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FuzzyRussianHat · 06-24-2023, 06:05 PM

Two players were added into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame with the 1962 class. All-time hit king Stan Provost was a no-doubt pick at 98.0%. Closer Julian Ouellet also made the cut on the first ballot, albeit at a less impressive 73.0%. Two others were above 50% with Roy Cole at 62.3% and CL Victoro Fraijo at 53.2%.

It was the last chance for Cole, who was dropped after ten attempts on the ballot. The 62.3% was the closest he got, usually hovering in the 50% range. In 19 years as a starting pitcher between Jacksonville, Miami, and San Francisco, he had a 276-255 record, 3.68 ERA, 2849 strikeouts, 4723.2 innings, and 79.7 WAR. A long, respectable career, but he was never dominant and was viewed as a “Hall of Very Good” guy.

Stan Provost – Outfielder – Minneapolis Moose – 98.0% First Ballot

Stan Provost was a 5’10’’, 200 pound left-handed hitting outfielder from Sudbury, Ontario; near the northern part of Lake Huron. Provost was a generational talent in many respects, but most so in his contact hitting ability and his durability. Few players in baseball history had his ability to put the ball in play and also do so with solid pop, hitting for average with very solid gap and home run power. Provost impressively stayed in shape, playing 145+ games every year from his age 22 through age 43 seasons. With his contact ability came a great eye and ability to get on base via the walk, along with decent speed as well. Provost made about 2/3s of his starts in right field with some center field in his 20s and left field more in his later years. Defensively, he was viewed as a bit below average, but not atrocious. By the end of his very lengthy career, Provost was one of the most popular players of his era.

Provost attended St. Peter’s in Peterborough, Ontario, and was one of the rare players of the area to be drafted straight out of high school, as his talent and potential was clear even as a teenager to pro scouts. He was picked 56^th overall in the 1930 MLB Draft by Toronto made his pro debut in 1931 at only age 18. Provost clearly wasn’t ready yet, as almost no 18-year old would be, and he struggled in 33 MLB games, along with a half season in minor league Hamilton. He started 1932 in Hamilton and still wasn’t clicking as quickly as Toronto had hoped considering his high draft pick. Instead of giving him more time in the minors to grow, the Timberwolves traded Provost in the summer of 1932 along with LF Andre May to Cincinnati for SP Yul Gordon and LF Ezekiel Nufio.

The Reds were more patient with Provost, splitting him for a few seasons between occasional major league starts and the Dayton affiliate. In his fifth pro season at age 22, Provost became a full-time starter and began to provide some solid production. It was 1937 at age 24 when he finally emerged as the top-tier guy many felt he could be, as he won the batting title with a .355 average. Provost also got his first taste of the postseason this year. The next season, he began to find his power stroke and posted an 8.3 WAR season, winning his first Silver Slugger.

1939 was the best season of his career and one of the best seasons a MLB player had had, earning Provost the National Association MVP. He had a .3900 batting average, just behind Jimmy Millers single-season record of .3902. His 159 RBI was third most in a season to that point and his 11.0 WAR season was the fifth best to that point. He also was the NA leader in hits (234), doubles (43), OBP (.451), slugging (.665), and OPS (1.116). The Reds also made it to the NACS, falling to eventual World Series champ Baltimore. This season established Provost among the elite and also came in a contract year. The now 27-year old opted for free agency and secured the bag with Minneapolis, signing for the 1940 season to an eight-year, $246,000 deal. With Cincinnati, he finished with 1038 hits, 564 runs, 142 home runs, a .322 average, and 30.1 WAR.

Provost ultimately played seven seasons with the Moose and although he was with Cincinnati for one additional year, he played more games in Minneapolis and went into the Hall with the squad. Provost didn’t match that 1939 season, but led the NA in runs twice, homers one (50 in 1943), average once, OBP twice, and OPS twice. He won two of his eight Silver Sluggers (1943, 44) and was third In MVP voting in 1943. With Minneapolis, he had 1265 hits, 766 runs, 231 home runs, a .329 average, and 50.6 WAR. The Moose made the playoffs in 1944 and 45, getting to the NACS in 1945 and falling to the Philadelphia dynasty.

