Upper Deck Season 45 Hall Of Fame Inductees

Slim McGowan (RP)  23 Votes,  Slim had been on the ballot for several seasons and finally got the respect that so many of us thought he deserved.  While his awards cupboard is very modest (4 X All-Star and nothing else) he was one of the most consistent and dominate relievers our world has ever seen.  Drafted 15^th overall as an 18 year old out of high School in season ‘15 he reached the majors in season ’18 and saved 16 games.  He would never save under 10 games in his 20 year career until his final season when he saved 7.  With 481 career saves (3 times saving over 40 games, twice with a career high of 44) he was a model of a consistent bullpen arm.  Didn’t get much chance to pitch in the post season (15 games with 8 Saves) but did manage to hit 1 homerun with only 4 career hits in 55 AB’s.

 

Howard Rolls (RF) 20 Votes, First time up for vote and he went straight into the Hall. A 6 time All-Star and 1X Silver Slugger while playing 3^rd base. Spent most of his career in RF where he was less then average with the leather.  Was a solid fielding 1^st baseman and a adequate Left Fielder in about 400 games at each of those positions. With the bat is where he really shined, 3230 career hits including 632 Doubles and 429 Homers. He also stole 272 bases and hit an even 300 for his career. Was the perfect #3 hitter blending power/speed/and the ability to draw a walk.  Was drafted 1^st overall in ’23 and reached the majors just two years later hitting .314 in 48 games and never looked back on his way to Cooperstown.

 

Yonder Lopez (SP) 22 Votes, ROY, Gold Glover, 2 X CY, 3 X AS.  Yonder has the hardware our other two nominees don’t. Signed as an International Free Agent for 9.8 Million in ’21 he took his time reaching the bigs.   But in ’25 burst onto the scene going 15-5 with a 2.81 ERA and won the Rookie of the Year. Would make his first All-Star team in ’27 when he went 20-5 with a 2.75 ERA but wouldn’t win his 2 Cy Youngs until ’36 –’37 when he went a combined 35-11 with a 2.69 ERA.  In 24 post season starts how ever he was a disappointing 4-10 with a 4.68 ERA.