BBF Progressive HoF Negro League Players Election: 1952

[Ace Venom]

BBF VC Progressive HoF Negro League Committee: 1952 Election

Please Read
Below is a master list of players who have spent time in various Negro Leagues and players who played in major or minor leagues before the color line was enforced. All players on the list ceased play in 1947. Exceptions are being age 45 by 1952 or having died between 1947 and 1952, waiving the five-year wait. However, players who spent time in the Major or Minor Leagues after 1947 are ineligible. There are some newcomers to the ballot that were mistakenly omitted from the 1947 ballot that still deserve consideration.

You can vote for anyone on the final ballot below and you can vote for up to two write in candidates. Anyone can comment, but only ballots from the VC will be counted in the election. After five days, if there is a quorum of at least 12 voters, candidates who receive 75% of the vote will be elected.

For the 1957 Negro Leagues Players VC election, those eligible are:

1. Candidates who received at least 2 votes in the 1952 election;
2. Write-in candidates who received at least 50% of the vote;
3. Any newly eligible players who retired from play in 1952 and did not have enough significant Major or Minor League experience between 1947 and 1952 to warrant inclusion on the player's ballot
4. Candidates who are at least age 45 at some point before 1957; and
5. Players who died any time between 1952 and 1957, thereby waiving their five-year wait.

Veteran's Committee
Ace Venom
ag2004
blueblood
brad harris
captain cold nose
cowtipper
dgarza
DoubleX
freakshow
henrich
Jalbright
KCGhost
Leecemark
mwiggins
NineWorldSeries
Paul Wendt
philkid3
pvnick
SavoyBG
Windy City Fan

Players Elected (19)
John Beckwith
Oscar Charleston
Andy Cooper
Willie Foster
Josh Gibson
Frank Grant
Pete Hill
Grant Johnson
John Henry Lloyd
Jose Mendez
Bill Monroe
Alejandro Oms
Spotswood Poles
Dick Redding
Bullet Rogan
Louis Santop
Turkey Stearnes
Christobal Torriente
Smokey Joe Williams

Previous Election Results

1947 Final Results (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=901091947)
t1) Josh Gibson: 12 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) John Henry "Pop" Lloyd: 12 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Bullet Rogan: 12 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Norman "Turkey" Stearnes: 12 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Smokey Joe Williams: 12 Votes (100%) - Elected
t6) John Beckwith: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t6) Oscar Charleston: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t6) Pete Hill: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t6) Jose Mendez: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t6) Richard "Cannonball Dick" Redding: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t6) Louis Santop: 11 Votes (91.67%) - Elected
t12) Andy Cooper: 10 Votes (83.33%) - Elected
t12) Frank Grant: 10 Votes (83.33%) - Elected
t12) Grant "Home Run" Johnson: 10 Votes (83.33%) - Elected
t12) Spot Poles: 10 Votes (83.33%) - Elected
t12) Cristobal Torriente: 10 Votes (83.33%) - Elected
t17) Willie Foster: 9 Votes (75.00%) - Elected
t17) Bill Monroe: 9 Votes (75.00%) - Elected
t17) Alejandro Oms: 9 Votes (75.00%) - Elected
t20) Rube Foster: 8 Votes (66.67%)
t20) Chino Smith: 8 Votes (66.67%)
t22) Bill Jackman: 6 Votes (50.00%)
t22) Sol White: 6 Votes (50.00%)
t22) Jud Wilson: 6 Votes (50.00%)
t25) John "Bud" Fowler: 5 Votes (41.67%)
t25) Ben Taylor: 5 Votes (41.67%)
t25) Jesse "Nip" Winters: 5 Votes (41.67%)
28) William "Judy" Johnson: 4 Votes (33.33%)
t29) Bingo DeMoss: 3 Votes (25.00%)
t29) John Donaldson: 3 Votes (25.00%)
t29) Bruce Petway: 3 Votes (25.00%)
t29) Cumberland Posey: 3 Votes (25.00%)
t29) George Stovey: 3 Votes (25.00%)
t34) William Dismukes: 2 Votes (16.67%)
t34) C.I. Taylor: 2 Votes (16.67%)
t36) Philip Cockrell: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Floyd "Jelly" Gardner: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Dave Malarcher: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Alonzo Mitchell: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Moses "Fleet" Walker: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Frank Warfield: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Frank Wickware: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) Clarence Williams: 1 Vote (8.33%)
t36) George Williams: 1 Vote (8.33%)