Provost opted out of his contract for the 1947 season and at age 34, signing with Seattle. He spent three seasons with the Grizzlies, winning a Silver Slugger in 1948 and finishing third in MVP voting in 1949. While there, he crossed 2500 career hits, 1500 runs scored and 1500 career RBI. The mid-tier Seattle squad opted to sell high and traded the now 37-year old for prospects to New Orleans for the 1950 season.

11 years after his first MVP, Provost won his second at an unprecedented age 37 with the Mudcats. He was the American Association batting champ (his fourth) and led in the triple slash and with 8.8 WAR. His addition didn’t ultimately get New Orleans the playoff run they hoped and Provost entered free agency, signing with Hartford, who had made the World Series the prior year. The Huskies missed the playoffs both seasons he was there, but Provost did pick up his seventh Silver Slugger in 1951.

His numbers dipped slightly in 1952, but he was still a very good starter statistically entering his age 40 season. Provost returned to Seattle and won his final Silver Slugger in 1953, still posting 6.2 WAR. In this season, Provost became the all-time leading run scorer and the first player to 2000. He also was the fourth to 3500 career hits and finished the season at 3658, the new all-time hit king.

In the offseason, the Grizzlies traded him to Las Vegas for prospects and in his one season with the Vipers, Provost became the third hitter to 2000 career RBI and became the new RBI career leader. He also became the 12^th player to 600 career home runs. Las Vegas made it to the AACS with the best record in the American Association, but were upset by eventual World Series champ Nashville. Despite his longevity and good numbers when he got to play in the postseason, Provost never made it to the World Series.

This was his last great season, as the now 42-year old signed for 1955 with Oakland. He had a respectable season all things considered, but statistically his worst in two decades. In 1956, he signed with Portland and became the first (and as of 2037, the only) MLB player to reach 4000 career hits. But his one year with the Pacifics wasn’t great and he became a free agent at season’s end. The 44-year old didn’t retire yet, but couldn’t find a home in 1957. He finally signed in September and played 10 games with minor league Rochester, opting to finally call it quits at age 45. He was one of a very select group to play into his mid 40s.

The final stats are remarkable for Provost: 4133 hits, 2348 runs, 682 doubles, 97 triples, 660 home runs, 2271 RBI, 1552 walks, 1361 strikeouts, a .322/.397/.545 slash, and 132.9 WAR. At retirement, he was the all-time leader in games played (3633), and at bats (12,824), as well as runs, hits, total bases (6989), doubles, and RBI; plus was second to only Elijah Cashman in hitting WAR. As of 2037, Provost remains the hit king and all-time leader in games, at bats, and doubles. His longevity and consistency were unmatched and any conversation about the top five all-time MLB hitters has to include Provost.

Julian Ouelett – Relief Pitcher – Ottawa Elks – 73.0% First Ballot

Julian Ouelett was a 5’11’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Drummondville, Quebec; located a bit northeast of Montreal. Ouellet throw two pitches; a slider and sinker, but was known for having filthy stuff, solid movement, and above average control with velocity peaking around 97-99 mph. He was also considered a team leader and a fairly durable reliever. Ouellet went stateside and played college baseball at Oklahoma City, finishing third in college Pitcher of the Year voting as a junior starter. He was picked in the 1935 MLB Draft 46^th overall by Ottawa and would be a career reliever in the pros.

Ottawa was in the midst of a postseason streak in the 1930s Ouellet immediately was a key contributor. He moved into the closer role as a rookie and twice was Rookie of the Month, a very tough feat to achieve as a reliever. In his sophomore season, he won Reliever of the Year and was second in Pitcher of the Year voting with 5.4 WAR over 87.1 innings, a 1.03 ERA and 31 saves with 111 strikeouts.

