View Full Version : Choosing The HOF Hat
JRJohnson6
08-28-2007, 09:29 PM
Recently in my hometown a sports writer mentioned in his column that players do not get to choose which hat will be on their busts in the HOF. He stated that MLB has the final say on that. I have never heard anything of the such and wondered about the validity of this column. Does anyone know out there for sure who gets to choose the hat that will be on the busts of the player? I thought this was pretty interesting, and am always thinking that players who had great years with different teams might have a tough decision to make when they make it into the hall (Clemens, Griffey). Just wondering if anyone had a definitive answer. Thanks.
soberdennis
08-28-2007, 09:40 PM
Recently in my hometown a sports writer mentioned in his column that players do not get to choose which hat will be on their busts in the HOF. He stated that MLB has the final say on that. I have never heard anything of the such and wondered about the validity of this column. Does anyone know out there for sure who gets to choose the hat that will be on the busts of the player? I thought this was pretty interesting, and am always thinking that players who had great years with different teams might have a tough decision to make when they make it into the hall (Clemens, Griffey). Just wondering if anyone had a definitive answer. Thanks.
I know Winfield chose his Padre hat.
But I have heard that the policy has been changed since then. I do not know for certain, though.
cbenson5
08-28-2007, 09:45 PM
The Hall of Fame makes the final call on what hat will be chosen. They do, however, consult players and consider their wishes.
Charles
soberdennis
08-28-2007, 10:03 PM
Here is a list of what hats are on the plaques.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/hof/hofmemu.shtml
I was interested in who was on Perry's plaque.
What is Boston doing on Pennock's plaque? He was a Yankee in his greatest years.
JRJohnson6
08-29-2007, 01:16 PM
The reporter also brought up the fact that the only player in the HOF who's hat does not have a visible logo on it is Yogi's. I thought that was kind of odd/neat. Thanks for the info.
hellborn
08-29-2007, 02:06 PM
The HOF is privately owned and run, although I believe that there is fairly strict NY state oversight of some aspects of the operation (especially regarding use of donations). The HOF definitely likes to cooperate with MLB and the players/inductees as much as possible, but they call their own shots and are definitely not under MLB control.
KCGHOST
08-29-2007, 02:26 PM
The HoF enacted this policy to avoid things like Wade Boggs signing a deal to join the Devil Rays for his final two years. The D'Rays did this with the understanding that Boggs would request a D'Rays hat on his bust. Now the HoF says it reserves the right to select the hat to avoid players selling their hat in this manner.
Brooklyn
08-29-2007, 02:36 PM
The reporter also brought up the fact that the only player in the HOF who's hat does not have a visible logo on it is Yogi's. I thought that was kind of odd/neat. Thanks for the info.
That's not true. None of the old time guys have teams on their hats. See the link soberdennis posted, at the bottom
The HoF enacted this policy to avoid things like Wade Boggs signing a deal to join the Devil Rays for his final two years. The D'Rays did this with the understanding that Boggs would request a D'Rays hat on his bust. Now the HoF says it reserves the right to select the hat to avoid players selling their hat in this manner.
I believe this is correct. I remember the uproar when he signed his contract with Tampa. I don't believe it was actually written into the document, but there was a 'hand shake' agreement and Boggs recieved a financial consideration for essentialy 'selling the rites' to his plaque. Classy.
The HOF did the rite thing by reserving final say. Thanks Wade.
soberdennis
08-29-2007, 08:45 PM
That's not true. None of the old time guys have teams on their hats. See the link soberdennis posted, at the bottom
Not quite none of them. But quite a few don't. Many of the old time players actually do. The one I have qualms with is Pennock. If he doesn't have a Yankee hat on, it should be no one's.
Brian McKenna
08-30-2007, 07:41 AM
"Under no circumstances did I agree with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays that I was going in as a Devil Ray," said Boggs... "I did not make a decision or accept money from any other team in exchange for saying what team I would represent in the Hall."
"Under no circumstances did I agree with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays that I was going in as a Devil Ray," said Boggs... "I did not make a decision or accept money from any other team in exchange for saying what team I would represent in the Hall."
Do you believe him ?