Final Ballot: Bold denotes a newly eligible candidate

Walter Ball
Bernando Baro
James "Cool Papa" Bell
William Bell, Sr.
Chet Brewer
George "Chippy" Britt
Chester Brooks
Larry "Iron Man" Brown
Harry Buckner
William Byrd
Walter "Rev" Cannady
Bingo DeMoss
Martin Dihigo
William Dismukes
Herbert "Rap" Dixon
John Donaldson
Frank Duncan
Eddie Dwight
Jose Fernandez
Rube Foster
John "Bud" Fowler
Charles Grant
Vic Harris
Crush Holloway
Jess Hubbard
Sammy T. Hughes
Bill Jackman
Oscar Johnson
William "Judy" Johnson
Newt Joseph
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
Hurley McNair
Red Parnell
Bruce Petway
Cumberland Posey
Alec Radcliffe
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
Nat Rogers
George Scales
Chino Smith
George Stovey
George "Mule" Suttles
Ben Taylor
Candy Jim Taylor
Luis Tiant, Sr.
Willie Wells
Sol White
Chet Williams
Jud Wilson
Bill Wright
Laymon Yokely
*C.I. Taylor was omitted from this ballot because he was a contributor and not a player

Master List - Bold denotes a player on the ballot

Newton H. Allen
Walter Ball
Bernando Baro
Clifford Bell
James "Cool Papa" Bell
William Bell, Sr.
Emmet Bowman
Chet Brewer
George "Chippy" Britt
Chester Brooks
Larry "Iron Man" Brown
Harry Buckner
William Byrd
Walter "Rev" Cannady
Phillip Cockrell
Jimmie Crutchfield
Leon Daniels
Saul Davis
Felix Delgado
Bingo DeMoss
Lou Dials
Martin Dihigo
William Dismukes
Herbert "Rap" Dixon
John Donaldson
William Drake
Frank Duncan
Eddie Dwight
Jose Fernandez
Rube Foster
John “Bud” Fowler
Floyd “Jelly” Gardner
George Giles
Charles Grant
Vic Harris
Arthur “Rats” Henderson
Bill Holland
Crush Holloway
Jess Hubbard
Sammy T. Huges
Bill Jackman
Fats Jenkins
George “Chappie” Johnson
Oscar Johnson
William “Judy” Johnson
Newt Joseph
Milfred Laurent
Scrip Lee
Frank Leland
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
Dave Malarcher
Oliver Marcell
Dan McClellan
Hurley McNair
Alonzo Mitchell
Ted Page
Red Parnell
Jap Payne
Bill Pettus
Bruce Petway
Cumberland Posey
Alec Radcliffe
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
William Robinson
Bullet Rogan
Nat Rogers
Merven “Red” Ryan
George Scales
Chino Smith
Clarence Smith
Jake Stephens
George Stovey
George "Mule" Suttles
Ben Taylor
Candy Jim Taylor
“Steel Arm Johnny” Taylor
Luis Tiant, Sr.
Moses “Fleet” Walker
Frank Warfield
Willie Wells
Chaney White
Sol White
Frank Wickware
Waibishaw Wiley
Chet Williams
Clarence Williams
George Williams
George Wilson
Jud Wilson
Jesse “Nip” Winters
Bill Wright
Laymon Yokely

[jalbright]

Given the note on C. I. Taylor, I won't be voting for Rube Foster or Cum Posey here (though in truth, Rube might be worthy as a player) as I see them as contributor choices.

Cool Papa Bell
Martin Dihigo
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Mule Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[Paul Wendt]

Where is the note on C.I. Taylor?

At the bottom of the second frame within #1:
> *C.I. Taylor was omitted from this ballot because he was a contributor and not a player


Frank Grant is listed but #1 also says that he has been elected.

