The first All-Star representative of the New York Mets is the 93rd inductee into the Baseball Hall of Immortals.
Richie Ashburn may be one of the more underrated players in baseball history. Playing centerfield for the Phillies at the same time as Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Duke Snider were doing so so in New York, it’s no wonder he was overlooked by those outside Philadelphia. But Ashburn was as good as anyone in the center.
A 6-time All-Star, Ashburn was solid at the plate, hitting over .300 nine times in his 15 seasons. Twice he led the league in batting average (.338 in 1955 and .350 in 1958), and his ability to draw walks added had him leading the league in OBP four times. In fact in 1958, he became the first leadoff hitter in MLB history to lead the league in both batting average and walks.
Ashburn was as good in the field as he was at the plate. Over a ten year strecth, from 1949 to 1958, he led the league in putouts as a centerfielder nine times. In four of those seasons he topped 500 putouts, setting the mark for centerfielders. All-time, he ranks third in centerfield putouts behind only Willie Mays and Tris Speaker – both of whom played 7 years more than Ashburn.
Of the top 10 seasons all-time for all outfield putouts, Ashburn owns six of them, including 2nd (538 in 1951) and 3rd (514 in 1949). His 6,089 career outfield putouts ranks sixth all-time, again with everyone ahead of him having much longer careers.
Ashburn played for 15 seasons, ending his carer in 1962 as a member of the expansion New York Mets, batting .306 for the 120 loss team. He retired with 2,574 hits, a .308 batting average and a .396 OBP.
One of the best all-around outfielders, Richie Ashburn is an Immortal.
For some background on what this is, check out the introduction post here.
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