[Louieman]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

He was certainly a great player, but proclaiming that he "helped spread the game globally" is a bit too nice. He is also credited with being one of the most racially intolerant players of the day, refusing to play exhibition games (and even major league games) versus dark-skinned players.

He was also known to have been one of the most prolific bettors on baseball, yet he is in the Hall. If you did a recast of voting today, I wouldn't be surprised if he is no longer "first ballot". But, Frank asked us what voters would have thought in 1909. The answer is yes, he's in.

+1