Worst Baseball Player In Hall Of Fame
When we think of the Baseball Hall of Fame, we think of the greatest players to ever step on a baseball diamond. We think of legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Hank Aaron. But not all players in the Hall of Fame were created equal. In fact, there are some players who many argue don't deserve to be enshrined in baseball's most hallowed hall. So who is the worst baseball player in the Hall of Fame?
Ray Schalk
One name that often comes up in conversations about the worst player in the Hall of Fame is Ray Schalk. Schalk was a catcher for the Chicago White Sox from 1912-1929 and was known for his defensive prowess behind the plate. He was a seven-time All-Star and won two World Series titles, but his offensive numbers were abysmal. In 1,727 career games, Schalk hit just .253 with just 11 home runs and 594 RBIs. His career OPS+ (a measure of a player's on-base plus slugging percentage adjusted for ballpark factors) was just 68, well below the league average of 100. So why is Schalk in the Hall of Fame? Many believe it's because he lobbied hard for induction and had friends on the Veterans Committee who helped him get in.
Phil Rizzuto
Another player who is often considered one of the worst inductees in the Hall of Fame is Phil Rizzuto. Rizzuto was a shortstop for the New York Yankees from 1941-1956 and was a key part of seven World Series championship teams. He won the American League MVP award in 1950 and was a five-time All-Star, but his offensive numbers are hardly Hall of Fame-worthy. In 1,647 career games, Rizzuto hit just .273 with only 38 home runs and 563 RBIs. His career OPS+ was just 93, well below the league average. While Rizzuto was certainly a great defensive player, many argue his offensive deficiencies should have kept him out of the Hall.
George Kell
George Kell is another player who often comes up in discussions about the worst Hall of Famers. Kell was a third baseman for the Detroit Tigers from 1946-1952 and later played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles. He was a 10-time All-Star and won the American League batting title in 1949 with a .343 average, but his overall offensive numbers are underwhelming. In 1,795 career games, Kell hit just .306 with 78 home runs and 870 RBIs. His career OPS+ was just 111, barely above the league average. While Kell was a solid defensive player, many argue that his offensive production simply wasn't good enough to warrant induction into the Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
While there are certainly other players who could be considered the worst in the Hall of Fame, Ray Schalk, Phil Rizzuto, and George Kell are often cited as examples of players who don't quite measure up to their peers. While each player had their strengths and accomplishments, their overall offensive production and statistics fall short of what we typically associate with Hall of Fame inductees.