Cincinnati Reds: Vada Pinson belongs in Cooperstown

A closer examination of Vada Pinson’s career reveals the former Cincinnati Reds centerfielder is worthy of being immortalized in Cooperstown.

He has more hits (2,757) than Joe Morgan. He blasted more homers (256) than Barry Larkin and has a higher bWAR (54.3) than Tony Perez. Yet, despite all these accomplishments, Vada Pinson‘s career has largely been ignored, while the other three former Cincinnati Reds players have plaques hanging in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. Why is this?

There’s a couple of reasons for Pinson’s omission. First, while Pinson spent a decade patrolling center field at Crosley Field from 1958 through 1968, the Reds made just one postseason appearance, falling in the 1961 World Series to the New York Yankees. This was long before divisional play entered the MLB landscape, allowing multiple teams from each league to reach the playoffs.

Next, Pinson played in the gargantuan shadow of his teammate, right fielder Frank Robinson, who was one of the best ever to play the game. Nevertheless, an argument can be made that Pinson is the best center fielder in franchise history, while his numbers certainly stack up nicely with other Reds in the Hall of Fame.

Vada Pinson’s name litters the Cincinnati Reds record books. In team history, Pinson ranks with in triples, sixth in doubles, seventh in hits, and eighth in both runs scored and bWAR. Twice, he led the National League in hits, doubles, and triples. Earning two All-Star appearances, Pinson would receive MVP votes in five different seasons, while taking home the Gold Glove Award in the pennant winning 1961 season.

Timing just did not work in Pinson’s favor. If Pinson had played a decade a later and been a member of the Big Red Machine, he would have most likely allowed joined the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Tony Perez in Cooperstown.

Not only does Pinson rank as one of the greatest Cincinnati Reds in the team’s long history, his numbers surpass those recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. Pinson collected more hits, amassed a higher career batting average and slugging percentage than recent Veterans Committee selections Ted Simmons and Alan Trammell.

Pinson’s career-bWAR of 54.3 is greater than 10 other center fielders currently in the Hall of Fame, including Minnesota Twins great, Kirby Puckett. Finishing his 18-year career with a .287/.327/.442 slash line, Pinson remains one of the most under appreciated players in baseball history.

The time has come to recognize the greatness of Vada Pinson. He never received more than 15.7% of the vote from baseball writers for induction into the Hall of Fame. Not only does Pinson deserve enshrinement in Cooperstown, he should, at the very least, have the honor of having his No. 28 jersey retired by the Cincinnati Reds.