Leon Wagner

[Cowtipper]

Leon Wagner played 12 years in the big leagues, hitting .272 with 211 home runs and 669 RBI. The three-time All-Star hit over 20 home runs six times and over 30 home runs twice - and also had two 100 RBI seasons - en route to four years in which he garnered MVP votes. He finished as high as fourth in the balloting.

From 1961 to 1967, he averaged 27 home runs, 82 RBI and 79 runs scored each season. He even showed a little speed in his prime, averaging seven steals a season during that seven year stretch. The 1962 All-Star MVP led the league in games played in 1963, stolen base percentage in 1964 and power-speed number in 1964.

Statistically, he is similar to Oscar Gamble, Larry Hisle, Wally Post, Cliff Johnson, Carl Everett, Phil Nevin, Jacque Jones, Gus Zernial, Pete Incaviglia and Joe Pepitone. He is ranked #934 on the Fan EloRater, ahead of Jim Davenport, Bud Harrelson and Whitey Lockman, but behind Michael Cuddyer, Johnny Bates and Chris Sabo.

What do you think about Leon Wagner? Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Did he have Hall of Fame potential?

[Los Bravos]

Daddy Wags should be better remembered than he is.

[PVNICK]

Oddly or maybe not, but many of his comps are really good hitters with late starts and/or truncated careers. For the SF Goanmt fans what was the buzz/story about him when he came up? Was it just a numbers game, as it would have to be to crack an of of Mays, Felipe Alou and Cepeda/McCovey?

[Jackaroo Dave]

One of his age comps for several years is Ben Oglivie. It's hard to imagine two less similar personalities.

I don't care much for alternative history, but I can't help wondering if just a couple of small differences in Wagner's life might have meant a great difference over all. From his bio at http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/b9539b5c it seems he suffered from the lack of stability and security in his career. He might have done best on a poor team with much bigger problems than 14 errors from their left fielder. They would have brought him up early and just let him alone to hit. It worked for Ralph Kiner. A sad story about a funny guy.

[westsidegrounds]

You want to talk about home/away splits, check out Leon Wagner in 1963: 2 HR at home* - 24 HR in road games!

* home that season was "Chavez Ravine"

[westsidegrounds]

One of his age comps for several years is Ben Oglivie. It's hard to imagine two less similar personalities.

Oscar Gamble and Phil Nevin?

Gus Zernial and Joe Pepitone?

[Los Bravos]

Dock Ellis and Walter Johnson?

[westsidegrounds]

Dock Ellis and Walter Johnson?

are they among Leon Wagner's comps?

[jalbright]

If there was a Hall of Colorful Characters, he'd deserve strong consideration. But HOF, no way.

[Los Bravos]

I didn't realize you were sticking to his comps. I was just working on diametrically opposed personalities.

[jjpm74]

#934 might be a bit generous. I don't think I'd place him in the top #1000.

[willshad]

Oscar Gamble and Phil Nevin?

Gus Zernial and Joe Pepitone?

Manny Ramirez and Lou Gehrig.

[westsidegrounds]

Leon Wagner played 12 years in the big leagues, hitting .272 with 211 home runs and 669 RBI. The three-time All-Star hit over 20 home runs six times and over 30 home runs twice - and also had two 100 RBI seasons - en route to four years in which he garnered MVP votes. He finished as high as fourth in the balloting.

From 1961 to 1967, he averaged 27 home runs, 82 RBI and 79 runs scored each season. He even showed a little speed in his prime, averaging seven steals a season during that seven year stretch. The 1962 All-Star MVP led the league in games played in 1963, stolen base percentage in 1964 and power-speed number in 1964.

Statistically, he is similar to Oscar Gamble, Larry Hisle, Wally Post, Cliff Johnson, Carl Everett, Phil Nevin, Jacque Jones, Gus Zernial, Pete Incaviglia and Joe Pepitone. He is ranked #934 on the Fan EloRater, ahead of Jim Davenport, Bud Harrelson and Whitey Lockman, but behind Michael Cuddyer, Johnny Bates and Chris Sabo.

What do you think about Leon Wagner? Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Did he have Hall of Fame potential?

One of his age comps for several years is Ben Oglivie. It's hard to imagine two less similar personalities.

I don't care much for alternative history, but I can't help wondering if just a couple of small differences in Wagner's life might have meant a great difference over all. From his bio at http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/b9539b5c it seems he suffered from the lack of stability and security in his career. He might have done best on a poor team with much bigger problems than 14 errors from their left fielder. They would have brought him up early and just let him alone to hit. It worked for Ralph Kiner. A sad story about a funny guy.

Oscar Gamble and Phil Nevin?

Gus Zernial and Joe Pepitone?

So you see, what I was doing was responding to J-Dave's comment & noting that there were some very non-similar personalities among Daddy Wags' "most similar" players.

Now back to discussing Mr Wagner's HOF case.

[Jackaroo Dave]

So you see, what I was doing was responding to J-Dave's comment & noting that there were some very non-similar personalities among Daddy Wags' "most similar" players.

Now back to discussing Mr Wagner's HOF case.

I stand by my comment, unless Nevin is bald.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I wonder if Wagner wasn't 2-3 years older than his stated age.