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135. Vern Stephens

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135. Vern Stephens
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: October 23, 1920 in McAlister, NM USA
  • Weight: 185 lbs.
  • Height: 5'10"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 13, 1941
  • Final Game: June 30, 1955
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1942
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1942
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1944
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1945
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1945
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1949
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1949
  • MVP - 1942
  • MVP - 1943
  • MVP - 1944
  • MVP - 1945
  • MVP - 1946
  • MVP - 1947
  • MVP - 1948
  • MVP - 1949
  • MVP - 1950
 
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We here at Notinhalloffame.com talk every day about those who should be in their respective Halls of Fame.  The hottest sports debate in this context might be in baseball.  Vern Stephens might have a Hall of Fame case, but before we go there, we can say without question that he is the greatest player who never made the ballot.

Vern Stephens would debut in 1941 for the St. Louis Browns, where he would secure the starting role at Shortstop for the club in the following season.  He would instantly establish himself as one of the best hitting Shortstops in baseball.  He would have at least 20 Home Runs each year from (1943-45), and he would win the AL Home Run Title in 1945, and the RBI Title in 1944.

He would later join the Boston Red Sox in 1948, where he was an All-Star each year from 1948 to 1951; and had two 30 Home Run seasons, and led the AL in RBIs in both 1949 and 1950.  He finished his career with the White Sox and Orioles and had 1,859 Hits with 274 Home Runs; great numbers for a Shortstop of his era.

Stephens may have had great seasons in the forgotten Browns, and during the MLB depleted WWII years, but he was still a great player.  Again, we have an eight time All-Star, who was never on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.  How could this have happened?  He would later make a Veteran’s Committee Ballot, but still, he deserved so much better.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Long Beach, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Sunday, 01 January 1961
  • Position: Short Stop
  • Played For: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None) 
    All-Star (8) (1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950 & 1951)
    Most Home Runs (1) (AL) (1945)
    Most Runs Batted In (3) AL) (1944, 1949 & 1950)
    Most Outs Made (1) (AL) (1948)
    Most Assists (3) (AL) (1947, 1948 & 1949)
    Most Assists by a Shortstop (3) (AL) (1947, 1948 & 1949)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop (1) (AL) (1949)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop (1) (AL) (1951)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Shortstop (1) (AL) (1945)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes: 
    (AL: 1942, 4th), (AL: 1943, 9th), (AL: 1944, 3rd), (AL: 1945, 6th), (AL: 1948 4th) & (AL: 1949, 7th)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Walks)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+) 
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    1 Top Ten FInish (Power Speed #)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 64. Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop: 853
    77. Putouts by a Shortstop: 2,385
    79. Assists by a Shortstop: 4,150
    81. Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop: 4.91
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: N/A.
  • Should be Inducted As A: St. Louis Brown

Should Vern Stephens be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 60%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 20%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 20%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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