Thinking About Writing A Book

[jingram058]

Entitled, "The Hall Of Overlooked"

In it, I would write interesting biographical histories of such egregious oversights as Riggs Stephenson, Cecil Travis and Thurman Munson, and any others whose omission from the Baseball Hall Of Fame is glaring. There would be accompanying interesting and rarely-seen photographs, used of course only with permission (I have written books and magazine articles before; this wouldn't be my first rodeo).

I would solicit input from this net54baseball.com forum. I feel the real experts are here, and the Society For American Baseball Research (SABR).

This isn't something taken lightly, and would take months to accomplish. But I feel this would perhaps bring some level of comfort to those of us who just can't sit idly by and watch these baseball heroes of ours be passed over, year after year, decade after decade.

[Kevin]

Two guys that come to mind are: Gavvy Cravath and Lefty O’Doul. O’Doul might make more sense when you consider his impact on the sport after he retired as a player. Cravath doesn’t get the recognition he deserves either. Went on to become a judge out in California when he retired.

As for the NHL, John Tonelli is real close to having a HoF career, was super clutch. Butch Goring was a better player than Guy Carbonneau and gets slighted every year.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Goring was the final piece to the puzzle and why the Islanders won those Cups. Great penalty killer and played his best when it mattered the most. He also wore that old helmet forever and just painted it every year. He was substance and not style.

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by jakebeckleyoldeagleeye

Goring was the final piece to the puzzle and why the Islanders won those Cups. Great penalty killer and played his best when it mattered the most. He also wore that old helmet forever and just painted it every year. He was substance and not style.

Goring and Tonelli and don't forget Mr. Islander himself, Bobby Nystrom.....

Goring was definitely the final piece for the dynasty run to begin......and no one - no one was tougher on the boards than Tonelli and Nystrom.....

They don't win four in a row without those three guys.....even with the HOF talent they had at the time with Potvin, Bossy, Smith, Trottier and Gillies.....

IMHO....

[perezfan]

I'll be the third to say Dave Parker. He WAS the most feared hitter in baseball for quite a few years, he had the cannon throwing arm, and he's got the lifetime stats.

I believe the writers had issues with him, but that should be water under the bridge. I'm all for a "small hall" but would like to see Parker get in.

[jingram058]

Interesting stories, overlooked stories, who to include, who to leave out. I think the list is coming together.

I anticipate approximately 200 pages, + or -

Strongly desire to populate this with rarely seen photos, even newspaper clippings and cards and such. Not the same old, stale images we've all seen a million times. If I use your stuff, I will ask for and get permission or I will use something else.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I believe the writers had issues with him, but that should be water under the bridge. I'm all for a "small hall" but would like to see Parker get in.

My uncle had an HoF vote and covered Parker’s career in Pittsburgh. I know he liked him. I know that Parker and Stargell always chatted up my grandmother when she visited Uncle Charley in Pittsburgh.

Uncle Charley most definitely voted for him. But perhaps the out of town writers didn’t like him. Good question.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by JimmyC

Goring and Tonelli and don't forget Mr. Islander himself, Bobby Nystrom.....

Goring was definitely the final piece for the dynasty run to begin......and no one - no one was tougher on the boards than Tonelli and Nystrom.....

They don't win four in a row without those three guys.....even with the HOF talent they had at the time with Potvin, Bossy, Smith, Trottier and Gillies.....

IMHO....

Tonelli is really close. Counting WHA, he has almost 1000 professional points. I asked him about it once and he said if he had thought about it at the time, he’d have held on for a bit to get those 14 points.

But look at Goring’s Kings’ career; the guy was an all star. He sort of played in obscurity out there all those years. We have seen Goring’s career and Carboneau’s career. I’ll ask anyone that saw those two play: you are starting a franchise and have to pick one of those players, who are you picking? You take the 32 GMs now, I’d say 24 take Goring. Probably more.

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Tonelli is really close. Counting WHA, he has almost 1000 professional points. I asked him about it once and he said if he had thought about it at the time, he’d have held on for a bit to get those 14 points.

But look at Goring’s Kings’ career; the guy was an all star. He sort of played in obscurity out there all those years. We have seen Goring’s career and Carboneau’s career. I’ll ask anyone that saw those two play: you are starting a franchise and have to pick one of those players, who are you picking? You take the 32 GMs now, I’d say 24 take Goring. Probably more.

Yup….I’d take Goring all day long…..

People don’t realize what it takes to win 4 Cups in a row….it takes Goring, Tonelli, Nystrom ( the bad boys ) and the 5 HOFers and quick skaters like Bourne and defensive gems like Morrow….may never see it again…….and guys like Langevin, Sutter, Lane were no slouches……

[G1911]

I always support more books. Go for it! You will get much debate, if you want to do a more scholarly approach I would excuse the egregious part and make it a Hall of Overlooked. The egregious type of presentation is more for an argumentative piece, if that is the intent.

Chapter 1 should be James Creighton and Ross Barnes. They seem objectively to be the 2 clear no brainers that have been kept out more by the strict setup of the ruleset than any argument or belief that they don’t honestly belong.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by G1911

I always support more books. Go for it! You will get much debate, if you want to do a more scholarly approach I would excuse the egregious part and make it a Hall of Overlooked. The egregious type of presentation is more for an argumentative piece, if that is the intent.

Chapter 1 should be James Creighton and Ross Barnes. They seem objectively to be the 2 clear no brainers that have been kept out more by the strict setup of the ruleset than any argument or belief that they don’t honestly belong.

Greg, I fully anticipate much debate. I will take your advice, and drop "egregious"!

[Vintagedeputy]

Save a chapter for Steve Garvey.

[ClementeFanOh]

What a great notion! First piece of advice is not to take too seriously, any advice you get here, including mine It’s your book. A few names to consider: David Concepcion, Bill Dahlen, Jack Glasscock. Trent King

[Lucas00]

Kenny Boyer is a great one.
Smokey Joe of course.

A modern one that is crazy to me how hes not mentioned much, Carlos Beltran (should have gotten 75% easily).

And Gary Sheffield??? No idea how he didn't get in first ballot.

[topcat61]

I say do it! There are plenty of SABR guys and girls willing to help - myself included. I think it's a great idea!