Has any MLB pitcher squeaked into the Hall of Fame because a non pitching skill such as being great defensively or an excellent hitter rescued their chances?

While pitching is undoubtedly the most important skill for a pitcher, there have been a few cases where a player's Hall of Fame chances have been boosted by their non-pitching abilities.

One example is Jim Kaat, who was a three-time All-Star and a 16-time Gold Glove winner. While Kaat was a solid pitcher, with a career ERA of 3.45, it was his defensive prowess that ultimately earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Another example is Vida Blue, who won the AL MVP and Cy Young Award in 1971. Blue was a dominant pitcher in his prime, but his career was derailed by injuries. However, he was also a good hitter, and he finished his career with a .241 batting average and 72 home runs.

These are just two examples of pitchers who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame despite not being dominant pitchers. While pitching is the most important skill for a pitcher, it is not the only factor that is considered when Hall of Fame voters are making their decisions.

Related Questions

  • Did any MLB pitcher make it to the Hall of Fame primarily due to their defensive skills?
    • Yes, Jim Kaat was inducted into the Hall of Fame primarily due to his defensive skills.
  • Did any MLB pitcher make it to the Hall of Fame primarily due to their hitting ability?
    • Yes, Vida Blue was inducted into the Hall of Fame primarily due to his hitting ability.
  • Are there any other MLB pitchers who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame despite not being dominant pitchers?
    • Yes, there are a few other MLB pitchers who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame despite not being dominant pitchers, such as Goose Gossage and Trevor Hoffman.
  • Are non-pitching skills considered when Hall of Fame voters are making their decisions?
    • Yes, non-pitching skills are considered when Hall of Fame voters are making their decisions, although pitching is still the most important factor.
  • Are there any active MLB pitchers who could potentially make it to the Hall of Fame based on their non-pitching skills?
    • Yes, there are a few active MLB pitchers who could potentially make it to the Hall of Fame based on their non-pitching skills, such as Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

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