BBF Progressive HoF Election: 1958

[Ace Venom]

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.

Voting Criteria: Players are to be evaluated within the context of the era in which they played and the history of the game to that point. Players are not to be held to standards that would materialize at a time beyond the year of the current election. Modern statistical analysis is permitted but must be applied strictly within historical context not to go beyond the year of the current election. Players are to be judged based solely on their playing careers. Other, non-playing contributions may be considered to the extent that they coincided with a player's playing career (such as a player/manager).

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 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 PAs 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.
- Death Exception: For players who meet the criteria for consideration, but die before their first year of eligibility can have the five year waiting period waived and placed on the ballot the year of death.

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

Conduct Policy: Every vote is a voter's opinion on who should be elected to the Hall of Fame. It is our responsibility as voters to be respectful towards each other. Personal attacks should not be tolerated and you should notify a moderator rather than allowing an argument to escalate and further derail discussion of the candidates.

Recounts: There is a moratorium on regular election recounts until the 1960 election. It is your responsibility to ensure that your ballot is correct when it is submitted. No votes will be adjusted if you accidentally clicked on the wrong box.

1958 Guide
There are 38 candidates on the 1957 ballot - 17 holdovers and 21 first timers. First time eligible players last played in 1953 (unless qualifying under the age or death rule) or were omitted on the ballot in previous years.

Newly Eligible (21)
Harry Brecheen
Dom DiMaggio
Hank Edwards
Bob Elliot
Fred Hutchinson
Billy Johnson
Don Kolloway
Max Lanier
Dutch Leonard
Marty Marion
Barney McCosky
Johnny Mize
Pat Mullin
Bobo Newsom
Bill Nicholson
Jerry Priddy
Ray Scarborough
Eddie Stanky
Bob Swift
Ted Wilks
Al Zarilla

Holdovers (17)
Player Year of Eligibility Previous Support High Support Low Support
Wally Berger 14th 53.33% 53.85% (1947) 38.24% (1950)
Tommy Bridges 8th 46.67% 46.67% (1957) 22.58% (1952)
Lefty Gomez 11th 63.33% 63.33% (1957) 38.46 (1948)
Tommy Henrich 4th 16.67% 25.00% (1955) 11.11% (1956)
Bob Johnson 9th 43.33% 47.06% (1953) 26.47% (1950)
Charlie Keller 2nd 40.00% 40.00% (1957) 40.00% (1957)
Chuck Klein 10th 40.00% 45.71% (1951) 37.50% (1954)
Tony Lazzeri 14th 50.00% 50.00% (1957) 20.59% (1953)
Ernie Lombardi 7th 46.67% 48.15% (1956) 32.26% (1952)
Heinie Manush 14th 26.67% 34.48% (1945) 18.75% (1954)
Buddy Myer 13th 13.33% 20.59% (1953) 11.11% (1946)
Cecil Travis 7th 16.67% 16.67% (1957) 6.25% (1954)
Hal Trosky 9th 10.00% 14.29% (1951) 5.88% (1953)
Dixie Walker 5th 13.33% 13.33% (1957) 9.38% (1954)
Bucky Walters 4th 53.33% 53.33% (1957) 40.74% (1956)
Lloyd Waner 9th 13.33% 13.33% (1957) 5.88% (1953)
Lon Warneke 9th 26.67% 26.67% (1957) 8.82% (1950)

Holdovers Dropped From Last Election (2)
Player Reason Years on Ballot High Support Low Support
Kiki Cuyler End of Eligibility 15 55.17% (1945) 29.63% (1956)
Johnny Vander Meer Lack of Support 2 7.41% (1956) 3.33% (1957)


Last Year of Eligibility (0)
Player High Support


Penultimate Year of Eligibility (3)
Player High Support
Wally Berger 53.85% (1947)
Tony Lazzeri 50.00% (1957)
Heinie Manush 34.48% (1945)

Holdovers Receiving At Least 50% in Previous Election (2)
Player Previous Support Years with At Least 50% Support
Wally Berger 53.33% 5
Lefty Gomez 63.33% 6
Tony Lazzeri 50.00% 1
Bucky Walters 53.33% 1