[SavoyBG]

MY VOTES

James "Cool Papa" Bell
Martin Dihigo
William "Judy" Johnson
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
George "Mule" Suttles
Ben Taylor
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[jalbright]

Jud Wilson ELECTED BBF HOF

He has a solid array of accolades to point to:
1) He's been selected to the Baseball Think Factory "Hall of Merit";
2) He finished 26th in the SABR poll which attempted to rank Negro League luminaries;
3) he was named as both the third team first baseman and the third-team third baseman in the Pittsburgh Courier poll;
4) he was named as a Hall of Fame caliber player by 80% ot the Negro League historians polled for Cool Papas and Double Duties; and
5) Elected to Cooperstown in 2006.

The data we have on Wilson against major leaguers in exhibitons shows 31 hits in 86 at bats with 3 homers, a .360 average.

The Baseball Think Factory guys project Wilson as a career 336/431/447 hitter with 2845 career hits. That projection puts him behind only one man who has become eligible for Cooperstown who is not in: Harold Baines, with 2866 career hits. Baines was good, but not a comparable quality hitter 289/359/465 for his career, especially in terms of on-base ability. Another way of looking at it is there's only one eligible man with 2700 or more hits and a career average over .300 who isn't in Cooperstown. That one man is Al Oliver, a career 303/348/451 hitter with 2743 career hits. Oliver also loses out to the Wilson projection due to inferior OBP.

The BTF guys peg Wilson at 378 career win shares, a best five of 140, and top three of 34, 31 and 28. As a guy who favors career value, I'd put him above the excellent Ron Santo (322; 162; and 37, 36, and 32). If you are one who values peak over career, I'd say you should put him over Brooks Robinson (355; 130; 33, 27 and 25).

From pages 120-121 of William McNeil's Cool Papas and Double Duties:

Wilson . . . packed a solid 185 pounds on a squat 5' 8" body. He had massive shoulders and a huge chest that tapered down to a small waist, and short, bowed legs . . .

He led the . . . . Eastern Colored League in batting in his sophomore year, crushing the ball to the tune of .464. He followed with seasons averages of .394, .397, .358, .412, .375, .346 and .371 . . . [H]e [then] played two years with the Grays, hitting .362 and .370, before jumping to the Philadelphia Stars where he played for six years. All he hit in Philly was .354, .412, .309, .380 and .319. He added three more batting championships [in the two years he hit .412 and the one he hit .380}. . . . He also led the league in doubles, triples and home runs, once each.

When he retired from the Negro Leagues, he left behind a .354 lifetime batting average, the highest average for any player with more than 2000 at bats . . . .

Jud Wilson was primarily a hitter, but he could also handle himself in the field and on the bases. He had good speed and was an aggressive baserunner . . . . On defense, he played first base and third base, both acceptably. He was not flashy, and he was not graceful, but somehow he got the job done. At third base, he was noted for knocking balls down with his chest, then picking them up and throwing the runner out.

Jud Wilson made the annual trek south in the winter to play in the Cuban Winter League. He spent six . . . winters there and almost destroyed the pitching staffs [in that league]. He raked opposing pitchers for averages of .430, .333, .424, .397 and .363 . . . . In all, Wilson won two batting championships in Cuba (the two seasons over .400] . . . . He also led the league in runs scored twice, triples once, home runs once, and stolen bases once. His career batting average in Cuba was .372, which is the highest batting average in Cuban baseball history . . . .

He also played in the California Winter League against major league players during the winter of 1930-31 and he hit .469 in fifteen games. And he played one year in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he hit .404 as a 45-year-old graybeard.

Overall, Jud Wilson hit .354 in the Negro Leagues with 30 doubles, 6 triples and 13 home runs [per 550 AB]. . . In Cuba, he averaged .372 with 27 doubles, 19 triples and 13 home runs [per 550 AB].

[Ace Venom]

Cool Papa Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Judy Johnson
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Cumberland Posey
Ted Radcliffe
Chino Smith
George "Mule" Suttles
Ben Taylor
Luis Tiant, Sr.
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[Ace Venom]

Frank Grant is listed but #1 also says that he has been elected.

I corrected that error.

[jalbright]

Since Grant was already elected, he's off my ballot.

