HOF quality times 2 project, contributor ballot

[jalbright]

Here's the second half of the project, with those who got at least 60% of the vote based solely upon their play. Now, we're considering which ones of the survivors deserve the Hall without consideration of their play. I'm noting those who had less than 75% with an asterisk (*).

[jalbright]

The prior thread is here: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showth...imes-2-project

Here's my take on the names on the ballot as contributors:

Anson, Cap A manager with his level of success (5 pennants in the pre WS days, a .578 career winning percentage, and 1282 wins) would get in as well IMHO.

Boudreau, Lou I can’t see his one WS title being enough on the contributor side, especially with an overall sub .500 record.

Clarke, Fred Managers with his level of success, even if blessed with a Honus Wagner, make the Hall (4 pennants, 1 WS title, 1600+ wins, .576 winning percentage).

Cochrane, Mickey Borderline at best as a manager (2 pennants, 1 WS title, only 348 wins, but a .582 career mark).

Cronin, Joe Two pennants and a winning record, but no WS titles isn't enough for me.

Dihigo, Martin He won 2 pennants as a manager in Cuban Winter ball and one in Mexico in the 40’s when that league was benefitting from a WW II influx of Negro League talent. I'm not biting, though.

Frisch, Frankie Take away his playing exploits, and you’re left with his “contributions” in the Veteran’s Committee plus a single World Series title and a .514 career winning percentage, which doesn’t get it done for me.

Gordon, Joe He has no titles as a manager and a sub .500 winning percentage. That doesn't make my cut.

Lemon, Bob As a manager, he’s closer than you might think with two pennants (1 in the second half of 81) and a World Series title up against a .516 career winning percentage and only 430 wins. Still, not enough to gain my vote.

Mendez, Jose I wavered on him, previously supporting him but now backing away. He won three straight Negro League pennants with the KC Monarchs, one of them resulting in a Negro League World Series win.

Robinson, Frank On the contributor side, though, about all he has is being the first African American manager, because a sub .500 career mark with no seasons winning a division (much less a pennant or World Series) isn’t what we associate with a HOF manager. Not enough for my vote.

Spalding, Al A tremendous early promoter of the game and sporting goods magnate who deserves induction for his work as a contributor.

Torre, Joe It would be unprecedented to keep a manager with his amount of success out of the Hall, even if he never played in the majors.

Ward, John Montgomery Once you get to the contributor level, the man was such a force in the early days of the game that leaving him out would be a travesty.

[westsidegrounds]

As contributors, Spalding & Ward no question.

[jalbright]

This project is now over. No one got 75% for both parts of the ballot, which probably explains why Cooperstown doesn't have dual inductions. Two guys got at least 60% on both parts, John Montgomery Ward and Al Spalding. There's a guy I'd include in that group with an asterisk, Joe Torre, as one voter in the contributor ballot voted only for Frank Robinson, which frankly is a pretty hard ballot to defend--not so much voting for Frank, but in voting for Frank and none of the others. If you exclude that one ballot, Joe Torre would make the 60% level on both ballots.