Bill Mazeroski's election to the Hall of Fame today brings to mind players that were bypassed on their inital ballot periods. Ted Simmons could not even muster enough support to stay on the ballot, when his offensive stats place him among the elite, if not the best offensive catcher in the history of baseball (current players excluded). His stats are superior in most all offensive categories than Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, and Carlton Fisk to name but three.

Although not a great defensive player, Simmons certainly would hold his own with Berra or Fisk. He was the offense in the 70's for the Cardinals, without the luxury of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and Tony Perez or the Yankees of the 50's around him in the lineup. He was the offense -- he has totally been overlooked.