BBF Progressive HoF Election: 1969

[Ace Venom]

The semester is over, so I can focus on running the project again. 1969 is the centennial of baseball's first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings.

PLEASE READ BEFORE VOTING!

Format and Rules
Voting Rules: Voters may vote for between 0-15 candidates. Votes will be made public, and voters are encouraged to post their ballots in the thread and not view results before voting. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR BALLOT TO 15 VOTES AT MOST. EXCESS VOTES MAY RESULT IN YOUR BALLOT BEING DISQUALIFIED.
-Blank Ballots: A "None of the Above" option is available if you believe no one is worthy and you wish to submit a blank ballot. This option is not to be taken lightly and it is strongly urged that it be used only after the utmost consideration, as non-votes carry great weight. Additionally, if using this option, please post your rationale. Failure to do so will see your vote disqualified.

Voting Criteria: Players are to be evaluated within the context of the era in which they played and the history of the game to that point. Players are not to be held to standards that would materialize at a time beyond the year of the current election. Modern statistical analysis is permitted but must be applied strictly within historical context not to go beyond the year of the current election. Players are to be judged based solely on their playing careers. Other, non-playing contributions may be considered to the extent that they coincided with a player's playing career (such as a player/manager).

Thoughtfulness and Editing Ballots: Please review and thoughtfully consider the candidates before voting, and make sure you have accurately filled out your ballot before submitting. Requests for editing ballots after the fact will generally not be honored. Exceptions might be made if a voter accidentally voted for the wrong player or accidentally went over the voting limit (but I strongly encourage you to do your best to prevent either from happening).

Required Support: Players receiving at least 75% support in an election will be elected. Players need at least 5% support to appear on the next ballot.

Player Eligibility: Players eligible for an election will have last played at least 5 years prior to the election year and have appeared in at least 10 Major League seasons. If a player appeared in less than 10 seasons, he may still be eligible if he had a minimum of 3000 PAs or 1500 IP, though extra scrutiny will be applied. Players will remain on the ballot for 15 years, provided they continue to receive at least 5% of the vote, at which point they will become indefinitely eligible for periodic elections conducted by the Veterans Committee.
- Age Exception: For players 40 or older, they will become eligible the later of either 5 years after their last year of continuous play, or their first inactive year at age 45 or older.
- Death Exception: For players who meet the criteria for consideration, but die before their first year of eligibility can have the five year waiting period waived and placed on the ballot the year of death.

Election Period: Elections will close exactly one week after starting. The next election might not commence for another day or two.

Conduct Policy: Every vote is a voter's opinion on who should be elected to the Hall of Fame. It is our responsibility as voters to be respectful towards each other. Personal attacks should not be tolerated and you should notify a moderator rather than allowing an argument to escalate and further derail discussion of the candidates.

1969 Guide
There are 35 candidates on the 1969 ballot - 18 holdovers and 17 first timers. First time eligible players last played in 1964 (unless qualifying under the age or death rule) or were omitted on the ballot in previous years.

Newly Eligible (17)
Gus Bel
Hal Brown
Bill Bruton
Paul Foytack
Don Hoak
Sam Jones
Cal McLish
Minnie Minoso
Billy Pierce
Wally Post
Pete Runnels
Bobby Shantz
Al Smith
Duke Snider
Tom Sturdivant
Johnny Temple
Dick Williams

Holdovers (18)

Player Year of Eligibility Previous Support High Support Low Support
Dom DiMaggio 12th 37.50% 52.17% (1966) 30.00% (1958)
Gil Hodges 2nd 50.00% 50.00% (1968) 50.00% (1968)
George Kell 8th 33.33% 37.50% (1965) 30.43% (1966, 1967)
Charlie Keller 13th 45.83% 51.85% (1964) 40.00% (1957)
Ted Kluszewski 4th 20.83% 26.09% (1967) 17.39% (1966)
Jim Lemon 2nd 8.33% 8.33% (1968) 8.33% (1968)
Dutch Leonard 12th 16.67% 20.83% (1965) 9.52% (1962)
Sherm Lollar 2nd 12.50% 12.50% (1968) 12.50% (1968)
Don Newcombe 5th 33.33% 41.67% (1965) 30.43% (1966)
Johnny Pesky 11th 8.33% 25.00% (1965) 8.33% (1959, 1968)
Allie Reynolds 11th 16.67% 16.67% (1969) 7.41% (1960)
Phil Rizzuto 9th 58.33% 60.87% (1966, 1967) 34.62% (1961)
Al Rosen 9th 33.33% 34.78% (1967) 25.93% (1964)
Red Schoendienst 2nd 37.50% 37.50% (1968) 37.50% (1968)
Vern Stephens 10th 50.00% 56.52% (1966) 34.62% (1961)
Mickey Vernon 5th 25.00% 26.09% (1966,1967) 20.83% (1965)
Bucky Walters 15th 70.83% 70.83% (1965,1968) 40.74% (1956)
Eddie Yost 3rd 16.67% 17.39% (1967) 16.67% (1968)

Holdovers Dropped From Last Election (2)

Player Reason Years on Ballot High Support Low Support
Gil McDougald Lack of Support 4 12.50% (1965) 4.17% (1968)
Dixie Walker End of Eligibility 15 21.74% (1967) 7.41% (1960)

Last Year of Eligibility (1)

Player High Support
Bucky Walters 70.83% (1965)

Penultimate Year of Eligibility (0)

Player High Support


Holdovers Receiving At Least 50% in Previous Election (2)

Player Previous Support Years with At Least 50% Support
Gil Hodges 50.00% 1
Phil Rizzuto 58.33% 5
Vern Stephens 50.00% 2
Bucky Walters 70.83% 11


Hall of Famers - 198
A total of 198 players and contributors have been elected to the BBF Progressive Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Players Wing
Players Elected - 172

