There is a solid argument for Gene Tenace to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, we’re more likely to see Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose inducted in the same year than Tenace gets a plaque in Cooperstown. If for no other reason than his actual first name is Fury, Tenace should be in the Hall.
Gene Tenace is best known for his 1972 postseason heroics, which included the World Series MVP when he hit home runs in his first two World Series at-bats and four for the series. However, Tenace was one of the most productive catchers of his era. As a matter of fact, by modern measurements, he was one of the most productive catchers in baseball history. Bill James ranked him the 23rd best catcher in history. Adjusting for league-era, SABR member Chuck Rosciam ranked him the 6th most productive catcher who ever played. Jay Jaffe, the writer of The Cooperstown Casebook, has him ranked 13th all-time. Consider Tenace is tied for third (with Johnny Bench and Joe Torre) in career OPS among catchers.
Sure, a .241 lifetime average and 201 career homers don’t shout Cooperstown. He only made one All-Star team and was never a serious MVP candidate. But when you dig a little deeper, Tenace was an OPS machine. He hit 20+ home runs five times, and his career on-base percentage was .388. Five times in his career Gene Tenace had an OBP above .400. He led the league in walks twice and had 100+ walks six times. Even when he had a low batting average, he was productive. In 1974, he only hit .211, but he drew 110 walks. In 1977, he only hit .233, but he had a .415 on-base percentage. Such production helped him to become a four-time World Champion.
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | HBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Totals | 53 | 12 | 78 | 62 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 17 | .177 | .346 | .258 | .604 | 16 | 4 |
Like his career, Gene Tenace’s final APBA card is deceptive. In 1983, Tenace spent the season as a part-time player and pinch-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He only hit .177 for the season…but he had a .346 on-base percentage. This card is very accurate. I project it to hit .179, which isn’t impressive. However, consider this card has a 31% chance of reaching base against an A pitcher with nobody on base…against a D pitcher it increases to 42%. That’s impressive.
I don’t think Gene Tenace will ever get into the Hall of Fame, but I believe in his case. Looking at his career through his APBA cards proves Tenace’s value. Home runs and batting average are only two ways to judge a player. On-base percentage is another. All I know is, if I’d had Tenace in a keeper league in the 1970s, he would have been a secret weapon.
Special thanks to Derek Brautnick for the picture of Gene Tenace’s card.
When I played a draft league with 1977, I frequently batted him one or two because of that OBP.
Loved Gene, but he’s more Hall of Very Good (where guys like Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes and the like will be found). He always compared, in my mind, to Brian McCann, with the same defensive short comings. I agree, though, he’d be a definite keeper on your 70s fantasy squad. I know in my replays, he’s always a pest, and I love those type of players.