Hall of Fame Umpires

[mainemule]

With the announcement tomorrow of the 2 Veterans Hall Committees it got me researching who might be the next HOF umpire. I always found it a little weird umpires are elected along with players, executives and managers but there have been 10 elected nonetheless.

Some candidates that I found mentioned as possible electees include:

Ed Montague
Shag Crawford
Bruce Froemming
Harry Wendelstedt
Mike Reilly
Tim McClelland
John Hirschbeck
Jerry Crawford
Joe West
Gerry Davis
Bill Dinneen
Augie Donatelli

Anyone have any insight on who might even be considered in the near future on one of the Committees?

I have autographs of 9 of the 10 elected umpires, just needing Hank O'Day who is a near impossible signature.

Related to this, I was rummaging through my collection tonight when I stumbled on the following that Doug Harvey sent me when I sent him a TTM request in 2008 when I heard grumblings he was a likely Hall inductee. Thought it would be fun to share in this thread.

[jayshum]

Joe West set the record for most games umpired, but I hope he doesn't get into the HoF considering what he was like on the field.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Angel Hernandez. Just kidding

[mainemule]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Joe West set the record for most games umpired, but I hope he doesn't get into the HoF considering what he was like on the field.

I think that is about all he has going for himself, though I read that at one time he was less flamboyant, in the pre-Cowboy days.

[Casey2296]

Montague, Wendlestet, and , Hirschbeck 1st ballot umpires who understood the game. West and Hernandez allowed their egos to interfere with the game, solid no for both of them.

[mainemule]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Montague, Wendlestet, and , Hirschbeck 1st ballot umpires who understood the game. West and Hernandez allowed their egos to interfere with the game, solid no for both of them.

....when you say "first ballot" what do you mean? They've all been retired for a bit so when would even one of them be considered?

[spartakid8]

Came here for the Angel comments…

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by mainemule

....when you say "first ballot" what do you mean? They've all been retired for a bit so when would even one of them be considered?

I mean those three have shown they deserve induction whenever that is. The other two not so much.

[Snowman]

Are we going to do front office staffs next?

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Are we going to do front office staffs next?

Nope, fantasy baseball camp participants!

[Johnny630]

My Vote Is Late Steve Palermo he was a great guy, met him several times when I was younger.

[Johnny630]

My Vote Is the Late Steve Palermo he was a great guy, met him several times when I was younger.

[mainemule]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Are we going to do front office staffs next?

....that's funny, I've been pondering potential managers and executives in the rececesses of my mind 😉😂

[pclpads]

Anybody but Cowboy Joe. Thot the paying fans came to see him instead of the the game and players.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Angel Hernandez. Just kidding

Scary part is he probably will get elected since he is often considered one of the worst umps of all time and one of the longest lasting worst umps.( remember been umping since 1991
So they will make a special corner in the bathroom near the toilets.

[whitehse]

I would love to see Augie Donatelli get inducted but for selfish reasons. He was my cousins father in law and I know I could score an invite to the ceremonies!!

He had a long and decent career but sadly I just dont see this happening.

[JollyElm]

How 'bout some love for Ron Luciano, the most entertaining umpire most of us ever saw?

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

How 'bout some love for Ron Luciano, the most entertaining umpire most of us ever saw?

I read his books years ago, and they were very entertaining.

[h2oya311]

my vote's for Enrico Pallazzo. He certainly had a certain "flair" to his strike calling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyghaQMO5HQ

[Butch7999]

Umpires Committee? 19th Century Committee? Don't know what clique would need to consider him,
but James Gaffney, essentially the grandfather of modern umpiring (multi-umpire crews, field positioning,
signals, &c') and in his day widely considered the most accurate and most ethical ump in the sport,
should've been a shoo-in with the first umps elected to the Hall. Evidently the "shameful personal failing"
of alcoholism tainted his reputation long enough that he was eventually completely forgotten.

[mainemule]

Originally Posted by Butch7999

Umpires Committee? 19th Century Committee? Don't know what clique would need to consider him,
but James Gaffney, essentially the grandfather of modern umpiring (multi-umpire crews, field positioning,
signals, &c') and in his day widely considered the most accurate and most ethical ump in the sport,
should've been a shoo-in with the first umps elected to the Hall. Evidently the "shameful personal failing"
of alcoholism tainted his reputation long enough that he was eventually completely forgotten.

Thanks for this write-up. I just read a bit about James so I appreciate learning about someone I had not heard of before.