Hall of Famers - 176
A total of 176 players and contributors have been elected to the BBF Progressive Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Players Wing
Players Elected - 154
Player Year Elected Election Percentage Years on Ballot Position Primary Team Active Years Total Seasons Living/Deceased Age at Election
Pete Alexander 1935 93.94% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1911-1930 20 Deceased (1887-1950) 48
Cap Anson 1902 100% 1 First Base Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1871-1897 27 Deceased (1852-1922) 50
Luke Appling 1955 100% 1 Shortstop Chicago White Sox (AL) 1930-1943, 1945-1950 20 Living - Age 51 48
Earl Averill 1947 82.14% 2 Center Field Cleveland Indians (AL) 1929-1941 13 Living - Age 56 45
Frank Baker 1927 96.43% 1 Third Base Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1908-1914, 1916-1919, 1921-1922 13 Living - Age 70 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
John Beckwith*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Third Base Chicago Giants (NNL) 1916-1938 19 Deceased (1900-1956) 47
James Bell 1952 (VC) 100% VC Center Field Pittsburgh crawfords (NNL) 1922-1946 25 Living - Age 55 49
Charlie Bennett 1907 75.00% 7 Catcher Detroit Wolverines (NL) 1878, 1880-1893 15 Deceased (1854-1927) 53
Lou Boudreau 1957 90.00% 1 Shortstop Cleveland Indians (AL) 1938-1952 15 Living - Age 41 40
Roger Bresnahan 1925 79.17% 6 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1897, 1900-1915 17 Deceased (1879-1944) 46
Dan Brouthers 1901 90.00% 1 First Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1896, 1904 18 Deceased (1858-1932) 50
Mordecai Brown 1921 96.77% 1 Pitcher Chicago Cubs (NL) 1903-1916 14 Deceased (1876-1948) 45
Ray Brown*` 1957 (VC) 81.81% VC Pitcher Homestead Grays (I/NNL) 1930-1948 19 Living - Age 50 49
Pete Browning 1909 77.27% 9 Left Field/Center Field Louisville Colonels (NL/AA) 1882-1894 13 Deceased (1861-1905) Deceased
Jesse Burkett 1910 92.00% 1 Left Field Cleveland Spiders (NL) 1890-1895 16 Deceased (1868-1953) 42
Max Carey 1934 82.14% 1 Center Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1910-1929 20 Living - Age 68 44
Bob Caruthers 1909 77.27% 9 Pitcher/Right Field St. Louis Browns (Cardinals) (NL/AA) 1884-1893 10 Deceased (1864-1911) 45
Frank Chance 1932 83.33% 14 First Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1898-1914 17 Deceased (1876-1924) Deceased
Oscar Charleston*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Center Field Indianapolis ABCs (I/NNL) 1915-1941 27 Deceased (1896-1954) 51
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 88 45
John Clarkson 1901 90.00% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1882, 1884-1894 12 Deceased (1861-1909) 40
Ty Cobb 1933 96.55% 1 Center Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1905-1928 24 Living - Age 72 47
Mickey Cochrane 1942 89.19% 1 Catcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1937 13 Living - Age 54 38
Eddie Collins 1935 96.67% 1 Second Base Chicago White Sox (AL) 1906-1930 25 Deceased (1887-1951) 48
Jimmy Collins 1913 82.61% 1 Third Base Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1895-1908 14 Deceased (1870-1943) 43
Roger Connor 1902 79.17% 1 First Base New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Deceased (1857-1931) 45
Andy Cooper*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL/NAL) 1920-1941 22 Deceased (1898-1941) Deceased
Wilbur Cooper* 1950 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1912-1926 15 Living - Age 66 58
Stan Coveleski 1934 89.29% 2 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1912, 1916-1928 14 Living - Age 69 45
Sam Crawford 1922 92.86% 1 Right Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1899-1917 19 Living - Age 78 41
Joe Cronin 1950 88.24% 1 Shortstop Boston Red Sox (AL) 1926-1945 20 Living - Age 52 44
Bill Dahlen 1916 88.00% 1 Shortstop Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1891-1911 21 Deceased (1870-1950) 46
George Davis 1914 84.62% 1 Shortstop New York Giants (NL) 1890-1909 20 Deceased (1870-1940) 44
Leon Day*` 1957 (VC) 81.81% VC Pitcher/Second Base Newark Eagles (NNL) 1934-1943, 1946-1950 15 Living - Age 42 41
Ed Delahanty 1908 96.00% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1903 16 Deceased (1867-1903) Deceased
Dizzy Dean 1948 80.77% 3 Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1930, 1932-1941, 1947 12 Living - Age 49 38
Bill Dickey 1951 94.29% 1 Catcher New York Yankees (AL) 1928-1943, 1946 17 Living - Age 51 44
Martin Dihigo*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC Second Base/Pitcher Cuban Stars (East) (ANL/I) 1923-1945 23 Living - Age 52 46
Joe DiMaggio 1956 96.30% 1 Center Field New York Yankees (AL) 1936-1942, 1946-1951 13 Living - Age 44 42
Bobby Doerr 1956 88.89% 1 Second Base Boston Red Sox (AL) 1937-1944, 1946-1951 14 Living - Age 40 38
Larry Doyle 1926 76.00% 2 Second Base New York Giants (NL) 1907-1920 14 Living - Age 72 40
Hugh Duffy 1918 75.00% 8 Center Field/Outfield Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1888-1891, 1904-1906 17 Deceased (1866-1954) 52
Buck Ewing 1902 83.33% 1 Catcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1897 18 Deceased (1859-1906) 44
Red Faber 1940 76.46% 3 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1914-1933 20 Living - Age 70 52
Wes Ferrell 1955 78.57% 10 Pitcher Cleveland Indians (AL) 1927-1941 15 Living - Age 50 47
Elmer Flick 1916 80.00% 1 Right Field Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1898-1910 13 Living - Age 82 40
Willie Foster*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher Chicago American Giants (ANL/NNL) 1923-1938 16 Living - Age 54 43
Jimmie Foxx 1950 100% 1 First Base Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1942, 1945 20 Living - Age 51 43
Frankie Frisch 1942 91.89% 1 Second Base New York Giants (NL) 1919-1937 19 Living - Age 59 43
Pud Galvin 1903 80.77% 3 Pitcher Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1875, 1879-1892 15 Deceased (1856-1902) Deceased
Lou Gehrig 1944 100% 1 First Base New York Yankees (AL) 1923-1939 17 Deceased (1903-1941) Deceased
Charlie Gehringer 1947 100% 1 Second Base Detroit Tigers (AL) 1924-1942 19 Living - Age 55 44
Josh Gibson*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Catcher Homestead Grays (ANL/NNL) 1929-1946 18 Deceased (1911-1947) Deceased
Jack Glasscock 1911 84.00% 11 Shortstop Cleveland Blues (NL) 1879-1895 17 Deceased (1857-1947) 54
George Gore 1909 77.27% 9 Center Field Chicago White Stockings (Cubs) (NL) 1879-1892 14 Deceased (1867-1933) 52
Joe Gordon 1955 75.00% 1 Second Base New York Yankees (AL) 1938-1943, 1946-1950 11 Living - Age 43 40
Goose Goslin 1943 93.33% 1 Left Field Washington Senators (NL) 1921-1938 18 Living - Age 57 42
Frank Grant*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Second Base Cuban Giants (I/MSL) 1886-1905 20 Deceased (1865-1937) Deceased
Hank Greenberg 1952 93.55% 1 First Base Detroit Tigers (AL) 1930, 1933-1941, 1945-1947 13 Living - Age 47 41
Clark Griffith* 1940 (VC) 78.57% VC Pitcher Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1891, 1893-1909, 1912-1914 20 Deceased (1869-1955) 70
Heinie Groh 1936 81.25% 5 Third Base Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1912-1927 16 Living - Age 69 47
Lefty Grove 1946 100% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1925-1941 17 Living - Age 58 46
Stan Hack 1952 77.42% 1 Third Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1932-1947 16 Living - Age 49 43
Billy Hamilton 1906 82.61% 1 Center Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1888-1901 14 Deceased (1866-1940) 40
Gabby Hartnett 1946 96.30% 1 Catcher Chicago Cubs (NL) 1922-1941 20 Living - Age 58 46
Harry Heilmann 1937 96.18% 1 Right Field Detroit Tigers (AL) 1914, 1916-1930, 1932 17 Deceased (1894-1951) 43
Billy Herman 1952 77.42% 1 Second Base Chicago Cubs (NL) 1931-1943, 1946-1947 15 Living - Age 49 43
Pete Hill*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Center Field Chicago American Giants (I) 1899-1925 27 Deceased (1880-1951) 67
Paul Hines 1904 76.00% 4 Center Field Providence Grays (NL) 1872-1891 20 Deceased (1855-1935) 49
Rogers Hornsby 1942 97.30% 1 Second Base St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1915-1937 23 Living - Age 61 45
Carl Hubbell 1948 96.15% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1928-1943 16 Living - Age 56 45
Hughie Jennings 1927 75.00% 14 Shortstop Baltimore Orioles (NL) 1891-1903, 1907, 1909, 1912, 1918 17 Deceased (1869-1928) 58
Grant Johnson*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Shortstop Brooklyn Royal Giants (I) 1895-1916 22 Living - Age 84 73
Walter Johnson 1932 100% 1 Pitcher Washington Senators (AL) 1907-1927 21 Deceased (1887-1946) 45
Addie Joss 1926 76.00% 15 Pitcher Cleveland Naps (Indians) (AL) 1902-1910 9 Deceased (1880-1911) Deceased
Tim Keefe 1901 75.00% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1893 14 Deceased (1857-1933) 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 Deceased (1871-1943) 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 84 47
Tommy Leach* 1940 (VC) 85.71% VC Third Base/Center Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1898-1915, 1918 19 Living - Age 81 63
Buck Leonard*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC First Base Homestead Grays (I/NNL) 1933-1950 18 Living - Age 51 45
John Henry Lloyd*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Lincoln Giants (I/ECL) 1906-1932 27 Living - Age 74 63
Herman Long* 1925 (VC) 75.00% VC Shortstop Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1889-1904 16 Deceased (1866-1909) Deceased
Dick Lundy*` 1952 (VC) 81.82% VC Shortstop Bacharach Giants (I/ECL) 1916-1939 24 Living - Age 60 54
Ted Lyons 1949 80.00% 3 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1928-1942, 1946 16 Living - Age 58 49
Biz Mackey*` 1952 (VC) 100% VC Catcher Hilldale Daises (ECL/ANL/I) 1920-1941, 1945-1947, 1950 26 Living - Age 61 55
Sherry Magee 1924 86.21% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1904-1919 16 Deceased (1884-1929) 40
Rabbit Maranville* 1955 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Boston Braves (NL) 1912-1933, 1935 23 Deceased (1891-1954) Deceased
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 Deceased (1859-1943) 42
Cal McVey*^ 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Catcher/First Base Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1879 9 Deceased (1849-1926) 71
Joe Medwick 1953 85.29% 1 Left Field St. Louis Cardinals (NL) 1932-1948 17 Living - Age 47 42
Jose Mendez*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL) 1908-1926 19 Deceased (1887-1928) Deceased
Bill Monroe*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Second Base Brooklyn Royal Giants (I) 1896-1914 19 Deceased (1876-1914) Deceased
Tony Mullane 1908 80.00% 8 Pitcher Cincinnati Reds (NL/AA) 1881-1894 14 Deceased (1859-1944) 49
Kid Nichols 1911 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1890-1901, 1904-1906 15 Deceased (1869-1953) 42
Jim O'Rourke 1901 90.00% 1 Left Field/Utility New York Giants (NL) 1872-1893, 1904 23 Deceased (1850-1919) 51
Alejandro Oms*` 1947 (VC) 75.00% VC Center Field Cuban Stars (East) (ECL/ANL) 1917-1935 19 Deceased (1895-1946) Deceased
Mel Ott 1952 100% 1 Right Field New York Giants (NL) 1926-1947 22 Deceased (1909-1958) 43
Satchel Paige*` 1957 (VC) 90.91% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (I/NNL/NAL) 1926-1953 28 Living - Age 52 51
Dickey Pearce*^ 1920 (VC) 100% VC Shortstop Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) 1871-1877 6 Deceased (1836-1908) Deceased
Lip Pike*^ 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Center Field Baltimore Canaries (NA) 1871-1878, 1881, 1887 10 Deceased (1845-1926) Deceased
Eddie Plank 1922 92.86% 1 Pitcher Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1901-1917 17 Deceased (1875-1926) 47
Spotswood Poles*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Center Field Lincoln Stars (I) 1909-1923 15 Living - Age 69 60
Charley Radbourn 1901 95.00% 1 Pitcher Providence Grays (NL) 1881-1891 11 Deceased (1854-1897) Deceased
Dick Redding*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Pitcher Brooklyn Royal Giants (I/ECL) 1911-1938 18 Deceased (1891-1948) 56
Sam Rice* 1955 (VC) 76.92% VC Right Field Washington Senators (AL) 1915-1934 20 Living - Age 68 65
Hardy Richardson* 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC Second Base/Left Field Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1879-1892 14 Deceased (1855-1931) 65
Eppa Rixey* 1955 (VC) 92.30% VC Pitcher Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1912-1917, 1919-1933 21 Living - Age 67 64
Bullet Rogan*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Pitcher Kansas City Monarchs (NNL/NAL) 1917-1938 22 Living - Age 65 54
Edd Roush 1943 76.67% 1 Center Field Cincinnati Reds (NL) 1913-1929, 1931 18 Living - Age 65 49
Red Ruffing 1951 82.86% 2 Pitcher New York Yankees (AL) 1924-1942, 1945-1947 22 Living - Age 53 46
Amos Rusie 1906 78.26% 1 Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1889-1895, 1897-1898, 1901 10 Deceased (1871-1942) 35
Babe Ruth 1940 97.06% 1 Right Field/Left Field New York Yankees (AL) 1914-1935 22 Deceased (1895-1948) 45
Jimmy Ryan* 1930 (VC) 86.67% VC Center Field Chicago Colts (Cubs) (NL) 1885-1900, 1902, 1903 18 Deceased (1863-1923) Deceased
Louis Santop*` 1947 (VC) 91.67% VC Catcher Hilldale Daises (I) 1909-1926 18 Deceased (1890-1942) Deceased
Joe Sewell 1942 75.68% 5 Shortstop/Third Base Cleveland Indians (AL) 1920-1933 14 Living - Age 59 43
Jimmy Sheckard* 1945 (VC) 83.33% VC Left Field Chicago Cubs (NL) 1897-1913 17 Deceased (1878-1947) 67
Al Simmons 1949 96.00% 1 Left Field Philadelphia Athletics (AL) 1924-1944 21 Deceased (1902-1956) 47
George Sisler 1935 90.91% 1 First Base St. Louis Browns (AL) 1915-1922, 1924-1930 15 Living - Age 64 42
Al Spalding^ 1915 80.00% 15 Pitcher Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1878 8 Deceased (1850-1915) Deceased
Tris Speaker 1933 100% 1 Center Field Cleveland Indians (AL) 1907-1928 22 Deceased (1888-1958) 45
Joe Start*^ 1920 (VC) 91.67% VC First Base Providence Grays (NL) 1871-1886 16 Deceased (1842-1927) 78
Turkey Stearnes*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Center Field Detroit Stars (NNL/NAL) 1923-1942 20 Living - Age 57 46
Harry Stovey 1907 75.00% 7 Left Field/First Base Philadelphia Athletics (AA) 1880-1893 14 Deceased (1856-1931) 51
Mule Suttles*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC First Base Newark Eagles (NNL) 1921, 1923-1944 23 Living - Age 57 51
Ezra Sutton* 1920 (VC) 83.33% VC Third Base Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1871-1888 18 Deceased (1850-1907) Deceased
Bill Terry 1941 80.00% 1 First Base New York Giants (NL) 1923-1936 14 Living - Age 59 43
Sam Thompson 1907 79.17% 5 Right Field Philadelphia Phillies (NL) 1885-1898, 1906 14 Deceased (1860-1922) 47
Cristobal Torriente*` 1947 (VC) 83.33% VC Center Field Chicago American Giants (NNL) 1913-1928 16 Deceased (1893-1938) Deceased
Pie Traynor 1942 83.78% 1 Third Base Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1920-1937 18 Living - Age 59 42
Dazzy Vance 1940 76.47% 1 Pitcher Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) (NL) 1915, 1918, 1922-1935 16 Living - Age 67 48
George Van Haltren 1918 75.00% 11 Center Field New York Giants (NL) 1887-1903 17 Deceased (1866-1945) 52
Arky Vaughan 1953 100% 1 Shortstop Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1932-1943, 1947-1948 14 Deceased (1912-1952) Deceased
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 Deceased (1874-1955) 48
Bobby Wallace 1925 75.00% 3 Shortstop St. Louis Browns (AL) 1894-1918 25 Living - Age 85 52
Ed Walsh 1922 89.29% 1 Pitcher Chicago White Sox (AL) 1904-1917 14 Living - Age 77 41
John Ward 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop/Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1878-1894 17 Deceased (1860-1925) 47
Paul Waner 1950 94.12% 1 Right Field Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) 1926-1945 20 Living - Age 55 47
Mickey Welch* 1920 (VC) 75.00% VC Pitcher New York Giants (NL) 1880-1892 13 Deceased (1859-1941) 61
Willie Wells*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC Shortstop St. Louis Stars (NNL) 1924-1948 25 Living - Age 53 47
Zack Wheat 1932 87.50% 1 Left Field Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) (NL) 1909-1927 10 Living - Age 70 44
Deacon White 1904 76.00% 4 Catcher/Third Base Buffalo Bisons (NL) 1871-1890 20 Deceased (1847-1939) 57
Smokey Joe Williams*` 1947 (VC) 100% VC Pitcher Homestead Grays (I/ANL) 1905-1932 28 Deceased (1895-1946) Deceased
Vic Willis 1919 77.78% 5 Pitcher Boston Beaneaters (Braves) (NL) 1898-1910 13 Deceased (1876-1947) 43
Jud Wilson*` 1952 (VC) 90.90% VC Third Base Baltimore Black Sox (I/ECL/ANL) 1922-1939 18 Living - Age 59 53
George Wright^ 1907 75.00% 7 Shortstop Boston Red Stockings (NA) 1871-1882 12 Deceased (1847-1937) 60
Cy Young 1916 100% 1 Pitcher Boston Americans (Red Sox) (AL) 1890-1911 22 Deceased (1867-1955) 49

