HOF-ers.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Frankie Frisch was dead in 1976, but some of his cronies were still on the VC, and that's how Lindstrom got in.

Lindstrom had his advocates in many N. Y. Giant fans who were still living; the guys that wrote letters to Baseball Digest, much as certain Cub fans do to make their case for Riggs Stephenson. Had he been a career Gold Glove-quality third baseman, his selection would have been more defensible, but Lindstrom was switched to the OF in mid-career. Had he been a career Philadelphia Phillie or St. Louis Brown, he'd not have sniffed the outskirts of Cooperstown, let along get his very own plaque.

He's not the worst player in the HOF, but he IS the worst third baseman in the HOF.

[dgarza]

He's not the worst player in the HOF, but he IS the worst third baseman in the HOF.I think he's also the only HOF 3B who doesn't belong.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I think he's also the only HOF 3B who doesn't belong.

I'm not wild about Jimmy Collins, but he performed at a time when third base was to the RIGHT of second base on the defensive spectrum. His defensive stats are excellent, and, surprisingly, he was more of an offensive force than Lindstrom was. So, yes, I think I agree that Lindstrom is the only non-deserving third baseman in the HOF.

[AG2004]

I think he's also the only HOF 3B who doesn't belong.

George Kell doesn't belong, either.

[dgarza]

I'm not wild about Jimmy Collins, but he performed at a time when third base was to the RIGHT of second base on the defensive spectrum. His defensive stats are excellent, and, surprisingly, he was more of an offensive force than Lindstrom was. So, yes, I think I agree that Lindstrom is the only non-deserving third baseman in the HOF.
Yeah, Jimmy Collins is right on the edge, but his pluses are enough to make him a valid choice. His defense and better offense places him well ahead of Lindstrom, no matter how shaky of a HOF choice he is.

[dgarza]

George Kell doesn't belong, either.
Ah, I was going to say that even George Kell belongs...just barely, but belongs all the same.

[Paul Wendt]

George Kell belongs, just barely, but
Jimmy Collins is right on the edge?

Lindstrom is one candidate for the worst of the worst.

Bill Terry was not only or primarily a "crony" of Frank Frisch. He was Fred Lindstrom's infield mate and manager for many years.

[KCGHOST]

If you like Freddie Lindstrom then you will love George Grantham. Deserve has nothing to do it with it.