Veterans Committee Ballot for pre-integration era released

[George H Ruth]

Samuel Breadon
Bill Dahlen
Wes Ferrell
Marty Marion
Tony Mullane
Hank O’Day
Al Reach
Jacob Ruppert
Bucky Walters
Deacon White

[jjpm74]

Not a bad list. I would have liked to see Bob Caruthers make the final cut.

[J W]

My opinion:

1) Bill Dahlen - almost universally regarded around here as one of the top players not in Cooperstown. I hope he is elected.

2) Deacon White - perhaps the best 19th century position player left on the board... my drawback is that his best statistical years came in the 1870s. Still, as a pioneering star he would be a fine addition.

3) Al Reach - I'm really happy that this guy is on the ballot. He is in my opinion one of the most influential contributors that hasn't been enshrined yet.

4) Tony Mullane - another solid 19th century choice, though I would have rather seen Bob Caruthers. Mullane's time in the American Association may be what keeps the board from voting for him.

5) Wes Ferrell - the pitcher with the 100 OPS+. His election would make some people on the board very happy. Interesting addition to the list of nominees.

6) Jacob Ruppert - Yankee owner for 25 years, purchased Babe Ruth and built Yankee Stadium. Pretty much makes him a viable candidate by default.

7) Bucky Walters - I think the committee had better choices at this point; Walters would be among the "cream of the crop" at the "bottom of the barrell" in Cooperstown.

8) Hank O'Day - player, manager, umpire... something to ponder for a few minutes. Ten world series managed, second only to Bill Klem's eighteen.

9) Samuel Breadon - third owner on the list, has the weakest resume though his Cardinal teams won an awful lot. Most of the credit goes to Branch Rickey. There were a number of other contributors I would have rather seen on the list. Or players for that matter.

10) Marty Marion - had half of Rabbit Maranville's career. Would be the worst SS in Cooperstown.

[TomBodet]

Dahlen, Mullane and Ferrell would be my picks, esp Bad Bill.

[ol' aches and pains]

Bill Dahen and Wes Ferrell wouldn't sully the Hall by their presence.

[Cowtipper]

I like Dahlen and Mullane. White wouldn't be bad.

[leecemark]

--I like White best of the bunch. Ferrell would be a strong choice. Dahlen is certainly qualified, although he doesn't really have the backstory I'd prefer in adding someone from so long ago. Mullane is a good name to have on the list, although kind of a borderline candidate. Walters wouldn't be a bad choice, but there are probably better options.
Marion isn't one of the 100 best players outside the Hall.
--Reach is the best of the contributors. Rupert's main claim to fame is being willing to put big bucks into the Yankees, but he did get what turned out to be the most successfull franchise in history on the right path. He wouldn't be a bad choice. Breadon doesn't appear to really stand out amoung owners to me. O'Day's leading role was as an umpire and I have no idea which, if any, umps are deserving.

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

When are the 2013 inductees announced?

[Bothrops Atrox]

Dahlen and Ferrel are easy HOFers. Mullane and White wouldn't make me stir up my emotions either way.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I think Cecil Travis should be on that list.

[toomanyhatz]

Time for an Irish-born player to be in the hall, considering how many were huge contributors at the turn of the century. I'd probably take Tommy Bond first, personally, but I'd like to see Mullane in for this reason (though by all accounts he was a racist and a nasty piece of work).

[dgarza]

1) Bill Dahlen - almost universally regarded around here as one of the top players not in Cooperstown. I hope he is elected.

2) Deacon White - perhaps the best 19th century position player left on the board... my drawback is that his best statistical years came in the 1870s. Still, as a pioneering star he would be a fine addition.

There are several fine choices on this ballot, but these 2 (especially White, he would be the 1st real NA player recognized since the 40s [Pud Galvin only played 8 games in the NA, so his NA time is not significant]) would make me most happy to see elected.

[JR Hart]

If Maz is in , why not Marion. He was supposed to be the best ever.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I was really hoping Sherry Magee would have been on the ballot. I think they're not going to elect more than one, and I hope it's Bill Dahlen. It'll probably be Marty Marion, and if they choose an exec, Jacob Ruppert. I pretty much am on board with J W in regards to candidate worthiness.

[George H Ruth]

My opinion:

1) Bill Dahlen - almost universally regarded around here as one of the top players not in Cooperstown. I hope he is elected.

2) Deacon White - perhaps the best 19th century position player left on the board... my drawback is that his best statistical years came in the 1870s. Still, as a pioneering star he would be a fine addition.

3) Al Reach - I'm really happy that this guy is on the ballot. He is in my opinion one of the most influential contributors that hasn't been enshrined yet.

4) Tony Mullane - another solid 19th century choice, though I would have rather seen Bob Caruthers. Mullane's time in the American Association may be what keeps the board from voting for him.

5) Wes Ferrell - the pitcher with the 100 OPS+. His election would make some people on the board very happy. Interesting addition to the list of nominees.

6) Jacob Ruppert - Yankee owner for 25 years, purchased Babe Ruth and built Yankee Stadium. Pretty much makes him a viable candidate by default.

7) Bucky Walters - I think the committee had better choices at this point; Walters would be among the "cream of the crop" at the "bottom of the barrell" in Cooperstown.

8) Hank O'Day - player, manager, umpire... something to ponder for a few minutes. Ten world series managed, second only to Bill Klem's eighteen.

9) Samuel Breadon - third owner on the list, has the weakest resume though his Cardinal teams won an awful lot. Most of the credit goes to Branch Rickey. There were a number of other contributors I would have rather seen on the list. Or players for that matter.

10) Marty Marion - had half of Rabbit Maranville's career. Would be the worst SS in Cooperstown.

Great list, JW. The only change I would make is to put Ruppert at the top — frankly, I think he should have been elected 60 years ago and I'm surprised he isn't in yet.

Dahlen and White should have been locks years ago. Reach probably should be in too, simply for his overall influence on the game (like his sporting-goods-magnate counterpart, Al Spalding).

http://sabr.org/research/deacon-white-overlooked-19th-century-legend

The others? Pass. Mullane's interesting but ultimately inferior. None of the others are even close.