Eddie Cicotte's HOF chances - should he get in? Will he?

[molenick]

Originally Posted by ThomasL

Chesbro is in bc of 1 amazing season and Marquard bc he played in a New York market (as did Chesbro) and was one of those Veterans Committee elections that Frankie Fisch pushed with his click to get a lot of former Giants and Cardinals in that probably didnt deserve it

Agree on Chesbro. I guess I shouldn't have said "why are" they in. I was just looking for borderline selections.

I agree that Frisch got a lot of less-than-deserving teammates in (Bancroft, Kelly, Haines, etc.). Marquard was never a teammate of his (as far as I can tell) but did go in while Frisch was on the committee. I think what helped Marquard was going from the "$11,000 lemon" to winning 20+ games for three straight pennant winners and once winning 19 decision in a row. There is also speculation that he got a "Glory of Their Times" bump. He was in the book and was elected after it was published.

There is a usually a story behind a borderline selection...a famous feat, friends(s) on the committee, renewed interest in a player, etc. Cicotte's story has certainly kept his name in the public eye longer than many pitchers with similar records.