Player Year Elected Election Percentage Years on Ballot Position Primary Team Active Years Total Seasons Living/Deceased Age at Election
Pete Alexander 1935 93.94% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1911-1930 20 Deceased (1887-1950) 48
Cap Anson 1902 100% 1 First Base Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1871-1897 27 Deceased (1852-1922) 50
Luke Appling 1955 100% 1 Shortstop Chicago White Sox (AL) 1930-1943, 1945-1950 20 Living - Age 62 48
Richie Ashburn 1967 95.65% 1 Center Field Philadelphia Phillies 1948-1962 15 Living – Age 42 40
Earl Averill 1947 82.14% 2 Center Field Cleveland Indians (AL) 1929-1941 13 Living - Age 67 45
Frank Baker 1927 96.43% 1 Third Base Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1908-1914, 1916-1919, 1921-1922 13 Deceased (1886-1963) 41
Ross Barnes^ 1911 76.00% 11 Second Base Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1879, 1881 9 Deceased (1850-1915) 61
Jake Beckley 1917 76.00% 6 First Base Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1887-1907 20 Deceased (1867-1918) 50
John Beckwith*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Third Base Chicago Giants (NNL) 1916-1938 19 Deceased (1900-1956) 47
James Bell 1952 (VC) 100% VC Center Field Pittsburgh Crawfords (NNL) 1922-1946 25 Living - Age 65 49
Charlie Bennett 1907 75.00% 7 Catcher Detroit Wolverines (NL) 1878, 1880-1893 15 Deceased (1854-1927) 53
Lou Boudreau 1957 90.00% 1 Shortstop Cleveland Indians (AL) 1938-1952 15 Living - Age 52 40
Roger Bresnahan 1925 79.17% 6 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1897, 1900-1915 17 Deceased (1879-1944) 46
Dan Brouthers 1901 90.00% 1 First Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1896, 1904 18 Deceased (1858-1932) 50
Mordecai Brown 1921 96.77% 1 Pitcher Chicago Cubs (NL) 1903-1916 14 Deceased (1876-1948) 45
Ray Brown*` 1957 (VC) 81.81% VC Pitcher Homestead Grays (I/NNL) 1930-1948 19 Deceased (1908-1965) 49
Pete Browning 1909 77.27% 9 Left Field/Center Field Louisville Colonels (NL/AA) 1882-1894 13 Deceased (1861-1905) Deceased
Jesse Burkett 1910 92.00% 1 Left Field Cleveland Spiders (NL) 1890-1895 16 Deceased (1868-1953) 42
Roy Campanella` 1962 95.24% 1 Catcher Brooklyn Dodgers (NL) 1937-1945 (NeL), 1948-1957 18 Living - Age 48 41
Max Carey 1934 82.14% 1 Center Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1910-1929 20 Living - Age 79 44
Bob Caruthers 1909 77.27% 9 Pitcher/Right Field St. Louis Browns (Cardinals) (NL/AA) 1884-1893 10 Deceased (1864-1911) 45
Frank Chance 1932 83.33% 14 First Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1898-1914 17 Deceased (1876-1924) Deceased
Oscar Charleston*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Center Field Indianapolis ABCs (I/NNL) 1915-1941 27 Deceased (1896-1954) 51
Cupid Childs 1920 76.92% 15 Second Base Cleveland Spiders (NL) 1888, 1890-1901 13 Deceased (1867-1912) Deceased
Fred Clarke 1917 88.00% 1 Left Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1894-1915 21 Deceased (1872-1960) 45
John Clarkson 1901 90.00% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1882, 1884-1894 12 Deceased (1861-1909) 40
Ty Cobb 1933 96.55% 1 Center Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1905-1928 24 Deceased (1886-1961) 47
Mickey Cochrane 1942 89.19% 1 Catcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1937 13 Deceased (1903-1962) 38
Eddie Collins 1935 96.67% 1 Second Base Chicago White Sox (AL) 1906-1930 25 Deceased (1887-1951) 48
Jimmy Collins 1913 82.61% 1 Third Base Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1895-1908 14 Deceased (1870-1943) 43
Roger Connor 1902 79.17% 1 First Base New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Deceased (1857-1931) 45
Andy Cooper*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL/NAL) 1920-1941 22 Deceased (1898-1941) Deceased
Wilbur Cooper* 1950 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1912-1926 15 Living - Age 77 58
Stan Coveleski 1934 89.29% 2 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1912, 1916-1928 14 Deceased (1880-1968) 45
Sam Crawford 1922 92.86% 1 Right Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1899-1917 19 Deceased (1880-1968) 41
Joe Cronin 1950 88.24% 1 Shortstop Boston Red Sox (AL) 1926-1945 20 Living - Age 63 44
Bill Dahlen 1916 88.00% 1 Shortstop Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1891-1911 21 Deceased (1870-1950) 46
Ray Dandridge*` 1962 (VC) 83.33% VC Third Base Newark Eagles (NNL) 1933-1949 17 Living - Age 56 49
George Davis 1914 84.62% 1 Shortstop New York Giants (NL) 1890-1909 20 Deceased (1870-1940) 44
Leon Day*` 1957 (VC) 81.81% VC Pitcher/Second Base Newark Eagles (NNL) 1934-1943, 1946-1950 15 Living - Age 53 41
Ed Delahanty 1908 96.00% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1903 16 Deceased (1867-1903) Deceased
Dizzy Dean 1948 80.77% 3 Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1930, 1932-1941, 1947 12 Living - Age 60 38
Bill Dickey 1951 94.29% 1 Catcher New York Yankees (AL) 1928-1943, 1946 17 Living - Age 62 44
Martin Dihigo*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC Second Base/Pitcher Cuban Stars (East) (ANL/I) 1923-1945 23 Living - Age 63 46
Joe DiMaggio 1956 96.30% 1 Center Field New York Yankees (AL) 1936-1942, 1946-1951 13 Living - Age 55 42
Larry Doby` 1964 92.59% 1 Center Field Cleveland Indians (AL) 1942-1943,1946 (NeL), 1947-1959 16 Living - Age 46 41
Bobby Doerr 1956 88.89% 1 Second Base Boston Red Sox (AL) 1937-1944, 1946-1951 14 Living - Age 51 38
Larry Doyle 1926 76.00% 2 Second Base New York Giants (NL) 1907-1920 14 Living - Age 83 40
Hugh Duffy 1918 75.00% 8 Center Field/Outfield Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1888-1891, 1904-1906 17 Deceased (1866-1954) 52
Bob Elliott 1966 78.26% 9 Third Base Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1939-1953 15 Deceased (1916-1966) Deceased
Buck Ewing 1902 83.33% 1 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Deceased (1859-1906) 44
Red Faber 1940 76.46% 3 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1914-1933 20 Living - Age 81 52
Bob Feller 1961 100% 1 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1936-1941, 1945-1956 18 Living - Age 51 43
Wes Ferrell 1955 78.57% 10 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1927-1941 15 Living - Age 61 47
Elmer Flick 1916 80.00% 1 Right Field Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1898-1910 13 Living - Age 93 40
Willie Foster*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher Chicago American Giants (ANL/NNL) 1923-1938 16 Living - Age 65 43
Jimmie Foxx 1950 100% 1 First Base Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1942, 1945 20 Deceased (1907-1967) 43
Frankie Frisch 1942 91.89% 1 Second Base New York Giants (NL) 1919-1937 19 Living - Age 70 43
Pud Galvin 1903 80.77% 3 Pitcher Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1875, 1879-1892 15 Deceased (1856-1902) Deceased
Lou Gehrig 1944 100% 1 First Base New York Yankees (AL) 1923-1939 17 Deceased (1903-1941) Deceased
Charlie Gehringer 1947 100% 1 Second Base Detroit Tigers (AL) 1924-1942 19 Living - Age 66 44
Josh Gibson*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Catcher Homestead Grays (ANL/NNL) 1929-1946 18 Deceased (1911-1947) Deceased
Jack Glasscock 1911 84.00% 11 Shortstop Cleveland Blues (NL) 1879-1895 17 Deceased (1857-1947) 54
Lefty Gomez 1962 80.95% 15 Pitcher New York Yankees (AL) 1930-1943 14 Living - Age 61 54
George Gore 1909 77.27% 9 Center Field Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1879-1892 14 Deceased (1867-1933) 52
Joe Gordon 1955 75.00% 1 Second Base New York Yankees (AL) 1938-1943, 1946-1950 11 Living - Age 54 40
Goose Goslin 1943 93.33% 1 Left Field Washington Senators (NL) 1921-1938 18 Living - Age 68 42
Frank Grant*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Second Base Cuban Giants (I/MSL) 1886-1905 20 Deceased (1865-1937) Deceased
Hank Greenberg 1952 93.55% 1 First Base Detroit Tigers (AL) 1930, 1933-1941, 1945-1947 13 Living - Age 58 41
Clark Griffith* 1940 (VC) 78.57% VC Pitcher Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1891, 1893-1909, 1912-1914 20 Deceased (1869-1955) 70
Burleigh Grimes* 1960 (VC) 76.92% VC Pitcher Brooklyn Robins (NL) 1916-1934 19 Living - Age 76 67
Heinie Groh 1936 81.25% 5 Third Base Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1912-1927 16 Deceased (1889-1968) 47
Lefty Grove 1946 100% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1941 17 Living - Age 69 46
Stan Hack 1952 77.42% 1 Third Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1932-1947 16 Living - Age 60 43
Billy Hamilton 1906 82.61% 1 Center Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1901 14 Deceased (1866-1940) 40
Gabby Hartnett 1946 96.30% 1 Catcher Chicago Cubs (NL) 1922-1941 20 Living - Age 69 46
Harry Heilmann 1937 96.18% 1 Right Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1914, 1916-1930, 1932 17 Deceased (1894-1951) 44
Billy Herman 1952 77.42% 1 Second Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1931-1943, 1946-1947 15 Living - Age 60 43
Pete Hill*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Center Field Chicago American Giants (I) 1899-1925 27 Deceased (1880-1951) 67
Paul Hines 1904 76.00% 4 Center Field Providence Grays (NL) 1872-1891 20 Deceased (1855-1935) 49
Rogers Hornsby 1942 97.30% 1 Second Base St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1915-1937 23 Deceased (1896-1963) 45
Carl Hubbell 1948 96.15% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1928-1943 16 Living - Age 67 45
Monte Irvin*` 1962 (VC) 100% VC Left Field Newark Eagles (NNL) 1937-1942,1945-1948(NeL),1949-195618 Living - Age 50 43
Hughie Jennings 1927 75.00% 14 Shortstop Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1891-1903, 1907, 1909, 1912, 1918 17 Deceased (1869-1928) 58
Grant Johnson*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Shortstop Brooklyn Royal Giants (I) 1895-1916 22 Deceased (1874-1963) 73
Walter Johnson 1932 100% 1 Pitcher Washington Senators (AL) 1907-1927 21 Deceased (1887-1946) 45
Addie Joss 1926 76.00% 15 Pitcher Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1902-1910 9 Deceased (1880-1911) Deceased
Tim Keefe 1901 75.00% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1893 14 Deceased (1857-1933) 44
Willie Keeler 1916 92.00% 2 Right Field Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1892-1910 19 Deceased (1872-1923) 44
Joe Kelley 1920 84.62% 8 Left Field Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1891-1906, 1908 17 Deceased (1871-1943) 49
King Kelly 1902 75.00% 2 Right Field/Catcher Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1878-1893 16 Deceased (1857-1894) Deceased
Ralph Kiner 1960 96.30% 1 Left Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1946-1955 10 Living - Age 47 38
Napoleon Lajoie 1921 96.77% 1 Second Base Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1896-1916 21 Deceased (1874-1959) 47
Tommy Leach* 1940 (VC) 85.71% VC Third Base/Center Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1898-1915, 1918 19 Deceased (1887-1969) 63
Bob Lemon 1964 81.48% 2 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1946-1958 13 Living - Age 48 45
Buck Leonard*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC First Base Homestead Grays (I/NNL) 1933-1950 18 Living - Age 62 45
John Henry Lloyd*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Lincoln Giants (I/ECL) 1906-1932 27 Deceased (1884-1964) 64
Herman Long* 1925 (VC) 75.00% VC Shortstop Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1889-1904 16 Deceased (1866-1909) Deceased
Dick Lundy*` 1952 (VC) 81.82% VC Shortstop Bacharach Giants (I/ECL) 1916-1939 24 Deceased (1898-1965) 54
Ted Lyons 1949 80.00% 3 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1928-1942, 1946 16 Living - Age 69 49
Biz Mackey*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC Catcher Hilldale Daises (ECL/ANL/I) 1920-1941, 1945-1947, 1950 26 Deceased (1897-1965) 56
Sherry Magee 1924 86.21% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1904-1919 16 Deceased (1884-1929) 40
Rabbit Maranville* 1955 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Boston Braves (NL) 1912-1933, 1935 23 Deceased (1891-1954) Deceased
Christy Mathewson 1922 93.55% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1900-1916 17 Deceased (1880-1925) 41
Joe McGinnity 1913 91.30% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1899-1908 10 Deceased (1871-1929) 42
Bid McPhee 1905 75.00% 2 Second Base Cincinnati Reds (NL/AA) 1882-1899 18 Deceased (1859-1943) 42
Cal McVey*^ 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Catcher/First Base Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1879 9 Deceased (1849-1926) 71
Joe Medwick 1953 85.29% 1 Left Field St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1932-1948 17 Living - Age 57 42
Jose Mendez*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL) 1908-1926 19 Deceased (1887-1928) Deceased
Johnny Mize 1958 96.67% 1 First Base St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1936-1942, 1946-1953 15 Living - Age 56 45
Bill Monroe*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Second Base Brooklyn Royal Giants (I) 1896-1914 19 Deceased (1876-1914) Deceased
Tony Mullane 1908 80.00% 8 Pitcher Cincinnati Reds (NL/AA) 1881-1894 14 Deceased (1859-1944) 49
Stan Musial 1968 100% 1 First Base St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1941-1944, 1946-1963 22 Living - Age 49 48
Kid Nichols 1911 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1890-1901, 1904-1906 15 Deceased (1869-1953) 42
Hal Newhouser 1960 85.19% 1 Pitcher Detroit Tigers (AL) 1939-1955 17 Living - Age 48 39
Jim O'Rourke 1901 90.00% 1 Left Field/Utility New York Giants (NL) 1872-1893, 1904 23 Deceased (1850-1919) 51
Alejandro Oms*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Center Field Cuban Stars (East) (ECL/ANL) 1917-1935 19 Deceased (1895-1946) Deceased
Mel Ott 1952 100% 1 Right Field New York Giants (NL) 1926-1947 22 Deceased (1909-1958) 43
Satchel Paige*` 1957 (VC) 90.91% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (I/NNL/NAL) 1926-1953, 1965 28 Living - Age 64 51
Dickey Pearce*^ 1920 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) 1871-1877 6 Deceased (1836-1908) Deceased
Lip Pike*^ 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Center Field Baltimore Canaries (NA) 1871-1878, 1881, 1887 10 Deceased (1845-1926) Deceased
Eddie Plank 1922 92.86% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1901-1917 17 Deceased (1875-1926) 47
Spotswood Poles*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Center Field Lincoln Stars (I) 1909-1923 15 Deceased (1887-1962) 60
Charley Radbourn 1901 95.00% 1 Pitcher Providence Grays (NL) 1881-1891 11 Deceased (1854-1897) Deceased
Pee Wee Reese 1963 90.91% 1 Shortstop Brooklyn Dodgers (NL) 1940-1942, 1946-1958 16 Living - Age 51 45
Dick Redding*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Pitcher Brooklyn Royal Giants (I/ECL) 1911-1938 18 Deceased (1891-1948) 56
Sam Rice* 1955 (VC) 76.92% VC Right Field Washington Senators (AL) 1915-1934 20 Living - Age 79 65
Hardy Richardson* 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC Second Base/Left Field Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1892 14 Deceased (1855-1931) 65
Eppa Rixey* 1955 (VC) 92.30% VC Pitcher Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1912-1917, 1919-1933 21 Deceased (1891-1963) 64
Jackie Robinson` 1961 96.15% 1 Second Base Brooklyn Dodgers (NL) 1945(NeL), 1947-1956 11 Living - Age 48 42
Bullet Rogan*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL/NAL) 1917-1938 22 Deceased (1893-1967) 54
Edd Roush 1943 76.67% 1 Center Field Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1913-1929, 1931 18 Living - Age 76 49
Red Ruffing 1951 82.86% 2 Pitcher New York Yankees (AL) 1924-1942, 1945-1947 22 Living - Age 64 46
Amos Rusie 1906 78.26% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1889-1895, 1897-1898, 1901 10 Deceased (1871-1942) 35
Babe Ruth 1940 97.06% 1 Right Field/Left Field New York Yankees (AL) 1914-1935 22 Deceased (1895-1948) 45
Jimmy Ryan* 1930 (VC) 86.67% VC Center Field Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1885-1900, 1902, 1903 18 Deceased (1863-1923) Deceased
Louis Santop*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Catcher Hilldale Daises (I) 1909-1926 18 Deceased (1890-1942) Deceased
Joe Sewell 1942 75.68% 5 Shortstop/Third Base Cleveland Indians (AL) 1920-1933 14 Living - Age 70 43
Jimmy Sheckard* 1945 (VC) 83.33% VC Left Field Chicago Cubs (NL) 1897-1913 17 Deceased (1878-1947) 67
Al Simmons 1949 96.00% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1924-1944 21 Deceased (1902-1956) 47
George Sisler 1935 90.91% 1 First Base St. Louis Browns (AL) 1915-1922, 1924-1930 15 Living - Age 75 42
Enos Slaughter 1964 81.48% 1 Right Field St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1938-1942, 1946-1959 19 Living - Age 53 48
Hilton Smith*` 1962 (VC) 91.67% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (I/NAL) 1932-1948 17 Living - Age 57 50
Al Spalding^ 1915 80.00% 15 Pitcher Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1878 8 Deceased (1850-1915) Deceased
Tris Speaker 1933 100% 1 Center Field Cleveland Indians (AL) 1907-1928 22 Deceased (1888-1958) 45
Joe Start*^ 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC First Base Providence Grays (NL) 1871-1886 16 Deceased (1842-1927) 78
Turkey Stearnes*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Center Field Detroit Stars (NNL/NAL) 1923-1942 20 Living - Age 68 46
Harry Stovey 1907 75.00% 7 Left Field/First Base Philadelphia Athletics (AA) 1880-1893 14 Deceased (1856-1931) 51
Mule Suttles*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC First Base Newark Eagles (NNL) 1921, 1923-1944 23 Deceased (1900-1966) 51
Ezra Sutton* 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Third Base Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1871-1888 18 Deceased (1850-1907) Deceased
Bill Terry 1941 80.00% 1 First Base New York Giants (NL) 1923-1936 14 Living - Age 70 43
Sam Thompson 1907 79.17% 5 Right Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1885-1898, 1906 14 Deceased (1860-1922) 47
Cristobal Torriente*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Center Field Chicago American Giants (NNL) 1913-1928 16 Deceased (1893-1938) Deceased
Pie Traynor 1942 83.78% 1 Third Base Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1920-1937 18 Living - Age 69 42
Dazzy Vance 1940 76.47% 1 Pitcher Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) (NL) 1915, 1918, 1922-1935 16 Deceased (1891-1961) 48
George Van Haltren 1918 75.00% 11 Center Field New York Giants (NL) 1887-1903 17 Deceased (1866-1945) 52
Arky Vaughan 1953 100% 1 Shortstop Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1932-1943, 1947-1948 14 Deceased (1912-1952) Deceased
Rube Waddell 1915 84.00% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1897, 1899-1910 13 Deceased (1876-1914) Deceased
Honus Wagner 1922 92.86% 1 Shortstop Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1897-1917 21 Deceased (1874-1955) 48
Bobby Wallace 1925 75.00% 3 Shortstop St. Louis Browns (AL) 1894-1918 25 Deceased (1873-1960) 52
Ed Walsh 1922 89.29% 1 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1904-1917 14 Deceased (1881-1959) 41
John Ward 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop/Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1878-1894 17 Deceased (1860-1925) 47
Paul Waner 1950 94.12% 1 Right Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1926-1945 20 Deceased (1903-1965) 47
Mickey Welch* 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1892 13 Deceased (1859-1941) 61
Willie Wells*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC Shortstop St. Louis Stars (NNL) 1924-1948 25 Living - Age 64 47
Zack Wheat 1932 87.50% 1 Left Field Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) (NL) 1909-1927 10 Living - Age 81 44
Deacon White 1904 76.00% 4 Catcher/Third Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1871-1890 20 Deceased (1847-1939) 57
Smokey Joe Williams*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Pitcher Homestead Grays (I/ANL) 1905-1932 28 Deceased (1895-1946) Deceased
Ted Williams 1960 100% 1 Left Field Boston Red Sox (AL) 1939-1942, 1946-1960 19 Living - Age 46 42
Vic Willis 1919 77.78% 5 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1898-1910 13 Deceased (1876-1947) 43
Jud Wilson*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC Third Base Baltimore Black Sox (I/ECL/ANL) 1922-1939 18 Deceased (1894-1963) 53
George Wright^ 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1882 12 Deceased (1847-1937) 60
Early Wynn 1968 87.50% 1 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1939, 1941-1944, 1946-1963 23 Living - Age 49 48
Cy Young 1916 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1890-1911 22 Deceased (1867-1955) 49

