BBF Progressive HoF Election: 1930

[DoubleX]

PLEASE READ BEFORE VOTING!

Format and Rules
Voting Rules: Voters may vote for between 0-15 candidates. Votes will be made public, and voters are encouraged to post their ballots in the thread and not view results before voting. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR BALLOT TO 15 VOTES AT MOST. EXCESS VOTES MAY RESULT IN YOUR BALLOT BEING DISQUALIFIED.
-Blank Ballots: A "None of the Above" option is available if you believe no one is worthy and you wish to submit a blank ballot. This option is not to be taken lightly and it is strongly urged that it be used only after the utmost consideration, as non-votes carry great weight. Additionally, if using this option, please post your rationale.

Thoughtfulness and Editing Ballots: Please review and thoughtfully consider the candidates before voting, and make sure you have accurately filled out your ballot before submitting. Requests for editing ballots after the fact will generally not be honored. Exceptions might be made if a voter accidentally voted for the wrong player or accidentally went over the voting limit (but I strongly encourage you to do your best to prevent either from happening).

Required Support: Players receiving at least 75% support in an election will be elected. Players need at least 5% support to stay on the ballot, with an exception for first-year eligible players, who will need at least 1 vote to appear on the next ballot.

Player Eligibility: Players eligible for an election will have last played at least 5 years prior to the election year and have appeared in at least 10 Major League seasons . If a player appeared in less than 10 seasons, he may still be eligible if he had a minimum of 3000 ABs or 1500 IP, though extra scrutiny will be applied. Players will remain on the ballot for 15 years, provided they continue to receive at least 5% of the vote, at which point they will become indefinitely eligible for periodic elections conducted by the Veterans Committee.
- Age Exception: For players 40 or older, they will become eligible the later of either 5 years after their last year of continuous play, or their first inactive year at age 45 or older.

Election Period: Elections will close exactly one week after starting. The next election might not commence for another day or two.


1930 Guide
There are 35 candidates on the 1930 ballot – 22 holdovers and 14 first timers. First time eligible players last played in 1925 (unless qualifying under the age rule).

First Timers (14)
Rube Benton
George J. Burns
Shano Collins
Max Flack
Tommy Griffith
Harry Hooper
Nemo Leibold
Dutch Leonard
Rube Marquard
Hy Myers
Howie Shanks
Elmer Smith
Casey Stengel
Bobby Veach

Holdovers (22)
Player Year of Eligibility Previous Support High Support Low Support Average Support
Chief Bender 9th 60.00% 60.00% (1929) 39.29% (1922) 47.71%
Frank Chance 12th 64.00% 68.00% (1926) 48.28% (1924) 59.26%
Gavvy Cravath 6th 28.00% 37.50% (1925) 25.00% (1927) 29.69%
Jake Daubert 2nd 16.00% 16.00 (1929) 16.00% (1929) 16.00%
Mike Donlin 12th 12.00% 25.93% (1919) 7.14% (1927) 14.93%
Johnny Evers 5th 20.00% 40.00% (1926) 28.57% (1927) 27.70%
Art Fletcher 4th 12.00% 12.00% (1929) 3.57% (1927) 7.66%
Larry Gardner 2nd 12.00% 12.00% (1929) 12.00% (1929) 12.00%
Miller Huggins 10th 12.00% 20.83% (1925) 7.14% (1922) 14.48%
Johnny Kling 13th 20.00% 26.92% (1920) 9.68% (1921) 18.37%
Ed Konetchy 5th 8.00% 12.00% (1926) 8.00% (1929) 10.46%
Tommy Leach 9th 52.00% 52.00% (1929) 33.33% (1925) 41.52%
Ivy Olson 2nd 4.00% 4.00% (1929) 4.00% (1929) 4.00%
Jeff Pfeffer 2nd 4.00% 4.00% (1929) 4.00% (1929) 4.00%
Del Pratt 2nd 16.00% 16.00% (1929) 16.00% (1929) 16.00%
Ed Reulbach 9th 16.00% 17.24% (1924) 7.69% (1923) 11.72%
Jimmy Sheckard 13th 32.00% 42.31% (1920) 25.00% (1927) 31.69%
Amos Strunk 2nd 4.00% 4.00% (1929) 4.00% (1929) 4.00%
Joe Tinker 10th 16.00% 25.00% (1925, 1927) 10.71% (1922) 20.16%
Hippo Vaughn 5th 16.00% 18.52% (1928) 10.71% (1927) 15.31%
Joe Wood 4th 24.00% 35.71% (1927) 29.63 (1928) 29.78%

Holdovers Dropped from Last Election (5)
Player Reason Years on Ballot High Support Low Support Average Support
Jim Bagby Lack of Support 2 3.70% (1928) 0% (1929) 1.85%
Bill Bradley Lack of Support 10 16.13% (1921) 4.00% (1929) 11.79%
Clark Griffith Eligibility Expired 15 62.50% (1925) 32.00% (1915) 47.42%
Reb Russell Lack of Support 2 7.41% (1928) 0% (1929) 3.71%
Tilly Walker Lack of Support 2 3.70% (1928) 0% (1929) 1.85%

Last Year of Eligibility (0)
Player High Support

Penultimate Year of Eligibility (0)
Player High Support

Holdovers Receiving At Least 50% in the Previous Election (4)
Player 1928 Support Years with At Least 50% Support
Frank Chance 64.00% 10
Chief Bender 60.00% 3
Tommy Leach 52.00% 2

