HOF Early Baseball Era Ballots are out

[mrreality68]

Hi Everyone

Here is the list of the 10 ball players on the ballot for the Early Baseball Era Ballots (pre 1950)
Any thoughts
Who get's in?
Any Cards we can share?

John Donaldson
Bud Fowler
Vic Harris
Grant “Home Run” Johnson
Buck O’Neil
Dick “Cannonball” Redding
George “Tubby” Scales
Bill Dahlen
Lefty O’Doul
Allie Reynolds

[Eric72]

I think this guy finally gets in...

[Scocs]

I thought there’s a separate Negro League committee that’s meeting in December to examine the lists last looked at in 2006. Where are the names of Dick Lundy, Oliver Marcelle, Dobie Moore, Alejandro Oms, etc on the above list?!

[jingram058]

Some VERY deserving names not on the ballet, IMO. Kind of like the Rock & Roll HOF, I have lost interest anymore. I would hope Dahlen, O'Neil, O'Doul and Reynolds finally get in, but, realistically, after some of the discussions in the not too distant past around here about who ought to be in, I won't hold my breath in anticipation.

[molenick]

Originally Posted by Scocs

I thought there’s a separate Negro League committee that’s meeting in December to examine the lists last looked at in 2006. Where are the names of Dick Lundy, Oliver Marcelle, Dobie Moore, Alejandro Oms, etc on the above list?!

I think now that the Negro Leagues are considered major leagues, there is no longer a separate committee and the candidates have been blended in with the existing era committees. If anything, this list actually leans heavily towards Negro League candidates.

There can only be 10 candidates for each committee so there are going to be many, many candidates left off of the pre-1950 committee list that many of us would have liked to see nominated. It basically covers four eras in my opinion: the pioneer era, 19th century professional leagues, the dead ball era, and the live ball era pre-integration. The next committee by time period covers only 20 years (1950-1969) but will also have 10 candidates. I think at this point anyone hoping for people like Doc Adams, Creighton, Barnes, Browning, Caruthers, Glasscock, Jim McCormick, Magee, etc. to ever get in is out of luck unless the HOF creates committees more focused on a specific era.

Not arguing about this list in particular....just that limiting it to ten for about 100 years of baseball means many worthy candidates will not be included.

[mainemule]

I am much more familiar with the Golden Era group- from the HOF's web-site:

The Golden Days Era ballot includes Dick Allen, Ken Boyer, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Roger Maris, Minnie Miñoso, Danny Murtaugh, Tony Oliva, Billy Pierce and Maury Wills.

I like Boyer as a sleeper as he has both offensive and defensive metrics. Is this finally Hodges time? Minoso and Oliva seem to have similar profiles. Allen has been much talked about since his passing. Kaat is interesting as he had 250 or so wins through age 38/39 and has 16 GGs ( i know as a pitcher but that's just impressive). Don't see Maris, Murtaugh, Pierce or Wills getting in over the other names.

[John1941]

I'm not an expert on the Negro Leagues, but John Donaldson seems like he should be in. Lefty O'Doul too.

[mannybb24]

Originally Posted by Scocs

I thought there’s a separate Negro League committee that’s meeting in December to examine the lists last looked at in 2006. Where are the names of Dick Lundy, Oliver Marcelle, Dobie Moore, Alejandro Oms, etc on the above list?!

They narrowed the list down to seven this year Scott, it's a shame they will only do this every ten years, the guys you mentioned especially Lundy and Moore are definitely Hall worthy.
Out of the 10 on the ballot only 4 will make it, I'd say there's a huge push for Buck and Donaldson so you'll probably at least hear their names called on December 5th.

[Scocs]

Steve,

Yeah, that was just the sound of me vomiting.

Say what you want but IMHO Dick Lundy > Andy Cooper and the earliest he can possibly be inducted is 2032?! WTF.

Scott

[mannybb24]

I hear you Scott, quite a few guys should have been in long time ago and way before Cooper.

Good thing I don’t collect guys that only make the HOF, not to keep knocking on Cooper but nothing makes me laugh more when collectors are shelling out thousands for his cards.

[Peter_Spaeth]

O'Neil's stats, such as they are, show a .258 hitter with no power. Was he in fact better than that as a player, or is his stature more a reflection of his being a beloved figure and contributor to the game?

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

O'Neil's stats, such as they are, show a .258 hitter with no power. Was he in fact better than that as a player, or is his stature more a reflection of his being a beloved figure and contributor to the game?

Agreed. Buck was the first to admit that he was an average ballplayer. I think he should be in for this contributions as a scout, and especially as an ambassador for the game and as someone who brought additional recognition to the Negro Leagues. If Selig can get elected, then Buck sure as hell deserves to be in there.

[chadeast]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Hi Everyone

Here is the list of the 10 ball players on the ballot for the Early Baseball Era Ballots (pre 1950)
Any thoughts
Who get's in?
Any Cards we can share?

John Donaldson
Bud Fowler
Vic Harris
Grant “Home Run” Johnson
Buck O’Neil
Dick “Cannonball” Redding
George “Tubby” Scales
Bill Dahlen
Lefty O’Doul
Allie Reynolds

Many worthy candidates, but Lefty O'Doul must be among the most deserving. Sure, he only had six or seven full MLB seasons under his belt, but he was an amazing hitter. With his contributions to Japanese baseball and his long career in the PCL, his total contribution to the game of baseball far outweighs many others who are already in the Hall. Oh, and .349/.413/.532

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Hi Everyone

Here is the list of the 10 ball players on the ballot for the Early Baseball Era Ballots (pre 1950)
Any thoughts
Who get's in?
Any Cards we can share?

John Donaldson
Bud Fowler
Vic Harris
Grant “Home Run” Johnson
Buck O’Neil
Dick “Cannonball” Redding
George “Tubby” Scales
Bill Dahlen
Lefty O’Doul
Allie Reynolds

Only Buck O’Neal, it’s getting water downed.

[Exhibitman]

Lefty!



Minnie!

[paul]

Well, I did a little internet research myself to see who besides O'Neil and Scales has cards. The answer seems to be just Vic Harris, who has two different cards in the 1949-50 Toleteros set. I would love to see any cards of O'Neil, Scales, or Harris. After all, this is a baseball card forum.

[rhettyeakley]

I'd love for Lefty to finally get into the HOF

[mrreality68]

They are all worth but at the least
1. I am hoping for Buck O'Niel and John Donaldson
2. Would hope they go 5 years not 10 years for the next round of votes.

[shagrotn77]

The Vic Harris Toleteros card is from his managerial days, but he does have at least one issue as a player - a 1930-34 Harrison Studio Postcard. Tubby Scales has one, too. Can’t say that I know much about these, but I'd imagine that they're probably incredibly rare.