[bambambaseball]

James "Cool Papa" Bell
William Bell, Sr.
Chet Brewer
Bingo DeMoss
Martin Dihigo
William Dismukes
John Donaldson
Rube Foster
John "Bud" Fowler
Charles Grant
Vic Harris
Bill Jackman
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
Bruce Petway
Cumberland Posey
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
Chino Smith
George "Mule" Suttles
Jud Wilson

[Cowtipper]

James "Cool Papa" Bell
William Bell
Bingo DeMoss
Martin DiHigo
Frank Duncan
Rube Foster
Bud Fowler
Vic Harris
Sammy T. Hughes
Judy Johnson
Buck Leonard
Biz Mackey
Hurley McNair
Bruce Petway
Alex Radcliffe
Mule Suttles
Chino Smith
George Stovey
Ben Taylor
Candy Jim Taylor
Sol white
Willie Wells

[leecemark]

Martin Dihigo
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Mule Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[Tiboreau]

[Jud Wilson] was named as both the third team first baseman and the third-team third baseman in the Pittsburgh Courier poll

Does anyone have--or know where one can find--the results of the Pittsburgh Courier poll? I've attempted to search the web via Google; however, it appears that either they aren't available online or that my research skills need improvement. . . .

I've heard unsubstantiated reports from noted Negro League expert Ted Knorr that Jud Wilson led all 3B in overall votes, but the decision to vote by position split his support between 3B & 1B, leaving him forever behind Oliver Marcelle & Judy Johnson.

Some more biographical information on Jud "Boojum" Wilson:

Wilson was born in Remington, VA; but grew up in Washington, DC. His published birth year of 1899 is inaccurate, he was born in 1897 according to Census records. Interestingly, Wilson told Social Security that he was born in 1894 so that his benefits would start early. He might have been slightly crazy but he wasn't dumb.
(...)
Wilson served in the Military in World War One and then played semi-pro ball in the Washington area from 1919 to 1921. Scrappy Brown, a great early basketball player who also played some pro ball and was also from Washington, recruited him for the Baltimore Black Sox in 1922.

One interesting aspect of Wilson is that he apparently didn't like change. Wilson didn't want to leave his hometown in 1922 and go to Baltimore, was homesick, and had to be talked into staying by Brown.

Boojum didn't begin to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues until age 26; he continued to play at major league caliber until his early 40s when he suffered a back injury in a bus crash. Wilson continued to play for Cum Posey's Grays well into his late 40s.

Since jalbright already cited Boojum's WS estimates, here's a comparison among 3B, from the modern & deadball eras, based on Dan Rosenheck's WARP:

3B: car. DR/pa top5 top3 >4
Wade Boggs 82.5 5.1 40.6 9.0 8.1 8.1 28.9
George Brett 80.4 4.6 38.5 9.2 9.0 7.0 23.5

Jud Wilson 79.2 6.0 33.4 7.6 7.0 6.4 20.0

Frank Baker 66.1 5.7 37.5 9.6 7.8 7.3 22.1
Jimmy Collins 60.6 4.9 35.6 7.9 7.7 7.0 18.3

According to Dan's WARP, Boggs & Brett bring both an excellent peak & career to the table, which is why there is little argument, IMO, about their belonging among the top 5 3B in baseball history. Jud Wilson was able to match their career value in fewer PA; however, he spread his value more equally among his best years, achieving a very good peak, just not of the caliber as the ballplayers above (according to Dan's WARP, Boojum Wilson is 5th in career value & 11th in peak value among 3B).

Compared to the greatest 3B pre-Mathews, Wilson again lags behind in peak value (at this point I should note that Chris Cobb, the man generally behind the Negro League translations at the HoM regressed single seasons to avoid large peaks & valleys due to small sample size, so Boojum's peak was probably a little better than that); however, his advantage in career value is enough, IMO, to close the gap, surpassing both Baker & Collins for the title of best 3B pre-Mathews.

Of course, while sophisticated MLEs, they are translations based upon rough Negro League data, so I could understand some hesitation upon viewing them; however, Jud Wilson was not lacking in reputation as a fearsome ballplayer, for both his hitting and his temper. Here are some quotes from Negro League researchers Ted Knorr at the Hall of Merit & James Riley from the Negro League Baseball eMuseum in addition to the comments posted by jalbright from Cool Papas and Double Duties:

Ted Knorr:

A left-handed hitter, he was an opposite field hitter like Gavy Cravath or Dale Alexander. By all descriptions, Wilson simply smoked line drives one after another to left and center field, rarely pulling the ball to right. Wilson could crush any fast ball and loved to hit against Satchel Paige. Wilson may have been the greatest line-drive hitter of all time.


