Burdick Award finalists

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Then people such as Woody Gelman, Frank Nagy, Bob Lemke etc. can be honored as well as the living.



Rich

That’s a great suggestion, Rich, and one I’ll take back to the committee. BTW, don’t forget Sy Berger!

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

That’s a great suggestion, Rich, and one I’ll take back to the committee. BTW, don’t forget Sy Berger!

That's a gimme for that category -- next time I'll think of more names before I type

Rich

[GaryPassamonte]

Rich- I, too, have been a SABR member for a long time, over 25 years. I just don't understand what the logic is for only considering living persons? Is the answer obvious?

[oldjudge]

Of those up for the award I thought Keith was the most deserving. He is both a great collector and a student of the hobby. He has written some incredibly insightful articles on a variety of sets, and has always been free to share his knowledge.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Of those up for the award I thought Keith was the most deserving. He is both a great collector and a student of the hobby. He has written some incredibly insightful articles on a variety of sets, and has always been free to share his knowledge.

#1 on all of the above

[nat]

The Nobel Prize is also restricted to living people, FWIW.

Here's a link to Rob Fitts' history of Japanese baseball cards. He doesn't post much, but he's actually a member here.

[GaryPassamonte]

I understand what your saying, Rich. Those that are deceased can no longer appreciate the honor. In some cases, however, their families can appreciate it, even though, in the case of the Burdick Award, this might not be true. For example, I am on my high school athletic HOF committee. I have spent a good deal of time reseaching pre-1950 athletes from the school and have nominated and helped many get elected. In the cases where the elected individuals were deceased, a family member has accepted the plaque in every instance. Some family members have traveled as much as a couple thousand miles to see their relative inducted and have been moved by the experience. I am getting a little away form the original topic, but an award/honor can have benefits beyond the recipient.

[obcmac]

Very happy to see obc'er Rob Fitts among the nominees. I personally feel that Beckett, while important, has a very large negative contribution to the hobby...the focus on prices and condition has added no positivity as far as I can see. Rob's books have added to the depth of baseball knowledge in a much more positive way. I very much appreciate what KO has done for the hobby as well. My two top choices

Mac Wubben

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Rich- I, too, have been a SABR member for a long time, over 25 years. I just don't understand what the logic is for only considering living persons? Is the answer obvious?

Gary:

I have never been in any sort of SABR management but I think the answer is obvious. In the earlier days of SABR a high percentage of members attended the conventions and you wanted to honor those actually doing the work.

Now the percent of attendees may be 10 percent of total membership and as such, it's a little different BUT as has been stated about the HOF honoring the long gone retired players -- how do you honor a person who is no longer living. So, you honor those who are still amongst us. But, as we have aged and as the percent of members attending has decreased, I don't have a real issue with giving awards to people who have passed.

[999Tony]

i Strongly recommend rob Fitts’ mashi and banzai babe Ruth books. Really interesting. I’m Not a shill— I liked the book about Wally yonamine but not as much as the others. I am looking forward to reading his other books (he has another coming out soon or maybe already out)

No idea re whether or not this makes him a worthy recipient of the award