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34. Ken Boyer

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34.  Ken Boyer
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: May 20, 1931 in Liberty, MO USA
  • Weight: 190 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 12, 1955
  • Final Game: August 09, 1969
  • TSN All-Star - 1956
  • Gold Glove - 1958
  • Gold Glove - 1959
  • Gold Glove - 1960
  • Gold Glove - 1961
  • TSN All-Star - 1961
  • TSN All-Star - 1962
  • Gold Glove - 1963
  • TSN All-Star - 1963
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial Award - 1964
  • Most Valuable Player - 1964
  • TSN All-Star - 1964
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1964
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1964
  • MVP - 1956
  • MVP - 1958
  • MVP - 1959
  • MVP - 1960
  • MVP - 1961
  • MVP - 1962
  • MVP - 1963
  • MVP - 1964
 
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The position of third base holds the least amount Hall of Famers in Baseball.  There however have been many great ballplayers at the “Hot Corner” and some even won the MVP award.  Ken Boyer was one such man as he won that coveted trophy in 1964.

Boyer was not a one-season wonder.   Prior to his MVP year, Boyer had been building up to that season establishing him as one of the top third basemen in the league.  He was winning Gold Gloves and was hitting 20 or more home runs while keeping a batting average that rarely left the .300 range.  Despite a quiet demeanor, Boyer was a clubhouse leader who did his talking on the field and led by example.  Boyer led his Cardinals to the World Series where his clutch hitting helped them win the Fall Classic.

Ken Boyer was not the same player after his stellar ’64 campaign.  Every aspect of his game declined sharply and he only had two more seasons as a regular.  This rapid descent prevented him from padding career stats which may have gained him enshrinement.  His jersey was justifiably retired by the St. Louis Cardinals though this appears as for as the honoring of Ken Boyer will go.

Should Ken Boyer be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 13.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.2%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 2.3%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Liberty, Missouri, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1975
  • Position: Third Base
  • Played For: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (1) (St. Louis Cardinals, 1964)
    MVP (1) (NL) (1964)
    Major League Player of the Year (1) (1964)
    All-Star (7) (1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 & 1964)
    Gold Gloves (5) (1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 & 1963)
    Lou Gehrig Award (1) (1964)
    Most Runs Batted In (1) (NL) (1964)
    Most Putouts by a Third Baseman (1) (NL) (1958)
    Most Assists by a Third Baseman (1) (NL) (1956 & 1961)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Third Baseman (5) (NL) (1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 & 1962)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Third Baseman (3) (NL) (1959, 1961 & 1962)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Third Baseman (1) (NL) (1958)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Third Baseman (1) (NL) (1965)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Centerfielder (1) (NL) (1957)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by an Outfielder (1) (NL) (1957)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the 1964 NL MVP)
    (NL: 1959, 10th), (NL: 1960, 6th) & (NL: 1961, 7th)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1964)
    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1964)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Stolen Bases)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Zone Runs)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 14. Double Plays Turned by a Third Baseman: 355
    20. Assists by a Third Baseman: 3,652
    20. Total Zone Runs by a Third Baseman: 70
    32. Putouts by a Third Baseman: 1,567
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1975: 2.5
    1976: 3.9
    1977: 3.7
    1978: 4.7
    1979: 4.6
    1985: 17.2
    1986: 22.4
    1987: 23.2
    1988: 25.5
    1989: 13.9
    1990: 17.6
    1991: 13.1
    1992: 16.5
    1993: 16.3
    1994: 11.8
  • Should be Inducted As A: St. Louis Cardinal

Should Ken Boyer be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 13.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.2%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 2.3%

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