Talk:Eppa Rixey

From BR Bullpen

I think this guy's HOF credentials are shakey. Only a .515 WL percentage? Led the league more often in losses than in wins? If he can get in on 266 wins and 251 losses, Jack Morris can get in on 258 wins and Frank Tanana can get in on 240 wins and 236 losses.

Bill James wrote a whole book (The Politics of Glory) about the uneven nature of Hall of Fame selections. While Rixey is not at the top of the Hall of Fame, nevertheless he is not usually considered one of the very worst selections either. Note that Rixey's 266 wins tie him with Bob Feller's 266 wins. If you get to 250 wins, you become a serious candidate for the Hall, and even 225 historically gave you a moderately good chance. Things changed over time, but they could always change back. - Randy 14:47, 22 September 2011 (EDT)

And the reality is that a past mistake is not a reason to put someone else in. The best qualified candidate based on their own record should be the player whose candidacy should be advanced. Rixey may not necessarily belong in the Hall, but that has nothing to do with Jack Morris or Frank Tanana. --Jeff 14:50, 22 September 2011 (EDT)

Win-loss record depends a lot on your teams. Rixey had a 115 ERA+, better than Morris's 105 or Tanana's 106 by a considerable distance. Not that this makes him deserving, but it makes him a lot more deserving than Morris and Tanana. - --Mischa 15:00, 22 September 2011 (EDT)