Pre-1943 Vets' turn

[Captain Cold Nose]

Perhaps the beginning of some long overdue players finally getting in.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-halloffame-veterans&prov=ap&type=lgns

[dgarza]

That article had a typo. It named a player whose career reaches back to the 1870s. :p

[henrich]

Perhaps the beginning of some long overdue players finally getting in.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-halloffame-veterans&prov=ap&type=lgns

Do you know how many the committee members can vote for on their ballot? I hope Gordon gets in, but a lot of worthy candidates.

[Paul Wendt]

That article had a typo. It named a player whose career reaches back to the 1870s. :p

to the 1860s, actually, and he should have been elected more than 70 years ago :(


Henrich,
Vote for 0 to 4 of 10 candidates. In a vote by mail it would be unlikely to elect anyone but this committee meets in person. They will have opportunity to discuss candidates and notice who enjoys and who lacks support; even to withhold voting until it seems appropriate.


Quoting that Cooperstown press release
10 players whose careers began before 1943 who will be considered by the Hall of Fame’s [ ? ] constituted Veterans Committee when it meets on Dec. 7.
Is there a word missing? which one?
The format of the Veterans Committee had been changed twice since 2001, when charges of cronyism accompanied the election of Bill Mazeroski.
That is unusually blunt.


So they have nominated six from the 1930s/40s plus White, Dahlen, Magee, and Mays --certainly the one most commonly named shameful omission and maybe the four most commonly named omissions from that time.
or times, plural. Yes it seems like a typo, suddenly nominating the Deacon after three times making little brother Will White the earliest of 200 nominees, attracting much ridicule (once they elected the wrong Wright, now they nominated the wrong White!).

For those of you not scoring at home, here are the earliest players on the three recent VC ballots, each time among about 25 second-stage nominees.

2003: Mays, Ken Williams, Bob Meusel
2005: Joe Wood, Mays
2007: Mays, Lefty O'Doul

White, Dahlen, and Magee precede all of them.

This is progress, largely due to the change in structure. This nominating committee previously handled the stage one where there were 174 players whom they nominated all three times, including 22 with debuts before Joe Wood; 13 with debuts before Bill Dahlen.

[henrich]

Paul,

I appreciate the info, I had lost track of the most recent data on that one-it's been changing so much during the aughts.

[Paul Wendt]

Excuse me, that article was not the NBHOFM Press Release 3:48 pm (http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=9206&vkey=hof_pr) but a yahoo.com news item with dateline Cooperstown.

Quoting that Cooperstown press release
10 players whose careers began before 1943 who will be considered by the Hall of Fame’s [ ? ] constituted Veterans Committee when it meets on Dec. 7.
Is there a word missing? which one?

The format of the Veterans Committee had been changed twice since 2001, when charges of cronyism accompanied the election of Bill Mazeroski.
That is unusually blunt.

No word is missing. The word "constituted" appears to be inserted in a quotation from the press release. The release says, "The 12 members who will serve as the voting committee for pre-1943 players will be announced soon." (Perhaps the yahoo reporter omitted "to-be-" or "yet-un".)

The release also provides a two-sentence blurb on each nominee, shortest for Magee and longest for Walters.

It does not mention charges of cronyism, nor even the fact of two recent revisions to the process.

[BlueBlood]

Interesting, a few of those are a little odd.....

#1: Here's which ones are in the BBF HOF:

Bill Dahlen
Wes Ferrell
Joe Gordon
Sherry Magee
Carl Mays
Deacon White

I can't recall either Allie Reynolds or Mickey Vernon earning votes in a recent election, so that shows you what we think of those candidacies. Bucky Walters had seven votes in the last election (41.2%). Vern Stephens had nine (52.9%).


#2: The 2003 version of uber-human Bill James ranks the ten by their position as follows:

Carl Mays (38th at P)
Wes Ferrell (40th at P)
Bucky Walters (69th at P)
Allie Reynolds (Not in the Top 100 Pitchers!)