Jud Wilson's Cuban League statistics are simply flat out incredible. They are better than those of Oscar Charleston or Cristobal Torriente or Martin Dihigo or Alejandro Oms.

Of course, the Cuban League, with large foul spaces and distant fences, rewarded a pure line-drive hitter more than any other type of player. Only Josh Gibson, in much less at bats, has better Cuban League statistics than Wilson.


[Gary Ashwill's] statistics also give some evidence to two other aspects of Wilson:

One is that Wilson, who was almost psychotically aggressive with umpires, walked a ton; he would have been banging out something like 200 hits and 100 walks a year in the Majors

James Riley:

Cum Posey considered him to be the most dangerous and consistent hitter in black baseball, calling him one of the stars of all time, and placed him on the all-time All-American team for a national magazine in 1945.


The left-handed slugger hit all varieties of pitching styles and all pitchers, including Satchel Paige, who considered him one of the two best hitters ever in black baseball.


When Wilson had his tryout with the Baltimore Black Sox, he earned the nickname "Boojum" because of the sound his line drives made when they hit the fence during batting practice. In later years he was described by the press as "probably the hardest hitter Negro baseball has seen."

A synopsis of his Boojum Wilson's hitting style & approach is an opposite field line-drive hitter who drove the ball with authority but with little loft. A potential .300 hitter in the majors with a very keen batting eye.

Wilson's reputation appears to be hurt for four reasons: first, and apparently most important, is the aforementioned issue with the Pittsburgh Courier poll, which greatly influenced public opinion concerning the Negro League greats, particularly those who performed prior to the '40s; second, Wilson obtained a well-earned reputation as a on-field hothead, a fierce competitor with a hot temper, and like too many ballplayers from both the MLB & Negro Leagues of the era was not above naked aggression, even assault, particularly upon umpires (although some "teammates were quite fervent in their belief that he was a good guy who wouldn't cause a problem with you unless you caused a problem with him"); another very important reason is that while recognized by his contemporaries for his ability to smoke line drives, I doubt he was as well-recognized for his on-base abilities considering he not only hit for average, he also was possibly the most patient hitter in Negro League history and was also willing to sacrifice his body for the team at the plate; and fourth, in a defensively driven league Wilson did not have the reputation of Judy Johnson or a Ray Dandridge. Boojum was not a vacuum cleaner at 3B; however, he wasn't a butcher either.

from James Riley:

Although he was awkward, he was fast and sure afield and, while lacking form, could play adequately at either corner. The rugged Wilson played third base by keeping everything in front of him, knocking the ball down with his chest, and then throwing the batter out, and was described as "a crude but effective workman."

Ted Knorr:

Two is that Wilson was, despite having the reputation of not being a great defensive player, was actually probably quite good. In other words, Wilson (who advised Raymond Dandridge, I think, to always charge the ball and play it off your body) looked brutal out there but was in fact very functionally effective.

and James Holway:

Jud played third base the same way. He didn't catch ground balls, he blocked them with his chest. The hottest grounders bounced off it, he picked the ball up and got his man at first.

Judy Johnson shook his head. "I often wonder why Wilson didn't put the glove on his chest," he said. "He got hit more up there than he did in his glove."

"He just smothered the ball," said Ted Page. "And he had a slinghshot for a right arm."

"He could throw lightening out," Stephens agreed.

Actually Wilson was an effective fielder. A decade later he gave Ray Dandridge some key advice on playing third. Ray, then a youngster with Newark, was waiting on ground balls and just missing the runners at first base. "Kid," Wilson told him, "always charge the ball." Dandridge tried it and discovered that "Boojum was right." Ray went on to become the Brooks Robinson of the black leagues.

So, while not a Ray Dandridge or Brooks Robinson with the glove, Wilson was a adequate fielder, and combined with his hitting talent--particularly his OBP skills--and long career Jud Wilson is, IMO among the top 10 3B in baseball history, possibly even as high as 5th over Frank Baker & Ron Santo.

