Welcome to another edition of The Cooperstown case.
This week, we will be taking a look at a former Cardinals player who not only won a World Series, but hit over 300 home runs. A lifetime .267 hitter, this week we’ll be looking at outfielder Reggie Sanders.
Sanders made his debut in Major League Baseball on August 22nd, 1991, for the Cincinnati Reds. He played in only nine games his rookie season, and had only 40 at-bats. He did, however, hit a home run and three RBI’s. But it was the very next season where he began to step up. Sanders played in 116 games, hitting 12 home runs and 36 RBI’s, along with an average of .270.
During the 1990’s, Sanders was a staple of the Reds’ organization, and his performance was great enough in 1995 to be voted to the All-Star game.
A notable incident occurred during the 1994 season. With one out in the eighth inning, pitcher Pedro Martinez hit Sanders with a pitch, ending his bid for a perfect game. Sanders responded by charging the mound and leading to a brawl. Later, he was criticized by the press and fans for charging the mound, claiming that Martinez intentionally hit him.
In eight years with the Reds, Sanders played in 805 games, notched 781 hits, 125 home runs, and 431 RBI’s. His average with Cincinnati was also a respectable .271.
He then became a travelling baseball player, having one year stints with the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks (helping them win the 2001 World Series), and San Francisco Giants. In 2004, he finally found a team to stick with for more than a season when he joined the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals.
With a lineup full of power-hitters such as Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and Scott Rolen, Sanders thrived, playing in 135 games, hitting 22 home runs and 67 RBI’s. The Cardinals clinched their first pennant since 1987, but ultimately were swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox.
Sanders returned in 2005 with the team, before spending his final two years with the Royals.
Overall, Sanders hit .267 with 305 home runs, 983 RBI’s, 1666 total hits, and 1037 runs scored. While it is a solid stat line, especially for a player who shifted around so many teams, it still comes down to less-than stellar.
Does Sanders deserve a spot in Cooperstown? Feel free to discuss below, and tune in next week to the next edition of The Cooperstown case.