* = Elected by Veterans Committee
^ = Played Significantly Prior to 1871
` = Played in the Negro Leagues

Players Elected by Primary Position
Catcher (12): Charlie Bennett, Roger Bresnahan, Roy Campanella, Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, Buck Ewing, Josh Gibson, Gabby Hartnett, Biz Mackey, Cal McVey, Louis Santop, Deacon White
First Base (15): Cap Anson, Jake Beckley, Dan Brouthers, Frank Chance, Roger Connor, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Buck Leonard, Johnny Mize, Stan Musial, George Sisler, Joe Start, Mule Suttles, Bill Terry
Second Base (16): Ross Barnes, Cupid Childs, Eddie Collins, Bobby Doerr, Larry Doyle, Frankie Frisch, Charlie Gehringer, Joe Gordon, Frank Grant, Billy Herman, Rogers Hornsby, Napoleon Lajoie, Bid McPhee, Bill Monroe, Hardy Richardson, Jackie Robinson
Third Base (11): Frank Baker, John Beckwith, Jimmy Collins, Ray Dandridge, Bob Elliott, Heinie Groh, Stan Hack, Tommy Leach, Ezra Sutton, Pie Traynor, Jud Wilson
Shortstop (21): Luke Appling, Lou Boudreau, Joe Cronin, Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Jack Glasscock, Hughie Jennings, Grant Johnson, John Henry Lloyd, Herman Long, Dick Lundy, Rabbit Maranville, Dickey Pearce, Pee Wee Reese, Joe Sewell, Arky Vaughan, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, John Ward, Willie Wells, George Wright
Left Field (15): Jesse Burkett, Fred Clarke, Ed Delahanty, Goose Goslin, Monte Irvin, Joe Kelley, Ralph Kiner, Sherry Magee, Joe Medwick, Jim O'Rourke, Jimmy Sheckard, Al Simmons, Harry Stovey, Zack Wheat, Ted Williams
Center Field (23): Richie Ashburn, Earl Averill, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Pete Browning, Max Carey, Oscar Charleston, Ty Cobb, Larry Doby, Joe DiMaggio, Hugh Duffy, George Gore, Billy Hamilton, Pete Hill, Paul Hines, Alejandro Oms, Lip Pike, Spotswood Poles, Edd Roush, Jimmy Ryan, Tris Speaker, Turkey Stearnes, Cristobal Torriente, George Van Haltren
Right Field (11): Sam Crawford, King Kelly, Elmer Flick, Harry Heilmann, Willie Keeler, Mel Ott, Sam Rice, Babe Ruth, Enos Slaughter, Sam Thompson, Paul Waner
Pitcher (50): Pete Alexander, Mordecai Brown, Ray Brown, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Andy Cooper, Wilbur Cooper, Stan Coveleski, Leon Day, Dizzy Dean, Martin Dihigo, Red Faber, Bob Feller, Wes Ferrell, Willie Foster, Pud Galvin, Lefty Gomez, Clark Griffith, Burleigh Grimes, Lefty Grove, Carl Hubbell, Walter Johnson, Addie Joss, Tim Keefe, Bob Lemon, Ted Lyons, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jose Mendez, Tony Mullane, Hal Newhouser, Kid Nichols, Satchel Paige, Eddie Plank, Charley Radbourn, Dick Redding, Eppa Rixey, Bullet Rogan, Red Ruffing, Amos Rusie, Hilton Smith, Al Spalding, Dazzy Vance, Rube Waddell, Ed Walsh, Mickey Welch, Smokey Joe Williams, Vic Willis, Early Wynn, Cy Young

Players Elected by Year

1901 (5): Dan Brouthers, John Clarkson, Tim Keefe, Jim O’Rourke, Charley Radbourn
1902 (4): Cap Anson, Roger Connor, Buck Ewing, King Kelly
1903 (1): Pud Galvin
1904 (2): Paul Hines, Deacon White
1905 (1): Bid McPhee
1906 (2): Billy Hamilton, Amos Rusie
1907 (5): Charlie Bennett, Harry Stovey, Sam Thompson, John Ward, George Wright
1908 (2): Ed Delahanty, Tony Mullane
1909 (3): Pete Browning, Bob Caruthers, George Gore
1910 (1): Jesse Burkett
1911 (3): Ross Barnes, Jack Glasscock, Kid Nichols
1912 (0):
1913 (2): Jimmy Collins, Joe McGinnity
1914 (1): George Davis
1915 (2): Al Spalding, Rube Waddell
1916 (4): Bill Dahlen, Elmer Flick, Willie Keeler, Cy Young
1917 (2): Jake Beckley, Fred Clarke
1918 (2): Hugh Duffy, George Van Haltren
1919 (1): Vic Willis
1920 (2): Cupid Childs, Joe Kelley
- 1920 VC (7): Cal McVey, Dickey Pearce, Lip Pike, Hardy Richardson, Joe Start, Ezra Sutton, Mickey Welch
1921 (3): Mordecai Brown, Napoleon Lajoie, Christy Mathewson
1922 (4): Sam Crawford, Eddie Plank, Honus Wagner, Ed Walsh
1923 (0):
1924 (1): Sherry Magee
1925 (2): Roger Bresnahan, Bobby Wallace
- 1925 VC (1): Herman Long
1926 (1): Larry Doyle
1927 (2): Frank Baker, Hughie Jennings
1928 (0):
1929 (1): Addie Joss
1930 (0):
- 1930 VC (1): Jimmy Ryan
1931 (0):
1932 (3): Frank Chance, Walter Johnson, Zack Wheat
1933 (2): Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker
1934 (2): Max Carey, Stan Coveleski
1935 (3): Pete Alexander, Eddie Collins, George Sisler
- 1935 VC (0):
1936 (1): Heinie Groh
1937 (1): Harry Heilmann
1938 (0):
1939 (0):
1940 (3): Red Faber, Babe Ruth, Dazzy Vance
- 1940 VC (2): Clark Griffith, Tommy Leach
1941 (1): Bill Terry
1942 (5): Mickey Cochrane, Frankie Frisch, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Sewell, Pie Traynor
1943 (2): Goose Goslin, Edd Roush
1944 (1): Lou Gehrig
1945 (0):
- 1945 VC (1): Jimmy Sheckard
1946 (2): Lefty Grove, Gabby Hartnett
1947 (2): Earl Averill, Charlie Gehringer
- 1947 Negro League Players VC (19): John Beckwith, Oscar Charleston, Andy Cooper, Willie Foster, Josh Gibson, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Grant Johnson, John Henry Lloyd,
Jose Mendez, Bill Monroe, Alejandro Oms, Spotswood Poles, Dick Redding, Bullet Rogan, Louis Santop, Turkey Stearnes, Cristobal Torriente, Smokey Joe Williams
1948 (2): Dizzy Dean, Carl Hubbell
1949 (2): Ted Lyons, Al Simmons
1950 (3): Joe Cronin, Jimmie Foxx, Paul Waner
- 1950 VC (1): Wilbur Cooper
1951 (2): Bill Dickey, Red Ruffing
1952 (4): Hank Greenberg, Stan Hack, Billy Herman, Mel Ott
- 1952 Negro League Players VC (8): James "Cool Papa" Bell, Martin Dihigo, Buck Leonard, Dick Lundy, Biz Mackey, Mule Suttles, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson
1953 (2): Joe Medwick, Arky Vaughan
1954 (0):
1955 (3): Luke Appling, Wes Ferrell, Joe Gordon
- 1955 VC (3): Rabbit Maranville, Sam Rice, Eppa Rixey
1956 (2): Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr
1957 (1): Lou Boudreau
- 1957 Negro League Players VC (3): Ray Brown, Leon Day, Satchel Paige
1958 (1): Johnny Mize
1959 (0):
1960 (2): Ralph Kiner, Hal Newhouser
- 1960 VC (1): Burleigh Grimes
1961 (2): Bob Feller, Jackie Robinson
1962 (2): Roy Campanella, Lefty Gomez
- 1962 Negro League Players VC (3): Ray Dandridge, Monte Irvin, Hilton Smith
1963 (1): Pee Wee Reese
1964 (3): Larry Doby, Bob Lemon, Enos Slaughter
1965 (1): Ted Williams
- 1965 VC (0):
1966 (1): Bob Elliott
1967 (1): Richie Ashburn
- 1967 Negro League Players VC (0):
1968 (2): Stan Musial, Early Wynn

Players Elected by Primary Decade
1870s (9): Ross Barnes, Cal McVey, Dickey Pearce, Lip Pike, Al Spalding, Joe Start, Ezra Sutton, Deacon White, George Wright
1880s (21): Cap Anson, Charlie Bennett, Dan Brouthers, Pete Browning, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Roger Conner, Buck Ewing, Pud Galvin, Jack Glasscock, George Gore, Paul Hines, Tim Keefe, King Kelly, Tony Mullane, Jim O’Rourke, Charley Radbourn, Hardy Richardson, Harry Stovey, John Ward, Mickey Welch
1890s (19): Jake Beckley, Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs, Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Ed Delahanty, Hugh Duffy, Frank Grant, Clark Griffith, Billy Hamilton, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Herman Long, Bid McPhee, Kid Nichols, Jimmy Ryan, Amos Rusie, Sam Thompson, George Van Haltren
1900s (24): Roger Bresnahan, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, Fred Clarke, Jimmy Collins, Sam Crawford, Elmer Flick, Pete Hill, Grant Johnson, Addie Joss, Willie Keeler, Napoleon Lajoie, Tommy Leach, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Bill Monroe, Eddie Plank, Jimmy Sheckard, Rube Waddell, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, Ed Walsh, Vic Willis, Cy Young
1910s (17): Pete Alexander, Frank Baker, Max Carey, Wilbur Cooper, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Larry Doyle, Heinie Groh, Walter Johnson, John Henry Lloyd, Sherry Magee, Jose Mendez, Spotswood Poles, Louis Santop, Tris Speaker, Zack Wheat, Smokey Joe Williams
1920s (25): John Beckwith, Oscar Charleston, Andy Cooper, Stan Coveleski, Red Faber, Frankie Frisch, Goose Goslin, Burleigh Grimes, Harry Heilmann, Rogers Hornsby, Dick Lundy, Biz Mackey, Rabbit Maranville, Alejandro Oms, Dick Redding, Sam Rice, Eppa Rixey, Bullet Rogan, Edd Roush, Babe Ruth, George Sisler, Joe Sewell, Cristobal Torriente, Pie Traynor, Dazzy Vance
1930s (35): Luke Appling, Earl Averill, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Ray Brown, Mickey Cochrane, Joe Cronin, Dizzy Dean, Bill Dickey, Martin Dihigo, Wes Ferrell, Willie Foster, Jimmie Foxx, Charlie Gehringer, Lou Gehrig, Josh Gibson, Lefty Gomez, Hank Greenberg, Lefty Grove, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Carl Hubbell, Ted Lyons, Joe Medwick, Mel Ott, Satchel Paige, Red Ruffing, Al Simmons, Hilton Smith, Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles, Bill Terry, Arky Vaughan, Paul Waner, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson
1940s (14): Lou Boudreau, Leon Day, Ray Dandridge, Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr, Bob Elliott, Bob Feller, Joe Gordon, Stan Hack, Monte Irvin, Buck Leonard, Johnny Mize, Hal Newhouser, Pee Wee Reese
1950s (10): Richie Ashburn, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Ralph Kiner, Bob Lemon, Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Enos Slaughter, Ted Williams, Early Wynn