Hall of “Almost” - Players Receiving At Least 2/3 Support in an Election But Never Elected (2)
Player High Support “Almost Years” Last Year on Ballot
Frank Chance 68.00% (1926) 1
Jimmy Ryan 67.86% (1922) 1 1922


HALL OF FAMERS

Players Elected (67)
Player Year Elected Election Percentage Years on Ballot Position Primary Team Active Years Total Seasons Living/Deceased Age at Election
Cap Anson 1902 100% 1 First Base Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1871-1897 27 Deceased (1852-1922) 50
Frank Baker 1927 96.43% 1 Third Base Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1908-1914, 1916-1919, 1921-1922 13 Living - Age 44 41
Ross Barnes^ 1911 76.00% 11 Second Base Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1879, 1881 9 Deceased (1850-1915) 61
Jake Beckley 1917 76.00% 6 First Base Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1887-1907 20 Deceased (1867-1918) 50
Charlie Bennett 1907 75.00% 7 Catcher Detroit Wolverines (NL) 1878, 1880-1893 15 Deceased (1854-1927) 53
Roger Bresnahan 1925 79.17% 6 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1897, 1900-1915 17 Living - Age 51 46
Dan Brouthers 1901 90.00% 1 First Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1896, 1904 18 Living – Age 72 50
Mordecai Brown 1921 96.77% 1 Pitcher Chicago Cubs (NL) 1903-1916 14 Living – Age 54 45
Pete Browning 1909 77.27% 9 Center Field/Left Field Louisville Colonels (NL/AA) 1882-1894 13 Deceased (1861-1905) Deceased
Jesse Burkett 1910 92.00% 1 Left field Cleveland Spiders (NL) 1890-1905 16 Living – Age 62 42
Bob Caruthers 1909 77.27% 9 Pitcher/Right Field St. Louis Browns (Cardinals) (NL/AA) 1884-1893 10 Deceased (1864-1911) 45
Cupid Childs 1920 76.92% 15 Second Base Cleveland Spiders (NL) 1888, 1890-1901 13 Deceased (1867-1912) Deceased
Fred Clarke 1917 88.00% 1 Left Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1894-1915 21 Living – Age 62 45
John Clarkson 1901 90.00% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1882, 1884-1894 12 Deceased (1861-1909) 40
Jimmy Collins 1913 82.61% 1 Third Base Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1895-1908 14 Living – Age 60 43
Roger Connor 1902 79.17% 1 First Base New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Living – Age 73 45
Sam Crawford 1922 92.86% 1 Right Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1899-1917 19 Living – Age 50 41
Bill Dahlen 1916 88.00% 1 Shortstop Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1891-1911 21 Living – Age 60 46
George Davis 1914 84.62% 1 Shortstop New York Giants (NL) 1890-1909 20 Living – Age 60 44
Ed Delahanty 1908 96.00% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1903 16 Deceased (1867-1903) Deceased
Larry Doyle 1926 76.00% 2 Second Base New York Giants (NL) 1907-1920 14 Living - Age 44 40
Hugh Duffy 1918 75.00% 8 Center Field/Outfield Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1888-1901, 1904-1906 17 Living – Age 64 52
Buck Ewing 1902 83.33% 1 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Deceased (1859-1906) 43
Elmer Flick 1916 80.00% 1 Right Field Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1898-1910 13 Living – Age 54 40
Pud Galvin 1903 80.77% 3 Pitcher Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1875, 1879-1892 15 Deceased (1856-1902) Deceased
Jack Glasscock 1911 84.00% 11 Shortstop Cleveland Blues (NL) 1879-1895 17 Living – Age 73 54
George Gore 1909 77.27% 9 Center Field Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1879-1892 14 Living – Age 73 52
Hughie Jennings 1927 75.00% 14 Shortstop Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1891-1903, 1907, 1909, 1912, 1918 17 Deceased (1869-1928) 58
Addie Joss 1929 76.00% 15 Pitcher Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1902-1910 9 Deceased (1880-1911) Deceased
Billy Hamilton 1906 82.61% 1 Center Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1901 14 Living – Age 64 40
Paul Hines 1904 76.00% 4 Center Field Providence Grays (NL) 1872-1891 20 Living – Age 75 49
Tim Keefe 1901 75.00% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1893 14 Living – Age 73 44
Willie Keeler 1916 92.00% 2 Right Field Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1892-1910 19 Deceased (1872-1923) 44
Joe Kelley 1920 84.62% 8 Left Field Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1891-1906, 1908 17 Living – Age 59 49
King Kelly 1902 75.00% 2 Right Field/Catcher Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1878-1893 16 Deceased (1857-1894) Deceased
Napoleon Lajoie 1921 96.77% 1 Second Base Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1896-1916 21 Living – Age 56 47
Herman Long* 1925 (VC) 75.00% VC Shortstop Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1889-1904 16 Deceased (1866-1909) Deceased
Sherry Magee 1924 86.21% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1904-1919 16 Deceased (1884-1929) 40
Christy Mathewson 1922 93.55% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1900-1916 17 Deceased (1880-1925) 41
Joe McGinnity 1913 91.30% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1899-1908 10 Deceased (1871-1929) 42
Bid McPhee 1905 75.00% 2 Second Base Cincinnati Reds (NL/AA) 1882-1899 18 Living – Age 71 46
Cal McVey*^ 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Catcher/First Base Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1879 9 Deceased (1849-1926) 71
Tony Mullane 1908 80.00% 8 Pitcher Cincinnati Reds (NL/AA) 1881-1894 14 Living – Age 70 49
Kid Nichols 1911 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1890-1901, 1904-1906 15 Living – Age 61 42
Jim O’Rourke 1901 90.00% 1 Left Field/Utility New York Giants (NL) 1872-1893, 1904 23 Deceased (1850-1919) 51
Dickey Pearce*^ 1920 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) 1871-1877 7 Deceased (1836-1908) Deceased
Lip Pike*^ 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Center Field Baltimore Canaries (NA) 1871-1878, 1881, 1887 10 Deceased (1845-1893) Deceased
Eddie Plank 1922 92.86% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1901-1917 17 Deceased (1875-1926) 47
Charley Radbourn 1901 95.00% 1 Pitcher Providence Grays (NL) 1881-1891 11 Deceased (1854-1897) Deceased
Hardy Richardson* 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC Second Base/Left Field Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1892 14 Living – Age 75 65
Amos Rusie 1906 78.26% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1889-1895, 1897-1898, 1901 10 Living – Age 59 35
Al Spalding^ 1915 80.00% 15 Pitcher Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1878 8 Deceased (1850-1915) Deceased
Joe Start*^ 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC First Base Providence Grays (NL) 1871-1886 16 Deceased (1842-1927) 78
Harry Stovey 1907 75.00% 7 Left Field/First Base Philadelphia Athletics (AA) 1880-1893 14 Living – Age 74 51
Ezra Sutton* 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Third Base Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1871-1888 18 Deceased (1850-1907) Deceased
Sam Thompson 1907 79.17% 5 Right Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1885-1898, 1906 15 Deceased (1860-1922) 47
George Van Haltren 1918 75.00% 11 Center Field New York Giants (NL) 1887-1903 17 Living – Age 64 52
Rube Waddell 1915 84.00% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1897, 1899-1910 13 Deceased (1876-1914) Deceased
Honus Wagner 1922 92.86% 1 Shortstop Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1897-1917 21 Living – Age 56 48
Bobby Wallace 1925 75.00% 3 Shortstop St. Louis Browns (AL) 1894-1918 25 Living - Age 57 52
Ed Walsh 1922 89.29% 1 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1904-1917 14 Living – Age 49 41
John Ward 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop/Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1878-1894 17 Deceased (1860-1925) 47
Mickey Welch* 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1892 13 Living – Age 71 61
Deacon White^ 1904 76.00% 4 Catcher/Third Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1871-1890 20 Living – Age 83 57
Vic Willis 1919 77.78% 5 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1898-1910 13 Living – Age 54 43
George Wright^ 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1882 12 Living – Age 83 60
Cy Young 1916 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1890-1911 22 Living – Age 63 49

