Freakshow
08-10-2007, 07:31 AM
Welcome to Baseball Fever's Mock HOF VC Election for 2006. This is the 20th election in a project to conduct Hall of Fame VC elections from 1987-2006 (and perhaps beyond). You're being asked to play the role of a VC voter, as if you were actually part of the VC conclave. The goal of this project is to elect the best candidate each time, with the knowledge you are applying a lower standard than used for the BBWAA elections. These elections will not consider players already elected in BBF Mock BBWAA elections, such as Ashburn, Santo, Allen, Cepeda and Minoso.
This post will provide two things:
1) The Format and Rules
2) A Guide for the 2006 election
Format and Rules
- The HOF VC never published an actual ballot, and the results of their voting were not compiled for public consumption. At the same time, they rarely considered players who retired over 70 years ago, preferring guys they fondly remembered seeing. Thus, our focus will be towards 20th century players they should have been considering. Our ballot will allow them a 52-year window of retirees (1933-1984 for this election); players retiring before this can continue on the ballot so long as they are well supported. This will eliminate players whose careers began in the 19th century. As the actual VC did, we considered those players in separate ballots 1995-2001. The VC was also giving short shrift to Negro league candidates at this time. Again, we will consider those players in separate balloting 1995-2006.
- We will have a 27-player ballot for this election, the same as in 2005. I will act as the screening committee. You can suggest other candidates, of course, and if I get a second for a candidate I’ll add him to the next ballot. This number will mainly decline as we proceed with elections, but we will always list at least 25 candidates. Close attention will be paid to identifying candidates who are in their last two years of eligibility (1933-34 retirees for the 2006 election).
- Voters may vote for between 1-27 candidates; you’re free to support anyone you think is deserving of the Hall. Because we are electing only one player each time, voters will have complete freedom to support everyone they like. This policy is consistent with the VC rules in force at the time.
- A "None of the Above" option is not available. We operate under the premise that the continued existence of a veterans committee establishes a fait accompli, that it is an acknowledgment that there are worthy players who should be elected. Our mandate is to identify the best ones, so figure out which players deserve the honor and vote for them. (The words above the poll, “but at least five,” are a suggestion and not a requirement, that we might have a better chance of fulfilling our mandate and actually electing a few guys.)
- We will enshrine the leading vote-getter so long as he is supported by a majority of the voters (more than 50% needed); but only one player per year maximum. If two or more players with +50% tie for first place, the one with better support in recent elections will be enshrined.
- Players will ensure their continuing on the ballot as long as they average 15% support over three years (candidates failing this requirement will sometimes be added back to the ballot to reach the 25-player minimum or if they’re deemed deserving of another chance). Players in their final year eligible will be allowed to continue beyond that as long as they receive 20% support. We’ll also give new candidates a chance to build some momentum: players drawing less than 15% may also continue on the ballot if their vote percentage equals or exceeds three times their years eligible. Look at that in chart form:
Yr 1 needs 3%
Yr 2 needs 6%
Yr 3 needs 9%
Yr 4 needs 12%
Yr 5 needs 15%
- This thread is also meant to be a discussion thread, so please feel free to stump for and/or against players, including players that will come up for election in the following year.
- When figuring a candidate’s worthiness, everything counts, the sum of their lifetime in baseball. Some players have significant manager credit; others, like Curt Flood and Lefty O’Doul, made contributions that nearly surpassed their playing career.
- The election will normally close a week after it starts. The next election might not commence for another day or two.
- IMPORTANT: There is some concern about voters defrauding this process by voting with multiple screen names. First, please don't as there is really no point and it takes the fun out of this which is to see how we come out, more than it being a heated competition to get your player elected. Nevertheless, to take precaution against the possibility of a voter abusing the process, votes will be made public, so if we see unfamiliar screen names casting similar ballots, we'll see cause for concern, and if the concern proves to be founded, some form of punitive action could follow. So basically, ONE PERSON = ONE BALLOT. Anything else is really just moronic and defeats the purpose.
- MORE IMPORTANT: Remember, this is not an election of the BBF VC; this is not the place to express your personal feelings as to where the line should be drawn for the Hall of Fame. You’re playing the role of a HOF VC voter. You go into that room with a list of players that you're supporting - nobody goes in there with the aim of objecting to every candidate brought up. By requesting, insisting, agitating for at least five votes, I'm trying to impress this reality on our electorate here: you've gotta support some guys. I am also asking voters to be sensitive to the consensus of who the top candidates are (see chart below) and try to support them. I've even taken the unpleasant step of singling out ballots that are obviously contrary to our aim.
