Stats don't appear to match player's reputation

This observation has been expressed by many regarding Wagner.

One who I looking more carefully at is:
Herman Long

Whose baseball Library and other write ups follow this line .

With a powerful arm, a quick release, and outstanding range, speed, and agility, Long played shortstop, according to the Boston Globe, "like a man on a flying trapeze." He joined Fred Tenney, Bobby Lowe, and Jimmy Collins in the Braves' (then called the Beaneaters) infield that was probably the best of the 19th century. His career chances-per-game (6.4) tops all shortstops.


Yet the stats indicate that Long was the last player in history to commit 100 or more errors in a season (in 1893), and did it several times, including the single season record of 122 errors in 1889.



Which players come to mind as "their reputation does not seem to match their performance"

?

With great range comes more chances to commit more errors. Perfect example

SS A plays 21 years, has 225 errors
SS B plays 19 years, has 281 errors

Who do you think is the better SS?

Jay

sabrjay wrote:With great range comes more chances to commit more errors. Perfect example

SS A plays 21 years, has 225 errors
SS B plays 19 years, has 281 errors

Who do you think is the better SS?

Jay

Player B....Ozzie Smith

Correct

I was fortunate enough to see Ozzie (when he was with St. Louis) play the Reds in Cincy - it was fun watching him do his flips before the game.

Greatest defensive SS of all time, imo.

The other SS is Cal Ripken. I'd take The Oz over Ripken any day. Just think how many more base hits he saved his teams than the lead footed Ripken. Ozzie got to balls that Ripken wouldn't have a chance of making an error on.

Jay

Bunch-a-sissies, if you ask me.
Real men don't field with gloves !

But seriously, this thread got thrown off of the main board because I hadn't yet pointed out the card connection. And I rarely have time to research a subject anymore without a card connection.

Of course with Long, there are two main card options.
His OJ coincides best with him setting the all time error record in 1889, and his Mayo most closely approximates the date of his last 100 error season. But there is also a Breisch-Williams, and reason to choose that.

Now I wish that I was a man of sufficient means to obtain both the Mayo and the OJ, but I will "settle" for the Mayo which I prefer. However, in my imagining this is a two player set. And the second player, Gochnauer, is only available in the e107; which then constitutes the reason to obtain both from that set.

Gochnauer lasted two seasons in the big leagues. He was a no hit/no field type of player, but he was very consistent. His batting line included:

year........doubles........triples.........home runs.........batting average
1902.........16...............4...................0........................185
1903.........16...............4...................0........................185

But in his second year, he more than doubled his error production, setting the 20th Century record at 98, and ending his career.

But most likely I will never get one of these cards (I have seen a scan of a vg/ex Gochnauer). If I see one, I will buy it. It is on that list. But until I have that player, I will not move on the Long. For me, it is a two player "set".