[jalbright]

[Jud Wilson] was named as both the third team first baseman and the third-team third baseman in the Pittsburgh Courier poll

Does anyone have--or know where one can find--the results of the Pittsburgh Courier poll? I've attempted to search the web via Google; however, it appears that either they aren't available online or that my research skills need improvement. . . .

I've heard unsubstantiated reports from noted Negro League expert Ted Knorr that Jud Wilson led all 3B in overall votes, but the decision to vote by position split his support between 3B & 1B, leaving him forever behind Oliver Marcelle & Judy Johnson.

.

Though it doesn't have the voting totals, here's what I have on the outcome:

The first was the Pittsburgh Courier (an Afro-American Newspaper) poll of its fans in 1952, transcribed by Bill Burgess:

First team: (1B) Buck Leonard, (2B) Jackie Robinson, (SS) Pop Lloyd, (3B) Oliver Marcelle, (OF) Monte Irvin, (OF) Oscar Charleston, (OF) Cristobel Torriente, (C) Josh Gibson, (C) Biz Mackey, (P) Joe Williams, (P) Satchel Paige, (P) Bullet Rogan, (P) John Dondaldson, (P) Bill Foster, (Utility) Martin Dihigo, (Utility) Sam Bankhead, (Mgr) Rube Foster, (Coach) Dizzy Dismukes, (Coach) Danny McClellan.

Second Team: (1B) Ben Taylor, (2B) Bingo DeMoss, (SS) Willie Wells, (3B) Judy Johnson, (OF) Pete Hill, (OF) Cool Papa Bell, (OF) Chino Smith, (C) Roy Campanella, (C) Bruce Petway, (P) Dave Brown, (P) Dick Redding, (P) Nip Winters, (P) Dizzy Dismukes, (P) Don Newcombe, (Utility) John Beckwith, (Utility) Newt Allen, (Mgr) Cum Posey, (Coach) C.I. Taylor, (Coach) Dave Malarcher.

Third Team: (1B) Jud Wilson, (2B) Bill Monroe, (SS) Dick Lundy, (3B) Jud Wilson, (OF) Rap Dixon, (OF) Larry Doby, (OF) Fats Jenkins, (C) Double Duty Radcliffe, (C) Louis Santop, (P) Slim Jones, (P) Bill Holland, (P) Phil Cockrell, (P) Webster McDonald, (P) Bill Byrd, (Utility) Emmett Bowman, (Utility) Dick Wallace, (Mgr) Ed Bolden.

Fourth Team: (1B) Ed Douglas, (2B) George Scales, (SS) Doby Moore, (3B) Ray Dandridge, (OF) Jimmy Lyons, (OF) Mule Suttles, (OF) Spotswood Poles, (C) Frank Duncan, (C) Bill Perkins, (P) Double Duty Radcliffe, (P) Frank Wickware, (P) Danny McClellan, (P) Leon Day, (P) Bill Jackman, (Utility) Rev Cannady, (Utility) Jose Mendez, (Mgr) Vic Harris.

Fifth Team: (1B) George Carr, (2B) Bunny Downs, (SS) Pelayo Chacon, (3B) Dave Malarcher, (OF) Frank Duncan, (OF) Turkey Stearnes, (OF) Jelly Gardner, (C) Doc Wiley, (C) Speck Webster, (P) Stringbean Williams, (P) Ray Brown, (P) Rats Henderson, (P) Luis Tiant, (P) Leroy Matlock.

Others receiving votes: (1B) Leroy Grant, Mule Suttles; (2B) Nate Harris, Sammy T. Hughes, Frank Warfield, Ray Dandridge, George Wright, Harry Williams; (SS) Gerard Williams, Bobby Williams, Morton Clark; (3B) Bill Francis, Jim Taylor; (OF) Minnie Minoso, Jap Payne, Blaine Hall, Ted Strong, Ted Page, Vic Harris; (P) Jose Mendez, Laymon Yokely.

I'm pretty sure Bill has posted a copy of this page from the original on this site somewhere.