Given the standards established through seven decades of voting, it’s clear that the BBWAA missed some guys that are over the line for the Hall. However, there aren’t any no-brainers on here; we’re dealing with players closer to the Hall’s in-out line. Careful study of the candidates is required to determine the ins from the outs. If you’re not up to this, please, no off-the-top-of-my-head ballots. Don’t just cast a contrarian ballot without good reasoning. If that means fewer ballots, that’s fine. I would rather have an informed vote of 12 ballots then a quick-and-dirty vote of 52 ballots. We need voters who are on board with the mission. Ballots that are judged to be frivolous or an obstruction to our goal of electing someone may be deleted from the poll.
2006 Guide
There are 27 candidates on the 2006 ballot. They mainly played their final game in the period 1933 to 1984. Here's some information regarding them:
Top Vote-getters in the 1999-2005 Elections
22 bal 19 bal 15 bal 17 bal 20 bal 9 bal 24 bal
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Carl Mays P 63.64 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Bill Freehan C NE 73.68 ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Joe Torre C NE NE 66.67 ----- ----- ----- -----
Bill Mazeroski 2B 40.91 31.58 46.67 52.94 ----- ----- -----
Tony Oliva RF NE 26.32 33.33 29.41 60.00 ----- -----
Heinie Groh 3B 45.45 26.32 40.00 35.29 45.00 55.56 -----
Jim Kaat P NE NE NE NE NE NE 58.33
Luis Tiant P NE NE NE NE NE 33.33 50.00
Bobby Bonds RF NE NE NE NE 30.00 44.44 45.83
Larry Doyle 2B 27.27 26.32 40.00 23.53 35.00 44.44 45.83
Vern Stephens SS 36.36 26.32 33.33 35.29 45.00 33.33 41.67
Jim Wynn CF NE NE 26.67 35.29 30.00 33.33 41.67
Catfish Hunter P NE NE NE 35.29 25.00 33.33 41.67
Billy Pierce P 40.91 31.58 26.67 41.18 45.00 44.44 33.33
Vada Pinson CF 31.82 26.32 26.67 17.65 20.00 44.44 33.33
Wally Schang C 18.18 15.79 ------ ------ 15.00 33.33 33.33
Tony Lazzeri 2B 31.82 36.84 40.00 35.29 40.00 44.44 29.17
Frank Howard LF 31.82 42.11 33.33 29.41 45.00 22.22 29.17
Bob Johnson LF 40.91 26.32 40.00 35.29 25.00 22.22 25.00
Sal Bando 3B NE NE NE NE 25.00 11.11 25.00
Reggie Smith RF NE NE NE NE NE 11.11 25.00
Lefty O'Doul LF 18.18 31.58 26.67 29.41 20.00 44.44 20.83
Gavy Cravath RF 31.82 26.32 33.33 29.41 35.00 33.33 20.83
Phil Rizzuto SS 9.09 26.32 40.00 35.29 20.00 33.33 20.83
Bucky Walters P 22.73 26.32 26.67 29.41 20.00 33.33 20.83
First Timers (0)
none
Other Recently-New Eligibles
Bert Campaneris (2nd)
Gene Tenace (2nd)
Luis Tiant (3rd)
Reggie Smith (3rd)
Bobby Bonds (4th)
Sal Bando (4th)
Willie Horton (4th)
Catfish Hunter (5th)
Thurman Munson (5th)
Beyond Last Year of Eligibility (20% needed to continue)
Gavy Cravath
Larry Doyle
Wally Schang
Last Year of Eligibility (20% needed to continue)
None
Next to Last Year of Eligibility
Lefty O’Doul
Actual Hall of Famers on VC 2006 Ballot (3)
Catfish Hunter (1987)
Tony Lazzeri (1991)
Phil Rizzuto (1994)
Members of the Hall of Merit on VC 2006 Ballot (2)
Billy Pierce
Jim Wynn
Candidates Listed on the 2007 Hall of Fame VC Ballot (8)
Bobby Bonds
Curt Flood
Thurman Munson
Don Newcombe
Lefty O’Doul
Vada Pinson
Luis Tiant
Mickey Vernon
For previous discussion of this project, see this thread:
Links to the BBF mock HOF elections (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57084)
Which has the links to these threads:
Cooperstown, NY – Spring, 1986
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1987 (none elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1988 (Larry Doby elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1989 (Nellie Fox* elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1990 (Hal Newhouser elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1991 (Sherry Magee+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1992 (Stan Hack+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1993 (Ken Boyer*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1994 (Joe Gordon+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1995 (Jim Bunning* elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1996 (Red Schoendienst elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1997 (Wes Ferrell+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1998 (Gil Hodges+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1999 (Carl Mays+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2000 (Bill Freehan*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2001 (Joe Torre*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2002 (Bill Mazeroski elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2003 (Tony Oliva+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2004 (Heinie Groh+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2005 (Jim Kaat*+ elected)
* = First year eligible for VC voting
+ = Not in the Cooperstown Hall
This post will provide two things:
1) The Format and Rules
2) A Guide for the 2006 election
Format and Rules
- The HOF VC never published an actual ballot, and the results of their voting were not compiled for public consumption. At the same time, they rarely considered players who retired over 70 years ago, preferring guys they fondly remembered seeing. Thus, our focus will be towards 20th century players they should have been considering. Our ballot will allow them a 52-year window of retirees (1933-1984 for this election); players retiring before this can continue on the ballot so long as they are well supported. This will eliminate players whose careers began in the 19th century. As the actual VC did, we considered those players in separate ballots 1995-2001. The VC was also giving short shrift to Negro league candidates at this time. Again, we will consider those players in separate balloting 1995-2006.