Gordon (16th at 2B)
Dahlen (21st at SS)
Magee (21st at RF)
Stephens (22nd at SS)
Vernon (23rd at 1B)
White (76th at 3B, note that he spent a great deal at C and that the James rank doesn't include the 1871-1875 seasons)


#3: The Ultimate Quest For Candidates Results

Bill Dahlen (#5, #1 of pre-1943)
Deacon White (#10, #3 of pre-1943)
Sherry Magee (#11, #4 of pre-1943)
Joe Gordon (#14, #5 of pre-1943)
Wes Ferrell/Carl Mays (tied at #23 with Larry Doyle, making it a three-way tie for #10 of pre-1943 candidates)
Vern Stephens (#30, #15 of pre-1943 candidates)
Bucky Walters (#61, #35 of pre-1943 candidates
Mickey Vernon (Tied at #71, #40 of pre-1943 candidates)

Allie Reynolds is unranked.

#4: Hall of Merit's ranking of pre-1943 candidates:

#1: Bill Dahlen
#2: Deacon White
#12: Sherry Magee
#14: Joe Gordon
#19: Wes Ferrell

Unranked are Bucky Walters (5th in the 2008 elections), Carl Mays (finished a lowly 39th in the 2008 elections) and Reynolds who earned absolutely zero votes.


Giving One Point To Everyone I Deem To Be In The Top Four In Each Category:

Bill Dahlen: 4 Points (BBF HOF, UQFC, Bill James and HOM eligibles)
Joe Gordon: 4 Points (BBF HOF, UQFC, Bill James and HOM eligibles)
Deacon White: 3 Points (BBF HOF, UQFC and HOM eligibles)
Sherry Magee: 3 Points (BBF HOF, UQFC and HOM eligibles)
Wes Ferrell: 2 Points (BBF HOF and Bill James)
Carl Mays: 2 Points (BBF HOF and Bill James)
Allie Reynolds: 0 Points
Vern Stephens: 0 Points
Mickey Vernon: 0 Points
Bucky Walters: 0 Points

Magee & Stephens don't earn points from the James-o-meter because the rankings of Mays/Ferrell are well over the line for pitchers and certainly above sub-Top 20 ranks at any other position.

It becomes clear that Dahlen, Gordon, White & Magee are most deserving of votes. Freakshow's project had them as four of the five best candidates from this era, so we couldn't have landed a much better ballot unless Paul Hines was involved.

Allie Reynolds is an absolute joke of a pick. He's here only because of a phenomenal amount of WS rings. But hey, weak candidates such as this should only help people check off the boxes next to the big four.

[Paul Wendt]

. . .
#4: Hall of Merit's ranking of pre-1943 candidates:

#1: Bill Dahlen
#2: Deacon White
#12: Sherry Magee
#14: Joe Gordon
#19: Wes Ferrell

Unranked are Bucky Walters (5th in the 2008 elections), Carl Mays (finished a lowly 39th in the 2008 elections) and Reynolds who earned absolutely zero votes.
That Hall of Merit special project ranked the 21 HOM members who are eligible for this pre-1943 veterans committee meeting. Walters, Mays, Reynolds, and also Vern Stephens, Mickey Vernon from the new V.C. slate were not ranked because they are not in the HOM. Instead they are eligible for the annual HOM election where 101 players who retired before 2003 earned points last winter.

The Hall of Merit elects three so Bucky Walters, 5th in that election, is #2 among the incumbents who will be eligible for 2009. The other nominees stand Mays #37, Stephens #42, Vernon #93, Reynolds no points (not listed in the top 15 by any of the 50 HOM voters).

Hall of Merit top page (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/hall_of_merit/newsblog/) (for the annual election, come back in November)

Allie Reynolds is an absolute joke of a pick. He's here only because of a phenomenal amount of WS rings. But hey, weak candidates such as this should only help people check off the boxes next to the big four.
Reynolds scored 20% support in the 2003 v.c. election with 80-some voters, all members of the Hall of Fame and all honored baseball writers and broadcasters. Hereafter a small committee will meet in person.

Here are the recent V.C. results for pre-1943 players
2003
19 Joe Gordon (7th of 26 candidates)
17 Marty Marion
16 Carl Mays
16 Allie Reynolds
12 Wes Ferrell
8 Ken Williams
6 Bob Meusel

2005
16 Marion (10th of 25)
14 Gordon
12 Mays
9 Ferrell
2 Joe Wood (earliest player on any of the three ballots)

2007
15 Lefty O'Doul (9th of 27)
14 Mickey Vernon
12 Cecil Travis
11 Marion
10 Gordon
7 Ferrell
6 Mays

16 votes is 20%, which is enough support that they should have returned Reynolds to the ballot with Marty Marion, Gordon, Mays, and Ferrell. That's all I have to say in his favor as a candidate!

