The second coming of the Human Vacuum Cleaner is behind only 11 third basemen all-time in terms of JAWS value, and falls inches below the line of an “average” Hall of Famer. On March 30, 1984, the Yankees traded Nettles to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Rasmussen and a PTBNL. [26], On March 21, 2008 he announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in late November 2007 and would undergo surgery at Manhattan's Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center on April 8. Some of that has to do with position Trammell who was a fine fielder and very good hitter was compared only to other shortstops, whereas Nettles, or more contemporary players like Scott Rolen, find themselves overlooked because they were not among the top sluggers in the game. Do you have a blog? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [9] On September 7, 1974, Nettles was caught using a bat that had six superballs inside it. Second, he was a Yankee at a time when stars like Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson occupied the spotlight. [15], In the fall of 1982, George Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner, stated that Nettles "is in the twilight of his career, and if he never plays another game for me, he has earned more than what I have paid him. A career of over 60 WAR does not get you into the Hall of Fame, but it should get you into the conversation. Purchase from: This Outstanding Book is AVAILABLE from Wipf and Stock Publishers! [24] Nettles re-signed with the Braves for the 1988 season. Inducted in 1991, Graig Nettles who played baseball and basketball at San Diego High and San Diego State, combined power and outstanding defense in a twenty-two year career as a third baseman for six major league teams. Great shortstops like Cal Ripken Jr. Arky Vaughan and Alex Rodriguez all moved to third when they could no longer play short. Nettles served as a consultant for The Bronx Is Burning, a television drama that documented the 1977 Yankees. Therefore, players like Rose, Killebrew and Molitor have made the Hall of Fame candidacies of third basemen seem less impressive. Third base is different. (Nettles labored in anonymity in Cleveland in 1971 and he was a second-half surger in 1976. Site dedicated to promoting those who have achieved levels of excellence deserving of the Hall of Fame. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. The Minnesota Twins drafted Nettles in the fourth round of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft. In 1991, Nettles was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.[31]. Similarly, Ron Santo and Ken Boyer in the 1960s were not quite as valuable as Harmon Killebrew a great slugger, but inferior defender who eventually was moved off of first base. Nettles managed and played for the St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. Following last week's Hall of Fame announcement, a New York Times article by Tyler Klepner explored the question of why so few third baseman make it to Cooperstown. Inducted in 1991, Graig Nettles who played baseball and basketball at San Diego High and San Diego State, combined power and outstanding defense in a twenty-two year career as a third baseman for six major league teams. Similarity Scores. As a part of four pennant-winning Yankee teams, Nettles enjoyed his best season in 1977 when he won the Gold Glove Award and had career-highs in home runs (37) and runs batted in (107) in leading the Yankees to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is available now! Graig Nettles, as time drags on, has somehow become the forgotten Yankee standout from the 1977 and 1978 World Series teams to … He piled up 2,225 hits and 390 homers, and we’re likely moving past the era where his .248 average will be forever held against him (that’s firmly Harmon Killebrew territory, anyway, right?). Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. [18] Nettles had wanted to play closer to his San Diego home, and his approval of the trade was required given his years of service. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins (1967–1969), Cleveland Indians (1970–1972), New York Yankees (1973–1983), San Diego Padres (1984–1986), Atlanta Braves (1987), and Montreal Expos (1988). This is unlikely to change, so Yankee fans of a certain age should not expect Nettles, one of the best of the overlooked third baseman to be giving a speech in Cooperstown anytime soon.