J W
10-02-2006, 10:46 AM
I guess it's time for the third bi-annual Veteran's Committee eliminator here at BBF. The previous two times, Ron Santo took the crown (and likely will until he's finally in Cooperstown)... but it's still fun to go through the process.
With 27 candidates this year the format becomes simple. Nine groups of three will compete for nine (9) spots in the semifinals. The 9 semifinalists will compete for three (3) spots in the finals. Then a winner is determined.
Players were seeded randomly (aka, drawn from a hat). Some groups will therefore be tougher than others... but that never stopped the World Cup. Polls will last for one week, three at a time (to avoid cluttering up the main page).
--- GROUP A ---
Minnie Minoso (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/minosmi01.shtml) - OF and 3B for the Indians, White Sox, Cardinals and Senators. Minoso briefly started his career in the Cuban leagues and entered the majors at the young age of 23. He went on to achieve 7 ASGs, 3 GGs, and finished as high as 4th in MVP voting, four times (including three out of four years, '51-'54). His most consistent comparable hitter was HOFer Enos Slaughter (8 seasons).
Al Oliver (http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/oliveal01.shtml) - OF, 1B and DH for the Pirates, Rangers, Expos, Giants, Phillies, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. Oliver quickly became a key cog in the Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the 1970s and continued a high level of success through 1982 with Montreal. He amassed 7 ASGs and won the Silver Slugger award for all three positions he played (OF, 1B, DH). Won one batting title in 1982 with a .331 average and finished 3rd in MVP voting that year. His most consistent comparable hitter was Steve Garvey (7 seasons).
Mickey Vernon (http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vernomi01.shtml) - 1B for the Senators, Indians, Red Sox, Expos and Pirates. One of two Washington Senators (primarily) on the ballot. He amassed 7 ASGs and finished as high as 3rd in MVP voting (1953). He won two batting titles; in 1946 (.353 average) and 1953 (.337 average). His most consistent comparable hitter was Gus Suhr (5 seasons).
With 27 candidates this year the format becomes simple. Nine groups of three will compete for nine (9) spots in the semifinals. The 9 semifinalists will compete for three (3) spots in the finals. Then a winner is determined.
Players were seeded randomly (aka, drawn from a hat). Some groups will therefore be tougher than others... but that never stopped the World Cup. Polls will last for one week, three at a time (to avoid cluttering up the main page).
--- GROUP A ---
Minnie Minoso (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/minosmi01.shtml) - OF and 3B for the Indians, White Sox, Cardinals and Senators. Minoso briefly started his career in the Cuban leagues and entered the majors at the young age of 23. He went on to achieve 7 ASGs, 3 GGs, and finished as high as 4th in MVP voting, four times (including three out of four years, '51-'54). His most consistent comparable hitter was HOFer Enos Slaughter (8 seasons).
Al Oliver (http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/oliveal01.shtml) - OF, 1B and DH for the Pirates, Rangers, Expos, Giants, Phillies, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. Oliver quickly became a key cog in the Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the 1970s and continued a high level of success through 1982 with Montreal. He amassed 7 ASGs and won the Silver Slugger award for all three positions he played (OF, 1B, DH). Won one batting title in 1982 with a .331 average and finished 3rd in MVP voting that year. His most consistent comparable hitter was Steve Garvey (7 seasons).
Mickey Vernon (http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vernomi01.shtml) - 1B for the Senators, Indians, Red Sox, Expos and Pirates. One of two Washington Senators (primarily) on the ballot. He amassed 7 ASGs and finished as high as 3rd in MVP voting (1953). He won two batting titles; in 1946 (.353 average) and 1953 (.337 average). His most consistent comparable hitter was Gus Suhr (5 seasons).