From these incomplete results it is clear that aggregate support for these older candidates was gradually eroding with the arrival of newcomers such as Jim Kaat (reaped 43 and 52 votes from 2005) and Luis Tiant (20 and 15 votes).

Total votes cast: 433, 458, 488
Ballots cast: 81, 80, 82
Average votes cast: 5.35, 5.72, 5.95

[Cougar]

I'd support Dahlen, Gordon, Carl Mays, and Mickey Vernon.

I'd induct all of these guys (well, maybe not Reynolds, but it wouldn't bug me)...but these are the four guys who are near the top of their positions in terms of eligible but uninducted.

I think the only eligible uninducted shortstop that Dahlen isn't definitely better than is Alan Trammell...maybe. Barry Larkin, eligible shortly, is about as good as Trammell. It's a little hard to compare Dahlen to those two, as the game has changed so dramatically, but Dahlen was the best NL shortstop of the turn of the century (excepting Wagner, who's in a different category)...there's no reason for him not to be in.

No caveats with Gordon...the only second basemen better than him and still waiting haven't been retired 5 years. Superlative fielder, great slugger, one of the very best players of the 1940's. Maybe Lou Whitaker on his best day is better, but Whitaker never had that real high peak that Gordon did.

Mays is the best RHP not in the Hall other than Blyleven and maybe Tiant. He's have been in long ago if it weren't for the Ray Chapman beaning, and there's no reason to believe that was anything other than a tragic accident.

Vernon is the one that I know will irk some. The guy was more solid than spectacular over a long career, but he finished his career with 2500 hits playing in a pitchers' park and missing his age 26 and 27 seasons to WWII. He has more Gray Ink than the average HOFer, plus two batting titles and three doubles titles. He was a superlative fielder. The guy really belongs. Plus, just for the record, he's still alive, aged 90.

[henrich]

I'd support Dahlen, Gordon, Carl Mays, and Mickey Vernon.

I'd induct all of these guys (well, maybe not Reynolds, but it wouldn't bug me)...but these are the four guys who are near the top of their positions in terms of eligible but uninducted.

I think the only eligible uninducted shortstop that Dahlen isn't definitely better than is Alan Trammell...maybe. Barry Larkin, eligible shortly, is about as good as Trammell. It's a little hard to compare Dahlen to those two, as the game has changed so dramatically, but Dahlen was the best NL shortstop of the turn of the century (excepting Wagner, who's in a different category)...there's no reason for him not to be in.

No caveats with Gordon...the only second basemen better than him and still waiting haven't been retired 5 years. Superlative fielder, great slugger, one of the very best players of the 1940's. Maybe Lou Whitaker on his best day is better, but Whitaker never had that real high peak that Gordon did.

Mays is the best RHP not in the Hall other than Blyleven and maybe Tiant. He's have been in long ago if it weren't for the Ray Chapman beaning, and there's no reason to believe that was anything other than a tragic accident.

Vernon is the one that I know will irk some. The guy was more solid than spectacular over a long career, but he finished his career with 2500 hits playing in a pitchers' park and missing his age 26 and 27 seasons to WWII. He has more Gray Ink than the average HOFer, plus two batting titles and three doubles titles. He was a superlative fielder. The guy really belongs. Plus, just for the record, he's still alive, aged 90.


Cougar great post, I agree with about 90% of your conclusions here. I wouldn't have a problem with Reynolds either. I've got Concepcion ahead of Trammell, barely, but otherwise, I think you and I are like-minded here. I hope 4 of them get in. That would be rare indeed, as it sounds as if 4 will be the max put in. I'd go Dahlen, Gordon, Mays, and Reynolds.

[BlueBlood]

henrich, you're ok with Reynolds because he earned a ton of extra ink in the H-factor due to being on six championship teams. Remove those bonuses and I'm sure he'll fall way down in your system.

[henrich]

henrich, you're ok with Reynolds because he earned a ton of extra ink in the H-factor due to being on six championship teams. Remove those bonuses and I'm sure he'll fall way down in your system.

