Deacon White

[SABR Steve]

It was announced the other day that James "Deacon" White will be inducted into the HOF next year, chosen by the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Pre-intergration Era Selection Committee. Late 19th-early 20th century umpire Hank O'Day and early 20th century Yankees owner, Jacob Ruppert were also chosen.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I do feel Dahlen was a better pick but somebody did make a good point of how many middle infielders have made the hof in the pre integration era.

[adarowski]

My case for the Deacon made earlier in the month:

"Deacon White’s career began three years before the National Association was formed. He then played twenty Major League seasons. In the 1870s (from age 23 to 31), White hit .345/.358/.437, good for an OPS+ of 151. Despite his dominance, he wasn’t able to pad his career totals. Seasons were short back then and White played in only 525 games (he missed only eight of his team’s games despite being a barehanded catcher).

White accumulated 24.2 WAR in those 533 team-games. If you prorate those 533 games across nine 162-game seasons, suddenly White could have earned 67.2 WAR. Of course, it’s impossible to say he would have accumulated that WAR total across full seasons, but it gives you an idea of White’s relative value.

But White wasn’t done there. In the 1880s he converted to third base and added another 20 WAR and 1221 hits (in 1035 games with a 114 OPS+) to his resume. His career totals include a .312/.346/.393 line, good for an OPS+ of 127. He collected 2067 hits. But remember—his prime is not represented well in those totals (neither the counting stats nor the rate stats). He didn’t play 100 games in a season until he was 36 years old. In fact, he played more games from ages 35 to 42 than he did from age 23 to 34."

from http://www.hallofstats.com/player/whitede01

I do think Dahlen should have been inducted, but Deacon's a wonderful choice.

[SABR Steve]

Good stuff adarowski. SABR is having an influence, and Dahlen has support.
Did you know that White was the first catcher to win a batting title in 1875. It was really a posthumous title since Barnes was declared to be the original champ. The next catcher to win the title was Eugene Hargrave in 1926. (He didn't like "Bubbles"). Ernie Lombardi won two, then came Joe Mauer with three, and then Buster Posey this year! That's it for catchers.

BTW, I didn't check my notes but I believe White used a certain fingerless glove on each hand while catching, but not sure as early as '75. The glove was made so that one could still throw with it on, and was advertised in the Spalding Guides in the 1870's.