Simmons misses on Hall election by one vote

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Though he remains one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball history, Ted Simmons, whose 21-year career included time with St. Louis, Milwaukee and Atlanta, was once again unable to garner enough support to earn a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jack Morris and Alan Trammell were the only individuals considered by the 16-member Modern Baseball Era committee to be named on at least 75 percent of the ballots cast. That was the required threshold for induction into the Hall of Fame next July. Simmons received 11 votes, falling just one shy of the 12 need for election.
• Simmons' career stats
Simply having his candidacy revisited, however, was notable for Simmons, who had previously lasted just one year on Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. He dropped off after receiving 3.7 percent support (17 votes) in 1994.

Such brief consideration was surprising given the numbers and accolades amassed by Simmons during his career. He finished his career with 2,472 hits -- including 483 doubles and 248 home runs -- to go with a .285 average and 1,389 RBIs. Simmons was an eight-time All-Star and landed among the league's top 10 players in batting average six times.
At the time of his retirement, Simmons led all catchers in career hits and doubles. He ranked second in RBIs (behind Yogi Berra) and second in total bases (behind Carlton Fisk). Simmons received MVP votes in seven different seasons and finished as high as sixth in the voting in 1975.
• Simmons part of '80 Meetings Cards-Brewers blockbuster
It's widely believed that Simmons would have received a longer look from voters two decades ago had he not played in the same era as Hall of Fame catchers Johnny Bench, Gary Carter and Fisk.
Simmons played the first 13 years of his career with St. Louis, where he was a six-time All-Star and slashed .297/.365/.454 with an .819 OPS. As a Cardinal, Simmons caught two no-hitters and finished with a .300 batting average seven different times.

He did so again with the Brewers in 1983, which was the third of five seasons Simmons spent in Milwaukee. Simmons ended his career having caught 122 shutouts (eighth-most all-time). He hit 20 home runs six times and drove in at least 90 eight times.