New HOFers
 

Curious to hear what people on this side of the board think of the new Hall of Fame class -- Gil Hodges, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat, Buck O'Neil and Bud Fowler.
I've always thought Hodges was the most deserving eligible player who hadn't yet made it. Also thrilled for O'Neil, Minoso and Oliva. Kaat is a bit borderline for me, but still happy for him.
Great that Bud Fowler made it, although to be honest, he's a bit before my time!

Let's see what kind of memorabilia is out there -- I'll start with some game bats, a '65 Oliva jersey and a unique Hodges autographed photo. Somewhere around here I have an Olive rookie bat and a '59 Minoso All Star bat, but I'll have to post them later. Update: having trouble posting the Oliva jersey photos.

Greg

Hi Greg,
I was of the belief that Hodges and Kaat would make it, but wasn't certain that the others would get in.

Hi Scott,

I was stunned, but pleasantly surprised, that four from the Golden Age list made it -- I thought it might just be one, but if they picked two I was predicting Hodges and Dick Allen (who really should be in).


Greg

+1 Agreed

and nice bats

I believed that Dick Allen would go in as well, Greg. ;)

Dick Allen > Harold Baines, no?

Not sure that Baines should represent the new "bar" for HOF status, but yes, I would take Dick Allen, Lou Whitaker and Dale Murphy over Baines. Perhaps Mattingly and Keith Hernandez as well.

And those are just the 1970s-80s guys!

Oliva jersey --

Greg

Beautiful jersey!!!!!

Greg you have a beautiful collection

Sweeeeeeeeeet! Gorgeous jersey.... that's great he got in.

I have seen there has been a lot of animosity for Dick Allen's exclusion this time around. I have no ill will towards any of the new Hall of Famers. In the case of Oliva and Kaat, I am very happy to see them enshrined while still alive. Hodges was so long overdue. Several factors led to his exclusion. He was kind of lost in the shuffle of those legendary Dodgers Teams he played for. I would say it wasn't until he managed the Miracle Mets to their 69 Title that he really got looked at for something directly related to him. Then just a couple seasons following that win he suddenly passed away very young. Following his death was also an offensive explosion which made his career numbers pale in comparison to what they were at the time of his retirement. Hodges candidacy found ways to lose out. I am very happy that his widow was alive to know he is a Hall of Famer. Many say what they say about Harold Baines. I look at it this way. Did Harold Baines play his way into Hall of Fame Conversation? In my opinion that is an overwhelming yes. If you have played your way into the conversation, there's a chance! As far as Allen goes, this clearing of a log jam may just be the best thing for his candidacy. Now that several players are off the ballot, that will make the choice much easier when that era comes back up in 5 years. None of the rest of the names on the Golden Era Ballot names outside of Allen strike me as a Hall of Famer.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Dick Allen’s passing. And, it’s utterly shameful that the Veteran’s Committee couldn’t induct him while he was still alive. They certainly learned nothing from their failure to induct Minnie Minoso while he was still alive.

Allen is 18th all-time in OPS+. His name appears directly before Willie Mays and Hank Aaron on the list.

This whole “he was difficult, he didn’t get along with the media” narrative is utter crap. Ted Williams didn’t either, but he was voted in immediately. It bothers me to think that some of the voters would hold Allen out because he was a difficult black man. But I wouldn’t doubt it.

All that matters is a player’s performance. Nothing else. Dick Allen, or Richie Allen, or whatever name they choose to call him by…is inarguably one of the greatest offensive players in Major League Baseball history, and his continued exclusion from the Hall of Fame is a travesty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the compliments guys -- two things I've always picked up over the years are pitchers bats and Tony O. items, so I just happen to have a lot of material when it comes to Kaat and Oliva.

Glad to see Dick Allen get some love here.

Greg

It's really amazing to see how similar Dick Allen's stats are, compared to Dave Parker. Really close on so many measures. But Parker had the "laser gun" throwing arm in right field, and two World Championships (Allen had none).

I would have to say that if Allen eventually gets in, Dave Parker has to be in as well. He was actually the most feared hitter in baseball for quite a few years.

I would whole heartedly agree on "The Cobra" as well, Mark. ;)

The guy I want in was also a “difficult black man.” Yes, he took steroids but probably so did Piazza, Pudge and Bagwell. Many HOF voters are sanctimonious hypocrites. :mad:

Finally taking stock of my HOFer inventory. I knew I sent Minnie a TTM request some time ago but had forgotten about the other item he sent back to me......

+1 agreed.......those who made it .....deserve it

Some Tony Oliva items.

Love the bats. Hodges was due!

Hodges and his welcoming committee after his 1956 WS game 1 homer.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/158992597@N08/51948604058/in/album-72157668696860149/" title="1956WSGm1JRHodges"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51948604058_df2270910f_c.jpg" width="800" height="629" alt="1956WSGm1JRHodges"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I agree that Hodges was long overdue. The rest were worthy inductees but Kaat's inclusion was borderline IMO.

Love the collections, esp that Olivia batting champ pennant.