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60. Marty Marion

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60.  Marty Marion
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 1, 1916 in Richburg, SC USA
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 16, 1940
  • Final Game: July 06, 1953
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1942
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1943
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1943
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1944
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1944
  • Most Valuable Player - 1944
  • TSN All-Star - 1944
  • TSN Guide MVP - 1944
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1944
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1944
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1945
  • TSN All-Star - 1945
  • MVP - 1941
  • MVP - 1942
  • MVP - 1943
  • MVP - 1944
  • MVP - 1945
  • MVP - 1946
  • MVP - 1949
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
110121204289672124870 0.263
 

Marty Marion won the NL 1944 MVP based primarily on his leadership and fielding skills as opposed to anything he did with his lumber.  His victory is certainly a reminder that there is a lot more to baseball than sexy offensive stats.

Marty Marion was taller than the average Shortstop of his era, but he used that to his advantage.  He was deceptively quick but he used his large wingspan to gobble up any ground ball that got remotely near him.  He was called the “octopus”, and he would have used those tentacles to grab every Gold Glove Award….if they existed at the time.  Marion usually batted at the bottom of the order, but he was consistent and an excellent bunter.

Marty Marion was not just a defensive wizard; he was a leader whose patience showed when he would become a manager and teacher of young ballplayers.  It is often these traits that are pointed to when pundits and ex-colleagues point to Marty Marion and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Should Marty Marion be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 68.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 9.7%
No opinion. - 1.4%
No way! - 11.1%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Richburg, South Carolina, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 1960
  • Position: Short Stop
  • Played For: St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (3) (St. Louis Cardinals, 1942, 1944 & 1946)
    MVP (1) (NL) (1944)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1944)
    All-Star (8) (1943, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 & 1950)
    Most Doubles (1) (NL) (1942)
    Most Sacrifice Hits (2) (NL) (1941 & 1949)
    Highest Defensive bWAR (3) (NL) (1941, 1944 & 1946)
    Most Assists (2) (NL) (1941 & 1946)
    Most Putouts by a Shortstop (2) (NL) (1946 & 1947)
    Most Assists by a Shortstop (2) (NL) (1941 & 1946)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop (2) (NL) (1946 & 1947)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop (1) (NL) (1947)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Shortstop (3) (NL) (1944, 1957 & 1948)
  • Other Points of Note: Other Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the 1944 NL MVP)
    (NL: 1942, 7th) & (NL: 1945, 8th)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (bWAR for Position Players)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 20.  Defensive bWAR: 25.0
    40.  Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop: 978
    45.  Putouts by a Shortstop: 2,986
    52.  Assists by a Shortstop: 4,829
    61.  Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop: 5.05
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1960: 13.8
    1962: 10.0
    1964: 24.9
    1966: 28.5
    1967: 30.8
    1968: 31.4
    1969: 32.9
    1970: 40.0
    1971: 34.2
    1972: 30.3
    1973: 33.4
  • Should be Inducted As A: St. Louis Cardinal

Should Marty Marion be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 68.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 9.7%
No opinion. - 1.4%
No way! - 11.1%

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