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The 1992 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame class had two inductees. Two-way star Khaled Scott was a no-doubter at 98.6% on the first ballot. He was joined by LF Tim Morgan, who got the bump up to 76.5% for a third ballot nod. 1B Edward Torres was close to the 66% mark on his second try, but was short at 61.6%. Five others finished above 50%.



The ballot saw a major cleaning with six players being removed following ten failed attempts. Five of those guys finished with 45% or greater on their final attempt and those guys had reasons to hold out hope. The highest finisher was 2B Bobby Davis at 59.6% in his final go. Davis started at only 39%, but got as high as 61.8% on his eighth ballot. In 20 years primarily with San Francisco, he had 3264 hits, 1533 runs, 504 doubles, 297 home runs, 1457 RBI, .a .296/.359/.429 slash, 111 wRC+, and 59.5 WAR. The low WAR total from being a poor fielder and the advanced stats suggested more sustained above averageness. 3000+ hits was a big number, but not a lock for the MLB voter. Davis’ lack of awards or big seasons ultimately kept him just on the outside.

It is very difficult for catchers to get in and both Gavin Geogham and Earl Tucker missed out, in part hurt by having to compete with each other. Geoghan got as high as 63.7% in his ninth attempt, posting 1675 hits, 831 runs, 269 doubles, 182 home runs, 880 RBI, a .300/.380/.462 slash, 146 wRC+, and 60.9 WAR. He had five Silver Sluggers and a MVP over his 15 years with Ottawa, but the demands of the position and a relatively early end to his career meant Geoghan’s accumulations were too low for many voters. Meanwhile Tucker peaked at 54.7% in 1991 and ended at 49.6%. He lacked the accolades, but had the longevity over 20 years primarily with Oakland. Tucker had 2497 hits, 947 runs, 396 doubles, 160 home runs, 1050 RBI, a .304/.347/.419 slash, 111 wRC+, and 61.6 WAR. But again, the low accumulations that come with being a catcher remains a big obstacle for perspective Hall of Famers.

Another player dropped was Elliot Fisher, who had one MVP and Silver Slugger over a 17 year career with three teams. His 50.4% finish was his highest vote total after generally hovering in the 40s. Fisher had 2365 hits, 1311 runs, 548 home runs, 1484 RBI, a .277/.347/.511 slash, 150 wRC+, and 68.1 WAR. Good power numbers in a vacuum, but still not incredible for a first baseman.

Another 1B dropped was Eloy Kolman, who finished at 45% and generally bounced around the 30-45% range. The Sint Maartener had longevity over 20 years to get 3105 hits, 1511 runs, 588 doubles, 471 home runs, 1605 RBI, a .285/.346/.476 slash, 130 wRC+, and 70.0 WAR. At retirement, he had the fourth most doubles of any MLB player and is still eighth as of 2037. But his only accolade was one Silver Slugger and his accumulations didn’t sway the voters by themselves.

The one other player dropped after ten ballots was RF Branson Burns, who ended at 5.7% and peaked only at 16.6%. He was unique in that all of his production was in his 20s, falling off hard and out of the game after his age 31 season. In only 11 years, Burns had 1820 hits, 1023 runs, 350 home runs, 1071 RBI, a .301/.370/.539 slash, 145 wRC+, and 50.7 WAR. He might have had a shot if he would have lasted a few more years, but his sudden decline doomed him.



Khaled Scott – Pitcher/Outfielder – Kansas City Cougars – 98.6% First Ballot

Khaled Scott was a 5’9’’, 185 pound two-way player from Houston, Texas. Despite his frame, Scott would be one of the most unique successes in Major League Baseball History. His best asset was his right arm and incredible stamina on the mound, as he led the National Association five times in innings pitched and eight times in complete games. Scott was a hard thrower with 99-101 mph peak velocity, but he also had very good control and solid movement. His fastball and cutter were his most impressive pitches, although his slider and changeup could beat you too.

