Ron Santo

You're right. I don't trust them, either. Ozzie Smith by most accounts was the greatest fielding shortstop of the modern era, but he probably didn't deserve the last few he got. He won them on reputation.

MVP and Cy Young are a bit more accurate, but not totally.

While the BBSWA are not perfect and give a lot of unqualified people votes, I really do believe they are more objective judges of performance than fans or managers.

 

I couldn't disagree more. I've heard members of the BBWAA admit biases against teams, leagues, etc. And there's this: How can the guy who covers the Giants vote on how good the players are for the Rays, Orioles, or Indians? Same holds true for beat writers who vote in the AP in college football (or the coaches). Do they really research games other than those which they cover? Most sportswriters I know freely admit they don't.

 

As far as POPULARITY & IMPORTANCE TO HIS TEAM, Santo ranx right up there. Often, those factors are as important as individual stats. I believe that's why several others with less-than-super stats made the HOF.