on the outside

Baseball is holding its Hall of Fame induction ceremonies today, so it seems like an appropriate time to point out — again — that there are no Mississippi-born former major leaguers in Cooperstown. Cool Papa Bell is in, but he never played in the major leagues, only the Negro Leagues. Red Barber was a broadcaster. With apologies to the likes of Guy Bush and Dave Parker and Frank White, no Mississippi native has a stronger case for inclusion in the HOF than Buddy Myer, a 1930s era infielder. Born in Ellisville in 1904, Myer played in the majors, primarily at second base, from 1925-41 and batted .303 for his career with 850 RBIs and 1,174 runs. He won a batting title in 1935, when he hit .349 with 100 RBIs and 115 runs for the Washington Senators. He also won a stolen base title. He had nine .300 seasons and was considered a standout on defense. And for what it’s worth, his 2,131 hits are the most ever by a Jewish big leaguer. There really ought to be a place in Cooperstown for a guy with those credentials.