Numbers and Character and Bill Dahlen

[DOUGHBOYS]

Do you want to win a trivia contest with your buddy or simply want to know something cool?
Here it is.
There is a player in baseball history who at one time in his career, held the record for longest hitting streak AND most home runs, AND most games played in baseball.
It's a name most don't know, because he played in the 1890's and 1900's.
His name was Bill Dahlen.

Bill Dahlen was born just 23 miles from Cooperstown.
He began his career in 1891 playing every position but pitcher and catcher.
In 1894, he became a force in baseball.
He batted .359 with an on base percentage of .455
He hit 15 homers, when the league leader had 18.
He scored 150 runs and knocked in 108 more.
And he stole 43 bases.

That year, he set a record by hitting in the most consecutive games to that time. 42.
The record would be broken a couple of years later by Willie Keeler.
What Dahlen did after his 42 game streak was DiMaggioian.
He followed his hitless game by going on another 28 game hitting streak.
Hitting in 70 of 71 games.
DiMaggio had a 16 game hit streak after his 56 game streak was broken, hitting in 72 of 73 games.

In 1895, his solid year solidified his playing position as shortstop.
Not only one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball, but the best fielding as well.
When Dahlen retired, he had played more games at shortstop, had more put outs at the position, and more assists.
He had more assists than ANY player when retiring.

Traded to Brooklyn in 1899, he would lead them to a Championshiop.
The following year, he would do the same.
Later, he was traded to the New York Giants.
John McGraw, the Giants Manager exclaimed, "It's the most successful deal I ever made. I have the best shortstop in baseball.

In 2004 and 2005, the Giants won an incredible 211 games, while only losing 95.
They won the Championship and World Series.
During his career, Dahlen held the longest hitting streak in baseball, the most homers in baseball, and when he retired, he had played the most games in baseball.
A player could hardly do more.

Enter the town that Dahlen was born 23 miles from. Cooperstown.
Bill Dahlen's plaque cannot be seen at Cooperstown.
One of the many flaws and errors that voters for this 'hallowed' institution have made over the years.

You see, I have painted the Bill Dahlen story in a way that WE, the baseball nut sees Bill Dahlen.
A Numerish way, if you will.
Bill Dahlen was not liked by opposing players, umpires, or even by some of his own team.
His nickname was 'Bad' Bill Dahlen.
Dahlen was thrown out of 65 games. A number that still stands in the top 10.
He was accused of fighting, berating, being a wife abuser, and the thing that mostly drove these traits, a severe alcoholic.
He didn't make a lot friends. Most friendships that he did make, did not last.

Dahlen is not in the Hall of Fame.
Bill James once said a player's character fades, while the numbers are indelible.
I hope, one day, this will be the case for Dahlen.
Like Joe Jackson. Pete Rose, and steroid era players, Dahlen is judged by a statistic not created on a baseball field.
Character.
Character has been set aside many, many times in ballots.
Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker may have been two of the most despicable players in baseball history.
Yet, we can drive 23 miles from Bill Dahlen's birthplace and see them as something they're not.
Players with character.

Dahlen missed by two votes recently from being put in the Hall of Fame by a veterans committee.
Hopefully, he makes it back.
Voters for the Hall of Fame have enough problem judging numbers.
Judging character from a player long passed, an impossibility.
Like James, I wish voters would just look at the numbers.
Perhaps they could swipe the Las Vegas ad slogan from years ago.
'What happens on the baseball field, stays on the baseball field.'
The judgment of character is for a higher power.

[swamp fox]

I've been trying to post for over a year but after some hard work by Tom K i'm back. I just want to say that i love your blurbs. They are not only entertaining but very informative. I love the stories about the old school guys. But less than a year ago i saw this video and it made me cringe to think that i bought in to the stories about ty cobb. so at this point id like to disagree on this point and i would love your perspective: "Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker may have been two of the most despicable players in baseball history."

my mind was blown and i was saddened to realize, perhaps, that i disliked one of the best players of all time based on misinformation:

https://www.prageru.com/videos/calling- ... se-ty-cobb

[DOUGHBOYS]

Thank you very much!

I really can't discount all that history and many, many accounts of Cobb because of one man's book.
If anything, it truly illustrates what Bill James says about a baseball players character and his numbers.
The character fades, while numbers last forever.

Cobb had so many incidents with non-white's that it is easy to call him names.
At the same time, I and we, should not judge him harshly.
It was a different time. Heck, the Civil War had only been over for less than 40 years.
For some in the south, it still has effects over 150 years later.

The Hall of Fame has it wrong.
They are not in the character judging business.
Bill Dahlen, Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, and others were great ball players.
THAT is what should be judged by the Hall of Fame.
Fans were lucky to see them.
We did not pay to see their character or integrity.
We just know it was a wonder to see what they can do on a baseball field.

No matter what is said about Cobb, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
So should the others.
We live in an age where we think we know athletes and celebs.
We don't.
Writers think they do, and judge. At the direction of the Hall of Fame.
It's not right.