* = Elected by Veterans Committee
^ = Played Significantly Prior to 1871

Players Elected by Primary Position
Catcher (5): Charlie Bennett, Roger Bresnahan, Buck Ewing, Cal McVey, Deacon White
First Base (5): Cap Anson, Jake Beckley, Dan Brouthers, Roger Connor, Joe Start
Second Base (6): Ross Barnes, Cupid Childs, Larry Doyle, Napoleon Lajoie, Bid McPhee, Hardy Richardson
Third Base (3): Frank Baker, Jimmy Collins, Ezra Sutton
Shortstop (10): Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Jack Glasscock, Hughie Jennings, Herman Long, Dickey Pearce, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, John Ward, George Wright
Left Field (7): Jesse Burkett, Fred Clarke, Ed Delahanty, Joe Kelley, Sherry Magee, Jim O'Rourke, Harry Stovey
Center Field (7): Pete Browning, Hugh Duffy, George Gore, Billy Hamilton, Paul Hines, Lip Pike, George Van Haltren
Right Field (5): Sam Crawford, King Kelly, Elmer Flick, Willie Keeler, Sam Thompson
Pitcher (19): Mordecai Brown, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Pud Galvin, Addie Joss, Tim Keefe, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Tony Mullane, Kid Nichols, Eddie Plank, Charley Radbourn, Amos Rusie, Al Spalding, Rube Waddell, Ed Walsh, Mickey Welch, Vic Willis, Cy Young

Players Elected by Year
1901 (5): Dan Brouthers, John Clarkson, Tim Keefe, Jim O’Rourke, Charley Radbourn
1902 (4): Cap Anson, Roger Conner, Buck Ewing, King Kelly
1903 (1): Pud Galvin
1904 (2): Paul Hines, Deacon White
1905 (1): Bid McPhee
1906 (2): Billy Hamilton, Amos Rusie
1907 (5): Charlie Bennett, Harry Stovey, Sam Thompson, John Ward, George Wright
1908 (2): Ed Delahanty, Tony Mullane
1909 (3): Pete Browning, Bob Caruthers, George Gore
1910 (1): Jesse Burkett
1911 (3): Ross Barnes, Jack Glasscock, Kid Nichols
1912 (0):
1913 (2): Jimmy Collins, Joe McGinnity
1914 (1): George Davis
1915 (2): Al Spalding, Rube Waddell
1916 (4): Bill Dahlen, Elmer Flick, Willie Keeler, Cy Young
1917 (2): Jake Beckley, Fred Clarke
1918 (2): Hugh Duffy, George Van Haltren
1919 (1): Vic Willis
1920 (2): Cupid Childs, Joe Kelley
- 1920 VC (7): Cal McVey, Dickey Pearce, Lip Pike, Hardy Richardson, Joe Start, Ezra Sutton, Mickey Welch
1921 (3): Mordecai Brown, Napoleon Lajoie, Christy Mathewson
1922 (4): Sam Crawford, Eddie Plank, Honus Wagner, Ed Walsh
1923 (0):
1924 (1): Sherry Magee
1925 (2): Roger Bresnahan, Bobby Wallace
- 1925 VC (1): Herman Long
1926 (1): Larry Doyle
1927 (2): Frank Baker, Hughie Jennings
1928 (0):
1929 (1): Addie Joss