Scott was also very athletic generally, emerging as one of the better baserunners and base stealers in the game. Most of his starts defensively were in right field, where he was considered a very good gloveman. Scott spent some time in center and a small amount at first base with less success. Scott was a switch hitter and was very much a league average batter, but rarely does one find a league average bat that is a great pitcher and defender. His durability was also incredible, allowing him to be out there almost every day contributing in some capacity.

Scott attended Arizona State and was a two-way guy even as a Sun Devil. He was second as a freshman in college MVP voting. Over three seasons at the plate, he had 98 games, 114 hits, 74 runs, 34 home runs, 78 RBI, a .348/.385/.713 slash, and 5.9 WAR. On the mound, Scott had a 22-12 record in 38 starts with a 2.07 ERA, 291 innings, 255 strikeouts, and 11.1 WAR. In the 1972 MLB Draft, Kansas City selected Scott with the seventh overall pick. Almost his entire career would be with the Cougars, where he’d become a popular player and later see his #44 uniform retired.

Scott’s arrival marked a turnaround for KC, who had five straight losing seasons prior to his debut. From 1973-81, the Cougars made the playoffs seven times. He was a full-time pitcher immediately and had 30+ starts and 245+ innings in all of his 14 pro seasons. Scott had 118 games at the plate as a rookie, then made 100+ starts each season from 1974-82. He won 11 straight Silver Sluggers from 1974-84 as a pitcher, which is a MLB record for the position. Scott had 5.6 WAR on the mound as a rookie, earning 1973 Rookie of the Year.

1975 was Scott’s finest season, winning National Association MVP and taking third in Pitcher of the Year voting. He led in wins at 22-9 and had 6.7 WAR pitching along with 3.3 WAR offensively. Scott regularly threw a lot of innings and put up positive value offensively and in the field. Kansas City couldn’t get beyond the second round in Scott’s first three seasons.

In 1976, the Cougars got over the hump and won the NA pennant. They would fall in the World Series to Las Vegas. Scott had a huge postseason, going 4-1 on the mound with a 1.74 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and 2.0 WAR. At the plate, he added 19 hits, 11 runs, and 5 RBI. Because of this run, KC signed Scott to a six-year, $3,662,000 contract extension.

Scott remained solid and Kansas City made the playoffs thrice more while he was there, but they never made another deep run during his tenure. In 1981, he would throw a no-hitter with four strikeouts and two walks against Hartford Prior to the 1982 season, the Cougars signed him on a four-year, $4,000,000 contract extension.

Scott had a brief resurgence into the spotlight in 1984 at age 32, taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting and third in MVP voting. He had a career best 25-7 record with 23 complete games, 296.2 innings, and 7.5 WAR. He also added 2.0 WAR at the plate in what would be his final full season as a hitter.

He had another great year on the mound in 1985 with 7.5 WAR, although he saw less time and success at the plate. The Cougars were stuck just outside of the playoff field and in 1986, Scott’s velocity suddenly dropped to around the 95-97 mph mark. He also no longer was used in the field with his only hitting coming with his pitching starts. His pitching numbers were still decent, but Kansas City surprised Scott and many in MLB by releasing him in June.

Ottawa signed Scott two weeks later and he finished the season with the Elks. Ottawa won the National Association pennant, falling in the World Series to Calgary. Scott made five starts in the postseason, but struggled with a 5.87 ERA. The Elks didn’t re-sign him and Scott went unsigned in 1987. He wanted to still play, but couldn’t find any suitors and opted to retire in the winter of 1987 at age 36.

Scott’s final pitching stats: 269-149 record, 3.25 ERA, 3801.1 innings, 2921 strikeouts to 799 walks, 297/467 quality starts, 248 complete games, 86 FIP-, and 78.0 WAR. There were certainly far more dominant pitchers in his era, but he offered reliable innings and probably had the resume purely on the mound. At the plate, Scott added 1376 hits, 727 runs, 209 doubles, 156 home runs, 678 RBI, 316 stolen bases, and 28.3 WAR. This put him over the top and put him in the conversation as MLB’s best-ever two-way guy. Dylan D’Ippolito was the other MLB two-way Hall of Famer and while he had a more impressive peak, he finished with lower accumulations. Scott earned his spot at 98.6% as one of MLB’s most unique inductees.



