Rick Dempsey was a team leader and great handler of the pitchers, and he also was known to have a strong arm and be great at throwing out would be basestealers. He was known as one of the best defensive catchers in his time, just like Schalk. He was actually a better hitter than Schalk too, with an OPS+ 4 points higher and a couple of good hitting seasons for a catcher (1980, 1985, 1988). Schalk may have been a little bit better defensively but a little bit worse offensively. They had careers of about the same length. Basically the same players 60 or so years apart. Neither are anywhere near HOF credentials. One, of course, is in as one of the worst players in the Hall.
For Sandberg, he was a solid player in his day. If his home park helped him offensively, does it matter what position he played? Honestly, if it helped, it helped. Once he steps in the batters box, it doesn't matter if he's a third baseman, centerfielder, or shorstop. He's a hitter at that point.
Having said that, I understand how you like to use positional adjustments because of "value" to a team. I get that. Judging an actual players greatness has little to do with "value" though. We're not building a team here, just judging his skills, so in that sense, his home park did help him put up better numbers, regardless of what position he played. Do you see what I'm getting at?
Having said that, I understand how you like to use positional adjustments because of "value" to a team. I get that. Judging an actual players greatness has little to do with "value" though. We're not building a team here, just judging his skills, so in that sense, his home park did help him put up better numbers, regardless of what position he played. Do you see what I'm getting at?
Nah, you should use them if you believe in them, but you should also take into account that he was not only very good in other important catching areas, but he was great at them. I haven't read up or heard much about Rick Dempsey though.
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