- We will have a 27-player ballot for this election, the same as in 2005. I will act as the screening committee. You can suggest other candidates, of course, and if I get a second for a candidate I’ll add him to the next ballot. This number will mainly decline as we proceed with elections, but we will always list at least 25 candidates. Close attention will be paid to identifying candidates who are in their last two years of eligibility (1933-34 retirees for the 2006 election).
- Voters may vote for between 1-27 candidates; you’re free to support anyone you think is deserving of the Hall. Because we are electing only one player each time, voters will have complete freedom to support everyone they like. This policy is consistent with the VC rules in force at the time.
- A "None of the Above" option is not available. We operate under the premise that the continued existence of a veterans committee establishes a fait accompli, that it is an acknowledgment that there are worthy players who should be elected. Our mandate is to identify the best ones, so figure out which players deserve the honor and vote for them. (The words above the poll, “but at least five,” are a suggestion and not a requirement, that we might have a better chance of fulfilling our mandate and actually electing a few guys.)
- We will enshrine the leading vote-getter so long as he is supported by a majority of the voters (more than 50% needed); but only one player per year maximum. If two or more players with +50% tie for first place, the one with better support in recent elections will be enshrined.
- Players will ensure their continuing on the ballot as long as they average 15% support over three years (candidates failing this requirement will sometimes be added back to the ballot to reach the 25-player minimum or if they’re deemed deserving of another chance). Players in their final year eligible will be allowed to continue beyond that as long as they receive 20% support. We’ll also give new candidates a chance to build some momentum: players drawing less than 15% may also continue on the ballot if their vote percentage equals or exceeds three times their years eligible. Look at that in chart form:
Yr 1 needs 3%
Yr 2 needs 6%
Yr 3 needs 9%
Yr 4 needs 12%
Yr 5 needs 15%
- This thread is also meant to be a discussion thread, so please feel free to stump for and/or against players, including players that will come up for election in the following year.
- When figuring a candidate’s worthiness, everything counts, the sum of their lifetime in baseball. Some players have significant manager credit; others, like Curt Flood and Lefty O’Doul, made contributions that nearly surpassed their playing career.
- The election will normally close a week after it starts. The next election might not commence for another day or two.
- IMPORTANT: There is some concern about voters defrauding this process by voting with multiple screen names. First, please don't as there is really no point and it takes the fun out of this which is to see how we come out, more than it being a heated competition to get your player elected. Nevertheless, to take precaution against the possibility of a voter abusing the process, votes will be made public, so if we see unfamiliar screen names casting similar ballots, we'll see cause for concern, and if the concern proves to be founded, some form of punitive action could follow. So basically, ONE PERSON = ONE BALLOT. Anything else is really just moronic and defeats the purpose.
- MORE IMPORTANT: Remember, this is not an election of the BBF VC; this is not the place to express your personal feelings as to where the line should be drawn for the Hall of Fame. You’re playing the role of a HOF VC voter. You go into that room with a list of players that you're supporting - nobody goes in there with the aim of objecting to every candidate brought up. By requesting, insisting, agitating for at least five votes, I'm trying to impress this reality on our electorate here: you've gotta support some guys. I am also asking voters to be sensitive to the consensus of who the top candidates are (see chart below) and try to support them. I've even taken the unpleasant step of singling out ballots that are obviously contrary to our aim.
Given the standards established through seven decades of voting, it’s clear that the BBWAA missed some guys that are over the line for the Hall. However, there aren’t any no-brainers on here; we’re dealing with players closer to the Hall’s in-out line. Careful study of the candidates is required to determine the ins from the outs. If you’re not up to this, please, no off-the-top-of-my-head ballots. Don’t just cast a contrarian ballot without good reasoning. If that means fewer ballots, that’s fine. I would rather have an informed vote of 12 ballots then a quick-and-dirty vote of 52 ballots. We need voters who are on board with the mission. Ballots that are judged to be frivolous or an obstruction to our goal of electing someone may be deleted from the poll.