Tim Morgan – Outfield – Los Angeles Angels – 76.5% Third Ballot

Tim Morgan was a 6’4’’, 190 pound left-handed corner outfielder from Lacey, Washington; a suburb of the capital Olympia with around 53,000 people. Morgan had an incredible eye for drawing walks, leading the league eight times in walks drawn. He was merely above average at contract and middling at avoiding strikeouts, but Morgan made the most of his at bats. He had solid speed and baserunning ability and was respectable at getting extra bases. Morgan averaged around 30 home runs and around 25 doubles/triples per season. He made about 3/5 of his starts in left field with the rest in right field. Morgan was a poor defender and was criticized for a lack of hustle by detractors. He had very good durability though and his offensive value made Morgan a very popular player with most fans.

Morgan played college baseball with TCU and in 136 college games had 144 hits, 103 runs, 32 doubles, 33 home runs, 89 RBI, 100 walks, a .299/.422/.575 slash and 8.7 WAR. This made him one of the tip top prospects ahead of the 1963 MLB Draft. Los Angeles selected Morgan second overall and he made 119 starts as a rookie, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. He was a full-time starter for 14 seasons with the Angels, only missing a few weeks here or there to injuries.

Morgan led the American Association in OBP in 1969 and 1970 and led in walks drawn four times with LA. He picked up his two Silver Sluggers in 1968 and 1969. Morgan made five appearances from 1964-68 for the United States team in the World Baseball Championship. In 65 games and 54 starts, he had 40 hits, 43 runs, 21 home runs, 43 RBI, 48 walks, a .227/.389/.619 slash and 3.2 WAR. He won four rings with the American team (64, 65, 66, 68).

Morgan never was a MVP finalist though and had to deal with the tough competition of the position. But he was a very important part of an impressive run for the Angels, who made the playoffs six times from 1968-74. LA won three World Series titles in this stretch, taking it in 1968, 1973, and 1974. In his playoff career, Morgan had 52 starts with 41 hits, 28 runs, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 32 walks, a .220/.339/.446 slash, and 1.1 WAR. After the 1969 season, Morgan was locked in long-term on an eight-year, $2,432,000 contract extension.

In 1975, the 32-year old Morgan led in runs for the only times with 116. After their 1973-73 titles, the Angels spent the next four years in the mid-tier just outside of the postseason. Morgan’s contract ran out after the 1977 season and he opted to try to free agency. With Los Angeles, Morgan had 1979 hits, 1221 runs, 306 doubles, 355 home runs, 1120 RBI, 1184 walks, a .285/.393/.499 slash, 140 wRC+, and 57.6 WAR.

At age 35, Morgan signed a three-year, $1,770,000 deal with Indianapolis. The Racers were fresh off a National Association pennant win, but they would be stuck in the mid-tier for Morgan’s tenure. He’d ultimately play seven seasons in Indy and had an impressive resurgence in 1981 with a career-best 40 home runs. Morgan led in walks each year from 1980-83, but he suddenly declined significantly in 1984. He was reduced to a bench role this season and retired that winter at age 42. With the Racers, Morgan had 802 hits, 557 runs, 98 doubles, 175 home runs, 484 RBI, 549 walks, a .239/.353/.442 slash, and 19.8 WAR.

In total, Morgan had 2781 hits, 1778 runs, 404 doubles, 530 triples, 1604 RBI, 1733 walks, 304 stolen bases, .270/.380/.480 slash, 138 wRC+, and 77.4 WAR. At induction, Morgan was fourth all-time in walks drawn and 18th in runs scored. He was one of a select group with 1500+ runs, 500+ home runs, and 1500+ career RBI. However, Morgan didn’t have the big awards and that, plus his poor fielding and perceived lack of hustle, cost him support with many voters. Morgan barely missed the cut on his first two attempts with 64.7% and 65.6%. His third ballot got him the bump needed to get in at 76.5% and earn a spot in the 1992 MLB Hall of Fame.