I feel like the anchorman here, winning is like "a big deal around here" (sic)

6x 500 =3000 points. I've got him over 10,000 overall though, so he did have some points elsewhere. Both Mays and Reynolds are at that mark, and being considered in the top 10 guys pre-1943, gives that system a little credibility, no?

[BlueBlood]

Show me all ten candidates minus the WS bonus. I'm certain Reynolds will finish last or maybe ahead of a nineteenth century guy which your system tends to underrate.

[henrich]

Show me all ten candidates minus the WS bonus. I'm certainly Reynolds would finish last or maybe ahead of a nineteenth century guy which your system tends to underrate.


Original numbers in order of H-Factor regardless of position:

1. Allie Reynolds 11,828
2. Joe Gordon 10,265
3. Carl Mays 10,097
4. Bucky Walters 10,047
5. Sherry Magee 9800
6. Bill Dahlen 9794
7. Mickey Vernon 9445
8. Vern Stephens 8411
9. Deacon White 6605 (Best 3B in his era)
10. Wes Ferrell 6040 9 out of 10 I can justify, this one is the outlier for me.

Taking out championships?
1. Allie Reynolds 8,828
2. Joe Gordon 7,765
3. Carl Mays 8,097
4. Bucky Walters 9,547
5. Sherry Magee 9,300
6. Bill Dahlen 9,294
7. Mickey Vernon 8,925
8. Vern Stephens 8,411
9. Deacon White 6,605
10. Wes Ferrell 6,040

New shuffle, would then be
1. Walters 9547
2. Magee 9300
3. Dahlen 9294
4. Vernon 8925
5. Reynolds 8828
6. Stephens 8411
7. Mays 8097
8. Gordon 7765
9. White 6605
10. Ferrell 6040

Did you like this layout better? I think it loses a vital component this way. The first one you can see that 10,000 is clearly a good mark for greatness or in leading in one's era at a respective position (needed for deficiencies covered in era 1 previously)

[Brad Harris]

Reynolds is the only one I wouldn't vote for. Outstanding ballot.

[henrich]

Reynolds is the only one I wouldn't vote for. Outstanding ballot.

I agree on the outstanding ballot, I wouldn't vote for Ferrell, but otherwise I could see a case for the others. Is there a backstory on Ferrell?

[BlueBlood]

Ferrell was an excellent hitter, the greatest hitting pitcher other than Mr. Ruth. Your ranking system can't give him that extra credit, but it certainly shoots his ERA+ way up if that were factored in. The guy is about exactly on par with Carl Mays when you factor in the hitting. Their career length, ERA+ and Win Shares all come out to about the same result.

He's going to be an interesting case. There will obviously be people arguing on his behalf. The fact that he made the ballot shows that people are indeed focusing on these modern metrics but it'll be interesting to see how many voters will scoff at his high ERA without realizing that it was great in context and that his value was even greater given his bat.

[jalbright]

Interesting, a few of those are a little odd.....

#1: Here's which ones are in the BBF HOF:

Bill Dahlen
Wes Ferrell
Joe Gordon
Sherry Magee
Carl Mays
Deacon White

I can't recall either Allie Reynolds or Mickey Vernon earning votes in a recent election, so that shows you what we think of those candidacies. Bucky Walters had seven votes in the last election (41.2%). Vern Stephens had nine (52.9%).


#3: The Ultimate Quest For Candidates Results

Bill Dahlen (#5, #1 of pre-1943)
Deacon White (#10, #3 of pre-1943)
Sherry Magee (#11, #4 of pre-1943)
Joe Gordon (#14, #5 of pre-1943)
Wes Ferrell/Carl Mays (tied at #23 with Larry Doyle, making it a three-way tie for #10 of pre-1943 candidates)
Vern Stephens (#30, #15 of pre-1943 candidates)
Bucky Walters (#61, #35 of pre-1943 candidates
Mickey Vernon (Tied at #71, #40 of pre-1943 candidates)

Allie Reynolds is unranked.

Mickey Vernon has had a little support from time to time in the BBF HOF voting, but we're talking one or two votes at a time type support, IIRC. I know he's gotten a vote a couple of times, or he wouldn't be on my spreadsheet for counting the votes. I can't support him, much less Reynolds. I support Stephens and Walters, but they're not as strong as the top six. Mays probably loses out for the Ray Chapman incident. It's hard to say who makes it from the remaining five. Dahlen may be in the best position, as Magee has to deal with being a deadball guy, Ferrell with the ERA over 4 (though in a very high octane time), Gordon with the time lost to war, and White with the bias against the early guys. I'd love to see at least three of that top five make it.