* = Elected by Veterans Committee
^ = Played Significantly Prior to 1871
` = Played in the Negro Leagues

Players Elected by Primary Position
Catcher (11): Charlie Bennett, Roger Bresnahan, Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, Buck Ewing, Josh Gibson, Gabby Hartnett, Biz Mackey, Cal McVey, Louis Santop, Deacon White
First Base (13): Cap Anson, Jake Beckley, Dan Brouthers, Frank Chance, Roger Connor, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Buck Leonard, George Sisler, Joe Start, Mule Suttles, Bill Terry
Second Base (15): Ross Barnes, Cupid Childs, Eddie Collins, Bobby Doerr, Larry Doyle, Frankie Frisch, Charlie Gehringer, Joe Gordon, Frank Grant, Billy Herman, Rogers Hornsby, Napoleon Lajoie, Bid McPhee, Bill Monroe, Hardy Richardson
Third Base (9): Frank Baker, John Beckwith, Jimmy Collins, Heinie Groh, Stan Hack, Tommy Leach, Ezra Sutton, Pie Traynor, Jud Wilson
Shortstop (20): Luke Appling, Lou Boudreau, Joe Cronin, Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Jack Glasscock, Hughie Jennings, Grant Johnson, John Henry Lloyd, Herman Long, Dick Lundy, Rabbit Maranville, Dickey Pearce, Joe Sewell, Arky Vaughan, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, John Ward, Willie Wells, George Wright
Left Field (12): Jesse Burkett, Fred Clarke, Ed Delahanty, Goose Goslin, Joe Kelley, Sherry Magee, Joe Medwick, Jim O'Rourke, Jimmy Sheckard, Al Simmons, Harry Stovey, Zack Wheat
Center Field (21): Earl Averill, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Pete Browning, Max Carey, Oscar Charleston, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Hugh Duffy, George Gore, Billy Hamilton, Pete Hill, Paul Hines, Alejandro Oms, Lip Pike, Spotswood Poles, Edd Roush, Jimmy Ryan, Tris Speaker, Turkey Stearnes, Cristobal Torriente, George Van Haltren
Right Field (10): Sam Crawford, King Kelly, Elmer Flick, Harry Heilmann, Willie Keeler, Mel Ott, Sam Rice, Babe Ruth, Sam Thompson, Paul Waner
Pitcher (41): Pete Alexander, Mordecai Brown, Ray Brown, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Andy Cooper, Wilbur Cooper, Stan Coveleski, Dizzy Dean, Red Faber, Wes Ferrell, Willie Foster, Pud Galvin, Clark Griffith, Lefty Grove, Carl Hubbell, Walter Johnson, Addie Joss, Tim Keefe, Ted Lyons, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jose Mendez, Tony Mullane, Kid Nichols, Satchel Paige, Eddie Plank, Charley Radbourn, Dick Redding, Eppa Rixey, Bullet Rogan, Red Ruffing, Amos Rusie, Al Spalding, Dazzy Vance, Rube Waddell, Ed Walsh, Mickey Welch, Smokey Joe Williams, 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 Connor, 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
1930 (0):
- 1930 VC (1): Jimmy Ryan
1931 (0):
1932 (3): Frank Chance, Walter Johnson, Zack Wheat
1933 (2): Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker
1934 (2): Max Carey, Stan Coveleski
1935 (3): Pete Alexander, Eddie Collins, George Sisler
- 1935 VC (0):
1936 (1): Heinie Groh
1937 (1): Harry Heilmann
1938 (0):
1939 (0):
1940 (3): Red Faber, Babe Ruth, Dazzy Vance
- 1940 VC (2): Clark Griffith, Tommy Leach
1941 (1): Bill Terry
1942 (5): Mickey Cochrane, Frankie Frisch, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Sewell, Pie Traynor
1943 (2): Goose Goslin, Edd Roush
1944 (1): Lou Gehrig
1945 (0):
- 1945 VC (1): Jimmy Sheckard
1946 (2): Lefty Grove, Gabby Hartnett
1947 (2): Earl Averill, Charlie Gehringer
- 1947 Negro League Players VC (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, Cristobal Torriente, Smokey Joe Williams
1948 (2): Dizzy Dean, Carl Hubbell
1949 (2): Ted Lyons, Al Simmons
1950 (3): Joe Cronin, Jimmie Foxx, Paul Waner
- 1950 VC (1): Wilbur Cooper
1951 (2): Bill Dickey, Red Ruffing
1952 (4): Hank Greenberg, Stan Hack, Billy Herman, Mel Ott
- 1952 Negro League Players VC (8): James "Cool Papa" Bell, Martin Dihigo, Buck Leonard, Dick Lundy, Biz Mackey, Mule Suttles, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson
1953 (2): Joe Medwick, Arky Vaughan
1954 (0):
1955 (3): Luke Appling, Wes Ferrell, Joe Gordon
- 1955 VC (3): Rabbit Maranville, Sam Rice, Eppa Rixey
1956 (2): Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr
1957 (1): Lou Boudreau
- 1957 Negro League Players VC (3): Ray Brown, Leon Day, Satchel Paige

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 (19): Jake Beckley, Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs, Bill Dahlen, George Davis, Ed Delahanty, Hugh Duffy, Frank Grant, Clark Griffith, Billy Hamilton, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Herman Long, Bid McPhee, Kid Nichols, Jimmy Ryan, Amos Rusie, Sam Thompson, George Van Haltren
1900s (24): Roger Bresnahan, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, Fred Clarke, Jimmy Collins, Sam Crawford, Elmer Flick, Pete Hill, Grant Johnson, Addie Joss, Willie Keeler, Napoleon Lajoie, Tommy Leach, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Bill Monroe, Eddie Plank, Jimmy Sheckard, Rube Waddell, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, Ed Walsh, Vic Willis, Cy Young
1910s (17): Pete Alexander, Frank Baker, Max Carey, Wilbur Cooper, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Larry Doyle, Heinie Groh, Walter Johnson, John Henry Lloyd, Sherry Magee, Jose Mendez, Spotswood Poles, Louis Santop, Tris Speaker, Zack Wheat, Smokey Joe Williams
1920s (24): John Beckwith, Oscar Charleston, Andy Cooper, Stan Coveleski, Red Faber, Frankie Frisch, Goose Goslin, Harry Heilmann, Rogers Hornsby, Dick Lundy, Biz Mackey, Rabbit Maranville, Alejandro Oms, Dick Redding, Sam Rice, Eppa Rixey, Bullet Rogan, Edd Roush, Babe Ruth, George Sisler, Joe Sewell, Cristobal Torriente, Pie Traynor, Dazzy Vance
1930s (33): Luke Appling, Earl Averill, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Ray Brown, Mickey Cochrane, Joe Cronin, Dizzy Dean, Bill Dickey, Martin Dihigo, Wes Ferrell, Willie Foster, Jimmie Foxx, Charlie Gehringer, Lou Gehrig, Josh Gibson, Hank Greenberg, Lefty Grove, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Carl Hubbell, Ted Lyons, Joe Medwick, Mel Ott, Satchel Paige, Red Ruffing, Al Simmons, Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles, Bill Terry, Arky Vaughan, Paul Waner, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson
1940s (6): Lou Boudreau, Leon Day, Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr, Joe Gordon, Stan Hack

