future HOF autos
 

I am always thinking ahead. With the Eras committee set up as it is, everyone who played, managed, umped, Negro Leagues, Rose, Shoeless Joe, etc is only looked at once every 3 years (compared.to the other 2 committees I think these divisions are insane but that is for another time). With so few spots on this "Classic Era" ballot covering so many decades and types of folks- do you have any feel for who they might pick. Some people miss by 1 vote like Allie Reynolds only to get zero votes next time. I am trying to cut down my collection alittle bit but would hate to sell someone who makes it in the next 10 years (I'll probably hang it up by then if I live that long)
Who has a shot?

I think it's the contemporary ballot for 2025 so guys who played the bulk of their careers 1980 and later.

I don't think any steroid users are going to make it. However, I do think someone like a Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, and maybe even a Keith Hernandez would get some strong consideration this time around. I am probably forgetting a bunch but those are names that stick out to me.

Luckily, they are all easy to obtain quality signatures of.

thanks. I am talking 2027 ballot though

I have heard big talking heads discuss Vic Harris

I dont know if they are ever going to be considered or given a spot on the ballot but in the past umpire Charles Rigler, and executive Sam Breadon have always been seen as possible Hall of Famers

Enough Vic Harris. I'm sorry, he's been voted on to death as of late and he did not make it. Time to move on and consider other equally worthy candidates.

I think Curt Flood has a chance of one day getting the consideration as a pioneer that he deserves.

I also think there may come a day that Bill Dinneen gets in as an umpire. It is already baffling that they voted Hank O'Day in as recently as 2013 but haven't even considered Dinneen.

Leo Mazzone on a 1980s/90s ballot.

I'll be sitting pretty if the names mentioned get inducted. Fingers crossed. Got my Glasscocks, Bond, Veaches and Weyhings here for backup, no matter how slim any of their chances. They're not going anywhere otherwise.

Is there any precedent for a coach, not a manager, to be inducted?

No precedent for coaches, but if they ever went that direction, Mazzone would be top of the list I'd suspect.

I've always held out hope for Dummy Hoy and Samuel Leever. Mostly because I own their signatures.

I'd love to see Jack Glasscock and Lefty O'Doul get in.

I'd love to see Vic Harris

I agree with you, Michael, the categories are insane, and it is a disservice to each component of those categories to be lumped together. When that happens, it isn't fair to anyone. It seems obvious to me that there is a HOF bias toward inducting more modern players, and that only hurts the chances of early baseball players, managers, Negro Leaguers, and Executives. Each of those should have their own categories and be up for voting every few years.

I disagree with Packs. It is a travesty that deserving Negro leaguers like Vic Harris and John Donaldson are not in the Hall of Fame. Vic Harris' name has been on a HOF ballot three times. Gil Hodges’ name appeared on a ballot 35 times before he was elected; Dave Parker was on the ballot 19 times, Dale Murphy has appeared on a ballot 20 times, as has Steve Garvey, and Garvey is also on the 2025 list to be considered. How many chances do these guys get to get voted on?

Vic Haris has a compelling case for the Hall of Fame. Vic Harris played for 25 years as a player, was 7 times an All Star, compiling a lifetime .304 batting average. As a manager, Harris was the greatest Negro League Manager of All Time. He compiled a 754-352 record for a .682 winning percentage. He won 7 pennants and 1 World Series.

Why isn’t Vic Harris in Cooperstown? I think it was the competition: the same reason it took Hodges 35 years, and Parker 19 years. In 2022, Harris competed against a quality field and the electorate selected Oliva, Kaat, Bud Fowler, Buck O’Neil, Hodges and Minoso. Even against that field, Harris received 10 votes, 2 short of election. He finished right behind Dick Allen, who got 11 votes. He got more votes than Boyer, Allie Reynolds, Lefty O’Doul, Maury Wills, Bill Dahlen, Danny Murtaugh, Roger Maris.
In 2024, Harris’ support slipped, but he was competing against Tommy John, Dick Allen, Dave Parker. Voters remember the players, but Harris’ career ended over 75 years ago and that hurt him among voters not familiar with Negro League baseball.

Vic Harris has earned a spot in Cooperstown and when voters realize what he accomplished in Negro League baseball, he should be elected, but it may not happen any time soon. Or if he must always compete against more modern candidates, he may never get in.