[jalbright]

I guess the two I'd most like to see there instead of Vernon and Reynolds are Hines and Stovey. That would give the 19th century a little more representation, which would be fitting.

[Brad Harris]

I think it's a safe bet that this committee will elect at least one person and that will almost certainly be an improvement on the old system. I can't wait for December 8th!

[dgarza]

If there was only 1 player voted in from this bunch, I'd like it to be White. Not because I necessarily think he's the best player, but because I think there's more of a chance he will fall through the cracks again in the future if he is not elected in. 19th Century players are more likely to be forgotten, and it's a shame.

[Freakshow]

It's a decent list, an improvement over past efforts. It's still heavily slanted towards the more recent players. Fully half of these players were active in 1950; only two played before 1900. It indicates little effort to research all of the first eight decades of professional league play to identify the best candidates. It perpetuates the sorry reputation of the HOF as a historical institution.

If they elect at least one of Dahlen, White, Magee or Gordon it will, again, be an improvement over past efforts.

[Brad Harris]

If there was only 1 player voted in from this bunch, I'd like it to be White. Not because I necessarily think he's the best player, but because I think there's more of a chance he will fall through the cracks again in the future if he is not elected in. 19th Century players are more likely to be forgotten, and it's a shame.

Deacon White was originally considered by the Veterans Committee in the 1940s, but never quite got the trigger pulled on him and the committee never went back and revisted the case, despite White having the support of a simple majority of the voters. It would be great if that were reconciled in December!

[BlueBlood]

Voter 1: Magee, Gordon, White, Dahlen
Voter 2: Magee, Gordon, White, Dahlen
Voter 3: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 4: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 5: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 6: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 7: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 8: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 9: White, Dahlen, Magee, Gordon
Voter 10: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?
Voter 11: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?
Voter 12: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?


They could elect five if they're all of outstanding tactical genius. :eek:

[Brad Harris]

Voter 1: Magee, Gordon, White, Dahlen
Voter 2: Magee, Gordon, White, Dahlen
Voter 3: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 4: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 5: Magee, Gordon, White, Mays
Voter 6: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 7: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 8: Magee, Gordon, Mays, Dahlen
Voter 9: White, Dahlen, Magee, Gordon
Voter 10: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?
Voter 11: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?
Voter 12: White, Dahlen, Mays, ?


They could elect five if they're all of outstanding tactical genius. :eek:

The odds of that are something akin to Pete Rose passing up a free weekend in Atlantic City.

[KCGHOST]

I have zero faith this will work. I would just as soon call it a day on "veteran" selections. All we are doing is giving these guys another chance to elect the wrong person(s).

I would love to see Dahlen and White selected but at the risk of it being Vernon and Reynolds I'll pass.

[BlueBlood]

Really, what argument for Reynolds will anyone there come up with besides "He was on six championship teams"?

And my prediction is that they'll elect Joe Gordon & Bill Dahlen.

[henrich]

Really, what argument for Reynolds will anyone there come up with besides "He was on six championship teams"?

And my prediction is that they'll elect Joe Gordon & Bill Dahlen.


I like your first scenario better with 5 of them in.

6 championships seasons...not a lot of people can say that, what 40 in the history of baseball? I'm guessing, but I don't think I'm that far off. If anyone has that data, I'd be curious what the answer is..

I'm with Classic, I can't wait to selection day!

[BlueBlood]

My reasoning behind people actually being elected this time concerns the crop of candidates. A lot of these are the best of their field and held in high esteem by those that use modern tools to rate players. It just seems far more researched than the previous groups which were a pretty mixed bag with a lot of idiosyncratic choices.

[henrich]

My reasoning behind people actually being elected this time concerns the crop of candidates. A lot of these are the best of their field and held in high esteem by those that use modern tools to rate players. It just seems far more researched than the previous groups which were a pretty mixed bag with a lot of idiosyncratic choices.

Here, Here!

[Appling]

I listed all ten nominee names in the form of a poll question.
Thread title is "Pre-1943 Vets - poll".

