My favorite subject.  If I were on the Veterans Committee I would cast my ballot for Gil Hodges and Jim Kaat.  “No” on Ron Santo.  Hodges had 7 years in a row of 100 RBI or more.  He was the finest fielding first baseman of his era, one of the best all time.  And, of course, he managed the 1969 Mets who, in 1968 were nowhere.  Talk about a turnaround! 

I’ve been advocating Jim Kaat for some time.  Not only was he the finest fielding pitcher of all time (16 gold gloves) this is no “pity” case.  Kaat won 284 games and I think won 20 games ten years apart.  He also would have won the AL Cy YOung in 1965 if they had the award for both leagues.Â