Players Elected by Primary Organization
Atlanta Braves (fka Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Beaneaters, Red Stockings) (NA, NL) (11): Ross Barnes, John Clarkson, Hugh Duffy, Herman Long, Rabbit Maranville, Cal McVey, Kid Nichols, Al Spalding, Ezra Sutton, Vic Willis, George Wright
Bacharach Giants (I, ECL) (1): Dick Lundy
Baltimore Black Sox (I, ECL, ANL) (1): Jud Wilson
Baltimore Canaries (NA) (1): Lip Pike
Baltimore Orioles (fka St. Louis Browns) (AL) (2): George Sisler, Bobby Wallace
Baltimore Orioles (NL) (3): Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley
Boston Red Sox (fka Americans) (AL) (5): Bobby Doerr, Jimmy Collins, Joe Cronin, Ted Williams, Cy Young
Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) (1): Dickey Pearce
Brooklyn Royal Giants (I, ECL, NNL) (3): Grant Johnson, Bill Monroe, Dick Redding
Buffalo Bisons (NL) (4): Dan Brouthers, Pud Galvin, Hardy Richardson, Deacon White
Chicago American Giants (I, NNL, NSL, NAL) (3): Willie Foster, Pete Hill, Cristobal Torriente
Chicago Cubs (fka White Stockings, Colts) (NL) (12): Cap Anson, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, Bill Dahlen, Clark Griffith, George Gore, Stan Hack, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, King Kelly, Jimmy Ryan, Jimmy Sheckard
Chicago Giants (NNL) (1): John Beckwith
Chicago White Sox (AL) (5): Luke Appling, Eddie Collins, Red Faber, Ted Lyons, Ed Walsh
Cincinnati Reds (NL, AA) (5): Heinie Groh, Bid McPhee, Tony Mullane, Eppa Rixey, Edd Roush
Cleveland Blues (NL) (1): Jack Glasscock
Cleveland Indians (fka Naps) (AL) (13): Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Stan Coveleski, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Wes Ferrell, Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Napoleon Lajoie, Bob Lemon, Joe Sewell, Tris Speaker, Early Wynn
Cleveland Spiders (NL) (2): Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs
Cuban Giants (I, MSL) (1): Frank Grant
Cuban Stars (East) (I, ECL, ANL) (2): Martin Dihigo, Alejandro Oms
Detroit Stars (I, NNL, NAL) (1): Turkey Stearnes
Detroit Tigers (AL) (6): Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Harry Heilmann, Hal Newhouser
Detroit Wolverines (NL) (1): Charlie Bennett
Hilldale Daises (I, ECL, ANL, EWL) (2): Biz Mackey, Louis Santop
Homestead Grays (I, ANL, NNL) (4): Ray Brown, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Smokey Joe Williams
Indianapolis ABCs (I, NNL, NSL, NAL) (1): Oscar Charleston
Kansas City Monarchs (I, NNL, NAL) (5): Willie Foster, Jose Mendez, Satchel Paige, Bullet Rogan, Hilton Smith
Lincoln Giants (I, ECL, ANL) (1): John Henry Lloyd
Lincoln Stars (I) (1): Spotswood Poles
Louisville Colonels (NL, AA) (1): Pete Browning
Los Angeles Dodgers (fka Brooklyn Dodgers, Robins) (NL) (6): Roy Campanella, Burleigh Grimes, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Dazzy Vance, Zack Wheat
Minnesota Twins (fka Washington Senators) (AL) (3): Goose Goslin, Walter Johnson, Sam Rice
New York Yankees (AL) (6): Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Joe Gordon, Red Ruffing, Babe Ruth
Newark Eagles (NNL) (4): Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Monte Irvin, Mule Suttles
Oakland Atheltics (fka Kansas City, Philadelphia Athletics) (AL) (7): Frank Baker, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Eddie Plank, Al Simmons, Rube Waddell
Philadelphia Athletics (AA) (1): Harry Stovey
Philadelphia Phillies (NL) (6): Pete Alexander, Richie Ashburn, Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Sherry Magee, Sam Thompson
Pittsburgh Crawfords (NNL) (1): James "Cool Papa" Bell
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) (11): Jake Beckley, Max Carey, Fred Clarke, Wilbur Cooper, Bob Elliott, Ralph Kiner, Tommy Leach, Pie Traynor, Arky Vaughan, Honus Wagner, Paul Waner
Providence Grays (NL) (3): Paul Hines, Charley Radbourn, Joe Start
San Francisco Giants (fka New York Giants) (NL) (16): Roger Bresnahan, Roger Connor, George Davis, Larry Doyle, Buck Ewing, Frankie Frisch, Carl Hubbell, Tim Keefe, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jim O’Rourke, Mel Ott, Amos Rusie, George Van Haltren, John Ward, Mickey Welch
St. Louis Cardinals (fka Browns) (NL, AA) (7): Bob Caruthers, Dizzy Dean, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Medwick, Johnny Mize, Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter
St. Louis Stars (NNL) (1): Willie Wells

Hall of Fame Contributors Wing
Contributors Elected - 26

Contributor Year Elected Contribution Living/Deceased Age at Election
Doc Adams 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1814-1899) Deceased
Ed Barrow 1941 General Manager Deceased (1868-1953) Deceased
Ed Bolden 1966 Owner Deceased(?-1950) Deceased
Alex Cartwright 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1820-1892) Deceased
Henry Chadwick 1925 Writer Deceased (1824-1908) Deceased
Charlie Comiskey 1925 Owner Deceased (1859-1931) 66
Tom Connolly 1956 Umpire Deceased (1870-1961) 86
Jim Creighton 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1841-1862) Deceased
Rube Foster 1930 Manager/Executive Deceased (1879-1930) Deceased
Miller Huggins 1941 Manager Deceased (1879-1929) Deceased
William Hulbert 1925 NL President Deceased (1832-1882) Deceased
Ned Hanlon 1936 Manager Deceased (1857-1937) 79
Ban Johnson 1936 AL President Deceased (1864-1931) Deceased
Bill Klem 1941 Umpire Deceased (1874-1951) 67
Kenesaw Landis 1951 Commissioner Deceased (1866-1944) Deceased
Connie Mack 1930 Manager/Owner Deceased (1862-1956) 68
Joe McCarthy 1951 Manager Living - Age 78 64
John McGraw 1936 Manager Deceased (1873-1934) Deceased
Al Reach 1946 Owner Deceased (1840-1928) Deceased
Francis Richter 1941 Writer Deceased (1854-1926) Deceased
Branch Rickey 1946 General Manager Deceased (1881-1965) 65
Frank Selee 1936 Manager Deceased (1859-1909) Deceased
AG Spalding* 1930 Executive Deceased (1850-1915) Deceased
J.G. Taylor Spink1966 Write Deceased(1888-1962) Deceased
Casey Stengel 1966 Manager Living - Age 77 76
Harry Wright 1925 Manager Deceased (1835-1895) Deceased

* = Also elected as a player

Contributors Elected by Primary Contribution
Commissioner (1): Kenesaw Landis
General Manager (2): Ed Barrow, Branch Rickey
League President (2): William Hulbert, Ban Johnson
Manager (7): Miller Huggins, Ned Hanlon, Joe McCarthy, John McGraw, Frank Selee, Casey Stengel, Harry Wright
Owner (4): Ed Bolden, Charlie Comiskey, Al Reach, AG Spalding
Pioneer (3): Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright, Jim Creighton
Umpire (2): Tom Connolly, Bill Klem
Writer (3): Henry Chadwick, Francis Richter, J. G. Taylor Spink

Contributors Elected by Primary Team
Atlanta Braves (fka Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Beaneaters, Red Caps, Red Stockings) (NA, NL) (2): Frank Selee, Harry Wright
Chicago American Giants (NNL) (1): Rube Foster
Chicago Cubs (fka White Stockings, Colts) (NA, NL) (1): AG Spalding
Chicago White Sox (AL) (1): Charlie Comiskey
Excelsior of Brooklyn (NAB) (1): Jim Creighton
Kansas City Athletics (fka Philadelphia Athletics) (AL) (1): Connie Mack
Los Angeles Dodgers (fka Brooklyn Dodgers, Superbas) (AA, NL) (1): Ned Hanlon
New York Knickerbockers (NAB) (2): Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright
New York Yankees (AL) (3): Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel
Philadelphia Phillies (fka Quakers) (NL) (1): Al Reach
Philadelphia Stars (NNL, NAL) (1): Ed Bolden
San Francisco Giants (fka New York Giants) (NL) (1): John McGraw
St. Louis Cardinals (AA, NL) (1): Branch Rickey

Contributors Elected by Year
1925 (7): Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright, Henry Chadwick, Harry Wright, William Hulbert, Charlie Comiskey, Jim Creighton
1930 (3): Rube Foster, Connie Mack, AG Spalding
1936 (4): Ned Hanlon, Ban Johnson, John McGraw, Frank Selee
1941 (4): Miller Huggins, Bill Klem, Francis Richter, Ed Barrow
1946 (3): Al Reach, Branch Rickey
1951 (2): Kenesaw Landis, Joe McCarthy
1956 (1): Tom Connolly
1961 (0):
1966 (3): Ed Bolden, J.G. Taylor Spink, Casey Stengel

Miscellaneous Information
- Highest Regular Election Percentage: Cap Anson, Luke Appling, Bob Feller, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Lefty Grove, Walter Johnson, Stan Musial, Kid Nichols, Mel Ott, Tris Speaker, Arky Vaughan, Ted Williams, Cy Young – 100%
- Number of 1st Ballot Electees: 82
- Most Years on Ballot Before Election: Cupid Childs, Lefty Gomez, Addie Joss, Al Spalding – 15
- Number of Players Elected After 10 Years on Ballot: 10
- Number of Players Lasting 15 Years on Ballot without Election: 55
- Number of Players Elected by Veterans Committee: 17
- Number of Players Elected by Negro League Players Veterans Committee: 33
- Highest Percentage Among Players Not Elected: 70.83% - Bucky Walters (1965)
- Most Regular Election Electees in One Year: 5 (1901, 1907, 1942)
- Fewest Regular Election Electees in One Year: 0 (1912, 1923, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1938, 1939, 1945, 1954, 1959)
- Most Veterans Committee Electees in One Year: 7 (1920)
- Most Negro League Veterans Committee Electees in One Year: 19 (1947)
- Fewest Veterans Committee Electees in One Year: 0 (1935, 1960)
- Fewest Negro League Veterans Committee Electees in One Year: 0 (1967)
- Largest Ballot: 78 Players (1901)
- Largest Post-1915 Ballot: 50 Players (1952)
- Smallest Ballot: 23 Players (1918)
- Most Votes Cast: 37 (1942)
- Fewest Votes Cast: 20 (1901)
- Team With Most Players Elected: San Francisco Giants - 16
- Team With Second Most Players Elected: Cleveland Indians - 13
- Electee with Longest Post-1871 Career: Satchel Paige, Smokey Joe Williams - 28
- Electee with Shortest Post-1871 Career: Dickey Pearce – 8 Seasons
- Members Elected as Both Players and Contributors: Al Spalding
- Youngest Elected Player: Amos Rusie – Age 35
- Oldest Elected Player: Joe Start – Age 78
- Number of Posthumously Elected Players: 28
- Number of Posthumously Elected Contributors: 18
- Number of Living Hall of Famers: 60
- Number of Deceased Hall of Famers: 129
- Oldest Living Hall of Famer: Elmer Flick - Age 93
- Deceased in Past Year: Tommy Leach (1887-1969)

