I know he played in the American Association which I know doesn't count towards the MLB, but the guy was pretty phenomenal. He only played 9 years but would he have been a Hall of Famer if he would've played longer? Even in the AA and NL later?
Ahhhh...I mean National Association!
caspian88
Favorite Answer
Barnes played almost his entire career in the National Association, which is not always considered a truly major league, and had a very short career in the successor National League. He also fell ill in 1877 and lost his skills, so I doubt he could have played longer. Avoiding his illness probably extends his career, but it's impossible to say what would have happened - I think he probably would have been in the HOF, and I think he should be in it today (for his domination of the first professional league).
el Águila
It's hard to say.
How much of Barnes' decrease in performance was from his illness, and how much was from them making his "fair-foul bunt" hit into a foul ball?
Anonymous
One word maybe