[Paul Wendt]

[Jud Wilson] was named as both the third team first baseman and the third-team third baseman in the Pittsburgh Courier poll
...
I've heard unsubstantiated reports from noted Negro League expert Ted Knorr that Jud Wilson led all 3B in overall votes, but the decision to vote by position split his support between 3B & 1B, leaving him forever behind Oliver Marcelle & Judy Johnson.
...
Boojum didn't begin to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues until age 26; he continued to play at major league caliber until his early 40s when he suffered a back injury in a bus crash. Wilson continued to play for Cum Posey's Grays well into his late 40s.
His birth year may be 1899 rather than 1894. I recall that Ted Knorr or Gadfly at the Hall of Merit is the source.

[SavoyBG]

Jud Wilson was able to match their career value in fewer PA; however, he spread his value more equally among his best years, achieving a very good peak, just not of the caliber as the ballplayers above (according to Dan's WARP, Boojum Wilson is 5th in career value & 11th in peak value among 3B).

Are these estimated WARP figures available on line somewhere?

[Tiboreau]

Though it doesn't have the voting totals, here's what I have on the outcome:

The first was the Pittsburgh Courier (an Afro-American Newspaper) poll of its fans in 1952, transcribed by Bill Burgess:


I'm pretty sure Bill has posted a copy of this page from the original on this site somewhere.

Yeah, I noticed that when searching for the totals on google; however, what I'm looking for is the actual vote totals to verify the claim that Jud Wilson received more votes overall than Marcelle or Johnson. While it makes sense and I trust the man who said it, I'd prefer being able to show the direct source when making such comments (it would also just be fun to see).


His birth year may be 1899 rather than 1894. I recall that Ted Knorr or Gadfly at the Hall of Merit is the source.

I quoted the specific comment from Gadfly/Ted Knorr in my Jud Wilson post directly above the portion you quoted--according to Knorr, census records indicate that Wilson was born in 1897, not 1899. 1894 was the date "Wilson told Social Security that he was born in . . . so that his benefits would start early," to quote Knorr again.

That would mean that Boojum was 25 years old when he originally joined the Baltimore Black Sox (yeah, not 26, read a later comment by another poster & used it without verifying . . . ) and played at a MLB level until he was 40, when he suffered a back injury due to a bus crash. the HoM MLEs assume that he would've made a MLB comeback in '38 but wasn't the same and continued his career in the minors until his late '40s (his Negro League career ending with the Homestead Grays in 1945, at 48, I believe).


Are these estimated WARP figures available on line somewhere?

Estimates for Jud Wilson's career based upon Dan Rosenheck's WARP data can be found on post #186 of Jud Wilson (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/hall_of_merit/discussion/jud_wilson/P0/)'s thread at the Hall of Merit. A very lengthy discussion of Dan Rosenheck's WARP can be found here (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/hall_of_merit/discussion/dan_rosenhecks_warp_data).

[Paul Wendt]

I quoted the specific comment from Gadfly/Ted Knorr in my Jud Wilson post directly above the portion you quoted--according to Knorr, census records indicate that Wilson was born in 1897, not 1899. 1894 was the date "Wilson told Social Security that he was born in . . . so that his benefits would start early," to quote Knorr again.
Sorry, Tiboreau. You didn't give the source for that and I missed it (skipped it). He is 1894 at baseball-reference and wikipedia and I presumed that base for the age calculations.

add: Riley is the source for 1899.


Estimates for Jud Wilson's career based upon Dan Rosenheck's WARP data can be found on post #186 of Jud Wilson (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/hall_of_merit/discussion/jud_wilson/P0/)'s thread at the Hall of Merit. A very lengthy discussion of Dan Rosenheck's WARP can be found here (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/hall_of_merit/discussion/dan_rosenhecks_warp_data).
In turn, Dan R's WARPenheck ratings and much Hall of Merit discussion are based on Major League Equivalencies estimated by Chris Cobb. "John Beckwith" is one important source for discussion of methods and there is a thread named for MLE, but those are not the only sources.

[Tiboreau]

Sorry, Tiboreau. You didn't give the source for that and I missed it (skipped it). He is 1894 at baseball-reference and wikipedia and I presumed that base for the age calculations.

Sorry about that, Paul, I probably lost the source info in all the cutting & pasting I made prior to posting my comment.