Players Elected by Primary Decade
1870s (9): Ross Barnes, Cal McVey, Dickey Pearce, Lip Pike, Al Spalding, Joe Start, Ezra Sutton, Deacon White, George Wright
1880s (21): Cap Anson, Charlie Bennett, Dan Brouthers, Pete Browning, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Roger Conner, Buck Ewing, Pud Galvin, Jack Glasscock, George Gore, Paul Hines, Tim Keefe, King Kelly, Tony Mullane, Jim O’Rourke, Charley Radbourn, Hardy Richardson, Harry Stovey, John Ward, Mickey Welch
1890s (16): Jake Beckley, Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs, Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Ed Delahanty, Hugh Duffy, Billy Hamilton, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Herman Long, Bid McPhee, Kid Nichols, Amos Rusie, Sam Thompson, George Van Haltren
1900s (18): Roger Bresnahan, Mordecai Brown, Fred Clarke, Jimmy Collins, Sam Crawford, Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Willie Keeler, Napoleon Lajoie, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Eddie Plank, Rube Waddell, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, Ed Walsh, Vic Willis, Cy Young
1910s (3): Frank Baker, Larry Doyle, Sherry Magee

Players Elected by Primary Organization
Baltimore Canaries (NA) (1): Lip Pike
Baltimore Orioles (NL) (3): Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley
Boston Braves (fka Beaneaters) (NL) (6): John Clarkson, Hugh Duffy, Herman Long, Kid Nichols, Ezra Sutton, Vic Willis
Boston Red Sox (fka Americans) (AL) (2): Jimmy Collins, Cy Young
Boston Red Stockings (NA) (4): Ross Barnes, Cal McVey, Al Spalding, George Wright
Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) (1): Dickey Pearce
Buffalo Bisons (NL) (4): Dan Brouthers, Pud Galvin, Hardy Richardson, Deacon White
Chicago Cubs (fka White Stockings, Colts) (NL) (5): Cap Anson, Mordecai Brown, Bill Dahlen, George Gore, King Kelly
Chicago White Sox (AL) (1): Ed Walsh
Cincinnati Reds (NL, AA) (2): Bid McPhee, Tony Mullane
Cleveland Blues (NL) (1): Jack Glasscock
Cleveland Indians (fka Naps) (AL) (3): Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Napoleon Lajoie
Cleveland Spiders (NL) (2): Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs
Detroit Tigers (AL) (1): Sam Crawford
Detroit Wolverines (NL) (1): Charlie Bennett
Louisville Colonels (NL, AA) (1): Pete Browning
New York Giants (NL) (13): Roger Bresnahan, Roger Connor, George Davis, Larry Doyle, Buck Ewing, Tim Keefe, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jim O’Rourke, Amos Rusie, George Van Haltren, John Ward, Mickey Welch
Philadelphia Athletics (AL) (3): Frank Baker, Eddie Plank, Rube Waddell
Philadelphia Athletics (AA) (1): Harry Stovey
Philadelphia Phillies (NL) (4): Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Sherry Magee, Sam Thompson
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) (3): Jake Beckley, Fred Clarke, Honus Wagner
Providence Grays (NL) (3): Paul Hines, Charley Radbourn, Joe Start
St. Louis Browns (AL) (1): Bobby Wallace
St. Louis Cardinals (fka Browns) (NL, AA) (1): Bob Caruthers


Miscellaneous Information
- Highest Regular Election Percentage: Cap Anson, Kid Nichols, Cy Young – 100%
- Number of 1st Ballot Electees: 29
- Number of Electees with At Least 90% Support: 18
- Average Regular Election Percentage: 83.72
- Most Years on Ballot Before Election: Cupid Childs, Addie Joss, Al Spalding – 15
- Number of Players Elected After 10 Years on Ballot: 7
- Average Wait Before Election: 4.17 Years
- Number of Players Lasting 15 Years on Ballot without Election: 17
- Number of Players Elected by Veterans Committee: 8
- Average Electees per Veterans Committee Election: 4
- Highest Percentage Among Players Not Elected: Frank Chance – 68.00% (1926)
- Highest Average Percentage Among Players Not Elected: Frank Chance - 59.26%
- Most Regular Election Electees in One Year: 5 (1901, 1907)
- Fewest Regular Election Electees in One Year: 0 (1912, 1923, 1928)
- Average Regular Election Electees Per Year: 2.03
- Largest Ballot: 78 Players (1901)
- Smallest Ballot: 23 Players (1918)
- Most Votes Cast: 31 (1921)
- Fewest Votes Cast: 20 (1901)
- Average Votes Cast: 25.17
- Team With Most Players Elected: New York Giants - 13
- Team With Second Most Players Elected: Boston Braves (fka Beaneaters) - 6
- Electee with Longest Post-1871 Career: Cap Anson – 27 Seasons
- Electee with Shortest Post-1871 Career: Dickey Pearce – 8 Seasons
- Average Post-1871 Career Length of Electees: 15.61 Seasons
- Youngest Elected Player: Amos Rusie – Age 35
- Oldest Elected Player: Joe Start – 78
- Average Age at Election: 48.41
- Number of Posthumously Elected Players: 13
- Number of Living Hall of Famers: 38
- Oldest Living Hall of Famer: Deacon White, George Wright - 83
- Deceased in Past Year:

