Lyman's HOF Ballot

I might be accused of being a big Hall guy, but there are many deserving players on this ballot. These are the players I find most deserving:

Kenny Anderson: Kenny was simply the best ever at one skill in the game, stealing bases. It is debatable how valuable stealing bases is but if you're the best ever at something, there should be room for you in the Hall. Kenny also contributed with 2400 hits, a .301 average, and with 7 gold gloves he was one of the best defensive center fielders ever.

Rob Block: Hitting 500 homeruns has traditinally meant a hall of fame career. Block hit 500 and then hit 242 more. Despite a .252 career average, Block excelled at reaching base at .379, thanks to 1863 walks. In APBA history he's second in both walks and homers. Block hit 50 homeruns as a rookie, and later had 3 years in a row with 50 or more homers. Rob Block played his entire career with the Sluggers, and will rejoin the team this season as a hitting instructor.

Derek Mills: Mills had almost no power, hitting only 19 homers in 16 seasons. He did many other things well and played a big role in three Autobot world championships. Mills hit .302, had 2431 hits, played a solid second base before moving to the outfield at the end of his career, and was perhaps the best hit and run man in league history. When Dee Sanders reached first, Mills hit second and before you knew it the Autobots had runners at the corners.

Sonic Russell: He's another player who knew how to win. Russell led his team to 3 world championships, including an MVP season in 1997. Three times Russell stole over 100 bases, but later in his career he added power (34 homers in 2003) and became a more complete hitter, winning a batting title with a .341 average in 2005.

Joe Thomas: It should have been enough that Joe Thomas ended the 2006 world series with a game 7, come from behind grand slam. But if that isn't enough how about a 3 time gold glove second baseman with 1609 RBI? Joe also holds the league record of consecutive games played.

Bob Zygyk: Bob got a late start to his career, he made his debut at age 25 and didn't play regularly until 29. A total of 285 career homeruns isn't going to get him in by itself, but Zygyk hit for average (.285) and power (.501 slugging). What Zygyk did better than anyone was simply winning, with seven world series rings. He won 4 in Utah, 2 more in Phoenix, and one in New York. He played in 10 total, including 7 in a row at one point. Zygyk's best season was 1997, when he hit .354-34-123, winning 2 legs of the triple crown.

Rick Vaughn: Vaughn may be hurt by hanging around one year too many. He was terrible in 2006 only 5 games over .500 for his career, but Vaughn was 207-190 heading into that year. He won the Cy Young in 1992, with a 14-1 record and 2.27 ERA. That was one of 6 straight seasons with ERAs under 2.70. He struck out 200 or more 8 times, and his 3553 career whiffs is 4th all time.

Bono Vox: Vox was not overpowering, but had great control and knew how to win. Vox finished with a 174-130 record, a .572 winning percentage. Vox was still an effective pitcher, 12-11 and a 4.10 ERA in his final year. 56 pitchers in league history won 150 or more games. Vox is in the upper 2/3 of this group, ranking 18th in winning percentage.