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Ted Simmons' Cooperstown Election Only Furthers Thurman Munson Hall of Fame Case

By Chris Pyo

After Ted Simmons' election to the MLB Hall of Fame today, Thurman Munson deserves induction
After Ted Simmons' election to the MLB Hall of Fame today, Thurman Munson deserves induction / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

The merit of Ted Simmons' induction into the MLB Hall of Fame will be questioned for as long as the Hall of Fame exists. However, what's undebatable is the fact that he will be officially enshrined in Cooperstown this summer.

The same cannot be said for Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.

Munson was the heart and soul of a 1970s Yankees team that started the decade in the cellar of the American League but rose to become back-to-back champions in 1977 and 1978, mainly because of Munson's heart and hustle behind the dish and at the plate.

As one of, if not the best catchers of the 1970s, Munson epitomized the meaning of a gritty player who did anything humanely possible to help his team win.

Not only did he pass the eye test to everyone fortunate enough to witness his greatness, but he objectively backed it up with his play as well. Some of his credentials include the 1970 Rookie of the Year, the 1976 MVP, and a three-time Gold Glove recipient.

His life was tragically cut short at the age of 32, as he perished in a single-plane crash in 1979, right in his prime. If he had been around to play out his career into the 1980s, his Hall of Fame resume might have been unquestionable. In fact, it already should be. Screw the counting stats, especially in Munson's case.

There's nothing wrong with including Simmons in the Hall of Fame, but his induction should bolster Munson's case for receiving a plaque in Cooperstown. Munson nearly matched Simmons' WAR in nine less seasons, with Munson tallying 46.1 over 11 years and Simmons totaling 50.3 over 20 seasons. And that doesn't even start to explain how good Munson was in the playoffs, where he batted .357.

Instead, while Simmons reached the 12-vote threshold from the Modern Era Committee, Munson failed to garner even three votes. Where is the justification for voting in Simmons but almost completely blowing off Munson?

Cooperstown and the Modern Era Committee have failed Munson this year. Maybe in 2022, when the committee reconvenes for its next round of elections, they'll do the right thing and enshrine Munson in the Hall of Fame where he deserves to be.