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38. Bobby Grich

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38.  Bobby Grich
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: January 15, 1949 in Muskegon, MI USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 29, 1970
  • Final Game: October 02, 1986
  • Gold Glove - 1973
  • Gold Glove - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1975
  • Gold Glove - 1976
  • TSN All-Star - 1976
  • TSN All-Star - 1979
  • Silver Slugger - 1981
  • TSN All-Star - 1981
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1973
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1979
  • MVP - 1981
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
13780206636664481728208 0.266
 

1,800 career hits and a lifetime .266 Batting Average sound like a good career but not necessarily a Hall of Fame one.  A closer look at the overall body of work of Bobby Grich indicates he is a lot closer than you would think.

Prior to Grich, the prototypical second baseman was a smaller athlete who was a wizard with the glove, and any offense you got from him was a bonus.  There were occasional exceptions, but that was generally the rule for the position.  Grich was oversized for a Second Baseman, but had exceptional range and won four Gold Gloves.  Grich had decent power and co-led the league in homers during the strike-shortened season of 1981.  Grich may not have been dazzling with his traditional batting numbers, but he was with his On Base Percentage which was often well over a hundred points over his Batting average.

Bobby Grich had the misfortune of making the ALCS five times but his teams could not get to the World Series.  Grich may not have been any serious threat for a post season award, but time is showing a new light on his contributions and his ushering in of a new wave of offensively capable second basemen.  We are still not sure if he should be in the Hall, but we do believe he deserved better than being a “one and done” for the Baseball Writers in terms of his eligibility.

Should Bobby Grich be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 60.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 18.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.6%
No opinion. - 0.8%
No way! - 12.6%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Wednesday, 01 January 1992
  • Position: Second Base
  • Played For: Baltimore Orioles, California Angels
  • Major Accolades and Awards: All-Star (6) (1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1980 & 1982)
    Gold Gloves (4) (1973, 1974, 1975 & 1976)
    Silver Slugger (1) (AL) (1981)
    Highest bWAR for Position Players (1) (AL) (1974)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (1) (AL) (1981)
    HIghest OPS+ (1) (AL) (1981)
    Most Home Runs (1) (AL) (1981)
    Most Times Hit By Pitch (1) (AL) (1974)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (AL) (1979)
    Most Total Zone Runs (1) (AL) (1973)
    Most Putouts by a Second Baseman (4) (AL) (1973, 1974, 1975 & 1976)
    Most Assists by a Second Baseman (3) (AL) (1973, 1974 & 1975)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Second Baseman (3) (AL) (1973, 1974 & 1975)
    Most Assists by a Second Baseman (2) (AL) (1973 & 1975)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Second Baseman (4) (AL) (1973, 1974, 1975 & 1983)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Second Baseman (2) (AL) (1973 & 1985)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (AL: 1974, 9th) & (AL: 1979, 8th)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Bases)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Triples)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Championship Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Zone Runs)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 11. Total Zone Runs by a Second Baseman: 71
    12. Double Plays Turned by a Second Baseman: 1,302
    17. Putouts by a Second Baseman: 4,217
    19. Assists by a Second Baseman: 5,381
    50. Assists: 5,891
    56. Fielding Percentage by a Second Baseman: .984
    60. Range Factor per Game by a Second Baseman: 5.44
    62. bWAR for Position Players: 70.9
    81. Total Zone Runs: 82
    85. Defensive bWAR: 16.8
    85. Offensive bWAR: 62.6
    86. Walks: 1,087
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1992: 2.6
  • Should be Inducted As A: California Angel

Should Bobby Grich be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 60.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 18.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.6%
No opinion. - 0.8%
No way! - 12.6%

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