Players Elected by Primary Organization
Bacharach Giants (I, ECL) (1): Dick Lundy
Baltimore Black Sox (I, ECL, ANL) (1): Jud Wilson
Baltimore Canaries (NA) (1): Lip Pike
Baltimore Orioles (fka St. Louis Browns) (AL) (2): George Sisler, Bobby Wallace
Baltimore Orioles (NL) (3): Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley
Boston Red Sox (fka Americans) (AL) (4): Bobby Doerr, Jimmy Collins, Joe Cronin, Cy Young
Brooklyn Atlantics (NA) (1): Dickey Pearce
Brooklyn Royal Giants (I, ECL, NNL) (3): Grant Johnson, Bill Monroe, Dick Redding
Buffalo Bisons (NL) (4): Dan Brouthers, Pud Galvin, Hardy Richardson, Deacon White
Chicago American Giants (I, NNL, NSL, NAL) (3): Willie Foster, Pete Hill, Cristobal Torriente
Chicago Cubs (fka White Stockings, Colts) (NL) (12): Cap Anson, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, Bill Dahlen, Clark Griffith, George Gore, Stan Hack, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, King Kelly, Jimmy Ryan, Jimmy Sheckard
Chicago Giants (NNL) (1): John Beckwith
Chicago White Sox (AL) (5): Luke Appling, Eddie Collins, Red Faber, Ted Lyons, Ed Walsh
Cincinnati Reds (NL, AA) (5): Heinie Groh, Bid McPhee, Tony Mullane, Eppa Rixey, Edd Roush
Cleveland Blues (NL) (1): Jack Glasscock
Cleveland Indians (fka Naps) (AL) (9): Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Stan Coveleski, Wes Ferrell, Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Napoleon Lajoie, Joe Sewell, Tris Speaker
Cleveland Spiders (NL) (2): Jesse Burkett, Cupid Childs
Cuban Giants (I, MSL) (1): Frank Grant
Cuban Stars (East) (I, ECL, ANL) (2): Martin Dihigo, Alejandro Oms
Detroit Stars (I, NNL, NAL) (1): Turkey Stearnes
Detroit Tigers (AL) (5): Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Harry Heilmann
Detroit Wolverines (NL) (1): Charlie Bennett
Hilldale Daises (I, ECL, ANL, EWL) (2): Biz Mackey, Louis Santop
Homestead Grays (I, ANL, NNL) (4): Ray Brown, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Smokey Joe Williams
Indianapolis ABCs (I, NNL, NSL, NAL) (1): Oscar Charleston
Kansas City Atheltics (fka Philadelphia Athletics) (AL) (7): Frank Baker, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Eddie Plank, Al Simmons, Rube Waddell
Kansas City Monarchs (I, NNL, NAL) (4): Willie Foster, Jose Mendez, Satchel Paige, Bullet Rogan
Lincoln Giants (I, ECL, ANL) (1): John Henry Lloyd
Lincoln Stars (I) (1): Spotswood Poles
Louisville Colonels (NL, AA) (1): Pete Browning
Los Angeles Dodgers (fka Brooklyn Dodgers, Robins) (NL) (2): Dazzy Vance, Zack Wheat
Milwaukee Braves (fka Boston Braves, Beaneaters, Red Stockings) (NA, NL) (11): Ross Barnes, John Clarkson, Hugh Duffy, Herman Long, Rabbit Maranville, Cal McVey, Kid Nichols, Al Spalding, Ezra Sutton, Vic Willis, George Wright
New York Yankees (AL) (6): Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Joe Gordon, Red Ruffing, Babe Ruth
Newark Eagles (NNL) (2): Leon Day, Mule Suttles
Philadelphia Athletics (AA) (1): Harry Stovey
Philadelphia Phillies (NL) (5): Pete Alexander, Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Sherry Magee, Sam Thompson
Pittsburgh Crawfords (NNL) (1): James "Cool Papa" Bell
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) (9): Jake Beckley, Max Carey, Fred Clarke, Wilbur Cooper, Tommy Leach, Pie Traynor, Arky Vaughan, Honus Wagner, Paul Waner
Providence Grays (NL) (3): Paul Hines, Charley Radbourn, Joe Start
San Francisco Giants (fka New York Giants) (NL) (16): Roger Bresnahan, Roger Connor, George Davis, Larry Doyle, Buck Ewing, Frankie Frisch, Carl Hubbell, Tim Keefe, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, Jim O’Rourke, Mel Ott, Amos Rusie, George Van Haltren, John Ward, Mickey Welch
St. Louis Cardinals (fka Browns) (NL, AA) (4): Bob Caruthers, Dizzy Dean, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Medwick
St. Louis Stars (NNL) (1): Willie Wells
Washington Senators (AL) (3): Goose Goslin, Walter Johnson, Sam Rice

Hall of Fame Contributors Wing
Contributors Elected - 23
Contributor Year Elected Contribution Living/Deceased Age at Election
Doc Adams 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1814-1899) Deceased
Ed Barrow 1941 General Manager Deceased (1868-1953) Deceased
Alex Cartwright 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1820-1892) Deceased
Henry Chadwick 1925 Writer Deceased (1824-1908) Deceased
Charlie Comiskey 1925 Owner Deceased (1859-1931) 66
Tommy Connolly 1956 Umpire Living - Age 88 86
Jim Creighton 1925 Pioneer Deceased (1841-1862) Deceased
Rube Foster 1930 Manager/Executive Deceased (1879-1930) Deceased
Miller Huggins 1941 Manager Deceased (1879-1929) Deceased
William Hulbert 1925 NL President Deceased (1832-1882) Deceased
Ned Hanlon 1936 Manager Deceased (1857-1937) 79
Ban Johnson 1936 AL President Deceased (1864-1931) Deceased
Bill Klem 1941 Umpire Deceased (1874-1951) 67
Kenesaw Landis 1951 Commissioner Deceased (1866-1944) Deceased
Connie Mack 1930 Manager/Owner Deceased (1862-1956) 68
Joe McCarthy 1951 Manager Living - Age 71 64
John McGraw 1936 Manager Deceased (1873-1934) Deceased
Al Reach 1946 Owner Deceased (1840-1928) Deceased
Francis Richter 1941 Writer Deceased (1854-1926) Deceased
Branch Rickey 1946 General Manager Living - Age 77 65
Frank Selee 1936 Manager Deceased (1859-1909) Deceased
AG Spalding* 1930 Executive Deceased (1850-1915) Deceased
Harry Wright 1925 Manager Deceased (1835-1895) Deceased

* = Also elected as a player

Contributors Elected by Primary Contribution
Commissioner (1): Kenesaw Landis
General Manager (2): Ed Barrow, Branch Rickey
League President (2): William Hulbert, Ban Johnson
Manager (6): Miller Huggins, Ned Hanlon, Joe McCarthy, John McGraw, Frank Selee, Harry Wright
Owner (3): Charlie Comiskey, Al Reach, AG Spalding
Pioneer (3): Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright, Jim Creighton
Umpire (2): Tom Connolly, Bill Klem
Writer (2): Henry Chadwick, Francis Richter

Contributors Elected by Primary Team
Chicago American Giants (NNL) (1): Rube Foster
Chicago Cubs (fka White Stockings, Colts) (NA, NL) (1): AG Spalding
Chicago White Sox (AL) (1): Charlie Comiskey
Excelsior of Brooklyn (NAB) (1): Jim Creighton
Kansas City Athletics (fka Philadelphia Athletics) (AL) (1): Connie Mack
Los Angeles Dodgers (fka Brooklyn Dodgers, Superbas) (AA, NL) (1): Ned Hanlon
Milwaukee Braves (fka Boston Braves, Beaneaters, Red Caps, Red Stockings) (NA, NL) (2): Frank Selee, Harry Wright
New York Knickerbockers (NAB) (2): Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright
New York Yankees (AL) (2): Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy
Philadelphia Phillies (fka Quakers) (NL) (1): Al Reach
San Francisco Giants (fka New York Giants) (NL) (1): John McGraw
St. Louis Cardinals (AA, NL) (1): Branch Rickey

Contributors Elected by Year
1925: Doc Adams, Alex Cartwright, Henry Chadwick, Harry Wright, William Hulbert, Charlie Comiskey, Jim Creighton
1930: Rube Foster, Connie Mack, AG Spalding
1936: Ned Hanlon, Ban Johnson, John McGraw, Frank Selee
1941: Miller Huggins, Bill Klem, Francis Richter, Ed Barrow
1946: Al Reach, Branch Rickey
1951: Kenesaw Landis, Joe McCarthy
1956: Tom Connolly