He was Reliever of the Year again in 1938 and 1941; while taking second in 1939 and third in 1940. He was also second in Pitcher of the Year voting again in 1941. The Elks would make it to the World Series in 1938 and 40 and win it all in 1940. Ouelett was great in the postseason, posting a 1.09 ERA over 41.1 innings with the Elks with 14 saves, 52 strikeouts, and 1.8 WAR. His final stats with Ottawa saw 237 saves and 269 shutdowns, 1.57 ERA over 515.1 innings, 687 strikeouts, and 30.0 WAR.

The 28-year old Ouellet opted for free agency and signed with San Francisco for the 1943 season. He’d finish third in Reliever of the Year voting, but it would be his last season as the full-time closer anywhere for a while. Ouellet was released and signed with San Diego, where he’d spent 1944 through part of 1949. He was still a respectable reliever, but was rarely able to find significant innings. In the summer of 1949, Ouellet was traded for three prospects to San Antonio.

After finishing the year with the Oilers, the now 35-year old returned close to home and signed with Montreal. He made his way back into the closer role for 1950 and 1951 with the Maples, helping them win the 1951 World Series. From there, Ouellet went back to San Diego for 1952 and 1953, then joined New York at age 39 in 1954. He suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow that summer. He had very brief stints after that with Las Vegas, Tampa, and Philadelphia, retiring at age 41 after the 1956 season.

The final stats for Ouellet: 349 saves and 428 shutdowns, 1.93 ERA, 972.2 innings, 1265 strikeouts, 290 walks, and 47.3 WAR. With small bullpens in MLB, it is hard for even great relievers to compile big numbers except in short bursts. In his Ottawa run, Ouellet was excellent and his tallies compared favorably next to some others who earned the Hall of Fame nod. Plus, he had notable playoff success and was popular among Canadians especially, allowing Ouellet to get the first ballot nod at 73.0%.

