We here at Notinhalloffame.com talk every day about those who should be in their respective Halls of Fame.  The hottest sports debate in this context might be in baseball.  Vern Stephens might have a Hall of Fame case, but before we go there, we can say without question that he is the greatest player who never made the ballot.

Vern Stephens’ MLB career began with the St. Louis Browns when he debuted for the team in 1941.  As many baseball players made their way to serve the military during World War II, Stephens was one of the players who were still in the Majors.  His first full season was 1942, where he finished fourth in MVP voting, and he went to his first All-Star Game in 1943, which was his first of three as a Brown.  Stephens showed good power numbers with three consecutive 20 Home Run seasons (1943-45), with a league-leading 24 in 1945, and he was also first in 1944 in RBIs with 109 in 1944.  That season, he helped the Browns reach the World Series, albeit in a losing effort.