Number of Ballots Submitted in Past Elections
1901: 20
1902: 24
1903: 26
1904: 25
1905: 24
1906: 23
1907: 24
1908: 25
1909: 22
1910: 25
1911: 25
1912: 23
1913: 23
1914: 26
1915: 25
1916: 25
1917: 25
1918: 24
1919: 27
1920: 26
1921: 31
1922: 28
1923: 25
1924: 29
1925: 24
1926: 25
1927: 28
1928: 27
1929: 25

Links to Past Elections (10)
1901 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77167)
1902 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77464)
1903 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77797)
1904 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78133)
1905 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78417)
1906 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=78737)
1907 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79020)
1908 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79393)
1909 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=79738)
1910 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=80134)
1911 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=80597)
1912 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81008)
1913 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81477)
1914 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=81965)
1915 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82365)
1916 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82681)
1917 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=82940)
1918 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83241)
1919 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83422)
1920 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83665), 1920 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83697)
1921 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83924)
1922 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84099)
1923 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84257)
1924 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84423)
1925 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84552), 1925 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84636)
1926 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84727)
1927 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84871)
1928 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85029)
1929 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85206)

[DoubleX]

Another weak crop, though I believe Bobby Veach is worthy of election.

I don't understand why Amos Strunk carried over but Clyde Milan never received a vote. I think Milan has the distinction of best player never to receive a vote (not counting Jack Chesbro who we just totally forgot).

My ballot:

Frank Chance - With Joss elected, Chance now has the dubious distinction of most-supported player not elected. I can see how he's a tough case, but being simultaneously the best player and the manager of the first dynasty of the World Series era, is enough for me. His position is also one I believe we may be underrepresenting, though that could change in the next 10-15 years. For the meantime though, we have not elected a 1Bman whose career started after 1888, 42 years. So at 1B we essentially have 30 years of the 19th Century represented by 5 players, while 25 years of the 20th Century represented by only the end of Jake Beckley's career. Perhaps we should be giving a harder look to some 1Bmen of the early 20th century, not just Chance, but perhaps Konetchy and Daubert as well.

Tommy Leach - The conversation about him a few elections ago sold me on him, and I don't appear to be alone as he's picked up support. He'll need more convincing conversation though to get him over the top. I'm impressed that he could play two important defensive position so well, while providing pretty good offense, and in that flexibility, provided great value to his team.

Del Pratt - I'm still not fully sold on Pratt. I kind of see him as the 2B version of Bobby Veach. I'd like to hear more on his defense, but I've gathered after the incomparable Eddie Collins, Pratt was as good as anyone defensively during his prime. Offensively he could get the job done with a 112 OPS+. He's not in Larry Doyle's class offensively, but when you combine Pratt's defense with offense, he might be close overall to Doyle, who we elected on his second try.

Bobby Veach - I think he meets our OF standards, and with another lean year, he could be a subject of good conversation.

[NineWorldSeries]

Chief Bender

[jjpm74]

Chief Bender
Frank Chance
Jake Daubert
Johnny Kling
Tommy Leach
Rube Marquard
Jimmy Sheckard

Tommy Leach is a major oversight on our part. Especially considering the fact that we have elected Hughie Jennings. Leach's career value blows Jennings out of the water. We've elected several flash in the pan players (Jennings, Joss, Barnes). How about showing some consideration for a player who had a hall of fame career at not one but two defensive positions?

[DoubleX]

Chief Bender
Frank Chance
Jake Daubert
Johnny Kling
Tommy Leach
Rube Marquard
Jimmy Sheckard

Tommy Leach is a major oversight on our part. Especially considering the fact that we have elected Hughie Jennings. Leach's career value blows Jennings out of the water. We've elected several flash in the pan players (Jennings, Joss, Barnes). How about showing some consideration for a player who had a hall of fame career at not one but two defensive positions?

I've tried the Jennings comparisons to players before. You're likely to get a response pointing out that Leach, unlike Jennings, never had a strong claim to best positional player in the game over a 4 year period like Jennings did, as a SS no less. Though Leach did have 2 or 3 seasons where he was at least in the conversation of best 3 players not named Honus Wagner. Anyway, I support Leach, but based on experience, Jennings comparisons don't seem to work too well here.

[Paul Wendt]

First Timers (14)
Rube Benton
George Burns
Shano Collins
Max Flack
Tommy Griffith
Harry Hooper
Nemo Leibold
Dutch Leonard
Rube Marquard
Hy Myers
Howie Shanks
Elmer Smith
Casey Stengel
Bobby Veach
Rube, Dutch, Rube, and 11 outfielders?
Howie Shanks played more third-short-second than he did outfield. The ten others seem to have no excuses.

