Detroit Tigers: Four Biggest Hall of Fame Snubs
Tommy Bridges (Hall Score: 99)
You expected to see the name Jack Morris here didn’t you? While Jack is one of the grittiest and most legendary players to ever put on the English D, he actually isn’t the most egregious Detroit Tigers pitching snub. That dubious title goes to the oft-forgotten Tommy Bridges.
The right handed workhorse spent every season of his sixteen year as a Tiger. During his tenure, he helped bring two World Series Championships back to the motor city. Unfortunately, he spent most of his career in the shadow of fellow Tigers legend Hal Newhouser.
Bridges posted a career record of 194-138 record with a 3.57 ERA, a 50.2 WAR and a 126 ERA+ with the Tigers. Those are, at the very least, fringe Hall of Fame numbers.Bridges’ case only gets stronger when we get into his post season statistics. Bridges posted a sparkling 4-1 record and 3.52 ERA over seven World Series starts. Former teammate and manager Mickey Cochrane once stated this in regards to Bridges’ World Series performances:
"“A hundred and fifty pounds of courage. If there ever is a payoff on courage, this little 150 pound pitcher [Bridges] is the greatest World Series hero”"
Bridges’ 99 Hall score (higher than 66 current Hall of Famers), combined with his stellar regular season and World Series totals warrants him to be in the Hall of Fame debate. Hopefully the Veteran’s Committee inducts him in the near future.