Everything is relative to the era. If you were interested

Posted on: June 20, 2025 at 08:08:55 CT

in the answer to that question, you'd already know it.



Ted Simmons was a switch-hitting force, compiling a .285/.348/.437 slash line with 248 career home runs while catching for the Cardinals, Brewers and Braves. He made eight All-Star teams, batted .300 or better seven times and at the time of his retirement in 1988, led all catchers in career hits and doubles.

He also happened to play in an era alongside Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk and Gary Carter, which helps explain how Simmons garnered only 3.7 percent of the vote in his lone year on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot in 1994. He went on to be GM of the Pirates, a coach for the Padres and Brewers, and an executive or scout in St. Louis, San Diego, Cleveland, Seattle and Atlanta, but Cooperstown remained elusive. In the end, it was a case of a good thing coming to those who wait.

Edited by 90Tiger at 08:13:15 on 06/20/25