Placido Polanco – 1st year on ballot
It never seemed like Placido Polanco got his due as a player.
Perhaps this was because he never really had a set position, shuffling between second and third with occasional forays to short. Or, it may have been because he was overshadowed by other players on his teams. Yet, he was a professional hitter, an excellent batsman who had an incredible ability to put the ball into play.
Regardless of the position, Polanco excelled. He was a two time All Star, but won three Gold Gloves for his work at second and third. Polanco was the MVP of the 2006 ALCS, helping push the Tigers into the World Series. Overall, he produced a solid .297/.343/.397 batting line, hitting 348 doubles and 104 homers. In his 7887 plate appearances, Polanco only struck out 538 times.
An important part of several successful teams, Polanco was the perfect second hitter, his ability to make contact perfect for the hit and run or to move the runner over. He got on base at a respectable clip as well, helping to set the table for the sluggers behind him. Polanco may have been more valuable to a team than his statistics indicated.
Yet, that will not be enough to earn enshrinement in Cooperstown. Polanco was a solid player, but this ballot is as far as his candidacy will go.