#135 Vada Pinson

A new Angel...wanted out of Cleveland for a gig on the west coast preferably Oakland or San Francisco but Anaheim would do....a career underrated and overshadowed, mostly and unintentionally by teammate Frank Robinson who happens to come from the same Oakland Cal. high school....So many tools....On the field; Fast, strong armed, good power...off field articulate yet demure, worked as a labor negotiator in off season...Incredibly prolific too; topping 600 at bats nine times in a row, leading the NL circuit twice....A master at garnering 200 hits which he reached four times, twice to lead the NL...Signed by the Reds for 4K made his MLB debut in 1958....a quick start quickly turned to a slumping .191 BA and demotion to AAA... Upon September return Pinson hits .412....A Red to stay after that....Frank and Vada become kings of the Queen city....Hit .343 in 1961 finishing second to Roberto Clemente in hitting....Production declined after Robinson was traded but still a dangerous hitter....Dealt to Cardinals for 1969 in anticipation of an all All-star outfield, but his results were hampered by minor injuries....1970  Trade to Cleveland rejuvenated his career, possibly in part AL pitchers were unfamiliar with him....led the club in most offensive categories in his first year, and led tribe in stolen bases in the following season (which was his 14^th as a player) ....Continued to contribute as American Leaguer, logging in another year in Cleveland, two years in Anaheim and KC....finished his baseball days as a MLB coach...passed away 1995 but there is a continuing ground swell of support for Cooperstown.... At different points, he led the NL in runs (1959), hits ('61 and ’63), doubles ('59-60) and triples ('63 and ’67)....Arguments for inclusion are:  He is presently 13^th in Reds home runs....3^rd in MLB hits and 8^th in stolen bases during the 60’s.... #1 in hits of 20^th century LH hitters...305 career swipes, over 2700 hits.... Information from obtained from his children who are his most determined HOF supporters.