Number of Ballots Submitted in Past Elections

1901: 20
1902: 24
1903: 26
1904: 25
1905: 24
1906: 23
1907: 24
1908: 25
1909: 22
1910: 25
1911: 25
1912: 23
1913: 23
1914: 26
1915: 25
1916: 25
1917: 25
1918: 24
1919: 27
1920: 26
1921: 31
1922: 28
1923: 25
1924: 29
1925: 24
1926: 25
1927: 28
1928: 27
1929: 25
1930: 25
1931: 32
1932: 24
1933: 29
1934: 28
1935: 33
1936: 32
1937: 34
1938: 30
1939: 32
1940: 34
1941: 35
1942: 37
1943: 30
1944: 27
1945: 29
1946: 27
1947: 28
1948: 26
1949: 25
1950: 34
1951: 35
1952: 31
1953: 34
1954: 32
1955: 28
1956: 27
1957: 30
1958: 30
1959: 24
1960: 27
1961: 26
1962: 21
1963: 22
1964: 27
1965: 24
1966: 23
1967: 23
1968: 24

Links to Past Elections

1901 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77167)
1902 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77464)
1903 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77797)
1904 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78133)
1905 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78417)
1906 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78737)
1907 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79020)
1908 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79393)
1909 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79738)
1910 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=80134)
1911 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=80597)
1912 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81008)
1913 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81477)
1914 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81965)
1915 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82365)
1916 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82681)
1917 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82940)
1918 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83241)
1919 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83422)
1920 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83665), 1920 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83697)
1921 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83924)
1922 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84099)
1923 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84257)
1924 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84423)
1925 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84552), 1925 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=84636), 1925 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83852)
1926 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84727)
1927 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84871)
1928 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85029)
1929 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85206)
1930 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85358), 1930 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=85439), 1930 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84578)
1931 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85681)
1932 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85850)
1933 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86054)
1934 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86291)
1935 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86514), 1935 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=86576)
1936 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86747), 1936 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85051)
1937 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87002)
1938 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87241)
1939 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87501)
1940 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87800), 1940 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=87854)
1941 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=88041), 1941 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87881)
1942 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=88297)
1943 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89063)
1944 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89394)
1945 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89744), 1945 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89707)
1946 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89923), 1946 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89916)
1947 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90195), 1947 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90109)
1948 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90391)
1949 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90572)
1950 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90811), 1950 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90804)
1951 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91009), 1951 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91013)
1952 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91182), 1952 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91175)
1953 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91388)
1954 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91792)
1955 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92050), 1955 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92049)
1956 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92322), 1956 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92324)
1957 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92596), 1957 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92597)
1958 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92866)
1959 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93157)
1960 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93383), 1960 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93384)
1961 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93534), 1961 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93536)
1962 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93804), 1962 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93807)
1963 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93978)
1964 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94139)
1965 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94322), 1965 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94323)
1966 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94495), 1966 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94497)
1967 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94695), 1967 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94696)
1968 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=94926)

[BigRon]

Interesting ballot this year. I'm casting only one positive vote, however.
1. Duke Snider. Snider clearly is the best player on the ballot this year. As of 1969 eligibles, he's behind only Cobb, Speaker, DiMaggio among CFers, though it's clear as of 1969 that Mantle and Mays are both greater and will be recognized as such.

Minnie Minoso and Billy Pierce are 2 of my favorite players. There is a good chance that I'll vote for one or both, but since they are in their first year I want to err on the side of caution. At the end of the day Minoso probably will settle enough over my line that I'll feel good about him, particularly if I give him a couple of missing years credit for the color line. Pierce is just about right on my line for pitchers.

I didn't vote for Bucky Walters. I know it's his last year, and he was a fine pitcher and an outstanding hitter, but he falls just short for me. Got to draw the line somewhere, and it's just above Bucky for me.

Rizzuto, Schoendienst remain future possibilities for me. Still struggling with both.

[PVNICK]

DiMaggio
Hodges
Kell
Minoso
Rosen
Snider
Walters

[Domenic]

DiMaggio
Keller
Minoso
Pierce
Rizzuto
Snider
Stephens
Walters

[Senor Octobre]

DiMaggio
Keller
Leonard
Minoso
Newcombe
Pierce
Rizzuto
Rosen
Snider
Stephens
Walters

I'll listen to arguments for Hodges, Kell, Lollar, Pesky, Reynolds, Schoendienst, Vernon and Yost.

[AstrosFan]

Minnie Minoso
Duke Snider

[jalbright]

Keller
Minoso
Rizzuto
Snider
Walters

[SavoyBG]

Interesting ballot this year. I'm casting only one positive vote, however.
1. Duke Snider. Snider clearly is the best player on the ballot this year. As of 1969 eligibles, he's behind only Cobb, Speaker, DiMaggio among CFers,


What about Oscar Charleston?

[Cowtipper]

DiMaggio
Hodges
Kell
Keller
Lollar
Pierce
Reynolds
Rizzuto
Rosen
Schoendienst
Snider
Stephens
Vernon
Walters

I wanted to go a full 15 but couldn't find a 15th player suitable to vote for.

[Domenic]

A very brief argument for Billy Pierce:
Led all AL pitchers in Win Shares in 1953, 1955, and 1958.
Bests the following Hall of Famers in Gray Ink: McGinnity, Lyons, Gomez, Newhouser, Lemon, Rusie, Walsh, Vance, Rixey, Faber, Ferrell, Caruthers, Cooper, Cooper, Dean, Griffith, Joss, and Spalding.
Bests the following Hall of Famers in IP: Brown, Coveleski, Newhouser, Vance, Walsh, Waddell, Spalding, Lemon, Caruthers, Ferrell, Gomez, Joss
Bests the following Hall of Famers in ERA+: Lyons, Mullane, Willis, Cooper, Ferrell, Rixey, Welch, Ruffing, Wynn, Galvin, Grimes

[Ace Venom]

My Ballot

Dom DiMaggio
Gil Hodges
George Kell
Charlie Keller
Ted Kluszewski
Minnie Minoso
Don Newcombe
Billy Pierce
Phil Rizzuto
Al Rosen
Duke Snider
Vern Stephens
Mickey Vernon
Bucky Walters
Eddie Yost

I dropped Reynolds after voting for him for ten years. Schoendienst is off my ballot as well. Musial and Wynn were elected. Kluszewski and first timers Snider, Minoso and Pierce have been added to my ballot.

[Domenic]

A brief argument for Minnie Minoso:
9X All-Star
3X Gold Glover
Bests the following Hall of Fame corner outfielders in Gray Ink: Burkett, Clarke, Kelley, Kiner, Sheckard, Flick, Keeler, Rice, Slaugter
Bests the following Hall of Fame corner outfielders in OPS+:Goslin, Sheckard, Wheat, Keeler, Rice, Slaughter
Played (and played fairly well) in the Negro Leagues from 1945 to 1948.
Played (and played very well) in the PCL in 1949 and 1950.
By most accounts, Minoso was unable to play MLB until he was 28, due to his race.

[Cowtipper]

Wow, I guess I never realized how good Minnie Minoso was.

[dgarza]

Gil Hodges
George Kell
Dutch Leonard
Minnie Minoso
Billy Pierce
Phil Rizzuto
Al Rosen
Red Schoendienst
Duke Snider
Vern Stephens
Mickey Vernon
Bucky Walters


1. Duke Snider
2. Minnie Minoso
3. Vern Stephens
4. Bucky Walters
5. Al Rosen
6. Billy Pierce
7. Red Schoendienst
8. George Kell
9. Mickey Vernon
10. Gil Hodges
11. Dutch Leonard
12. Phil Rizzuto

[jjpm74]

Ballot:

Dom DiMaggio
Gil Hodges
Charlie Keller
Minnie Minoso
Don Newcombe
Billy Pierce
Phil Rizzuto
Red Schoendienst
Duke Snider
Bucky Walters

[BigRon]

What about Oscar Charleston?

By most/all accounts, Charleston was one of ther greatest players ever, and those accounts probably are correct. The ongoing problem for me is that there is no good way to compare/rate the Negro League stars against MLers. Schedules were erratic, stats even more so.

So, I've got no beef against Charleston, but I don't know how to rate him or other Negro Leaguers. My guess is that he was better than Snider, but I'm incapable of placing the Negro Leaguers so I choose to not do so.

[Domenic]

This may be a bit self-indulgent to ask . . . but how do people feel about my "brief arguments?" In the past, I've posted longer, more rambling thoughts and statistics about players that I supported, but I feel like that they get lost in the shuffle a bit, particularly as threads grow longer and longer. While I'm sure that there are better ways to do a brief analysis (in terms of numbers, comparisons, etc.), I do think that the numbers I use provide a good window between the player and the Hall of Fame . . .

[SavoyBG]

By most/all accounts, Charleston was one of ther greatest players ever, and those accounts probably are correct. The ongoing problem for me is that there is no good way to compare/rate the Negro League stars against MLers. Schedules were erratic, stats even more so.

So, I've got no beef against Charleston, but I don't know how to rate him or other Negro Leaguers. My guess is that he was better than Snider, but I'm incapable of placing the Negro Leaguers so I choose to not do so.

That's good. They were excluded in their day, and you choose to continue to exclude them.

I choose to attemp to rank them. I'd rather misrank them some then to exclude them entirely.

Charleston is clearly in the Mays-Cobb-Mantle-DiMaggio-Speaker group.

Snider is clearly a notch or two below that group, probably below Griffey too, who is also below that top group.

[jalbright]

This may be a bit self-indulgent to ask . . . but how do people feel about my "brief arguments?" In the past, I've posted longer, more rambling thoughts and statistics about players that I supported, but I feel like that they get lost in the shuffle a bit, particularly as threads grow longer and longer. While I'm sure that there are better ways to do a brief analysis (in terms of numbers, comparisons, etc.), I do think that the numbers I use provide a good window between the player and the Hall of Fame . . .

I'm in favor of more discussion over less. I often waver between trying to keep arguments as short as I can while still making a decent case and trying to make a more comprehensive argument. Both have their virtues.

[BlueBlood]

On a friend's computer and I looked over the list in full twice and missed the Duke although I guess that shouldn't matter. However, my vote for Bucky Walters accidentally went to Dick Williams so that should probably be rectified.

[SavoyBG]

On a friend's computer and I looked over the list in full twice and missed the Duke although I guess that shouldn't matter. However, my vote for Bucky Walters accidentally went to Dick Williams so that should probably be rectified.


How about you be more carefuil when you vote?

That's at least two mistakes on one ballot.

[DoubleX]

How about you be more carefuil when you vote?

That's at least two mistakes on one ballot.

Is this really necessary? Blueblood has been a participant of this project from at or near inception as far as I can remember. I'm sure the mere fact that he made a mistake, which we are all prone to do from time to time, will remind him to be more careful in the future.

[SavoyBG]

Is this really necessary? Blueblood has been a participant of this project from at or near inception as far as I can remember. I'm sure the mere fact that he made a mistake, which we are all prone to do from time to time, will remind him to be more careful in the future.

No, we are not all prone to this. I have NEVER made a mistake on a ballot.

Mistakes like this are crucial when there are only 20 or 25 voters. Walters should be one vote away from 75% if this guy could manage to follow a simple procedure without mistakes.

[leecemark]

--If only we could all be as perfect as you:rolleyes:. I agree that people should be carefull with their ballot and don't think corrections should be made if they aren't. No need to beat up on the guy after he admits his mistake though.

[DoubleX]

I also see no reason why blueblood's accidental vote for Williams can be corrected to count for Walters. Save a few years where Ace placed a moratorium on corrections, we've always allowed for the occasional accidental votes by members in good standing to be corrected. A mod could simply erase the vote for Williams and add one for Walters (or Ace can make a manual adjustment at the end of the election).

