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39. Graig Nettles

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39.  Graig Nettles
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: August 20, 1944 in San Diego, CA USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 06, 1967
  • Final Game: October 01, 1988
  • TSN All-Star - 1975
  • Gold Glove - 1977
  • TSN All-Star - 1977
  • Gold Glove - 1978
  • TSN All-Star - 1978
  • ALCS MVP - 1981
  • MVP - 1971
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1978
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
1797223864450780262864 0.248
 

Many baseball players are known for the clutch performances with their bat.  Graig Nettles certainly had many clutch hits in his long career, but he may have been known for having more clutch performances with his glove.

Many players start off fast and tail off, but Graig Nettles really hit his stride eight years into his pro career.  He was a power-hitting third baseman and was a big part of the Yankees' three consecutive American League Pennants in the ’70s.  As his bat came alive, more people paid attention to his aggressive fielding and noticed his wide range at the hot corner.  Although he did it well in the 1978 World Series, his defensive expertise was never better and he robbed Reggie Smith of extra-base hits twice in Game 3.

Despite his ability to hit the long ball, Graig Nettles had a fairly low Batting Average and only hit higher than .270 once.  He did walk a lot though, and for a power hitter did not strike out that much.  Still, justifying Nettles for the Hall with a .248 career Batting Average does prove difficult and without an MVP season proves harder.  Of course, how many teams in the ’70s wanted Nettles as their third baseman?  Likely, the answer is almost all of them.

Should Graig Nettles be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 73.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 12.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.8%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 6.3%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: San Diego, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Saturday, 01 January 1994
  • Position: Third Base
  • Played For: Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (2) (AL) (New York Yankees, 1977 & 1978)
    Highest bWAR for Position Players (2) (AL) (1971 & 1976)
    Highest Defensive bWAR (1) (AL) (1971)
    All-Star (6) (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 & 1985)
    Gold Glove (2) (AL) (1977 & 1978)
    Most Home Runs (1) (AL) (1976)
    Most Extra Base HIts (1) (AL) (1976)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (1) (AL) (1975)
    Most Total Zone Runs (2) (AL) (1971 & 1976)
    Most Putouts by a Third Baseman (2) (AL) (1971 & 1974)
    Most Assists by a Third Baseman (4) (AL) (1971, 1973, 1975 & 1976)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Third Baseman (3) (AL) (1971, 1976 & 1978)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Third Baseman (3) (AL) (1971, 1973 & 1976)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Third Baseman (3) (AL) (1971, 1973 & 1976)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Third Baseman (1) (AL) (1970)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes
    (AL: 1977, 5th) & (AL: 1978, 6th)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Slugging Percentage)
    1 Top Ten Finish (OPS)
    1 Top Ten Finish (OPS+)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Doubles)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Power-Speed #)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Total Zone Runs)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 2.    Assists by a Third Baseman: 5,279
    3.    Double Plays Turned by a Third Baseman: 470
    7.    Total Zone Runs by a Third Baseman: 134
    16.  Putouts by a Third Baseman: 1,898
    26.  Total Zone Runs: 140
    33.  Games Played: 2,800
    43.  Defensive bWAR: 20.9
    51.  Outs Made: 7,096
    64.  Home Runs: 390
    66.  Sacrifice Flies: 90
    74.  Plate Appearances: 10,228
    77.  At Bats: 8,986
    79.  Fielding Percentage by a Third Baseman: .961
    84.  bWAR for Position Players: 68.0
    87.  Walks: 1,088
    91.  Range Factor per Game by a Third Baseman: 2.98
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1994: 8.3
    1995: 6.1
    1996: 7.9
    1997: 4.7
  • Should be Inducted As A: New York Yankee

Should Graig Nettles be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 73.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 12.5%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.8%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 6.3%

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