2006 Guide
There are 27 candidates on the 2006 ballot. They mainly played their final game in the period 1933 to 1984. Here's some information regarding them:
Top Vote-getters in the 1999-2005 Elections
22 bal 19 bal 15 bal 17 bal 20 bal 9 bal 24 bal
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Carl Mays P 63.64 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Bill Freehan C NE 73.68 ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Joe Torre C NE NE 66.67 ----- ----- ----- -----
Bill Mazeroski 2B 40.91 31.58 46.67 52.94 ----- ----- -----
Tony Oliva RF NE 26.32 33.33 29.41 60.00 ----- -----
Heinie Groh 3B 45.45 26.32 40.00 35.29 45.00 55.56 -----
Jim Kaat P NE NE NE NE NE NE 58.33
Luis Tiant P NE NE NE NE NE 33.33 50.00
Bobby Bonds RF NE NE NE NE 30.00 44.44 45.83
Larry Doyle 2B 27.27 26.32 40.00 23.53 35.00 44.44 45.83
Vern Stephens SS 36.36 26.32 33.33 35.29 45.00 33.33 41.67
Jim Wynn CF NE NE 26.67 35.29 30.00 33.33 41.67
Catfish Hunter P NE NE NE 35.29 25.00 33.33 41.67
Billy Pierce P 40.91 31.58 26.67 41.18 45.00 44.44 33.33
Vada Pinson CF 31.82 26.32 26.67 17.65 20.00 44.44 33.33
Wally Schang C 18.18 15.79 ------ ------ 15.00 33.33 33.33
Tony Lazzeri 2B 31.82 36.84 40.00 35.29 40.00 44.44 29.17
Frank Howard LF 31.82 42.11 33.33 29.41 45.00 22.22 29.17
Bob Johnson LF 40.91 26.32 40.00 35.29 25.00 22.22 25.00
Sal Bando 3B NE NE NE NE 25.00 11.11 25.00
Reggie Smith RF NE NE NE NE NE 11.11 25.00
Lefty O'Doul LF 18.18 31.58 26.67 29.41 20.00 44.44 20.83
Gavy Cravath RF 31.82 26.32 33.33 29.41 35.00 33.33 20.83
Phil Rizzuto SS 9.09 26.32 40.00 35.29 20.00 33.33 20.83
Bucky Walters P 22.73 26.32 26.67 29.41 20.00 33.33 20.83
First Timers (0)
none
Other Recently-New Eligibles
Bert Campaneris (2nd)
Gene Tenace (2nd)
Luis Tiant (3rd)
Reggie Smith (3rd)
Bobby Bonds (4th)
Sal Bando (4th)
Willie Horton (4th)
Catfish Hunter (5th)
Thurman Munson (5th)
Beyond Last Year of Eligibility (20% needed to continue)
Gavy Cravath
Larry Doyle
Wally Schang
Last Year of Eligibility (20% needed to continue)
None
Next to Last Year of Eligibility
Lefty O’Doul
Actual Hall of Famers on VC 2006 Ballot (3)
Catfish Hunter (1987)
Tony Lazzeri (1991)
Phil Rizzuto (1994)
Members of the Hall of Merit on VC 2006 Ballot (2)
Billy Pierce
Jim Wynn
Candidates Listed on the 2007 Hall of Fame VC Ballot (8)
Bobby Bonds
Curt Flood
Thurman Munson
Don Newcombe
Lefty O’Doul
Vada Pinson
Luis Tiant
Mickey Vernon
For previous discussion of this project, see this thread:
Links to the BBF mock HOF elections (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57084)
Which has the links to these threads:
Cooperstown, NY – Spring, 1986
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1987 (none elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1988 (Larry Doby elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1989 (Nellie Fox* elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1990 (Hal Newhouser elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1991 (Sherry Magee+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1992 (Stan Hack+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1993 (Ken Boyer*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1994 (Joe Gordon+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1995 (Jim Bunning* elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1996 (Red Schoendienst elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1997 (Wes Ferrell+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1998 (Gil Hodges+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 1999 (Carl Mays+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2000 (Bill Freehan*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2001 (Joe Torre*+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2002 (Bill Mazeroski elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2003 (Tony Oliva+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2004 (Heinie Groh+ elected)
BBF Mock Veterans Committee Election: 2005 (Jim Kaat*+ elected)
* = First year eligible for VC voting
+ = Not in the Cooperstown Hall