Ex-Brave Ted Simmons helped by new metrics in Hall of Fame quest

Former Braves catcher Ted Simmons will enter baseball’s Hall of Fame this July, voted in Sunday with union leader Marvin Miller. After falling short his first seven times on veterans committee ballots, Miller received 12 of 16 votes from this year’s 16-man group, exactly the 75% required. Simmons was on 13 ballots. The eight-time All-Star during a 21year career was a switch-hitter who hit .285 with 248 homers and 1,389 RBIs for St. Louis (1968-80), Milwaukee (198185) and Atlanta (1986-88).

Simmons was an outspoken opponent of President Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War. In the days before free agency, he played much of the 1972 season without a contract because of a pay dispute. Simmons was up for election by voters from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America just once and drew only 3.7% support in 1994, removed from future BBWAA ballots. But on the veterans committee ballot, Simmons, now 70, has benefited from modern metrics, such as a Baseball Reference WAR of 50.3.

Eight others who were primarily catchers topped 50, and they’re all in the Hall: Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Bill Dickey, Carlton Fisk, Gabby Hartnett, Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez. Simmons hit .300 or higher seven times and had 2,472 hits. Among players who were primarily catchers, his RBIs are second to Berra’s 1,430 and his hits are second to Rodriguez’s 2,844.

Dwight Evans received seven votes Sunday, Dave Parker seven and Steve Garvey and Lou Whitaker six each. Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Thurman Munson and Dale Murphy all got three or fewer.