HOF Early Baseball Era Ballots are out

[Topnotchsy]

I believe that Buck O'Neil and Lefty O'Doul should be in for their contributions to the game. O'Neil was the greatest ambassador and spokesman for the Negro Leagues. O'Doul had a stellar (albeit short) career and was incredibly influential in bringing baseball to Japan. He was also a manager in the PCL etc.

On the Negro League side, I think Vic Harris getting in as the winningest manager in Negro League history should be a slam dunk.

Dick Redding is widely regarded as one of the most glaring omissions, and I believe he warrants entry as well.

I'm not familiar enough with the rest of the players to really have a strong feeling either way.

Unfortunately, the way the voting is structured, a limited number of players for the group can make it.

Given that these players are only on the ballot once in 10 years, I feel that this is a poor system

[Scocs]

Given that these players are only on the ballot once in 10 years, I feel that this is a poor system

The truest thing that’s been said on this thread…

[egri]

Originally Posted by Scocs

Given that these players are only on the ballot once in 10 years, I feel that this is a poor system

The truest thing that’s been said on this thread…

We should instead give the task to the BBWAN54 (Baseball Writers Association of Net54).

[tazdmb]

Now that the Negro League is being considered a major league, you need to consider that Vic Harris won 8 pennants (4th most all time, behind McGraw, Mack and Casey) and has .681 winning percentage (highest all time for more than managing 500 games). How can anyone say he is not a Hall of Famer?!

As for O’Doul, put him in the Japan HOF and PCL HOF (actually, he is probably in both), but not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[Scocs]

Not to discredit Vic Harris, but no one realized that back in 2006? His name wasn’t even among the 39 finalists that year for induction into the HOF!! Now he shows up as one of a final ten….yeah, that makes total sense.

I don’t understand why they can’t separate ambassadors and administrators from players. Why are Effa Manley and Alex Pompez (and even Buck O’Neil) taking up valuable slots from otherwise deserving players?

[Kenny Cole]

Here are cards of Harris, Scales, and O'Neill.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Did not realize O'Neil had a card. Fantastic.

[Kenny Cole]

He actually has two. He's also in the 1946 Almanaque Deportivo set, which is very difficult to find. Grant Johnson is on the 1897 Page Fence Giants trade card.

[Exhibitman]

Awesome cards, Kenny!