As we sit here on this sunny afternoon discussing the greats of baseball history, I want to bring up an intriguing player that I think deserves more attention: Wes Ferrell. Now Ferrell played in the 1930s and 1940s, before most of your time, but his stats and impact are most certainly Hall of Fame worthy in my opinion. Let me tell you about Wes Ferrell and why his case for Cooperstown is one you all should consider.
A Pitching Star in the Golden Age of Baseball
Ferrell came onto the scene in 1928 with the Boston Red Sox at just 19 years old. He immediately found success, winning 15 games his first season and establishing himself as an ace. The 1930s and 1940s, often called the Golden Age of baseball, were loaded with talent at every position.
Ferrell more than held his own against the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio playing in the American League.
Over his career, Ferrell won 20 games four times and led the league in fewest baserunners allowed per 9 innings in 1935 with the Cleveland Indians. His 1938 season with the Red Sox, when he won 23 games and struck out a career-high 208 batters, was simply brilliant.
A Rare Two-Way Talent
Even more impressively, Ferrell was also an impact bat in the pitcher’s spot. He slugged 138 home runs over his career, an amazing total for a pitcher. In 1931 with the Red Sox, Ferrell hit .320 with 11 home runs and 91 RBIs, finishing 8th in AL MVP voting.
His .319 career batting average is the best of any pre-1960 pitcher with at least 1000 at-bats. Ferrell was nearly an everyday player in the field and at the plate during his peak years. There has never been another pitcher who could hit like Ferrell, making him a truly unique two-way talent deserving of recognition.
The Raw Numbers Are There
When you look at Ferrell’s career stats, it’s hard to argue he shouldn’t at least be discussed among Hall of Fame candidates. He racked up 193 wins and 1676 strikeouts over 15 seasons, with an ERA+ of 108 that is above the league average for his era. Ferrell also won 20 games four times, a prestigious milestone only achieved by around 80 pitchers ever.
His career bWAR of 50.6 is on par with current Hall of Fame pitchers like Sandy Koufax. The numbers tell the story of a stellar career for Ferrell that deserves to be part of the Hall of Fame discussion.
Does Lack of “Star Power” Hurt His Case?
One potential knock against Ferrell is that he didn’t have the star power or name recognition of other Hall of Fame pitchers. He played on some bad teams late in his career when the public eye may have shifted elsewhere. However, his peak years in the 1930s saw Ferrell dominate some of the best lineups in baseball history.
A closer look at his full stats and contributions to some excellent Red Sox and Indians teams of that era reveals a true star, even if he isn’t as fondly remembered today. Overall performances, not just fame or glory, should be what gets a player inducted into the Hall.
The Case for Cooperstown
In summary, I believe Wes Ferrell deserves strong consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame based on his pitching prowess and rare hitting talents. With 200 career wins, an ERA+ well above league average, and over 50 career bWAR, Ferrell compares favorably to the standards of current Hall of Fame pitchers.
When factoring in his offensive contributions as well, his all-around excellence separates him from his peers. While he may not have been a household name, a closer look at Ferrell’s full body of work on some great 1930s teams makes a solid case for his inclusion in Cooperstown.
I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on whether Wes Ferrell belongs among the all-time baseball greats.
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FAQs
Is Ferrell’s Lack of Awards/Accolades a Detriment to His Case?
Ferrell never won a Cy Young Award due to playing before they were first given out in 1956. He also only received MVP votes in one season. However, awards aren’t the only measure of a player, and Ferrell’s raw stats and contributions to his teams were often outstanding.
How Does Ferrell Compare to Other “Borderline” Hall of Fame Pitchers?
A look at similar Hall of Fame pitchers like Jim Kaat and Tommy John shows Ferrell compares very favorably in career wins and especially WAR, making a case he’s more qualified than those selections. His rare offensive prowess further separates him.
What’s the Argument Against Inducting Ferrell?
Some feel his playing career was a bit short at 15 seasons. Not having the flashy personality or longevity of some others hurts his legacy. But peak ability and stats should be the focus, in which Ferrell excelled.
If Inducted, What Cap Would Ferrell Wear on His Plaque?
Ferrell spent 10 of 15 seasons with the Red Sox, so most of his value was achieved there. However, he also enjoyed great success earlier in his career with Cleveland. It would likely come down to fan/organization input to decide between Boston or Cleveland.
In Conclusion
In wrapping up our discussion about Wes Ferrell and his Hall of Fame qualifications, I believe he deserves stronger consideration than he receives for his incredible two-way talents and statistical achievements compared to pitchers from his era who did get inducted.
While his star may have faded over the decades, a closer look at Ferrell’s full body of work makes a strong argument that he was indeed among baseball’s all-time greats deserving of a plaque in Cooperstown.
I hope this conversation has sparked your interest in an overlooked star and Hall debate that I think has merit. Please share your own thoughts on Wes Ferrell and if you think he should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
