Changes to Hall of Fame Eras Committees eligibility

[packs]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I'm pretty sure people won't be flocking to Cooperstown for the Jack Glasscock induction while Keith Hernandez would definitely bring in more people (which is what the Hall of Fame wants to see happen).

I didn’t say Glasscock had to be the only player inducted. Did they induct Harold Baines for the fanfare?

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by packs

I didn’t say Glasscock had to be the only player inducted. Did they induct Harold Baines for the fanfare?

They inducted Baines because a bunch of his friends were on the committee, but at least he was alive for the ceremony and probably did bring a few more people to Cooperstown. Inducting Glasscock or any others from the 19th century who have been dead for decades and who 99+% of baseball fans have never heard of isn't bringing anyone to see a speech by some random relative of theirs.

[packs]

But why isn’t there room to induct him or other 19th century players with the rest of the players being inducted? Dick Allen isn’t alive for his ceremony but he will be inducted with four living players. Doesn’t this happen all the time?

In 2022, four of the seven players inducted were dead.

In 2013 all of the players elected were dead.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by packs

But why isn’t there room to induct him or other 19th century players with the rest of the players being inducted? Dick Allen isn’t alive for his ceremony but he will be inducted with four living players. Doesn’t this happen all the time?

In 2022, four of the seven players inducted were dead.

In 2013 all of the players elected were dead.

The players initially considered for the era committe ballot that voted in Allen and Parker included all players pre 1980 including 19th century players so they are still being considered. All I'm saying is that there's a lot more interest in seeing players inducted that people who are still alive saw play (even if the player isn't) than someone who hasn't played in over 100 years. I think that was true of most of the players inducted in 2022. In 2013, I'm going to guess that it wasn't one of the better attended induction ceremonies since all 3 inductees were long dead as were most if not all of their fans.

[packs]

The Hall of Fame is a historical museum but you’re suggesting people interested in the museum would find history boring.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by packs

The Hall of Fame is a historical museum but you’re suggesting people interested in the museum would find history boring.

No, I'm just suggesting that inducting players that most people have never heard of or seen play because it's been over 100 years won't do much to increase attendance at the induction ceremony. Also, the ballot that was just voted on was made up of the 8 players selected for consideration from all players who played the significant portion of their career prior to 1980 which includes 19th century players. No 19th century players were selected to be on the ballot that was voted on. It doesn't mean they won't be in the future although it does seem unlikely because the emphasis appears to be to consider more recent players.

[G1911]

Attendance at induction day doesn't seem to have ever been a primary or major factor. Mattingly isn't in, Murphy isn't in, Minoso was kept out until he died, almost all of the most popular players of an entire generation have been kept out over steroids, Rose was kept out. Tons of examples of the biggest names that would drive attendance to cheer and/or protest them not getting in. Dead players are frequently selected. The problem seems to be small closed groups electing their friends, not picking or not picking people for attendance reasons instead of merit. I'm sure the Hall would like big induction days but it does not seem to have had a big impact on elections.

Glasscock got 2.6% of the vote in 1936, the inaugural year, and as far as I can tell has never seriously been considered for election even though his numbers, old school and new school, make him a reasonable candidate. Seems like a good guy to give an honest, sincere look instead of a borderline or subpar statistically player who has been considered 15+ times.

[packs]

Originally Posted by jayshum

No, I'm just suggesting that inducting players that most people have never heard of or seen play because it's been over 100 years won't do much to increase attendance at the induction ceremony. Also, the ballot that was just voted on was made up of the 8 players selected for consideration from all players who played the significant portion of their career prior to 1980 which includes 19th century players. No 19th century players were selected to be on the ballot that was voted on. It doesn't mean they won't be in the future although it does seem unlikely because the emphasis appears to be to consider more recent players.

John Donaldson was voted on. He debuted in 1920 in the Negro Leagues. Vic Harris was also voted on. He was also voted on in 2022.

I don't really see a lot of indication that the committee has been directed to not consider long-dead players.

In 2022, the last time the Early committee selected players before merging for the 2025 vote, Buck O'Neill and Bud Fowler were elected. Minnie Minoso was also elected by the Golden Era committee, which also selected Gil Hodges.

They were all dead and did not attend the ceremony that year.