Yankees: 3 Hall of Fame Outfielders Who Weren’t as Good as Bernie Williams

Lloyd Waner of the Pittsburgh Pirates was no Bernie Williams.

2. Lloyd Waner, Pirates CF

It almost feels unfair to pick on Waner here, but we simply have to. Quite simply, Bernie Williams runs laps around his resume.

Waner’s more famous brother Paul was a Pittsburgh Pirate standout in the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, and is a member of the 3,000-hit club. But just because one brother is famous doesn’t mean the other deserves our accolades. We don’t induct Kevin Jonas into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame just because Nick Jonas exists (and if neither gets in, expect another article…).

The other Waner was worth a measly 27.9 WAR throughout his career (per BRef), and ranks 106th on the all-time center fielder JAWS list. That’s Rondell White and Marlon Byrd territory. He’s behind Kevin Kiermaier. Something’s gotta give.

Williams, meanwhile, ranks 28th all-time, won four World Series, and notched 2,336 hits — just 123 fewer than Waner and his slap-happy singles. This choice is clear.

It was much easier for veterans with established cabals of friends on the Hall’s committee to gain enshrinement back in the day. I guess we should work on transferring power on the Veterans Committee to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera if we want Bernie to get a fair shot? Favoritism has always worked. It could work again.