06-24-2023, 06:05 PM	#351
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,920	1962 MLB Hall of Fame Two players were added into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame with the 1962 class. All-time hit king Stan Provost was a no-doubt pick at 98.0%. Closer Julian Ouellet also made the cut on the first ballot, albeit at a less impressive 73.0%. Two others were above 50% with Roy Cole at 62.3% and CL Victoro Fraijo at 53.2%. It was the last chance for Cole, who was dropped after ten attempts on the ballot. The 62.3% was the closest he got, usually hovering in the 50% range. In 19 years as a starting pitcher between Jacksonville, Miami, and San Francisco, he had a 276-255 record, 3.68 ERA, 2849 strikeouts, 4723.2 innings, and 79.7 WAR. A long, respectable career, but he was never dominant and was viewed as a “Hall of Very Good” guy. Stan Provost – Outfielder – Minneapolis Moose – 98.0% First Ballot Stan Provost was a 5’10’’, 200 pound left-handed hitting outfielder from Sudbury, Ontario; near the northern part of Lake Huron. Provost was a generational talent in many respects, but most so in his contact hitting ability and his durability. Few players in baseball history had his ability to put the ball in play and also do so with solid pop, hitting for average with very solid gap and home run power. Provost impressively stayed in shape, playing 145+ games every year from his age 22 through age 43 seasons. With his contact ability came a great eye and ability to get on base via the walk, along with decent speed as well. Provost made about 2/3s of his starts in right field with some center field in his 20s and left field more in his later years. Defensively, he was viewed as a bit below average, but not atrocious. By the end of his very lengthy career, Provost was one of the most popular players of his era. Provost attended St. Peter’s in Peterborough, Ontario, and was one of the rare players of the area to be drafted straight out of high school, as his talent and potential was clear even as a teenager to pro scouts. He was picked 56^th overall in the 1930 MLB Draft by Toronto made his pro debut in 1931 at only age 18. Provost clearly wasn’t ready yet, as almost no 18-year old would be, and he struggled in 33 MLB games, along with a half season in minor league Hamilton. He started 1932 in Hamilton and still wasn’t clicking as quickly as Toronto had hoped considering his high draft pick. Instead of giving him more time in the minors to grow, the Timberwolves traded Provost in the summer of 1932 along with LF Andre May to Cincinnati for SP Yul Gordon and LF Ezekiel Nufio. The Reds were more patient with Provost, splitting him for a few seasons between occasional major league starts and the Dayton affiliate. In his fifth pro season at age 22, Provost became a full-time starter and began to provide some solid production. It was 1937 at age 24 when he finally emerged as the top-tier guy many felt he could be, as he won the batting title with a .355 average. Provost also got his first taste of the postseason this year. The next season, he began to find his power stroke and posted an 8.3 WAR season, winning his first Silver Slugger. 1939 was the best season of his career and one of the best seasons a MLB player had had, earning Provost the National Association MVP. He had a .3900 batting average, just behind Jimmy Millers single-season record of .3902. His 159 RBI was third most in a season to that point and his 11.0 WAR season was the fifth best to that point. He also was the NA leader in hits (234), doubles (43), OBP (.451), slugging (.665), and OPS (1.116). The Reds also made it to the NACS, falling to eventual World Series champ Baltimore. This season established Provost among the elite and also came in a contract year. The now 27-year old opted for free agency and secured the bag with Minneapolis, signing for the 1940 season to an eight-year, $246,000 deal. With Cincinnati, he finished with 1038 hits, 564 runs, 142 home runs, a .322 average, and 30.1 WAR. Provost ultimately played seven seasons with the Moose and although he was with Cincinnati for one additional year, he played more games in Minneapolis and went into the Hall with the squad. Provost didn’t match that 1939 season, but led the NA in runs twice, homers one (50 in 1943), average once, OBP twice, and OPS twice. He won two of his eight Silver Sluggers (1943, 44) and was third In MVP voting in 1943. With Minneapolis, he had 1265 hits, 766 runs, 231 home runs, a .329 average, and 50.6 WAR. The Moose made the playoffs in 1944 and 45, getting to the NACS in 1945 and falling to the Philadelphia dynasty. Provost opted out of his contract for the 1947 season and at age 34, signing with Seattle. He spent three seasons with the Grizzlies, winning a Silver Slugger in 1948 and finishing third in MVP voting in 1949. While there, he crossed 2500 career hits, 1500 runs scored and 1500 career RBI. The mid-tier Seattle squad opted to sell high and traded the now 37-year old for prospects to New Orleans for the 1950 season. 