HOF Early Baseball Era Ballots are out

[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.

[mannybb24]

Buck goes in as a contributor and the voice of Negro League baseball.
He should’ve went in back in 2006 when 17 other players and executives went in and when he was alive.

I think what the Donaldson Network, particularly the founder Peter Gorton has done for John Donaldson and his legacy is tremendous. With help from hundreds across the country they have been able to piece Donaldson’s storied career back together and bring it to the forefront.
I think this is his year to get in and rightfully so.

Dick Redding has been overlooked for years, he’s one of the best pitchers black or white of his era.

Would’ve liked to seen Dick Lundy, Dobie Moore (please don’t argue with me about how many years he played, count the wrecker years and he’s one of the best all-around players of any era) and John Beckwith make the list but I guess their time will come at a later date.

[GaryPassamonte]

The overview committee was tasked with an impossible task, since the early era category covers such a long period of time. It is ludicrous that there are not multiple era committees from this pre -1950 time frame. My worst fears have materialized with this 10 player ballot. 19th century players have been basically omitted from the ballot. Dahlen is really a 19th-20th century crossover player. I am happy that the Negro leagues/players are now considered major league. I am not happy that 7 Negro league players are on a 10 candidate ballot ( I realize Fowler was pre Negro leagues). This is not meant as a racist statement because that's not what it is. It is just historically wrong to deemphasize 19th century players. Negro league players were elected in a special election in 2006. 19th century players have never had that consideration. I just feel that the space that was held by 19th century players is being filled by Negro league players now. Again, I'm all in favor of recognizing Negro league players, but not at the expense of 19th century players. Unfortunately, interest in the players of 19th century baseball is small at this point, and there is no movement to change that. They're just not in vogue today. One final point. Leaving Doc Adams off the ballot is like leaving George Washington off a list of American presidents. And Allie Reynolds? Wow!

[paul]

I know Buck O'Neil and George Scales have a few cards. Do any of the other Negro League candidates?

[z28jd]

Dahlen is credited with 75.2 WAR. If a shortstop in New York did that today, he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer without question and people would complain if he didn't get all of the votes. Don't think so? Just ask Derek Jeter and his 71.9 WAR and 99.7% vote total. The focus was the one person who didn't vote for him, yet people are okay with a better player who retired 110 years ago not being in at all? Insane.

If Dahlen doesn't get in, the system is broken*

*It's broken already because this ballot is awful and it's not scheduled to meet for ten more years!

[ejharrington]

I support Buck O'Neill, more as a pioneer than as a player.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by z28jd

Dahlen is credited with 75.2 WAR. If a shortstop in New York did that today, he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer without question and people would complain if he didn't get all of the votes. Don't think so? Just ask Derek Jeter and his 71.9 WAR and 99.7% vote total. The focus was the one person who didn't vote for him, yet people are okay with a better player who retired 110 years ago not being in at all?

Amen to that.

[perezfan]

Was really hoping to see Dummy Hoy's name on that list. Hoping O'Doul and Dahlen finally make it in.

[peanuts]

I think it's safe to say that Buck will get in this time. There's been quite a bit of steam behind his campaign for years now. Given the added focus on the Negro Leagues that's happened this past year, I think the voters will be ready to enshrine him.

Dahlen is a toss-up, but will probably get in.

Lefty O'Doul is a very likely, but still room for being passed over. It will really come down to how much the voters value his contributions to spreading the game through Japan and how much credence they give to his PCL career.