[jalbright]

Tommy Leach

[Paul Wendt]

I don't understand why Amos Strunk carried over but Clyde Milan never received a vote. I think Milan has the distinction of best player never to receive a vote (not counting Jack Chesbro who we just totally forgot).
Strunk played for the champion White Elephants and champion Red Stockings.
no comment yet on the "zero votes" theme.
Frank Chance - With Joss elected, Chance now has the dubious distinction of most-supported player not elected. I can see how he's a tough case, but being simultaneously the best player and the manager of the first dynasty of the World Series era, is enough for me. . . .

Tommy Leach - The conversation about him a few elections ago sold me on him, and I don't appear to be alone as he's picked up support. He'll need more convincing conversation though to get him over the top. I'm impressed that he could play two important defensive position so well, while providing pretty good offense, and in that flexibility, provided great value to his team.
Leach was also a cornerstone of the first dynasty of the 20th century. Some of us consider "the World Series era" a Chicago conspiracy. or a New York conspiracy. although Chicago and New York should be happy to put the 1880s into a World Series era, too.

[philkid3]

Chief Bender
Frank Chance
Art Fletcher
Tommy Leach
Jimmy Sheckard
Joe Tinker


I did not realize Bill Bradley was facing support problems. That's distressing. I will definitely support him when he comes up on the VC.

I'm still voting for Art Fletcher only to keep him on the ballot, but I may soon drop him.

Bobby Veach looks to meet my standard statistically, but I'd admittedly never heard of him before. As a result, I'm not voting for him yet. I'm going to take some time and try and be more familiar with him before giving him my vote.

[Cowtipper]

Bender
Chance
Cravvath
Daubert
Donlin
Hooper
Leach
Reulbach
Veach
Wood

I might drop Veach and/or Hooper in future elections, but I'm not sure.

[leecemark]

Frank Chance
Tommy Leach
--and a tip of the hat to George Burns

[PVNICK]

Bender
Chance
Evers
Kling
Leach
Sheckard

[leecemark]

--A little dismayed by the strong start for Bender. His consistent 60% support has been baffling enough, but he is at 80 in the early going. What about him is so appealing? He isn't even one of the top 10 pitchers of his generation.

[DoubleX]

--A little dismayed by the strong start for Bender. His consistent 60% support has been baffling enough, but he is at 80 in the early going. What about him is so appealing? He isn't even one of the top 10 pitchers of his generation.

I agree. I think I made a good argument against him a couple of elections ago.

- He never finished higher than 3rd in any major statistical category

- He never finished in the top 10 in IP

- A 112 ERA+ in 3000 IP is decent, but a far cry from Hall of Fame impressive

- Most seasons, he was no better than the 4th or even 5th best pitcher on his own team

[jjpm74]

I agree. I think I made a good argument against him a couple of elections ago.

- He never finished higher than 3rd in any major statistical category

- He never finished in the top 10 in IP


That sounds a lot like Addie Joss. ;)

[gman5431]

Miller Huggins (he went to UC), Marquard, and Wood.

G Rizzle

[KCGHOST]

I didn't want to vote for anybody, but decided to give a one-time flyer to Chance and Leach.

[AG2004]

May I ask for one clarification on future ballots?

The George Burns on this ballot is George J. Burns, the National League outfielder. In a few years, George H. Burns, the American League first baseman, will become eligible.

You might want to list them as George J. Burns (OF-NL) and George H. Burns (1B-AL), respectively.

[DoubleX]

That sounds a lot like Addie Joss. ;)

Not really. Joss' deficiency is the IP, but Bender is even more deficient in that area and the quality of Bender's innings doesn't approach anything close to Joss.

In his 9 year career, Joss twice eclipsed 325 innings, and five times over 280. Joss also finished in the top 5 in IP twice. Bender in comparison, in his 16 year career, had a career high of just 270 IP, which came during his rookie year, and he reached 250 just 3 times. And again, Bender never finished in the top 10 in IP. That's extremely paltry for a supposedly frontline starter of his era. And Bender wasn't a frontline starter, in many years he wasn't any better than 4th best on his own team.

Joss also did lead the league in some important statistical categories - twice in ERA, once in wins, twice in WHIP, and once in ERA+. Again, Bender never finished higher than third in these categories and only reached third twice, whereas Joss finished in the top 3 in these categories 16 times (including IP). If you also include complete games and shutouts, Joss gets another league leading point (for shutouts) and and six more top 3 finishes, while Bender gets just one more top 3 finish, bringing the total to: Joss - 22; Bender - 3. This isn't even with considering the fact that Bender played out his entire career, while Joss' early death denied him extra opportunities.

There's really no comparison here. Bender is extremely deficient for his ERA in IP, moreso than Joss, and his quality far far removed from Joss. Bender would easily be the very worst selection of any position in our Hall, IMO, and greatly expand the standards for pitchers.

EDIT: AG, I'll make the clarification.

[Domenic]

Frank Chance
Gavvy Cravath
Tommy Leach
Bobby Veach
Joe Wood

[BlueBlood]

Chief Bender

Same. Thought about Frank Chance but I can only induct him as a contributor since it takes into account the entire picture. There just isn't enough meat in that career for his playing career's credentials to stand alone.

[Freakshow]

Joss was elected. Griffith expired. Taking their places are newbies Burns and Hooper.