Miscellaneous Information
- Highest Regular Election Percentage: Cap Anson, Luke Appling, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Lefty Grove, Walter Johnson, Kid Nichols, Mel Ott, Tris Speaker, Arky Vaughan, Cy Young – 100%
- Number of 1st Ballot Electees: 68
- Most Years on Ballot Before Election: Cupid Childs, Addie Joss, Al Spalding – 15
- Number of Players Elected After 10 Years on Ballot: 9
- Number of Players Lasting 15 Years on Ballot without Election: 45
- Number of Players Elected by Veterans Committee: 42
- Highest Percentage Among Players Not Elected: 73.53% - Burleigh Grimes (1953)
- Most Regular Election Electees in One Year: 5 (1901, 1907, 1942)
- Fewest Regular Election Electees in One Year: 0 (1912, 1923, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1938, 1939, 1945, 1954)
- Most Veterans Committee Electees in One Year: 19 (1947)
- Largest Ballot: 78 Players (1901)
- Largest Post-1915 Ballot: 50 Players (1952)
- Smallest Ballot: 23 Players (1918)
- Most Votes Cast: 37 (1942)
- Fewest Votes Cast: 20 (1901)
- Team With Most Players Elected: San Francisco Giants - 16
- Team With Second Most Players Elected: Chicago Cubs - 12
- Electee with Longest Post-1871 Career: Satchel Paige, Smokey Joe Williams - 28
- Electee with Shortest Post-1871 Career: Dickey Pearce – 8 Seasons
- Members Elected as Both Players and Contributors: Al Spalding
- Youngest Elected Player: Amos Rusie – Age 35
- Oldest Elected Player: Joe Start – 78
- Number of Posthumously Elected Players: 27
- Number of Posthumously Elected Contributors: 16
- Number of Living Hall of Famers: 68
- Number of Deceased Hall of Famers: 106
- Oldest Living Hall of Famer: Fred Clarke - Age 88
- Deceased in Past Year: Mel Ott, Tris Speaker

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
1930: 25
1931: 32
1932: 24
1933: 29
1934: 28
1935: 33
1936: 32
1937: 34
1938: 30
1939: 32
1940: 34
1941: 35
1942: 37
1943: 30
1944: 27
1945: 29
1946: 27
1947: 28
1948: 26
1949: 25
1950: 34
1951: 35
1952: 31
1953: 34
1954: 32
1955: 28
1956: 27
1957: 30

Links to Past Elections
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), 1925 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=83852)
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)
1930 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85358), 1930 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=85439), 1930 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=84578)
1931 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85681)
1932 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85850)
1933 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86054)
1934 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86291)
1935 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86514), 1935 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=86576)
1936 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=86747), 1936 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85051)
1937 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87002)
1938 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87241)
1939 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87501)
1940 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87800), 1940 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php? t=87854)
1941 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=88041), 1941 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=87881)
1942 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=88297)
1943 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89063)
1944 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89394)
1945 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89744), 1945 Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89707)
1946 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89923), 1946 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=89916)
1947 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90195), 1947 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90109)
1948 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90391)
1949 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90572)
1950 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90811), 1950 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=90804)
1951 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91009), 1951 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91013)
1952 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91182), 1952 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91175)
1953 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91388)
1954 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=91792)
1955 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92050), 1955 VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92049)
1956 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92322), 1956 Contributors VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92324)
1957 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92596), 1957 Negro League Players VC (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92597)

[Jsquared83]

Gomez
Johnson
Lombardi
Manush
Mize

[dgarza]

Bob Elliott should be listed as a 3B.

[Ace Venom]

This is the first time I've voted full ballot in a few years:

Wally Berger
Harry Brecheen
Tommy Bridges
Lefty Gomez
Tommy Henrich
Bob Johnson
Charlie Keller
Chuck Klein
Tony Lazzeri
Ernie Lombardi
Johnny Mize
Bill Nicholson
Dixie Walker
Bucky Walters
Lon Warneke

I considered Dom DiMaggio, but passed on him and gave that vote to Bill Nicholson.

[jjpm74]

One minor mistake on the ballot. Bob Elliott is listed as a RFer even though he played 1365 of his 1978 career games at 3B. His last name also should have 2 ts.

My ballot:

Wally Berger--I supported Hack Wilson and don't see a significant split between the 2 of them.
Harry Brecheen
Dom DiMaggio
Lefty Gomez--He has enough meat to add to his peak years to push him over the top, IMO.
Bob Elliott--His career compares favorably to Pie Traynor who is over the hump for me.
Bob Johnson--On par with several members of our HOF.
Charlie Keller--I can accept war credit for a guy who came back at the top of his game then suffered a career changing injury.
Tony Lazzeri--Compares favorably to Larry Doyle who we elected.
Johnny Mize--duh!

See posts 34-48 here for why I ultimately included both Brecheen and DiMaggio on my ballot:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=92596&page=2

As for Tommy Bridges and Bucky Walters, I would be more comfortable pulling the trigger on them if both Lefty Gomez and Urban Shocker weren't on the outside looking in. Gomez is about as far as I'm willing to stretch at this point.

[KCGHOST]

Bridges
Gomez
Mize

[jjpm74]

Here are some basics on Bob Elliott:


An above average defensive third baseman, with a B- in DWS.
In the company of Pie Traynor and Frank Baker all time offensively.
Won the NL MVP in 1947
8 time all star (7 different years)
111 Gray Ink which is on par with a HOF third baseman
124 Career OPS+
Topped 130 in OPS+ 6 times not including his rookie year
Best 3 WS 29-27-27
Best 5 WS 29-27-27-27-25
CWS 287
Best 3 WARP3 9.9-8.2-7.1
Best 5 WARP3 9.9-8.2-7.1-6.8-5.5
66.3 WARP3
.440 SLG is the highest of any retired third baseman through 1958
Only the second third baseman to drive in 100 or more RBIs 5 times.


There are currently only nine third basemen listed in our HOF:

Frank Baker
John Beckwith
Jimmy Collins
Heinie Groh
Stan Hack
Tommy Leach
Ezra Sutton
Pie Traynor
Jud Wilson

Bob Elliott compares favorably to all of the MLB third basemen (I don't have WARP info on Wilson and Beckwith):

Player WARP3 Best 5

Stan Hack 74.4 9.1--8.1--7.6--6.7--6.2
Frank Baker 69.8 9.7--9.8--7.7--7.7--7.3
Heinie Groh 68.8 9.0--8.6--8.5--7.7--7.2
Jimmy Collins 68.7 8.5--7.9--7.9--7.8--6.9
Bob Elliott 66.3 9.9--8.2--7.1--6.8--5.5
Pie Traynor 63.9 7.5--6.4--5.7--5.7--5.7
Tommy Leach 60.0 7.5--6.7--6.3--5.1--5.0
Ezra Sutton* 43.6 7.7--6.6--5.6--3.8--3.7

* Ezra Sutton played prior to 1871.

Bob Elliott definitely fits well with what we have established through 58 elections as a standard for third basemen. Elliott's best 3 outrank any MLB third baseman we have elected to date and he has both the career value and peak value for a third baseman. He deserves a lot more support than he has gotten early on in this election (perhaps listing him accidentally as a RFer is hurting his case for those who rely solely on traditional stats and OPS+?).

[Domenic]

Berger
Bridges
DiMaggio
Gomez
Bob Johnson
Keller
Mize

The case for DiMaggio:

Dom DiMaggio:


Missed 3 full seasons to WWII service.
7 Time All Star
All time great defensive CF with an A+ DWS.
Best 3: 28 26 26
Best 5: 28 26 26 24 21
1942 Had 28 win shares. Had 26 win shares on his return in 1946 suggesting his 3 missed seasons probably give him 75 additional win shares and 295 for his career.
WARP3 gives him 7 all star level seasons not counting the 3 seasons he missed. Giving him a modest adjustment for those 3 missed years gives him a career WARP3 of around 70. He also had 2 seasons (1942 and 1946) that were bordering on MVP level seasons.


Factoring in WWII service, Dom DiMaggio was a 10 time all star with a good enough peak and excellent defensive ability. These factors are good enough for him to become a permanent fixture on my ballot next year despite his 111 OPS+.

Considering that the PCL was all but a second major league in the 1930s, I believe that DiMaggio deserves some credit for his three full seasons there, as well:

473 G, 123 2B, 34 3B, 24 HR, .326 BA, .471 SLG

This should be re-posted for the next election, as it is very good information. I feel like Dom DiMaggio is criminally underrated, and I think that he should fit comfortably within our established levels.

[mwiggins]

Bob Elliott definitely fits well with what we have established through 58 elections as a standard for third basemen. Elliott's best 3 outrank any MLB third baseman we have elected to date and he has both the career value and peak value for a third baseman. He deserves a lot more support than he has gotten early on in this election (perhaps listing him accidentally as a RFer is hurting his case for those who rely solely on traditional stats and OPS+?).

Elliott's just really an obscure player, for as good as he was. It doesn't suprise me that he would struggle for support here. He maxed out at 2 votes in the real HoF elections, and that was just 9 years after his last All-Star appearance and 13 years after his MVP season.

For whatever reason (probably the fact that he played with the Pirates and Braves was a chief reason), he faded into history pretty quickly. He's also the kind of player with nothing really for a traditional HoF case to hang it's hat on. He wasn't a career .300 hitter, wasn't known as a defensive whiz like Traynor, he didn't have top notch counting stats in any category, he made the World Series just once, and he never led the league in anything but BB's.

That's a very good case for him, jjpm74.

[jjpm74]

For whatever reason (probably the fact that he played with the Pirates and Braves was a chief reason), he faded into history pretty quickly. He's also the kind of player with nothing really for a traditional HoF case to hang it's hat on. He wasn't a career .300 hitter, wasn't known as a defensive whiz like Traynor, he didn't have top notch counting stats in any category, he made the World Series just once, and he never led the league in anything but BB's.


I think that he also might have struggled so much in NBHoFM elections because Eddie Mathews immediately succeeded him at 3B for the Braves (obviously I'm going out of context here).

[Senor Octobre]

Berger
Bridges
DiMaggio
Gomez
Elliott
Bob Johnson
Keller
Klein
Lazzeri
Leonard
Lombardi
Mize
Myer
Walters
Warneke

It was between DiMaggio and Brecheen for the final spot on my ballot and I'm afraid personal bias had a hand in my decision.

