NL Player of the WeekArky Vaughan
Pirates shortstop (HA2) Arky Vaughan had a good day yesterday - he had many good days during his Hall of Fame career. Vaughan played his first 14 years in Pittsburgh (1932-1941) before moving to Brooklyn for his last four years. He was a nine time All Star (as he was in our replay) and frequently on the OPS top ten. He was particularly adept at drawing walks, getting the most in four seasons and finishing in the top ten 7 times.
Bill James lists this not terribly well known player as the second greatest shortstop after Honus Wagner. His selection, writes James, "was as much a surprise to me as it was to [the reader]." Wagner is a lock for #1, says James, but there's no obvious #2. His 1935 season is the best for any shortstop other than Wagner, and his three best seasons (34-36) are better than the three best of any shortstop (again, except Wagner). Based on top three, the best shortstops are Wagner, Ripken, Cronin, Yount and Cronin. Finally, he also is #2 in "win shares" to Wagner for shortstops. He was, however, subpar amoung the top 50 shortstops on the field (as we saw in our All Star game, his two booted balls in the 9th cost the NL the game). James notes that very few good hitting shortstops were also good fielding ones as well, though.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
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