Edit: The actual rules on this (which I believe I drafted), state:


Thoughtfulness and Editing Ballots: Please review and thoughtfully consider the candidates before voting, and make sure you have accurately filled out your ballot before submitting. Requests for editing ballots after the fact will generally not be honored. Exceptions might be made if a voter accidentally voted for the wrong player or accidentally went over the voting limit (but I strongly encourage you to do your best to prevent either from happening).

[SavoyBG]

--If only we could all be as perfect as you:


A beautiful thought, but probably a pipe dream :eek:

[b30b30]

Duke Snider
Gil Hodges
Minnie Minoso
Mickey Vernon
Charlie Keller
Ted Kluszewski
Vern Stephens
Allie Reynolds
Bucky Walters
Billy Pierce

[nerfan]

Argh, vote for Bucky, people!

[BigRon]

That's good. They were excluded in their day, and you choose to continue to exclude them.

I choose to attemp to rank them. I'd rather misrank them some then to exclude them entirely.

Charleston is clearly in the Mays-Cobb-Mantle-DiMaggio-Speaker group.

Snider is clearly a notch or two below that group, probably below Griffey too, who is also below that top group.

Gee- for a minute I thought I'd stumbled into a "conversation" with SabrMatt.

In the case of the most elite Negro Leaguers- Charleston, Paige, Gibson, and several others- it is clear that they are going to get their votes. They're going to get into whatever HOF we're voting on, and they're going to get in right away whether I vote for them or not. And, in the case of those guys I certainly would give them my HOF vote.

In terms of ranking them, it's tougher for me. I admit to not knowing enough about their particulars, and hope that there are some other voters who are better versed than I. But, just arbitrarily deciding that Charleston or Gibson is the 5th or 10th greatest player of all time doesn't make a lot of sense to me, either.

Based on what I've read, I would agree that Charleston probably belongs in the top rung of CFers with Cobb, Mays, Mantle, Speaker, and DiMaggio.
Then there is a dropoff to Griffey Jr. and Snider. Griffey's only advantage over Snider is that he managed to play quite a few more games, largely due to the miracles of modern medicine. This gives him greater overall career value. At their peaks, Snider was 100% as good as Griffey Jr.

[SavoyBG]

Then there is a dropoff to Griffey Jr. and Snider. Griffey's only advantage over Snider is that he managed to play quite a few more games, largely due to the miracles of modern medicine. This gives him greater overall career value. At their peaks, Snider was 100% as good as Griffey Jr.

Snider was probably better in each player's respective 3 to 5 year prime, but Griffey's prime, despite the injuries, lasted a lot longer.

Snider was really only a superstar for 4 years, 1953-1956. His win share total for those 4 years (37-39-36-34) are way higher than any of his other years. He only had one other year where he had more than 25 win shares.

Griffey's top years as not as good at Duke's top years (36-31-30) but he also had several other years in the high 20s (29-29-28...)

They probably belong a strong notch below the top group, maybe along with Billy Hamilton.

[BigRon]

Snider was probably better in each player's respective 3 to 5 year prime, but Griffey's prime, despite the injuries, lasted a lot longer.

Snider was really only a superstar for 4 years, 1953-1956. His win share total for those 4 years (37-39-36-34) are way higher than any of his other years. He only had one other year where he had more than 25 win shares.

Griffey's top years as not as good at Duke's top years (36-31-30) but he also had several other years in the high 20s (29-29-28...)

They probably belong a strong notch below the top group, maybe along with Billy Hamilton.

Not to get into a Duke vs Junior thing, but....

Top 10 seasons WS
Snider Griffey
39 36
37 31
36 30
34 29
29 29
25 28
25 25
24 24
22 24
18 20*

289 276

This is the heart of their careers. Ten years, Duke had 289 WS, Griffey 276. Griffey had 20 WS in 1994, the strike season- if he had continued at a similar pace he would have ended up around 30 WS. THat would have given him around 286 WS- almost identical to Snider. Griffey had no really good/outstanding seasons beyond these. He had a number of 14, 15, 16 WS seasons. Snider, reduced by injury to a part-timer, had a number of 10, 12, 13 WS seasons. Griffey has played more seasons, and in a 162 game era. The 162 game schedule alone has given him the equivalent of a full extra season of WS. THose 2 factors basically have given him more career WS. But, for the 10 year prime of their careers, Griffey trails Snider- slightly- in WS.

Obviously, WS is not the be all and end all of stats, but I believe it is a really good one. Looking at these, Griffey's main advantage is longevity.

[Ace Venom]

Argh, vote for Bucky, people!

We'll try to get him in on the VC.

[leecemark]

--My problem with Walters and perhaps Pierce is that they don't look as good to me as the rejected Tommy Bridges. Walters was on my ballot until Bridges eligibility ran out (Bucky is back on for his last try this year). I could possibly be convinced Pierce is better, but unless/until Bridges makes it via the VC that sets a new and higher standard for pitchers on my ballot.

[DoubleX]

--My problem with Walters and perhaps Pierce is that they don't look as good to me as the rejected Tommy Bridges. Walters was on my ballot until Bridges eligibility ran out (Bucky is back on for his last try this year). I could possibly be convinced Pierce is better, but unless/until Bridges makes it via the VC that sets a new and higher standard for pitchers on my ballot.

Pierce/Bridges is a good debate, but I don't see why one possible mistake omission should bar someone else. Judging Pierce on his own merits, I believe he meets the standards we've set and I don't think he should be kept out just because someone else was passed over.

Also, assuming Ace corrects blueblood's misvote, Walters would be currently just over the line.

[leecemark]

--Every decision on the borderline causes the standard to shift at least a little. If we elect a guy who is below my standards I need to revaluate and decide whether my standards need to be adjusted or whether I should just view that player as an anomoly (several "anomolies" does establish a new and lower standard). Ditto when a guy I see as a little over the line be excluded. Is it just a disagreement on the merits of that one particular player or are standards tightening up?

[DoubleX]

--Every decision on the borderline causes the standard to shift at least a little. If we elect a guy who is below my standards I need to revaluate and decide whether my standards need to be adjusted or whether I should just view that player as an anomoly (several "anomolies" does establish a new and lower standard). Ditto when a guy I see as a little over the line be excluded. Is it just a disagreement on the merits of that one particular player or are standards tightening up?

I think the bounds of our standards at pitcher are clearly defined enough to safely encompass Pierce. I think he fits in nicely with the likes of Wilbur Cooper, Bob Lemon, Wes Ferrell, (and Bucky Walters if elected this time around) and even some of the longer career guys like Burleigh Grimes, Eppa Rixey, Red Ruffing, and Early Wynn. There's different arguments to be made for each of these players compared to Pierce, but Pierce's 119 ERA+ in 3300 IP stacks him up fairly well, IMO.

I agree that we may have whiffed on Tommy Bridges and I'm curious to see how he does in the next VC election, but keeping Bridges out isn't reason IMO to keep Pierce out when Pierce also seems to fit within our standards irrespective of Bridges.

[Ubiquitous]

I've argued this before but one should never alter their vote based on what the consensus thinks is a HoF'er because your opinion of what you think a HoF'er is helps create that consensus view, regardless of whether or not you voted for induction or not. If you change your voting habits based on what other people believe is a HoF'er then you will drastically alter the standards of the HoF. If you stick to what you believe should be the standards of the HoF then the standards of the HoF will be consistent and maintained.

[jjpm74]

I've argued this before but one should never alter their vote based on what the consensus thinks is a HoF'er because your opinion of what you think a HoF'er is helps create that consensus view, regardless of whether or not you voted for induction or not. If you change your voting habits based on what other people believe is a HoF'er then you will drastically alter the standards of the HoF. If you stick to what you believe should be the standards of the HoF then the standards of the HoF will be consistent and maintained.

One should not drastically altar their HOF line, but to say that one should never altar their voting at all based on past voting trends in a project like this makes no sense. The parameters and baseline in this project has evolved over time and because of that, there are players who I and others have voted for here that they would not normally vote for under different circumstances.

[Ubiquitous]

One should not drastically altar their HOF line, but to say that one should never altar their voting at all based on past voting trends in a project like this makes no sense. The parameters and baseline in this project has evolved over time and because of that, there are players who I and others have voted for here that they would not normally vote for under different circumstances.

The parameters and baseline have changed for two reasons. Different people voting and because people do what I am advocating they not do. If people voted their beliefs and not what they think what others will do then the standards will be consistent.

[Ace Venom]

No, we are not all prone to this. I have NEVER made a mistake on a ballot.

That's not necessary at all. I'm more likely to do a recount if it directly impacts the candidate's status on the ballot. I have no problem doing a recount for blueblood because he's been around this project for a long time. Someone who missed a vote for Duke Snider won't make a difference in the long run.

[KCGHOST]

Minoso
Pierce
Snider
Walters

[Fielding Marshall]

Dom DiMaggio
George Kell
Charlie Keller
Ted Kluszewski
Dutch Leonard
Minnie Minoso
Johnny Pesky
Billy Pierce
Phil Rizzuto
Red Schoendienst
Duke Snider
Vern Stephens
Mickey Vernon
Bucky Walters
Eddie Yost

Was sorely tempted to vote for Runnels and Temple, but decided to err on the side of exclusion. I didn't get the impression that they were quite the players they seemed to be in their rather short peaks.

Here's hoping Bucky Walters hangs on for election...

I realize we haven't really had much of a discussion about Vern Stephens. I think he demonstrated enough after WWII to suggest his WWII production legitimately represents his capability as a player. Thoughts?

[Ubiquitous]

Bucky Walters had 4 good to very good years, aided significantly by Manager McKechnie's serious love affair with great defense at all cost, and that is it. And for that he is a HoF'er?

[PVNICK]

I'm not looking to quibble or champion the lowest common denominator type of voting but Gomez got in and his career could be summed up like that as well.

[Ubiquitous]

I'm not looking to quibble or champion the lowest common denominator type of voting but Gomez got in and his career could be summed up like that as well.

And think about that. It took 15 votes and the pity bump at the end to get Gomez in. Now Walters has been up for 15 votes and if he gets in it will be because of the pity bump at the end. But because they do finally squeek in they are suddenly bona fide HoF'ers. So for 14 votes the players did not meet the requirements and then at the very end it was "oh well, whatever, put him in".

[PVNICK]

In a way its weird that even in an "imaginary" HOF or voting that happens. I guess if you want to be fair some people may finally be swayed and "with the gun to their head" sort of finality of the 15th ballot they vote.

[Paul Wendt]

Now Walters has been up for 15 votes and if he gets in it will be because of the pity bump at the end. But because they do finally squeek in they are suddenly bona fide HoF'ers.

bona fide HOF?
This is the Baseball-Fever Progressive Hall of Fame. It isn't even the Baseball-Fever Hall of Fame. Say,

bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
...

They do sound the same if you say them fast enough.

[DoubleX]

And think about that. It took 15 votes and the pity bump at the end to get Gomez in. Now Walters has been up for 15 votes and if he gets in it will be because of the pity bump at the end. But because they do finally squeek in they are suddenly bona fide HoF'ers. So for 14 votes the players did not meet the requirements and then at the very end it was "oh well, whatever, put him in".

I'm not voting for Walters, but there have a couple of occasions where I voted for a player in his 15th year whom I did not previously support. In those instances, I saw the player as very borderline and voted more as deference to those who had been ardently supporting him rather than affirmatively voting against the player with a non-vote. In those very rare instances, I decided to not let my vote get in the way as a vote for has much less impact than a vote against given our small size. I suppose you could say in those rare instances, I was apathetic about including or excluding that player and saw a vote for as a manifestation of my apathy as a vote against would have had greater impact.

[Ubiquitous]

bona fide HOF?
This is the Baseball-Fever Progressive Hall of Fame. It isn't even the Baseball-Fever Hall of Fame. Say,

bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
bona fide HOF
baseball fever HOF
...

They do sound the same if you say them fast enough.

I'm not sure what your point is.

[Ubiquitous]

If nobody else votes Bucky Walters will get in. So how did the experts who actually saw Bucky play vote in real time? His first year he got 5 out of 193 votes and if they had the current rules he would have been dropped since he would have had less than 3% of the vote total. In 58 it is 33 votes, then in 60 it is down to 19 votes, in 62 it falls to 5 votes, in 64 it is 35 votes, then 56 votes, then 65 votes, then 67 votes, then it falls to 20 votes in 1969m up to 29 votes the next year, and that is it. High watermark for him is 1968 when he gets around 23% of the vote. So the people who saw him play, the people before him play and then the people who played after him didn't even come close to thinking Bucky Walters was a HoF'er.


