You're right, I really misstated this; I know that sabermetrics existed, what I mean is that they weren't part of mainstream baseball analysis and were underreported. So you still had a large contingent in the press and the public, and furthermore among players and managers, who might not have recognized his value. On the other hand he was so likeable that he always got All Star votes and respect anyway.

For example, he never won the Gold Glove after Omar Vizquel did in 1993, and in my opinion he was moved to third too early.