[Senor Octobre]

Bob Elliott, between 1942 and 1951, had a consistent and very good streak of seasons (including an MVP) that, to me, stack up very well against our current HOF 3B. Also, check out that groovy BB total in 1948.

Eddie Stanky is also an interesting candidate to me. Admittedly, I didn't vote for him, but I'd be surprised if he didn't snag at least a couple votes.

[jalbright]

Mize and Keller.

[SavoyBG]

Here are some basics on Bob Elliott:


In the company of Pie Traynor and Frank Baker all time offensively.






I'm with you on Elliott, but I don't get why you would make the above comp. Traynor, Elliott and Baker are NOWHERE NEAR each other as offensive players.


OPS+
Baker - 136
Elliott - 124
Traynor - 107

Baker is a much better offensive player than Elliot, and Elliot is a MUCH, MUCH better offensive player than Traynor, who was not all that much above average. He didn't walk, had little power, and just had a very high batting averge in a high batting average era.

[SavoyBG]

Bob Elliott compares favorably to all of the MLB third basemen (I don't have WARP info on Wilson and Beckwith):

Player WARP3 Best 5

Stan Hack 74.4 9.1--8.1--7.6--6.7--6.2
Frank Baker 69.8 9.7--9.8--7.7--7.7--7.3
Heinie Groh 68.8 9.0--8.6--8.5--7.7--7.2
Jimmy Collins 68.7 8.5--7.9--7.9--7.8--6.9
Bob Elliott 66.3 9.9--8.2--7.1--6.8--5.5
Pie Traynor 63.9 7.5--6.4--5.7--5.7--5.7
Tommy Leach 60.0 7.5--6.7--6.3--5.1--5.0
Ezra Sutton* 43.6 7.7--6.6--5.6--3.8--3.7

* Ezra Sutton played prior to 1871.

Bob Elliott definitely fits well with what we have established through 58 elections as a standard for third basemen. Elliott's best 3 outrank any MLB third baseman we have elected to date

This statement is incorrect.

Baker's top 3 years total 27.2, Groh's top 3 years total 26.1, Elliott's top 3 years total 25.2.

[dgarza]

Wally Berger
Tommy Bridges
Bob Elliott
Lefty Gomez
Bob Johnson
Chuck Klein
Tony Lazzeri
Ernie Lombardi
Heinie Manush
Johnny Mize
Bobo Newsom
Dixie Walker
Bucky Walters
Lloyd Waner
Lon Warneke


1. Johnny Mize
2. Chuck Klein
3. Bob Johnson
4. Ernie Lombardi
5. Bob Elliott
6. Heinie Manush
7. Lefty Gomez
8. Tony Lazzeri
9. Bucky Walters
10. Tommy Bridges
11. Lon Warneke
12. Dixie Walker
13. Wally Berger
14. Bobo Newsom
15. Lloyd Waner

[mwiggins]

Eddie Stanky is also an interesting candidate to me. Admittedly, I didn't vote for him, but I'd be surprised if he didn't snag at least a couple votes.

Durocher on Stanky..."He can't run, he can't hit, he can't throw, he can't do anything. But what a ballplayer! I wouldn't give him for any second baseman in the league. Any two second basemen!"

[Cowtipper]

Wally Berger
Tommy Bridges
Bob Elliott
Bob Johnson
Chuck Klein
Tony Lazzeri
Ernie Lombardi
Heinie Manush
Johnny Mize
Hal Trosky
Bucky Walters
Lon Warneke

I will be voting for Buddy Myer next election.

[jjpm74]

I'm with you on Elliott, but I don't get why you would make the above comp. Traynor, Elliott and Baker are NOWHERE NEAR each other as offensive players.


OPS+
Baker - 136
Elliott - 124
Traynor - 107

Baker is a much better offensive player than Elliot, and Elliot is a MUCH, MUCH better offensive player than Traynor, who was not all that much above average. He didn't walk, had little power, and just had a very high batting averge in a high batting average era.

I agree that Elliott is light years ahead of Traynor. I only made the comparison because at the time Elliott retired, he was being compared to Pie Traynor who at the time was considered (way overrated) the best third baseman in the history of the game. That said, I think Elliott is at worst middle of the pack of the third basemen we have elected. He definitely isn't borderline, IMO and I'm a little surprised that I even have to champion his cause. He was much better than several third basemen we elected.

[jjpm74]

Durocher on Stanky..."He can't run, he can't hit, he can't throw, he can't do anything. But what a ballplayer! I wouldn't give him for any second baseman in the league. Any two second basemen!"

With a name like Stanky, I hope he sticks around a few years. :D

[PVNICK]

Bridges
Elliot
Mize
Myer
Walters

I had a moment's pause with Elliot b/c even though he was 1947 MVP he played through the war. But a look at his numbers shows that he was just as good before, during and after the war, just a top flight ballplayer for a good decade.

I'm not sure I see that great a difference between Warnecke and Gomez. Warnecke has a 119 ERA+ in 2782 IP while Gomez is 125+ in 2503 IP but Warnecke has a 3.18 ERA (NL as a regular 32-42) v. Gomez' 3.34 (AL 31-41). I think that may be screwy b/c I would think the original Yankee Stadium being the greatest pitcher's park of all time for LHP. Though I haven't looked at the league ERAs. Anyway W-L is Warnecke 192-121 v. Gomez 189-102 (with probably the greatest dynasty of all-time). Gomez is 6-0 in the WS with a 2.86 ERA while Warnecke is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA (getting shelled v. NYY in '32 but 2-0 w/ 0.54 ERA v. Det in '35). I think I'll put Warnecke back on my ballot next year.

[leecemark]

--Gomez had the more favorable park, but offensive levels in the AL were significantly higher than the NL in the 1930s. Their ERA+ are reflective of that. Gomez had some excellent defenses behind him in the later part of his career, but not so much in the front.
--Gomez is a VERY borderline candidate for me. Kind of a dark gray to Warneke's light gray. I am comfortable drawing the line between them, but for anyone who thinks Gomez is a clear cut Hall of Famer then Warneke ought to be at least close to being on their ballot. And Tommy Bridges is better than both - more IP and higher ERA+ in both cases.
--Of pitchers on this ballot I've got it like this;
Bridges
Gomez
Walters
Warneke
--The line could be anywhere from above all of them to below all of them or anywhere in the middle.

[PVNICK]

I'm pretty much on board with you Leece, I'd just put Gomez 4 and Warnecke 3.

[BigRon]

Boy, we sure do have different opinions!

When I think about the HOF I try to envision it with a number of players similar to what exists in the Cooperstown HOF. That COULD imply about 20 or so players at each position, plus 70- 80 pitchers. Of course, greatness isn't necessarily distributed perfectly evenly by position, but I consider this to be a useful guideline.

So, if a position player is in MY list of top 15 at his position, he's a no-brainer for me. If he's in my 15-25 spots he merits very careful scrutiny. For pitchers, top 50- no brainers. 51-100 on my list, think hard about it.

My list is pretty short:
1. Johnny Mize- one of the 40 greatest position players of all time, in my opinion- giving some credit for WW2 years.
2. Bob Elliott- borderline, but he's definitely one of the top 20 3Bers, possibly around top 15.
3. Lon Warnecke

Very difficult for me to draw the line on pitchers here. Bridges probably would be next for me but for now I'm not voting for him. Gomez, Walter- they're all close.

I also admire Wally Berger, but he doesn't quite make my cutoff. Another 2 years of good performance and I probably would vote for him. Right now I don't have him among my top 15 CFers.

[DoubleX]

Boy, we sure do have different opinions!

When I think about the HOF I try to envision it with a number of players similar to what exists in the Cooperstown HOF. That COULD imply about 20 or so players at each position, plus 70- 80 pitchers. Of course, greatness isn't necessarily distributed perfectly evenly by position, but I consider this to be a useful guideline.

So, if a position player is in MY list of top 15 at his position, he's a no-brainer for me. If he's in my 15-25 spots he merits very careful scrutiny. For pitchers, top 50- no brainers. 51-100 on my list, think hard about it.

My list is pretty short:
1. Johnny Mize- one of the 40 greatest position players of all time, in my opinion- giving some credit for WW2 years.
2. Bob Elliott- borderline, but he's definitely one of the top 20 3Bers, possibly around top 15.
3. Lon Warnecke

Very difficult for me to draw the line on pitchers here. Bridges probably would be next for me but for now I'm not voting for him. Gomez, Walter- they're all close.

I also admire Wally Berger, but he doesn't quite make my cutoff. Another 2 years of good performance and I probably would vote for him. Right now I don't have him among my top 15 CFers.

Couple of things that I'm not sure you're aware of:

1) For the purposes of this project, we are to do our best to pretend that Cooperstown does not exist. For our purposes, the only Hall of Fame is this one, and it's standards are the basis by which we judge.

2) I don't know how the lists you mention are constructed, but for purposes of this project, the game's history only up through the year of the current election is to be considered. So when you say your top 15, does that mean top 15 circa 2009, or top 15 circa 1958?

[mwiggins]

Wally Berger
Tommy Bridges
Dom DiMaggio
Bob Elliott
Lefty Gomez
Bob Johnson
Charlie Keller
Tony Lazzeri
Johnny Mize
Cecil Travis
Bucky Walters

[Domenic]

I'm fairly surprised by the lack of support for Dom DiMaggio.

DiMaggio's case is made very well here (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1593115&postcount=8). I realize that one has to be a strong proponent of war credit to support his candidacy, but I don't think one needs to stretch their imaginations too much here. He was a historically great defensive center-fielder, a very good contact-hitter with great plate discipline and on-base skills, and a star in his day, with eight All-Star selections in ten full seasons.

[dgarza]

I'm fairly surprised by the lack of support for Dom DiMaggio.
He's doing 3x better in his first year than he did in "real life" at his peak.

[DoubleX]

I'm fairly surprised by the lack of support for Dom DiMaggio.

