Will Ted Simmons ever get into the Hall of Fame?

[BrewCrewForever]

Well do you think Simba will ever get into Cooperstown? We all know he deserves it, why isn't he there? Can he still get in? I don't know how the voting all works would it have to be a veteran committee vote?

[splitterpfj]

Yes, it will have to be a Veterans Committee vote at this point, the writers passed on him immediately.

 

I think Ted has a good chance of being elected by his peers, he seems to be very well respected by those who played with and against him.

[Fatter than Joey]

I don't think it is likely.

[brains and braun]

The only thing Simba's missing compared to the absolute greats Bench, Fisk, is homers. He has respectable HR numbers and ranks near the top of the other important categories. Hits, AVG, doubles, RBI. It would be a crime to keep him out.

[BrewCrewForever]

Yeah a crime is what I would call it if he never goes in. To be near the top of every category for catchers and not be in is just not right. And yeah with all the respect he has from people around baseball at some point they have to right the wrong that is Simmons not in the Hall.

[logan82]

Art Monk finally got into the hall of fame. Just goes to show you shold never giveup.

[jodo23]

I wrote an email to the Hall of Fame a few years ago asking about the specifics of Simmons' Veterans Committee eligibility. I posted the contents of their response in the Ted Simmons entry over on wikipedia, but below is the same snippet:

 

"In 1993, only 17 baseball writers voted for Ted Simmons to get into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Being less than the 5% required to remain eligible, Simmons was taken off the ballot.

 

Under the rules of the Committee of Baseball Veterans, Simmons will be given another chance to enter the Hall of Fame in the coming years. After 22 seasons from retirement, 1988 being his last, Simmons can be considered by the Veterans Committee. Since the Committee begins the process every two years (and in odd years), 2011 will be the first eligible year for Simmons, meaning he can appear on the ballot in 2013. He will then be eligible for the life of the process."

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Simmons

 

I've played with the idea of, in the months leading up to his eligibility, sending flyers to the Veterans Committee voters to promote Simmons' election. At this point, it's just an idea. There's a lot of time between then and now, and a lot of logistics to be figured out beforehand (for instance, how to ensure that the flyers actually reach the voters' hands). But he does belong in the Hall of Fame; a little effort from us common folk couldn't hurt.

 

 

BTW, how tacky would it be to buy/wear a #9 Simmons jersey? I'm seriously thinking about it.

[danplesac]

Simmons should definately get into the hall......it's a joke that he's not.

 

I will tell you when I heard he was our new bench coach......I seriously was excited. I want Ned to get the boot if we fail to make the playoffs this year and have Ted run the team........he seems to know more what he's talking about.......when he was sitting in last year with Brian and Bill during a game you could tell how much knowledge he has and I thought that then and still do now

[Kurt]

It could go either way. One side is that if Gary Carter made it in, Simmons should. The other side is that Joe Torre never made it in (as a player) either.

[TooLiveBrew]

Simmons should definately get into the hall......it's a joke that he's not.

 

I couldn't agree more, Fireman. Lack of publicity & HR are the only two factors I can consider. The man was an All-Star 12 times! You can fluke your way into one, two, or even three perhaps. But not 12. Iirc, his D was sound, too?

[Fatter than Joey]

Iirc, his D was sound, too?

 

eh. He was pretty shot when he got to Milw.

[joepepsi]

Simmons deserves to be in. There aren't that many catchers in the HOF. Among those who are, Simmons' offensive numbers would rate high. Last November I emailed Rob Neyer and suggested he start a campaign to get Simmons elected. Here is his response:

I think Simmons has a damn good case for the Hall, but he's SO far from being even considered that I'm pretty sure there's nothing I can do.

Someday when he's on the Veterans Committee ballot, we certainly should revisit his credentials. -rob