Coming in at number 34 is Buddy Bell, shown here on card number 1 of the 1985 Fleer Limited Edition set. Bell makes the list on the strength of his 1979 season.
In his first season with Texas, Buddy played in a league-leading and career high 162 games. That gave him a career high 720 plate appearances. He took advantage and posted a .299 batting average and a .327 on-base percentage. Neither were career bests but his 200 hits were. So were his 42 doubles, 89 runs scored, and 101 RBI. His 18 home runs were within two of a career high.
In the field Bell had a significantly higher range factor than other third basemen. He committed just 15 errors in 495 chances over 1210.2 innings. That gave him a .970 fielding percentage, that was 16 points higher than the league average at third.
Bell had amazed in his first season for Texas. He earned a Gold Glove and MVP consideration. He also started to build his reputation as possibly the best defensive player outside of catcher to ever suit up for Texas.
2 comments:
I think Bell is the last player to have 200 hits in a season and not hit over .300. In fact, he may be the only one. I'll have to look that up. What that means is that he hit a lot, but walked very little.
Found this. None until 1935 and them these players did it -
Jose Reyes, 2008: 204 hits, .297 average
Jimmy Rollins, 2007: 212 hits, .296 average
Juan Pierre, 2006: 204 hits, .292 average
Bill Buckner, 1985: 201 hits, .299 average
Buddy Bell, 1979: 200 hits, .299 average
Ralph Garr, 1973: 200 hits, .299 average
Matty Alou, 1970: 201 hits, .297 average
Lou Brock, 1967: 206 hits, .299 average
Maury Wills, 1962: 208 hits, .299 average
Jo-Jo Moore, 1935: 201 hits, .295 average
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