Bender
GJ Burns
Chance
Cravath
Evers
Hooper
Huggins
Kling
Konetchy
Leach
Pratt
Sheckard
Tinker
H. Vaughn
Wood

[philkid3]

Statistically, Bender is below my line. I am voting for him as the strongest representative of the American Indian community. It's a cultural vote.

If we ever have a black player in baseball, he will get my vote as long as he's at least competent. Bender may not have faced the same predjudice that our first black player will face, but he was more than competent and I believe his success meant a lot to a large part of our nation.

[AstrosFan]

Chance
Leach
Sheckard

[Brooklyn]

Just cast my first empty ballot

[DoubleX]

Any theories as to why the last 8 years or so have been so lean? We've been electing players at a much slower rate, and with the possible exception of Frank Baker, I don't believe any of the 8 players we've elected since 1923 are top tier Hall of Famers.

This is who I have for 1931, which is yet another pretty weak ballot:

Babe Adams
Carson Bigbee - May not be on ballot
Wilbur Cooper
Hooks Dauss
Dixie Davis - Likely won't be on ballot
Jimmy Johnston - May not be on ballot
Fred Merkle
Eddie Murphy - Likely won't be on ballot
Johnny Rawlings - Likely won't be on ballot
Everett Scott - May not be on ballot
Hank Severeid
Allen Sothoron - Likely won't be on ballot
Milt Stock
Bill Wambsganss - May not be on ballot
Whitey Witt
Ross Youngs

Fortunately, things improve dramatically starting in 1932. Here are some of the bigger names that will become eligible in the next few years:

1932: Walter Johnson, Zack Wheat, Heinie Groh, Jack Fournier
1933: Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski, Urban Shocker
1934: Max Carey, Carl Mays, Ray Schalk, Ken Williams
1935: Pete Alexander, Eddie Collins, George Sisler, Dave Bancroft, Cy Williams, Bob Meusel

[BlueBlood]

Well, at least my ballot will double from one pitcher to two next season thanks to Wilbur Cooper.

[jjpm74]

Any theories as to why the last 8 years or so have been so lean? We've been electing players at a much slower rate, and with the possible exception of Frank Baker, I don't believe any of the 8 players we've elected since 1923 are top tier Hall of Famers.

This is who I have for 1931, which is yet another pretty weak ballot:

Babe Adams
Carson Bigbee - May not be on ballot
Wilbur Cooper
Hooks Dauss
Dixie Davis - Likely won't be on ballot
Jimmy Johnston - May not be on ballot
Fred Merkle
Eddie Murphy - Likely won't be on ballot
Johnny Rawlings - Likely won't be on ballot
Everett Scott - May not be on ballot
Hank Severeid
Allen Sothoron - Likely won't be on ballot
Milt Stock
Bill Wambsganss - May not be on ballot
Whitey Witt
Ross Youngs


Everett Scott, Carson Bigbee and Bill Wambsganss should definitely be on the next ballot. Jimmy Johnston is borderline.

[leecemark]

--Chance and Leach are running at 70% this year. I doubt they will may it over the hump - although I'd be happy to be wrong. If they don't then they need a big push in 1931. Any "last year leniency" is likely to be counteracted by the big names showing up on the ballot.
--For next year Adams, Cooper and Youngs should generate some good discussion and get reasonable support. I think Everett Scott deserves to at least appear on the ballot, although I'd not inclined to vote for him.

[bambambaseball]

Everett Scott had 2 years where he almost won an MVP. He would have been an all star a few times if it was around. He played a defensive position. Why are you considering not adding him? I might even vote for him.

[jjpm74]

Which two years did he almost win the MVP? Finishing 14th and 15th in the MVP voting is not almost winning an MVP. Everett Scott is a borderline player for the ballot. The main reasons I think he warrants inclusion is because he was a regular on several championship teams and an A+ in defensive win shares as a short stop.

[Freakshow]

Which two years did he almost win the MVP? Finishing 14th and 15th in the MVP voting is not almost winning an MVP. Everett Scott is a borderline player for the ballot. The main reasons I think he warrants inclusion is because he was a regular on several championship teams and an A+ in defensive win shares as a short stop.Scott is best known for having the third longest consecutive games played streak of all time, nearly nine years long, 1,307 games. He had good fortune in choosing teammates, winning four rings. Never came close to actually having a MVP-type season.

Having said that, Mark Belanger was a better hitter and fielder. Deserves his one and done, but nothing more.

[philkid3]

Statistically, Bender is below my line. I am voting for him as the strongest representative of the American Indian community. It's a cultural vote.

If we ever have a black player in baseball, he will get my vote as long as he's at least competent. Bender may not have faced the same predjudice that our first black player will face, but he was more than competent and I believe his success meant a lot to a large part of our nation.

I notice this got no argument. Can I assume it was a satisfactory answer?

[dgarza]

Chief Bender
George Burns
Frank Chance
Gavvy Cravath
Mike Donlin
Johnny Evers
Harry Hooper
Rube Marquard
Joe Tinker
Bobby Veach


1. Bobby Veach
2. Gavvy Cravath
3. Chief Bender
4. Mike Donlin
5. George Burns
6. Rube Marquard
7. Harry Hooper
8. Johnny Evers
9. Joe Tinker
10. Frank Chance

[Paul Wendt]

Statistically, Bender is below my line. I am voting for him as the strongest representative of the American Indian community. It's a cultural vote.