On a sidenote it appears the HoF has redesigned their website once again and it appears that once again the HoF has removed even more information from the website.


PS: I was reading a NYT article from Koppett written in January of 1970 in which he says that it was highly possible that nobody would get elected that year and that there were no glamorous names on the list like there would be the next couple of years. And looking at the voting totals it would look odd to most of our eyes to see that Duke Snider in his first year election only got 51 votes (the same amount as Phil Cavarreta but less than Tommy Henrich, Alvin Dark, Johnny Vander Meer, Marty Mario, Gil Hodges, and Allie Reynolds) for 17% of the vote.

[DoubleX]

If nobody else votes Bucky Walters will get in. So how did the experts who actually saw Bucky play vote in real time? His first year he got 5 out of 193 votes and if they had the current rules he would have been dropped since he would have had less than 3% of the vote total. In 58 it is 33 votes, then in 60 it is down to 19 votes, in 62 it falls to 5 votes, in 64 it is 35 votes, then 56 votes, then 65 votes, then 67 votes, then it falls to 20 votes in 1969m up to 29 votes the next year, and that is it. High watermark for him is 1968 when he gets around 23% of the vote. So the people who saw him play, the people before him play and then the people who played after him didn't even come close to thinking Bucky Walters was a HoF'er.


On a sidenote it appears the HoF has redesigned their website once again and it appears that once again the HoF has removed even more information from the website.


PS: I was reading a NYT article from Koppett written in January of 1970 in which he says that it was highly possible that nobody would get elected that year and that there were no glamorous names on the list like there would be the next couple of years. And looking at the voting totals it would look odd to most of our eyes to see that Duke Snider in his first year election only got 51 votes (the same amount as Phil Cavarreta but less than Tommy Henrich, Alvin Dark, Johnny Vander Meer, Marty Mario, Gil Hodges, and Allie Reynolds) for 17% of the vote.

Your entire entry sums of why putting much stock in how the BBWAA voted might not be such an instructive exercise.

EDIT: Assuming an adjustment is made for blueblood's accidental vote, Walter is just over the line right now. While Walters' peak was nice, leading the league in ERA+ for two straight years while also being a great workhorse in leading the league in IP for three straight years, the entire body of work just seems a little short, IMO. A 115 ERA+ in 3,100 IP, and less than 200 wins (for those who care about that), while also pitching during the war depleted years (during which time he had a nice rebound to his career), isn't so impressive, and I fear the election of Walters will open the door up for anyone who had a 2-3 year period of greatness.

[Ubiquitous]

Well, elections were different back then. There was no 5% rule so there was no danger of a player vanishing from the ballot. So the voters tended to taste the players for a bit. chew them up a bit and see how they liked them. But it is pretty clear that the people who saw Bucky play and who saw all the players before him and after him did not think he was a HoF'er.

[DoubleX]

Well, elections were different back then. There was no 5% rule so there was no danger of a player vanishing from the ballot. So the voters tended to taste the players for a bit. chew them up a bit and see how they liked them. But it is pretty clear that the people who saw Bucky play and who saw all the players before him and after him did not think he was a HoF'er.

They also didn't think Johnny Mize was a HoF'er, as well as several other players we have elected (and will likely elect in the future). Anyway, it's a moot argument as we are not the BBWAA or Cooperstown, we are our own entity, with our own standards and perceptions. If we went by what Cooperstown has done to this point in time, we would not have elected a great many of the players we have elected.

You normally wouldn't strike me as one who would put much stock in the supposed enlightenment of the BBWAA.

[Paul Wendt]

On a sidenote it appears the HoF has redesigned their website once again and it appears that once again the HoF has removed even more information from the website.

Visit the NBHOFM website 1998 to 2008 at the Internet Archive. (The latest listing is July 31, 2008.)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://baseballhalloffame.org
That linkname is not a web address, it's a combination of two, but it is a valid shorthand at the archive site. Just now it worked for me. It doesn't always work so be prepared to try again later. I guess that the Internet Archive is overwhelmed with all that it stores and serves.

[Ubiquitous]

Well, I have always said the writers have done a very good job in selecting HoF'ers. It is the VC that I always had a problem with and it was the VC that muddied the waters.

The hall vote by the writers is a quick and easy snapshot of what the professional observers thought about a player's career. The people who got paid to watch and write about games during Walter's career clearly did not think he was a HoF'er. Furthermore Bucky's fellow players who made up the VC afterwards also clearly did not think he was a HoF'er and their standards for entry were much much lower than the writers.

[Ubiquitous]

Visit the NBHOFM website 1998 to 2008 at the Internet Archive. (The latest listing is July 31, 2008.)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://baseballhalloffame.org
That linkname is not a web address, it's a combination of two, but it is a valid shorthand at the archive site. Just now it worked for me. It doesn't always work so be prepared to try again later. I guess that the Internet Archive is overwhelmed with all that it stores and serves.

I just go to Google and get it. This happened the last time they redesigned their site as well. They remove the buttons to get to something but they don't actually remove the content. So if you know what you are looking for you can get it through Google and then just bookmark it.

[DoubleX]

Just for consumption, here is a of MLB players we have elected through 1968 that Cooperstown has not by this point (and may never in many cases):

Players Eventually Elected by BBWAA (5)
Lou Boudreau (1970)
Roy Campanella (1969)
Ralph Kiner (1975)
Bob Lemon (1976)
Early Wynn (1972)

Players Eventually Elected by VC (24)
Richie Ashburn (1995)
Earl Averill (1975)
Jake Beckley (1971)
Roger Connor (1976)
Stan Coveleski (1969)
George Davis (1998)
Larry Doby (1998)
Bobby Doerr (1986)
Lefty Gomez (1972)
Joe Gordon (2009)
Billy Herman (1975)
Addie Joss (1978)
Joe Kelley (1971)
Bid McPhee (2000)
Johnny Mize (1981)
Hal Newhouser (1992)
Pee Wee Reese (1984)
Amos Rusie (1977)
Joe Sewell (1977)
Enos Slaughter (1985)
Sam Thompson (1974)
Arky Vaughan (1985)
Mickey Welch (1973)
Vic Willis (1995)

Players Never Elected to Cooperstown (30)
Ross Barnes
Charlie Bennett
Pete Browning
Bob Caruthers
Cupid Childs
Wilbur Cooper
Bill Dahlen
Larry Doyle
Bob Elliott
Wes Ferrell
Jack Glasscock
George Gore
Heinie Groh
Stan Hack
Paul Hines
Tommy Leach
Herman Long
Sherry Magee
Cal McVey
Tony Mullane
Dickey Pearce
Lip Pike
Hardy Richardson
Jimmy Ryan
Jimmy Sheckard
Joe Start
Harry Stovey
Ezra Sutton
George Van Haltren
Deacon White

On the flipside, Cooperstown through 1969, has elected the following 12 players that we have yet to elect:

Chief Bender (1953 - VC)
Jack Chesbro (1946 - VC)
Candy Cummings (1939 - VC)
Kiki Cuyler (1968 - VC)
Johnny Evers (1946 - VC)
Waite Hoyt (1969 - VC)
Tommy McCarthy (1946 - VC)
Heinie Manush (1964 - VC)
Herb Pennock (1948 - BBWAA)
Ray Schalk (1955 - VC)
Joe Tinker (1946 - VC)
Lloyd Waner (1967 - VC)

We've also elected 33 former Negro Leaguers years before Cooperstown began to consider them.

[Paul Wendt]

Mike XX closed,

...
I fear the election of Walters will open the door up for anyone who had a 2-3 year period of greatness.

If you count only 2-3 years for Walters, his degree of "greatness" is fairly high; his election still won't "open the door" for many.


--My problem with Walters and perhaps Pierce is that they don't look as good to me as the rejected Tommy Bridges. Walters was on my ballot until Bridges eligibility ran out (Bucky is back on for his last try this year). I could possibly be convinced Pierce is better, but unless/until Bridges makes it via the VC that sets a new and higher standard for pitchers on my ballot.

--Every decision on the borderline causes the standard to shift at least a little. If we elect a guy who is below my standards I need to revaluate and decide whether my standards need to be adjusted or whether I should just view that player as an anomoly (several "anomolies" does establish a new and lower standard). Ditto when a guy I see as a little over the line be excluded. Is it just a disagreement on the merits of that one particular player or are standards tightening up?
I suppose that one particular player becomes a focal point for one voter on highly personal grounds. It's Tommy Bridges for Mark leecemark because he likes Detroit and he worked to make the argument for Bridges, a kind of investment in Bridges. It may be Lefty Gomez for someone else, who therefore feels that standards are slackening. Gomez may be a focal point for a third person, too, but that one considers Gomez the equal of Vance and Coveleski, and feels no slackening on that basis.

back to that question Mark asks himself (bold),
generally it's disagreement on the merits of particular players, or uneven attention. Some people push buttons during the baseball season or the academic semester, read the arguments at another time of year, etc.

[mwiggins]

Well, I have always said the writers have done a very good job in selecting HoF'ers. It is the VC that I always had a problem with and it was the VC that muddied the waters.

The hall vote by the writers is a quick and easy snapshot of what the professional observers thought about a player's career. The people who got paid to watch and write about games during Walter's career clearly did not think he was a HoF'er. Furthermore Bucky's fellow players who made up the VC afterwards also clearly did not think he was a HoF'er and their standards for entry were much much lower than the writers.

You could say the same thing about Arky Vaughan. He never came remotely close to being elected by the writers, and was ignored by the VC for nearly two decades. Nobody's saying Walters = Vaughan, but if both the writers and former players can miss so badly on a player like Vaughan then it stands to reason they could miss on a borderline prospect like Walters.

And to use another example, Lon Warneke never got more than 4 votes for the Hall - MUCH less support than Walters rec'd. And the VC did not elect him either. Yet you considered him worthy of the Hall and gave him your vote. Given their fairly similar stats, I'm not sure voting for Walters is any different than voting for Warneke, so it seems odd that you'd argue againt Walters induction.

[Ubiquitous]

I gave Lon a vote much the same way a writer here or there gives Scott Sanderson a vote. If Lon was a serious threat to be elected I wouldn't vote for him.


As I said before if the hall only comprised what the writers chose I would be happy with that hall. Yes some players would be on the outside looking in but considering that almost no mistakes would be on the inside looking in I would be fine with that.

[mwiggins]

As I said before if the hall only comprised what the writers chose I would be happy with that hall. Yes some players would be on the outside looking in but considering that almost no mistakes would be on the inside looking in I would be fine with that.

That would make this project not too much fun, though. ;)

I hear what you're saying. And I would probably agree if the writers actually had stricter standards than the VC, which for the most part hasn't been the case. The VC has elected it's share of clunkers, but it's also elected some upper-echelon HoFers that were missed by the writers. And the writers have also elected a number of lower tier Hall of Famers.

And with that setup, you'd have a Hall where guys like Drysdale, Aparicio, Hunter, Rice, Terry, Pennock, Lemon, Brock, Fingers, Perry, Wynn and Medwick were Hall of Famers - but Mize, Vaughan, Brouthers, Ewing, Connor, Nichols, Gosslin, Brown, Collins, and G. Davis were on the outside looking in.

[DoubleX]

And with that setup, you'd have a Hall where guys like Drysdale, Aparicio, Hunter, Rice, Terry, Pennock, Lemon, Brock, Fingers, Perry, Wynn and Medwick were Hall of Famers - but Mize, Vaughan, Brouthers, Ewing, Connor, Nichols, Gosslin, Brown, Collins, and G. Davis were on the outside looking in.

To be fair, there were certain ramifications stemming from Cooperstown not inducting players until 1936. First, there was an enormous backlog of players to go through, including players that hadn't played in over a half century. Second, while wading through the enormous backlog of players and figuring out constitutes a Hall of Famer, the writers also had to deal with newly eligible players and assess them against a very nebulous backdrop and developing backdrop. As a result of both these things, players, particularly some older ones, may have got lost in the shuffle, while more recent players who may not have been among the true elite, got pushed into the back of the line and may have had to wait longer than they should have. If Cooperstown had started in 1901, as we did, I have little doubt that it's roster would be very different as the voters would have been able to take a better and more contemporary look at players, particularly before 1936.

