1916 Key Retirees - Batters
Dave Brain, 3B/SS, White Sox
Won two Gold Gloves at third base. In the early days of the White Sox franchise, Brain was one of their few good hitters. He was a slugging third baseman who was also a superior fielder. So good was he in the field that he was moved to shortstop in 1906 at age 27. He was a superior fielder there, posting a zone rating of +8 or better in his first five seasons in his new position. As a hitter, he slugged at least 24 home runs in each of his eleven seasons as an everyday player. He finished in the Top 10 in homers eight times, RBI six times, SLG six times and WAR six times.
Bill Coughlin, 3B, Twins
Coughlin was slightly above league average offensively during the prime of his career and then slightly below average for the remainder. However, he won two Gold Gloves at third base and was considered one of the finest defenders of his day, which explains why he got so much playing time late into his career.
Elmer Flick, RF, Phillies
Won one Gold Glove. Finished in the Top 10 in doubles four times, triples six times, batting average six times, OBP eight times and OPS four times. He was a mainstay in Philadelphia's lineup for 18 years. He played for the last three pennant-winning Phillies teams and may be one of the most underrated players of his day.
Nap Lajoie, 2B/1B, Phillies
Won two Batter of the Year awards and two Gold Gloves. Some say he should have won closer to ten Gold Gloves. He had the best range of any National Leaguer in his day at either second base or first base. He retired as the all-time leader with 902 doubles and the second most hits all-time with 3,698. He was also an RBI-machine in his prime and is 2nd all-time with 2,040 RBI - joining former teammate and HOF'er
Ed Delahanty as the only two men to reach the 2,000 RBI mark. He led the league in doubles an amazing 12 times, hits five times and RBI six times. He won two batting titles and led the league once in each of the following categories: triples, SLG, OPS, VORP and WAR.
Joe Tinker, SS, Cubs
The Tinker to Evers to Chance double play combination did not turn out a single Hall of Fame career in MLHR. However, Tinker was one of the top offensive shortstops in the NL during the first decade of the 1900's. He was also one of the top defensive shortstops early in his career but never quite earned a Gold Glove. However, he was part of five pennant winning Cubs teams and two World Series champions.