DiMaggio's case is made very well here (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1593115&postcount=8). I realize that one has to be a strong proponent of war credit to support his candidacy, but I don't think one needs to stretch their imaginations too much here. He was a historically great defensive center-fielder, a very good contact-hitter with great plate discipline and on-base skills, and a star in his day, with eight All-Star selections in ten full seasons.

I kind of see DiMaggio as very similar to Max Carey but without the stolen bases (which is partly a product of differences in their eras).

I think one of the problems voters may have with DiMaggio is that it takes quite a bit of WWII credit to push him over the line. I definitely believe some credit for those years is warranted, but there is a lot of supposition involved. If DiMaggio were very close to the line, war credit could push him over, but as it stands, you really have to assume he would have had three of the best years of his career during those years, and even then he'd still likely be a pretty iffy candidate. Not that it wasn't possible for DiMaggio to have excelled in those years given his play in 1942 and 1946, but you still never know what may have actually happened.

Voters may also be turned off by his lack of power.

[mwiggins]

If DiMaggio were very close to the line, war credit could push him over, but as it stands, you really have to assume he would have had three of the best years of his career during those years, and even then he'd still likely be a pretty iffy candidate. Not that it wasn't possible for DiMaggio to have excelled in those years given his play in 1942 and 1946, but you still never know what may have actually happened.



Yeah, I'd agree with the Carey comp. He had a shorter career than Carey, but they were both 25-30 Win Share players at their peak. DiMaggio was a hitter than Carey, and played in a stronger league, but he was not the baserunner/basestealer Carey was.

But Carey is a very solid Hall of Famer, well above the borderline level. DiMaggio doesn't need to match him as a candidate to be worthy of the Hall.

True, you have to assume that he'd have continued at have played at a similar level to 1942 & 1946, but that's a very reasonable assumption. It's not like he was injured in 1943, and we're making an assumption on what "might have been". And it's not even a Cecil Travis case where you have to make an assumption of what "might have been" if not for the war.

We know he was a great defensive CF with a 122 OPS+ in 1942, and we know he was a great defensive CF with a 123 OPS+ in 1946 - after a 3 year layoff. Considering that his year's missed were his late-20's, it's a fairly conservative assumption that he would have been a great defensive CF with an OPS+ somewhere in the 115-120 range. In other words, the 3 25 Win Share seasons that jjpm74 mentioned in his case for DiMaggio.

In fact, he most likely would have improved on his 1942 season during those lost years, and that he would have had an even better 1946 season without the three-year layoff from facing major league pitching on a everyday basis.

Besides, when a guy goes out of his way to serve in the military the way DiMaggio did, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He had an easy excuse to stay in baseball during the war, having failed his Army physical due his poor eyesight. But that's just me.

[DoubleX]

In fact, he most likely would have improved on his 1942 season during those lost years, and that he would have had an even better 1946 season without the three-year layoff from facing major league pitching on a everyday basis.

It's certainly possible, but it's also possible that during that 3 year period he could have blown out his knee, for example. It's also quite possible that he could have slumped for a season or 2. After 1946, he did fall back to 107 and 105 the next two seasons at the prime ages 30 and 31, what's to say that wouldn't have happened after 1942?

I have no problem giving war credit, but I'm not going to assume the best case scenario because a lot can happen over the course of one baseball season, let alone three.

[Domenic]

It's certainly possible, but it's also possible that during that 3 year period he could have blown out his knee, for example. It's also quite possible that he could have slumped for a season or 2.

I have no problem giving war credit, but I'm not going to assume the best case scenario because a lot can happen over the course of one baseball season, let alone three.

I feel that, given his defensive prowess, three years at his career-levels (which would appear fairly pragmatic) would push him fairly close to the line, if not over. Further, he did have three very good seasons in the PCL, which must be considered, as well.

I don't think that DiMaggio is a slam-dunk candidate, but I do think that his candidacy deserves a close going-over. After examining his numbers in the PCL and MLB, it doesn't take much war credit to push him over the line for me.

[Ace Venom]

Next year's class, with the possible exception of Allie Reynolds, is pretty lackluster:

Al Brazle
Joe Dobson
Johnny Lindell
Johnny Lipon
Catfish Metkovich
Cass Michaels
Mickey Owen
Johnny Pesky
Ken Raffensberger
Allie Reynolds
Preacher Roe
Connie Ryan
Carl Scheib
Sibby Sisti
Clyde Vollmer
Hal White
Johnny Wyrostek

1960's class looks better with Kiner and Newhouser. Cavarretta should enjoy some support. VC participants will note a somewhat weaker incoming class than in 1955. As of now:

1960 VC Final Ballot First Timers

Jim Bottomley
Kiki Cuyler
Babe Herman

New Additions to Master List

Paul Derringer
Rick Ferrell
Augie Galan
Johnny Vander Meer

I'm going to make a bold prediction and add Wally Berger, Tony Lazzeri and Heinie Manush to that list because I don't see them getting over the 75% threshold in 1959 without a significant push.

[Domenic]

I think Pesky could see some support, as well, but that is dependent upon war credit. How was he with the glove? He appears to have been at least a bit above average, though his moving between SS and 3B could hurt his candidacy.

[jjpm74]

There is one person besides for Allie Reynolds who I will probably get some support next year:

Johnny Pesky


A- defensively at short stop
Missed 3 full years to war service in the peak of his career.
Best 5 WS: 34--28--25--23-21
Best 5 WARP3: 8.9--8.8--5.2--4.4--3.7
Topped the league in hits in 1942, 1946 and 1947


Personally, unlike Dom DiMaggio who was more consistent than Pesky, I don't see enough meat to his 10 year career even with his amazing start as even giving him the same credit (75 WS) for his 3 missed years leaves him at 255 WS. Even his WARP3 (38.6) doesn't benefit from a generous wartime credit. One would have to assume 3 straight 8.5+ seasons for his 3 missed years to push him over the top.

[jjpm74]

I think Pesky could see some support, as well, but that is dependent upon war credit. How was he with the glove? He appears to have been at least a bit above average, though his moving between SS and 3B could hurt his candidacy.

Pesky was an excellent defensive short stop, but not in the class of guys like Rabbit Maranville.

[Domenic]

Pesky was an excellent defensive short stop, but not in the class of guys like Rabbit Maranville.

An A- at SS makes his case quite a bit more interesting, to be sure.

How does he look at 3B? He did play just under 39% of his innings there, so attention must be paid there, as well.

[jjpm74]

An A- at SS makes his case quite a bit more interesting, to be sure.

How does he look at 3B? He did play just under 39% of his innings there, so attention must be paid there, as well.

A- is overall for his career at both positions.

[mwiggins]

It's certainly possible, but it's also possible that during that 3 year period he could have blown out his knee, for example. It's also quite possible that he could have slumped for a season or 2. After 1946, he did fall back to 107 and 105 the next two seasons at the prime ages 30 and 31, what's to say that wouldn't have happened after 1942?

I have no problem giving war credit, but I'm not going to assume the best case scenario because a lot can happen over the course of one baseball season, let alone three.

I agree to a certain extent. But I don't consider assuming that he'd have played at a level just below his 1946 season for those three years to be the "best case scenerio".

But even assuming that he played at a 110 OPS+ level for those seasons still puts him over the line for me. A great defensive CF with about 8500 PA's and a career OPS+ of 111 - who was also at least a 7-time All-Star - is enough for me to vote him in.

[jjpm74]

Looking down the list of remaining borderline eligible players with war service, I see the following players who will be interesting cases:

Johnny Pesky
Dom DiMaggio
Phil Rizzuto

Vern Stephens and Phil Caravetta will also be interesting cases as both played through the war and posted borderline HOF careers. If they get a discount for playing in a war depleted league, how close are the two of them?

[Domenic]

A- is overall for his career at both positions.

I have never read Win Shares, so I'm still not quite sure how he sorts all of the DWS grades. Thank you, though.

[jjpm74]

I agree to a certain extent. But I don't consider assuming that he'd have played at a level just below his 1946 season for those three years to be the "best case scenerio".

But even assuming that he played at a 110 OPS+ level for those seasons still puts him over the line for me. A great defensive CF with about 8500 PA's and a career OPS+ of 111 - who was also at least a 7-time All-Star - is enough for me to vote him in.

To add to this, even giving Dom Dimaggio 3 20 WS seasons which would be the lowest full time WS season he would have still ended up with 280 for his career and giving him zero credit doesn't take away from his 1947 season or his best 3 or best 5. There is more than enough padding to assume that with some modest credit he is a HOFer.

[jjpm74]

I have never read Win Shares, so I'm still not quite sure how he sorts all of the DWS grades. Thank you, though.

I wouldn't take them as the definitive truth. Just as a guide (I don't fully trust them myself as there seems to be a level of subjectivity present in some of his adjustments). There are better measures of a player's defensive ability out there. I just don't have access to them. Maybe SABRMatt will eventually rejoin the project and provide some defensive insight for some of these players down the road.

[Domenic]

I wouldn't take them as the definitive truth. Just as a guide (I don't fully trust them myself as there seems to be a level of subjectivity present in some of his adjustments). There are better measures of a player's defensive ability out there. I just don't have access to them. Maybe SABRMatt will eventually rejoin the project and provide some defensive insight for some of these players down the road.

I tend to look at as many defensive metrics as possible, and DWS are simply the easiest to read and compare. Matt's PCA works out quite well, as well, though I haven't seen him around in quite some time.