[Ubiquitous]

That would make this project not too much fun, though. ;)

No matter where you set the line there will always be borderline cases.




I hear what you're saying. And I would probably agree if the writers actually had stricter standards than the VC, which for the most part hasn't been the case. The VC has elected it's share of clunkers, but it's also elected some upper-echelon HoFers that were missed by the writers. And the writers have also elected a number of lower tier Hall of Famers.

And with that setup, you'd have a Hall where guys like Drysdale, Aparicio, Hunter, Rice, Terry, Pennock, Lemon, Brock, Fingers, Perry, Wynn and Medwick were Hall of Famers - but Mize, Vaughan, Brouthers, Ewing, Connor, Nichols, Gosslin, Brown, Collins, and G. Davis were on the outside looking in.

What DoubleX said. Plus some of the writers mistakes are mistakes that based on the VC mistakes creating a standard for others to follow. Plus it also hurts that for the most part baseball followers had a mistaken view of what stats were actually important. In regards to pitchers the biggest factors for induction for the longest time was wins and the big game. Lots of wins (either over a career or on a seasonal basis) and playing (and winning) the big game got you into the hall.

[jjpm74]

I suppose that one particular player becomes a focal point for one voter on highly personal grounds. It's Tommy Bridges for Mark leecemark because he likes Detroit and he worked to make the argument for Bridges, a kind of investment in Bridges. It may be Lefty Gomez for someone else, who therefore feels that standards are slackening. Gomez may be a focal point for a third person, too, but that one considers Gomez the equal of Vance and Coveleski, and feels no slackening on that basis.


There are five pitchers on the outside looking in who have vocal supporters:

1. Urban Shocker
2. Bucky Walters
3. Tommy Bridges
4. Billy Pierce
5. Lon Warneke

I doubt any of them will get elected, but they will stay on their respective ballots through the eventual conclusion of this project. I intentionally placed them according to how I personally rank them based on the system I use. Someone else who uses a different system will rank them differently. In a small hall project, none of these 5 would be over the line for me. Here, I can see the top 4 over the line, but I adpoted a large hall approach to this project and large hall is also my personal philosophy when it comes to the NBHoFM.

[Paul Wendt]

and Carl Mays.
Shocker, Mays, Grimes, and Cooper have scored 60-80% in recent veterans committee elections.

Although we have not elected Shocker, I've continued to vote for pitchers who are weaker candidates in my opinion, and some of them have been elected. It's Shocker in mind for me, suggesting to leecemark that he shouldn't adjust to the group's rejection of Bridges (or its elevation of Gomez).

[leecemark]

--Obviously it isn't just an anomoly then. There is a significant group of pitchers of similar quality of whom some have made it and more have not. Which group then is the mistake?
--Of the 30s AL pitcher Bridges pretty clearly is a better career candidate than either Gomez or Ferrell, both of whom made it. Both do have some plusses that apparently amde them more attractive to enough voters to make the difference. Ferrell as a great (the greatest?) hitting pitcher. Gomez his two Triple Crown seasons and siginifcant role in a series of Yankee championships.
--Walters shares some of those plusses - the big seasons and the good bat. Bridges has neither. He is more like Pierce on this ballot. Amoung the better pitchers in the league for a good number of years, but never having the huge season.

[DoubleX]

--Of the 30s AL pitcher Bridges pretty clearly is a better career candidate than either Gomez or Ferrell, both of whom made it. Both do have some plusses that apparently amde them more attractive to enough voters to make the difference. Ferrell as a great (the greatest?) hitting pitcher. Gomez his two Triple Crown seasons and siginifcant role in a series of Yankee championships.

Given that Gomez and Ferrell are in, at least partly due to the reasons you mentioned, that would seem to indicate that Bridges is not "pretty clearly a better candidate."

I supported Bridges and will continue to support him on the VC, but if elected, like Ferrell and Gomez, I believe Bridges will be among the weakest pitchers we have elected.

I know we had some discussion on Bridges, but I recall having more on Gomez and Ferrell - maybe you should consider stating Bridges' case prior to next year's VC election? It would be a good use of that Omissions thread I started a few weeks ago.

I also agree with you that Pierce and Bridges are alike in that while both were consistently good to very good, neither really had that exclamation mark peak to attract extra attention. Though in Pierce's case, for whatever it's worth, he was twice selected as the Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year, and had that 199 ERA+ year (though in a relatively pedestrian 205 IP).

[leecemark]

--Bridges has more IP and a higher ERA+ than either Ferrell or Gomez. Its pretty tough to argue that either had more career value. As I said, they do have other things going for them that apparently appealled to enough voters to squeeze over the line while Bridges was a narrow miss. Of course the relative worthiness of these 3 candidates isn't relevant to this thread - except in determining the in-out line for pitchers who are on this ballot. There appears to be a pretty big gray area for pitchers with guys in that border zone having perhaps a 50% success rate in being selected.
--That being the case those gray area guys need to have a little something extra to sell to get my vote. Walters case appears headed to the VC. For Pierce he is going to need somebody or several somebodies making a case for why he should rise above the" good, but.." group.

[DoubleX]

I know it can be arbitrary to pick a decade and see how a player did during that period, but Pierce's best years are nicely bookmarked by 1950 and 1959, making him a real product of the 1950s. And he had a pretty good 10 year period, putting up a 128 ERA+ in nearly 2400 IP and going 155-121. If you shave off 1959, he has a 131 ERA+ for that 9 year period in 2150+ IP. That's a pretty good peak, IMO, but does anyone know how it measures up to others during that period?

[Ubiquitous]

I know it can be arbitrary to pick a decade and see how a player did during that period, but Pierce's best years are nicely bookmarked by 1950 and 1959, making him a real product of the 1950s. And he had a pretty good 10 year period, putting up a 128 ERA+ in nearly 2400 IP and going 155-121. If you shave off 1959, he has a 131 ERA+ for that 9 year period in 2150+ IP. That's a pretty good peak, IMO, but does anyone know how it measures up to others during that period?

9 year periods from 1946 to 1965 (minimum of 1700 IP) and greater than or equal to 128 ERA+

Robin Roberts II
Warren Spahn II
Mel Parnell
Billy Pierce III
Whitey Ford V

[DoubleX]

9 year periods from 1946 to 1965 (minimum of 1700 IP) and greater than or equal to 128 ERA+

Robin Roberts II
Warren Spahn II
Mel Parnell
Billy Pierce III
Whitey Ford V

If you're using a 9 year period, Pierce's ERA+ would be 130; the 128 I posted above was for a 10 year period. Anyway, it's select company. Roberts, Spahn, and Ford, will all almost certainly cruise into our Hall, while Parnell suffers from having a short career and not being much of a workhorse outside of one season. In fact, he only played 10 seasons, in three of those he didn't reach 100 IP and only got to 131 in a fourth. So he's a clear exception, and I would say Pierce is much closer to being on footing with Roberts, Spahn, and Ford, at least using this 9 year measurement. Thanks for that!

[Freakshow]

Highest ERA+ during Pierce's era. All pitchers with 2000 IP who debuted 1939+ and retired by 1972:

Rk Player ERA+ W WHIP IP To From
1-H Hoyt Wilhelm 146 143 1.13 2254.1 1952 1972
2-H Whitey Ford 133 236 1.22 3170.1 1950 1967
3-H Sandy Koufax 131 165 1.11 2324.1 1955 1966
4-H Hal Newhouser 130 207 1.31 2993.0 1939 1955
5 Dizzy Trout 124 170 1.35 2725.2 1939 1957
6-H Don Drysdale 121 209 1.15 3432.0 1956 1969
7 Billy Pierce 119 211 1.26 3306.2 1945 1964
8-H Bob Lemon 119 207 1.34 2850.0 1946 1958
9 Dean Chance 118 128 1.21 2147.1 1961 1971
10-H Warren Spahn 118 363 1.20 5243.2 1942 1965
11 Mike Garcia 117 142 1.32 2174.2 1948 1961
12 Virgil Trucks 116 177 1.31 2682.1 1941 1958
13 Ed Lopat 116 166 1.28 2439.1 1944 1955
14-H Jim Bunning 114 224 1.18 3760.1 1955 1971
15 Don Newcombe 114 149 1.20 2154.2 1949 1960
16 Frank Lary 114 128 1.27 2162.1 1954 1965
17 Howie Pollet 113 131 1.35 2107.1 1941 1956
18-H Robin Roberts 113 286 1.17 4688.2 1948 1966
19 Larry Jackson 113 194 1.24 3262.2 1955 1968
Highest ERA+ during Pierce's prime, 1951-58, minimum 1000 IP:

Rk Player ERA+ IP W L WHIP SO/BB
1 Whitey Ford 142 1245.2 96 39 1.24 1.4
2 Billy Pierce 134 1939.2 129 90 1.21 2.0
3 Frank Sullivan 132 1174.0 75 53 1.26 1.7
4 Johnny Antonelli 127 1381.2 95 79 1.25 1.7
5 Warren Spahn 127 2237.2 160 99 1.17 1.9
6 Sal Maglie 123 1432.2 96 54 1.26 1.6
7 Frank Lary 122 1030.2 62 59 1.33 1.5
8 Robin Roberts 120 2450.0 164 121 1.12 3.0
9 Bobby Shantz 117 1124.0 73 54 1.25 1.7
10 Mike Garcia 116 1704.1 114 74 1.30 1.7
11 Bob Lemon 116 1727.1 127 83 1.32 1.1
12 Early Wynn 114 2092.2 148 101 1.27 1.5
13 Curt Simmons 114 1400.2 86 79 1.29 1.6
14 Don Newcombe 114 1284.1 94 54 1.20 2.3
15 Virgil Trucks 113 1352.1 87 71 1.35 1.3
16 Lew Burdette 111 1572.2 105 67 1.26 1.4

[PVNICK]

Looking at that chart and using Bob Lemon, who went in pretty easily, as the litmus test means its hard to say no to Pierce. Same ERA+ and Pierce had more wins and 500 more IP. Without looking perhaps Lemon's peak was more impressive but still ...

[DoubleX]

Looking at that chart and using Bob Lemon, who went in pretty easily, as the litmus test means its hard to say no to Pierce. Same ERA+ and Pierce had more wins and 500 more IP. Without looking perhaps Lemon's peak was more impressive but still ...

Lemon's WHIP was also noticeably higher, by .12. But, what likely sets Lemon apart are the 7 20 win seasons (plus leading the league another year when he didn't even reach 20), that he was a great workhorse, and pretty handy with the bat. So I can understand someone perhaps drawing a line between the two.

That being said, using the nice chart Freakshow posted, it would appear that during his 8 year peak, which is a good stretch, Pierce has a strong argument for being the second best pitcher in baseball, and probably has a strong argument for being among the 7 best in that 30+ year period Freakshow posted.

[Senor Octobre]

And Minoso barely squeeks in. A shame, he should have had more votes.

[jjpm74]

And Minoso barely squeeks in. A shame, he should have had more votes.

In's in. Minoso managed to get a 3/4ths majority his first eligible year without much discussion.

[dgarza]

And Minoso barely squeeks in. A shame, he should have had more votes.Well, we knew he was going to get in sooner rather than later anyway. Why not on his first try?

What? Do you think we would have waited until he was 85 to elect him?

[Paul Wendt]

He looks like he can still play!


In's in. Minoso managed to get a 3/4ths majority his first eligible year without much discussion.

2009:
Minoso is one of the most celebrated candidates for Cooperstown's hall of fame. He was a cause celebre three years ago when the "Negro Leagues Committee" did not elect him. People have made up their minds.

In the Ultimate Quest for HOF Candidates (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=1271432&postcount=154) last year in this forum, twenty voters collaborated to elect him rank #6 among all major league players retired before 2003 (and not in Cooperstown then).

This year another group of voters in this forum, with different procedures, collaborated to rank him #12 of 55 or 56 in Hall of Fame Purgatory (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=93791). (One may be in Limbo.)

--
Considering Minoso's fame as a candidate, and the general support for him in this forum, I am surprised that he scored only two votes more than Walters --only one preference more than Walters, recogizing someone's ballot box error. It's a tiny margin.

[jjpm74]

I was wondering when 1970 was going to be posted?

[Ace Venom]

I was wondering when 1970 was going to be posted?

I took an unannounced vacation from the project out of consideration for participants due to the holidays. I'll be posting the 1970 election Monday afternoon.