[PVNICK]

James "Cool Papa" Bell
Chet Brewer
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Bill Jackman
William "Judy" Johnson
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
Bruce Petway
Cumberland Posey
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
George "Mule" Suttles
Ben Taylor
Luis Tiant, Sr.
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[dgarza]

James "Cool Papa" Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
William “Judy” Johnson
Buck Leonard
Cumberland Posey
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe
George "Mule" Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[Ace Venom]

The end of voting is schedule for Thursday, but I doubt if we'll have 12 votes by then. Get them in before the regular election concludes or I'll have to take what's here.

[AG2004]

My ballot

Cool Papa Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Bill Jackman
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Mule Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[OOC - Given that the cutoff for the Progressive HOF is lower than I use for my BBFHOF ballots, Lundy makes my list here.]

[Captain Cold Nose]

Cool Papa Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Bill Jackman
Judy Johnson
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Cum Posey
Mule Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

Bullet Rogan is still listed on the ballot.

[Paul Wendt]

James "Cool Papa" Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Raleigh "Biz" Mackey
George "Mule" Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[bambambaseball]

My ballot

Cool Papa Bell
Martin Dihigo
Rube Foster
Bill Jackman
Buck Leonard
Dick Lundy
Biz Mackey
Mule Suttles
Willie Wells
Jud Wilson

[OOC - Given that the cutoff for the Progressive HOF is lower than I use for my BBFHOF ballots, Lundy makes my list here.]

How come Chino Smith doesnt? He makes the cut in this project too!

[Ace Venom]

We've elected Cool Papa Bell, Martin Dihigo, Buck Leonard, Biz Mackey, Mule Suttles, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson and Dick Lundy.

1952 Final Results: 11 Votes Cast (9 needed for election)
t1) Cool Papa Bell: 11 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Martin Dihigo: 11 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Buck Leonard: 11 Votes (100%) - Elected
t1) Biz Mackey: 11 Votes (100%) - Elected
t5) Mule Suttles: 10 Votes (90.90%) - Elected
t5) Willie Wells: 10 Votes (90.90%) - Elected
t5) Jud Wilson: 10 Votes (90.90%) - Elected
8) Dick Lundy: 9 Votes (81.82%) - Elected
9) Rube Foster: 8 Votes (72.73%)
10) Judy Johnson: 6 Votes (54.55%)
11) Cumberland Posey: 5 Votes (45.46%)
t12) Bill Jackman: 4 Votes (36.36%)
t12) Ted Radcliffe: 4 Votes (36.36%)
t12) Ben Taylor: 4 Votes (36.36%)
t15) Bruce Petway: 3 Votes (27.27%)
t15) Chino Smith: 3 Votes (27.27%)
t17) William Bell, Sr.: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t17) Chet Brewer: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t17) Bingo DeMoss: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t17) John "Bud" Fowler: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t17) Vic Harris: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t17) Luis Tiant, Sr.: 2 Votes (18.18%)
t23) William Dismukes: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) John Donaldson: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Frank Duncan: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Charles Grant: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Sammy T. Hughes: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Hurley McNair: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Alec Radcliffe: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) George Stovey: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Candy Jim Taylor: 1 Vote (9.09%)
t23) Sol White: 1 Vote (9.09%)

[Cowtipper]

Just a note...you didn't include my vote for Frank Duncan on that list (I'm not sure if that means anything or not).

[Ace Venom]

It's fixed.

[Paul Wendt]

This Baseball-Fever Hall of Fame is now retired to annual elections in the fall.

Two tables compare the BBF and Progressive "player" members from black baseball.

Progressive HOF players who are not BBF HOF players (15)
debut
1900s - Bill Monroe, Spotswood Poles
1910s - Dick Lundy
1920s - Andy Cooper
1930s -

Baseball-Fever HOF players who are not Progressive HOF players (7)
debut
1900s -
1910s - Dobie Moore
1920s - Perucho Cepeda, Satchel Paige
1930s - Ray Brown, Ray Dandridge, Hilton Smith, Willard Brown


Two other blackball players are in the Hall of Merit, a shadow hall of fame hosted by BaseballThinkFactory.org
: Rube Foster, Quincy Trouppe

Three others are "player" members of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
: Ben Taylor, Judy Johnson, Leon Day


This note does not include Monte Irvin or anyone with a longer major league career.
Paige, Willard Brown, and Trouppe appeared in the majors.