Tilly Walker

[Cowtipper]

Tilly Walker spent 13 years in the big leagues, from 1911 to 1923, hitting .281 with 1,423 hits, 118 home runs, 129 stolen bases and a 115 OPS+. An "All-Star" five times according to the Retrospective All-Star Game election, he led the league in home runs once, power-speed # once and outfield assists three times.

Statistically, he is similar to Tony Gonzalez, Roberto Kelly, Wally Moon, Al Cowens, Kevin Bass, Hank Bauer, Derek Bell, Larry Herndon, Tito Francona and Jeffrey Leonard. He is ranked #748 on the Fan EloRater, ahead of Sandy Alomar, Andre Ethier and Don Mincher, but behind John Reilly, Sean Casey and Mike Bordick.

He was an early power hitter - in 1921, he slugged 23 dingers (finishing fourth in the league) and in 1922, he became only the third person to slug 30 or more home runs, finishing second in the league. All told, he finished in the top ten in home runs seven times in his career.

His career was cut short in 1923, however, after Connie Mack moved the outfield walls out, decreasing home run output. Walker was benched and then spent the rest of his professional career in the minor leagues.

In the Progressive Hall of Fame election, he received 3.70% of the vote (or one vote) in the 1928.

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

[pheasant]

I cannot see a case for Tilly getting into the Hall of Fame. He was closer in ability to the average player than he was to being a Hall of Fame type player.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Cy Williams was also an early power hitter, and lead the National League in home runs four times. He was third on the career homers list when he retired, and he didn't even garner 6% of ballots on any election on his turn. No way Tillie Walker is a Hall of Famer if Williams couldn't get elected, even if voters lost perspective on statistics.

[dgarza]

I appreciate the fact that probably his best season came years before he went to Shibe Park and started hitting all those HRs.

[pheasant]

On the plus side, Tilly Walker tied Babe Ruth for the HR crown in 1918. That is the only reason why I've ever heard of him. That must have been cool bragging rights later on in life.

[TomBodet]

Naw, not a HoF. Had some nice power stats, but he's not a realistic candidate, esp if guys like Magee or Veach from that era are considered. Both far better and not any wheres near being inducted.