[PVNICK]

There is one person besides for Allie Reynolds who I will probably get some support next year:

Johnny Pesky


A- defensively at short stop
Missed 3 full years to war service in the peak of his career.
Best 5 WS: 34--28--25--23-21
Best 5 WARP3: 8.9--8.8--5.2--4.4--3.7
Topped the league in hits in 1942, 1946 and 1947


Personally, unlike Dom DiMaggio who was more consistent than Pesky, I don't see enough meat to his 10 year career even with his amazing start as even giving him the same credit (75 WS) for his 3 missed years leaves him at 255 WS. Even his WARP3 (38.6) doesn't benefit from a generous wartime credit. One would have to assume 3 straight 8.5+ seasons for his 3 missed years to push him over the top.
Weren't all Pesky's best years sandwiched around the war (though the LL hits 42, 46, 47 is a bit iof a hint), so if you were big on war credit would it really be much of a stretch?

[jjpm74]

Weren't all Pesky's best years sandwiched around the war (though the LL hits 42, 46, 47 is a bit iof a hint), so if you were big on war credit would it really be much of a stretch?

The difference between Pesky and DiMaggio is that Pesky started his career great, essentially having 3 great years out of the gate. DiMaggio had some great years before and some after the war was over. Pesky fizzed out shortly after his return to baseball. Even giving Pesky great credit, he has nothing else outside of his first 3 years. Dimaggio had 7 all-star level seasons without any war credit and is borderline without war credit. Pesky had 4 all-star level seasons and only becomes borderline with a lot of war credit. He is an even tougher case than DiMaggio, IMO and I tend to draw the line between the two of them.

[PVNICK]

by conventional measures every year from 42-51 was at least good if not great >.310 w/ 100+ runs scored but even still thats ten years with war credit. Pesky's problem is he stopped being a regular after 51.

[BigRon]

Couple of things that I'm not sure you're aware of:

1) For the purposes of this project, we are to do our best to pretend that Cooperstown does not exist. For our purposes, the only Hall of Fame is this one, and it's standards are the basis by which we judge.

2) I don't know how the lists you mention are constructed, but for purposes of this project, the game's history only up through the year of the current election is to be considered. So when you say your top 15, does that mean top 15 circa 2009, or top 15 circa 1958?

DoubleX- sorry about that. I did read the rules but somehow overlooked that we weren't to use future knowledge. Given that, it is at least possible that I might broaden my voting a little, but I'm not sure.

in terms of Elliott, I was referring to my opinion that even today he would make my list of top 20 3Bers, and may be close to my top 15. Through 1958 it is clear that he would rank quite a bit higher.

[mwiggins]

I'm not suprised that DiMaggio isn't going in on the 1st ballot, but it is suprising that he's getting so much less support than Joe Gordon. I don't see a lot of difference there.

Without war credit:
Gordon - 6536 PA, 120 OPS+, 242 Win Shares
DiMaggio - 6478 PA, 111 OPS+, 220 Win Shares

Those results include Gordon's 1943 season, which needs to be discounted somewhat.

Neither player likely is a Hall of Famer without war credit. Gordon has the better peak, but it's probably not enough to punch his ticket with a career of just 6536 PA's and 242 Win Shares.

DiMaggio missed 3 years to the war, compared with only 2 for Gordon. With war credit, I have Gordon ending up with about 300 Win Shares and DiMaggio with about 295. Gordon has the MVP and a little better peak, so he's the more deserving candidate, but I don't see enough difference to get Gordon elected with 75% of the vote his first year while DiMaggio is sitting at 33% of the vote in his first year. Both players got talked up in the elections prior to the first appearance on the ballot, so that shouldn't be the reason for the huge difference between their first year vote totals.

Is it simply the fact that Gordon's career OPS+ is 120 while DiMaggio's is 111?

To me, if you voted for Gordon, you probably should be voting for DiMaggio or at least seriously considering it.

[Ace Venom]

I gave DiMaggio some consideration, though he's probably going to pick up my vote in 1959. That's going to be a very lean year. Dom might pick up a few extra votes.

[jjpm74]

DoubleX- sorry about that. I did read the rules but somehow overlooked that we weren't to use future knowledge. Given that, it is at least possible that I might broaden my voting a little, but I'm not sure.

in terms of Elliott, I was referring to my opinion that even today he would make my list of top 20 3Bers, and may be close to my top 15. Through 1958 it is clear that he would rank quite a bit higher.

If you are interested in a project that attempts to reconstruct the hall using your model, if you haven't already, you might want to consider participating in this project as well as it's goal is to end up with roughly the same amount of HOFers as the NBHoFM:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=1594585

[jalbright]

If you are interested in a project that attempts to reconstruct the hall using your model, if you haven't already, you might want to consider participating in this project as well as it's goal is to end up with roughly the same amount of HOFers as the NBHoFM:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=1594585

I as the "manager" of the linked project second the invitation.

[Fielding Marshall]

Wally Berger
Harry Brecheen
Tommy Bridges
Dom DiMaggio
Lefty Gomez
Bob Elliot
Tommy Henrich
Bob Johnson
Charlie Keller
Marty Marion
Johnny Mize
Buddy Myer
Eddie Stanky
Bucky Walters
Lon Warneke

Surprising good crop of first-timers...though there were a few others I seriously considered, none surprised me more than Fred Hutchinson. He had surprisingly good control, leading the league 4 times in BB/9 (finishing 2nd another year and 9th another) and leading the league 4 times in K/BB (finishing 5th and 8th in two other years). He also regularly Top 10'd in WHIP from 1946-1951, leading once and only once not finishing in the Top 6.

In addition to his control, Hutchinson Top 10'd in ERA twice, which is intially unimpressive until you consider ERA+ gives him two more years. This suggests he pitched in a tough pitching environment, which is apparently true (Briggs Stadium seems to have favored hitters). This, in combination with two Top 10's each in H/9 and strikeouts, suggests he was a well-rounded pitcher who suffered from a short career. He also hit well for a pitcher.

Fred Hutchinson lost 4 years to WWII and dominated upon coming back. He also dominated the minor leagues in 1941 (after being ineffective in the major leagues the previous two years). All told, Hutchinson has an interesting case that almost made me say yes...and will lead me to continue analyzing my Hall standards.

[RyanExpress30]

1 Johnson
2 Elliott
3 Mize
4 Manush
5 Berger
6 Lazzeri
7 Keller
8 Henrich
9 Klein
10 Newsom
11 Bridges
12 Gomez
13 Leonard

[Freakshow]

none surprised me more than Fred Hutchinson. He had surprisingly good control, leading the league 4 times in BB/9 (finishing 2nd another year and 9th another) and leading the league 4 times in K/BB (finishing 5th and 8th in two other years). He also regularly Top 10'd in WHIP from 1946-1951, leading once and only once not finishing in the Top 6.

In addition to his control, Hutchinson Top 10'd in ERA twice, which is intially unimpressive until you consider ERA+ gives him two more years. This suggests he pitched in a tough pitching environment, which is apparently true (Briggs Stadium seems to have favored hitters). This, in combination with two Top 10's each in H/9 and strikeouts, suggests he was a well-rounded pitcher who suffered from a short career. He also hit well for a pitcher.

Fred Hutchinson lost 4 years to WWII and dominated upon coming back. He also dominated the minor leagues in 1941 (after being ineffective in the major leagues the previous two years). All told, Hutchinson has an interesting case that almost made me say yes...and will lead me to continue analyzing my Hall standards.Hutchinson was a very good manager and an even better story (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hutchinson), his battle with cancer leading to the Hutch Award and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

[Cowtipper]

Barring some sort of miracle within the next hour, it looks like it will be only Mize getting elected. I forgot to vote for Gomez, stupid me.

[Ace Venom]

Johnny Mize has become the 14th first baseman elected to the Progressive HoF.

[leecemark]

--Tony Lazzeri will be up for his last year on the ballot next year. I encourage everyone to take a good look at him. At face value Lazzeri looks very much like the previous elected Larry Doyle. I think he was probably better though. As a RH power hitter OPS+ underrates his real ability as a hitter.

[Paul Wendt]

--Tony Lazzeri will be up for his last year on the ballot next year. I encourage everyone to take a good look at him. At face value Lazzeri looks very much like the previous elected Larry Doyle. I think he was probably better though. As a RH power hitter OPS+ underrates his real ability as a hitter.

The structure of the game, and the right-hand majority in the general population, make lefty batting ability more valuable than righty. Do you mean that righty batters should get extra credit for ability beyond what is valuable in baseball as we know it?
--perhaps as if half of all games were played clockwise and half of all pitchers were lefty.

[PVNICK]

The structure of the game, and the right-hand majority in the general population, make lefty batting ability more valuable than righty. Do you mean that righty batters should get extra credit for ability beyond what is valuable in baseball as we know it?
--perhaps as if half of all games were played clockwise and half of all pitchers were lefty.
I think Leecemark is of the opinion that park factors for the original Yankee Stadium are skewed in that they are indifferent to RH or LH batter giving the leftys a slight OPS+ benefits while knocking down the righties. Which I can't disagree with even if I am disinclined to vote for Lazzeri.

[Ace Venom]

Park factors definitely play a role here. We haven't been shy about electing second basemen lately either. We've elected Billy Herman, Joe Gordon and Bobby Doerr more recently. Charlie Gehringer went in without a problem in 1947 while Lazzeri's candidacy was still young. Frankie Frisch and Rogers Hornsby went in before Lazzeri's candidacy began. The only other second baseman I recall that we elected during Lazzeri's candidacy was Frank Grant, but this was on the Negro League commmittee. I think this is a major reason why Lazzeri has been falling short. We've been electing better second basemen lately and he isn't holding up against them.

[PVNICK]

I know I'm not supposed to bring the present into this but somehow Lazzeri seems like a lesser version fo Jeff Kent (or maybe a better George Grantham). From what I've looked at his defense doesn't come out all that hot, but then again I advocate Buddy Myer so who am I to talk.

[Ace Venom]

I won't be posting the next election until tomorrow. The fall semester started this week, so I've been pretty occupied this week. Being a grad student isn't so fun sometimes.