Of the ten players listed, I saw only four play in person: Allie Reynolds, Joe Gordon, Vern Stephens and Mickey Vernon. Of that group I voted only for Gordon and Stephens. Gordon was a great fielding second-baseman who hit for power -- and he beat Williams in the 1942 MVP balloting.

Stephens was a fantastic RBI man, and a shortstop with a great arm. I wasn't aware of his drinking habits until much later, so that didn't influence my vote. In his first three seasons with Boston (1948-1949-1950) Stephens had 137, 159 and 144 RBI. For a shortstop! Incredible!

[BlueBlood]

Joe Gordon was elected to the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame about a week before this ballot was released. That could give him an extra push.

Also, Wes Ferrell was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame this February.

[Brad Harris]

Joe Gordon was elected to the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame about a week before this ballot was released. That could give him an extra push.

Also, Wes Ferrell was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame this February.

About time...on both counts.

[Cougar]

I'd support Dahlen, Gordon, Carl Mays, and Mickey Vernon.

I'd induct all of these guys (well, maybe not Reynolds, but it wouldn't bug me)...but these are the four guys who are near the top of their positions in terms of eligible but uninducted.

I think the only eligible uninducted shortstop that Dahlen isn't definitely better than is Alan Trammell...maybe. Barry Larkin, eligible shortly, is about as good as Trammell. It's a little hard to compare Dahlen to those two, as the game has changed so dramatically, but Dahlen was the best NL shortstop of the turn of the century (excepting Wagner, who's in a different category)...there's no reason for him not to be in.

No caveats with Gordon...the only second basemen better than him and still waiting haven't been retired 5 years. Superlative fielder, great slugger, one of the very best players of the 1940's. Maybe Lou Whitaker on his best day is better, but Whitaker never had that real high peak that Gordon did.

Mays is the best RHP not in the Hall other than Blyleven and maybe Tiant. He's have been in long ago if it weren't for the Ray Chapman beaning, and there's no reason to believe that was anything other than a tragic accident.

Vernon is the one that I know will irk some. The guy was more solid than spectacular over a long career, but he finished his career with 2500 hits playing in a pitchers' park and missing his age 26 and 27 seasons to WWII. He has more Gray Ink than the average HOFer, plus two batting titles and three doubles titles. He was a superlative fielder. The guy really belongs. Plus, just for the record, he's still alive, aged 90.

I wrote the above about 30 days ago.

I am pained to report that Mickey Vernon died yesterday, September 24, from complications arising from a stroke he had last week.

RIP.

[Paul Wendt]

Joe Gordon was elected to the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame about a week before this ballot was released. That could give him an extra push.

Also, Wes Ferrell was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame this February.
Ferrell - elected in February?

During a Red Sox radiocast last night(?) guest Lou Gorman, who established the BRSHOF 15-20 years ago, promoted their annual event November 2. They will honor Everett Scott, Wes Ferrell, Mike Greenwell, Mo Vaughn, exec Ed Kinney(?), and scout George Digby. Or so I recall, but I am certain that "we have two old-timers" as Gorman says, Scott and Ferrell. Whatever the November event is, I presume it will generate a few more mentions of Wes Ferrell this fall.

[Paul Wendt]

> Wes Ferrell was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame this February.

elected in February.

From "Bill Lee" at Wikipedia:
"On February 25, 2008 the Red Sox organization announced that Bill Lee will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame on November 7, 2008."

Whether it is November 2 or November 7, that is the event whose coverage we may hope generates some timely attention for Wes Ferrell.

Lou Gorman, who established the BRSox HOF in Fenway Park 15-20 years ago. Long after his term as GM he still works upstairs, on the Hall of Fame and other minor executive projects. During a Red Sox radiocast this Mon or Wed, guest Gorman promoted their annual event November 2. They will honor Everett Scott, Wes Ferrell, Bill Lee, Mike Greenwell, Mo Vaughn, exec Ed Kinney(?), and scout George Digby. (So I recall.)

[BlueBlood]

Yeah, I was going to point out that the election already happened when I saw the first post of yours on the subject. Just one of those things where the ceremony always occurs a half year later. The real hall also tells us who got in at December and they won't be elected until next summer.

More importantly, this bodes pretty well for Ferrell's chances. He'll have all of the hoopla surrounding him before the committee convenes.