11 years after his first MVP, Provost won his second at an unprecedented age 37 with the Mudcats. He was the American Association batting champ (his fourth) and led in the triple slash and with 8.8 WAR. His addition didn’t ultimately get New Orleans the playoff run they hoped and Provost entered free agency, signing with Hartford, who had made the World Series the prior year. The Huskies missed the playoffs both seasons he was there, but Provost did pick up his seventh Silver Slugger in 1951. His numbers dipped slightly in 1952, but he was still a very good starter statistically entering his age 40 season. Provost returned to Seattle and won his final Silver Slugger in 1953, still posting 6.2 WAR. In this season, Provost became the all-time leading run scorer and the first player to 2000. He also was the fourth to 3500 career hits and finished the season at 3658, the new all-time hit king. In the offseason, the Grizzlies traded him to Las Vegas for prospects and in his one season with the Vipers, Provost became the third hitter to 2000 career RBI and became the new RBI career leader. He also became the 12^th player to 600 career home runs. Las Vegas made it to the AACS with the best record in the American Association, but were upset by eventual World Series champ Nashville. Despite his longevity and good numbers when he got to play in the postseason, Provost never made it to the World Series. This was his last great season, as the now 42-year old signed for 1955 with Oakland. He had a respectable season all things considered, but statistically his worst in two decades. In 1956, he signed with Portland and became the first (and as of 2037, the only) MLB player to reach 4000 career hits. But his one year with the Pacifics wasn’t great and he became a free agent at season’s end. The 44-year old didn’t retire yet, but couldn’t find a home in 1957. He finally signed in September and played 10 games with minor league Rochester, opting to finally call it quits at age 45. He was one of a very select group to play into his mid 40s. The final stats are remarkable for Provost: 4133 hits, 2348 runs, 682 doubles, 97 triples, 660 home runs, 2271 RBI, 1552 walks, 1361 strikeouts, a .322/.397/.545 slash, and 132.9 WAR. At retirement, he was the all-time leader in games played (3633), and at bats (12,824), as well as runs, hits, total bases (6989), doubles, and RBI; plus was second to only Elijah Cashman in hitting WAR. As of 2037, Provost remains the hit king and all-time leader in games, at bats, and doubles. His longevity and consistency were unmatched and any conversation about the top five all-time MLB hitters has to include Provost. Julian Ouelett – Relief Pitcher – Ottawa Elks – 73.0% First Ballot Julian Ouelett was a 5’11’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Drummondville, Quebec; located a bit northeast of Montreal. Ouellet throw two pitches; a slider and sinker, but was known for having filthy stuff, solid movement, and above average control with velocity peaking around 97-99 mph. He was also considered a team leader and a fairly durable reliever. Ouellet went stateside and played college baseball at Oklahoma City, finishing third in college Pitcher of the Year voting as a junior starter. He was picked in the 1935 MLB Draft 46^th overall by Ottawa and would be a career reliever in the pros. Ottawa was in the midst of a postseason streak in the 1930s Ouellet immediately was a key contributor. He moved into the closer role as a rookie and twice was Rookie of the Month, a very tough feat to achieve as a reliever. In his sophomore season, he won Reliever of the Year and was second in Pitcher of the Year voting with 5.4 WAR over 87.1 innings, a 1.03 ERA and 31 saves with 111 strikeouts. He was Reliever of the Year again in 1938 and 1941; while taking second in 1939 and third in 1940. He was also second in Pitcher of the Year voting again in 1941. The Elks would make it to the World Series in 1938 and 40 and win it all in 1940. Ouelett was great in the postseason, posting a 1.09 ERA over 41.1 innings with the Elks with 14 saves, 52 strikeouts, and 1.8 WAR. His final stats with Ottawa saw 237 saves and 269 shutdowns, 1.57 ERA over 515.1 innings, 687 strikeouts, and 30.0 WAR. The 28-year old Ouellet opted for free agency and signed with San Francisco for the 1943 season. He’d finish third in Reliever of the Year voting, but it would be his last season as the full-time closer anywhere for a while. Ouellet was released and signed with San Diego, where he’d spent 1944 through part of 1949. He was still a respectable reliever, but was rarely able to find significant innings. In the summer of 1949, Ouellet was traded for three prospects to San Antonio. After finishing the year with the Oilers, the now 35-year old returned close to home and signed with Montreal. He made his way back into the closer role for 1950 and 1951 with the Maples, helping them win the 1951 World Series. From there, Ouellet went back to San Diego for 1952 and 1953, then joined New York at age 39 in 1954. He suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow that summer. He had very brief stints after that with Las Vegas, Tampa, and Philadelphia, retiring at age 41 after the 1956 season. The final stats for Ouellet: 349 saves and 428 shutdowns, 1.93 ERA, 972.2 innings, 1265 strikeouts, 290 walks, and 47.3 WAR. With small bullpens in MLB, it is hard for even great relievers to compile big numbers except in short bursts. In his Ottawa run, Ouellet was excellent and his tallies compared favorably next to some others who earned the Hall of Fame nod. Plus, he had notable playoff success and was popular among Canadians especially, allowing Ouellet to get the first ballot nod at 73.0%. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)