If we ever have a black player in baseball, he will get my vote as long as he's at least competent. Bender may not have faced the same predjudice that our first black player will face, but he was more than competent and I believe his success meant a lot to a large part of our nation.
Very likely, I believe, we have seen many ballplayers come and go with more than a little blood of Africa in their veins, as we all know about the blood of America. There must be thousands of both types in New Orleans and up river to St Louis, where the French trapped and traded 200 years ago, and continued to settle 150 years ago.

If I may coin a term, I suppose you mean a "visibly black" man who enjoys or perhaps suffers :-( a major league career long enough to meet the normal threshold for the Hall of Fame. I know we will put the first such a one on the ballot and I presume we will stretch the point to cover anyone who plays so long as Chief Albert Bender's catcher Chief John Tortes Meyers (3226 pa).

How far will we stretch the point, I wonder? Moses Walker played for a while in the major American Association of the 1880s; his fellows Bud Fowler and Frank Grant both played our national game professionally for almost 20 years while the color line was drawn around and through them. A few years before Bender, the "visible Indian" Louis Sockalexis was a brighter star than Moses Walker, but he dimmed all-too-quickly and played short of ten years in the all of Organized Baseball.

Today we have the Negro National League and we have seen some other leagues come and go. Can any one of the players be called a bright star of the national game? When we next see a black man in the majors it is likely to be an older pitcher of some reputation, a regional star hired by a struggling ballclub as an exhibition. We may soon have more than a few struggling ballclubs in the majors, and we only need one in a region where a few black men have drawing power.

John Donaldson still leads the all-stars north and west but he is long in the tooth. Does he pitch much? Do you think he will pitch in the American Association this summer, probably KC or the Twin Cities? Is there a new Donaldson who may draw major league fans in Chicago?

What of Jackman in Philadelphia? No doubt the Phillies are a candidate for the struggling ballclub if they do not find their magnanimous sportsman. What of the late Foster's brother?

[AG2004]

Today we have the Negro National League and we have seen some other leagues come and go. Can any one of the players be called a bright star of the national game? When we next see a black man in the majors it is likely to be an older pitcher of some reputation, a regional star hired by a struggling ballclub as an exhibition. We may soon have more than a few struggling ballclubs in the majors, and we only need one in a region where a few black men have drawing power.

John Donaldson still leads the all-stars north and west but he is long in the tooth. Does he pitch much? Do you think he will pitch in the American Association this summer, probably KC or the Twin Cities? Is there a new Donaldson who may draw major league fans in Chicago?

What of Jackman in Philadelphia? No doubt the Phillies are a candidate for the struggling ballclub if they do not find their magnanimous sportsman. What of the late Foster's brother?

I don't think any team in a multi-league city will be brave enough to make the first signing. There's a significant population of white racists, and any gain made in black fans might be lost by the racists deciding to support the other team. Owners in those cities, no matter how much they think signing a Negro League star might help their team, might refuse to do so to keep their fans. "Nothing personal. It's just business."

My guess is that the first team to integrate be in a one-league city, since they couldn't lose supporters to a rival club, and would be in a better position to take the risk. Washington is segregated, and Cincinnati is across the river from Kentucky, so I have some doubts whether they could sign players. Detroit has worse records than Cleveland, but still draws more fans, so they aren't in deep trouble yet. So the first team to integrate will be either Cleveland or Pittsburgh.

-----

My ballot:

George J. Burns
Frank Chance
Tommy Leach
Jimmy Sheckard

[jjpm74]

Are there any Frank Chance supporters out there in the 11th hour? He would need to be on 4 of 4 ballots to be elected. If not, it looks like both Chance and Leach will fall short again. At least this election, both came close.

[Paul Wendt]

I don't think any team in a multi-league city will be brave enough to make the first signing. There's a significant population of white racists, and any gain made in black fans might be lost by the racists deciding to support the other team. Owners in those cities, no matter how much they think signing a Negro League star might help their team, might refuse to do so to keep their fans. "Nothing personal. It's just business."
Hm-m.
Writing of "an older pitcher of some reputation, a regional star hired by a struggling ballclub as an exhibition",
I was thinking that someone would be hired more to draw fans, both white and black, than to improve the playing strength of the team. White fans do show up in numbers for black teams or mixed teams in some small and medium size cities, of course. That brings me back to the American Association and other high minors.
. . . Kansas City has fielded strong black teams and white teams in the same season. Do the fans cross over?
. . . Milwaukee, years ago when Connie Mack managed the team, played spring practice games against top black teams from Chicago, who also played the University team in Madison. In Milwaukee or the Twin Cities, I believe, the home fans must necessarily be almost all white. . . .

[BlueBlood]

Are there any Frank Chance supporters out there in the 11th hour?

Next time, I'll vote late and support him if my vote will get him enshrined. He's a fence-leaner like Spalding or Griffith in that's hard to determine which category he should be elected. I know that he should be elected, certainly.

[jjpm74]

Frank Chance's best chance for election is through the standard election as a player manager. If he ends up on the VC players ballot, enough members of that committee believe he did not do enough during his playing career to vote for him there. If he ends up on the contributor's ballot, he is likely doomed since several members of that committee do not feel any manager is deserving of election as a contributor and do not plan on voting for any.