The 2005 Veterans Committee Hall of Fame Ballot can basically be broken down into three categories: Guys who just aren’t Hall of Famers, Guys for whom there’s no reason to honor them now, and Guys that really belong in the Hall. When I break it down, I get 9 Unworthies, 8 Too-lates, and 8 Why-aren’t-they-already-ins.
The Unworthies:
This group is made up of Bobby Bonds, Rocky Colavito, Mickey Lolich, Marty Marion, Minnie Minoso, Don Newcombe, Luis Tiant, Maury Wills, and Smoky Joe Wood. Most of these players excelled for three or four years and then became very average. Bonds was the first 30/30 guy, Marion was the premier defensive shortstop of his day, Wills stole 104 bases in 1962, and Wood won 34 games in 1912. These are excellent accomplishments, but when you look at their whole careers, it’s hard to say they belong with the greats. In all fairness, I think a number of these players are better than some players already in the Hall of Fame, but that is not the standard. To that argument, I suggest that those players probably shouldn’t be in the Hall either.
The Too-Lates:
All of these players have been dead for 10 years or more, except for Curt Flood, who died in 1997. The list: Ken Boyer, Wes Ferrell, Elston Howard, Curt Flood, Roger Maris, Carl Mays, Thurman Munson, and Vada Pinson. Some of them might debatably be worthy of election, but why elect them now? All of them, except Munson had numerous opportunity to be elected while they were living, so that they could enjoy the honor and tribute of enshrinement. In the next group, I have two players that have been dead for some time, but I feel that the case for them is rather compelling, whereas this group just isn’t.
The Should Already-Bes:
If I could vote for this honor, I would be able to name 10 players on the ballot. In this group, I would name 8: Gil Hodges, Tony Oliva, Ron Santo, Dick Allen, Joe Torre, Joe Gordon, Jim Kaat, and Spary Lyle. Here’s a brief case for each:
Gil Hodges (1B 1943-1963): In a functionally 18-season career, mostly with the Dodgers, Hodges was the heart and soul of the team and the anchor of the 1950’s “Boys of Summer” Brooklyn teams. He was also the favorite of the Brooklyn fans. He played in 8 All-Star games, won 3 Gold Gloves, finished in the Top 10 of the MVP race 3 times, and managed the 1969 Miracle Mets. Career Vitals: .273/370/1274 in 2071 games. Three Best Seasons: 1954 - .304/42/130, 1953 - .302/31/122, 1951 - .268/40/103. Died 1972
Tony Oliva (OF 1962-1976): Oliva won the AL batting title (.323) and the Rookie of the Year in 1964. He would win two other batting titles in his 15-year career, all with the Twins. He also led the league in hits 5 times, and doubles 4 times. He made 8 All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove, and finished in the Top-10 for MVP 5 times. Career Vitals: .304/220/947/1917 hits in 1676 Games. Three Best Seasons: 1964 - .323/32/94, 1970 - .325/23/107, 1969 - .309/24/101
Ron Santo (3B 1960-1974): Santo spent 14 of 15 years with the Cubs, and most of them as the premier third baseman in the NL. He led the league in OBP twice, and walks 4 times. He made 9 All-Star teams, won 5 Gold Gloves, and finished in the Top-10 for MVP 4 times. Career Vitals: .277/342/1331 in 2243 games. Three Best Seasons: 1964 - .312/30/114, 1966 - .312/30/94, 1969 - .289/29/123
Dick Allen (1B/3B 1963-1977): 15-year career, most of it (9 seasons) with the Phillies. Generally considered to be a trouble-maker, and thus his transaction line looks like he played in the 90’s rather than the 60’s. He led the NL in home runs twice, and slugging 3 times. He made 7 All-Star teams, was NL Rookie of the Year in 1964, and NL MVP in 1972 (3 total top-10’s). Career Vitals: .292/351/1119 in 1749 games. Three Best Seasons: 1964 - .318/29/91, 1966 - .317/40/110, 1972 - .308/37/113
Joe Torre (C 1960-1977): Torre will get in as a manager in few years, regardless of what happens in this vote. Before he managed, he had an 18-year career, mostly with the Braves (often as the protection for Hank Aaron), but he also spent 6 years with the Cardinals. He led the league in hitting (.363), hits (230), total bases, and RBI’s in 1971, which also earned him the NL MVP for that year. He made 9 All-Star teams, won one Gold Glove, and 1 MVP (2 total Top-10’s). Career Vitals: .297252/1185/2342 hits in 2209 games. Three Best Seasons: 1971 - .363/24/137, 1966 - .315/36/101, 1964 - .312/20/109
Joe Gordon (2B 1938-1943, 1946-1950): Gordon played the first part of his career for the Yankees and the second part with the Indians. His career totals would certainly be better had he not missed three seasons in the war. He was the best second baseman of his day, and the first second baseman with power, all for a very good Yankees team. He made 9 All-Star teams, and won the 1942 AL MVP (5 total Top-10’s). Career Vitals: .268/253/975 in 1566 games. Three Best Seasons: 1942 - .322/18/103, 1948 - .280/32/124, 1940 - .281/30/103. Died 1978
Jim Kaat (P 1959-1983): This is Kaat’s first time of the VC ballot after 15 frustrating years on the writer’s ballot. He had a long 25-year career, 14 of them with the Twins. He made 3 All-Star teams, won an astonishing 16 Gold Gloves, finished in the Top-10 for MVP once, 1 Top-10 Cy Young, and had 3 20-win seasons. Career Vitals: 283 wins/ 3.45/2461K. Three Best Seasons: 1974 – 21-13/2.92, 1966 – 25-13/3.61, 1975 – 20-14/3.11
Sparky Lyle (P 1967-1982): Lyle was one of the first stud closers when the idea of “closer” came about, he even won the first Cy Young Award for the position in 1977. He also held the all-time saves record, but for only part of one season. He passed Hoyt Wilhelm, held the record for a few months, and then was passed by Rollie Fingers. He made 3 All-Star teams, won 1 Cy Award (2 Top 10’s), 2 MVP Top-10’s, and led the league in Saves twice. Career Vitals: 99/76, 2.88, 873, 238 Saves. Three Best Seasons: 1977 – 13-5/2.17/26 Saves, 1972 – 9-5/1.92/35 Saves, 1974 – 9-3/1.66/15 Saves.
not worthy of the hall of fame? 3rd best era of all time. nearly one i five starts a shutout (2nd all time). gave up only 9 home runs entire career. no one in hof can match that, including the dead ball pitchers. youngest man to win 30 games. 35-13 after arm injury. only pitcher in history to lead league in e.r.a. and winning pct. in last year of pitching. no-hiiter at age 21.and for good measure batted .290 in same year he won 34 games.
but we're not done yet. only player in major league history to make the forced transition f/ superstar pitcher to everyday player. finished i top ten in abtting and top three in rbi's after the transition.
shouldn't the hof be about more than statistics bred in longevity.
and doesn't the dramatic and unprecedented comeback speak greatness?
and isn't greatness what the hall of fame is really about?