"Little Poison" is a little off of HoM quality, but like the HOFer Gomez, deserves a thread of his own, too.

Using the adjusted RCAA system I like, Waner shows up as

- not as good a hitter as Dode Paskert or Clyde Milan
- nowhere near as good a hitter as Fielder Jones or Max Carey
- to switch positions, about level with Fred Lindstrom as a hitter.

(Bill James's one-liner was something to the effect that the Hall of Fame voters must have been looking at Paul Waner's statistics.)

Not to be taken seriously as a candidate.

If Waner had more seasons like he had early in his career, then he might have a case. But I agree with OCF: he's not a HoMer by any stretch of the imagination.

In the HOF's defense, Lloyd was merely a Veteran's Committee pick, and compares right with the aforementioned Fred Lindstrom and Richie Ashburn.

So in one regard, he was just a sentimental pick - played in the shadow of his better brother, wasn't *terribly* shabby himself, wasted his best season on Murderer's Row.

Strangely, despite being noted for his speed by a lot of his fellow ballplayers, he only stole 67 bases in his career.

And an interesting factoid about the Waners: their famous nickname actually came from a Brooklyn fan who, in their particular vernacular, misprounounced "person."

he was just a sentimental pick - played in the shadow of his better brother, wasn't *terribly* shabby himself,

Dom DiMaggio also fits these criteria and would be a much better pick. The Little Professor may be part of our HOM debate with appropriate WWII credit (missed ages 26-28).

Dom DiMaggio also fits these criteria and would be a much better pick. The Little Professor may be part of our HOM debate with appropriate WWII credit (missed ages 26-28).

I totally agree, Jim.

And an interesting factoid about the Waners: their famous nickname actually came from a Brooklyn fan who, in their particular vernacular, misprounounced "person."

Yes, Poison with unvoiced "s" as in person, Mason, Hughson, antidisestablishmentarianson.