Hardly a Man Is Still Alive

Deacon White

For the third straight year, I'm devoting Veterans' Day to a discussion of the Veterans' Committee finalists for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This year, the third year of the current system, covers individuals from the period of baseball termed "pre-integration"; that is, their careers began before 1946. Of course, these ten men are all long dead, and only two really are remembered by anyone living. Therefore it's much more difficult to assess their candidacies, since statistics can only tell so much, especially in pre-1900 baseball, when the game was far different.

But that won't stop me from contributing my opinion! The finalists are:

Samuel Breadon: Owner of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1920 to 1947, and during that tenure the Cards won nine pennants and six World Series. More importantly, he hired Branch Rickey and developed the concept of a farm system. With owners, it's tough to know whether their team's success is because of anything they do or dumb luck.

Bill Dahlen: Shortstop who straddled the pre- and post-1900 eras. When he retired, he was the lifetime career leader in home runs, but it was only 84. Still, that was more than anyone else. He had a lifetime .272 batting average, but did have some monster seasons in the 1890s, hitting .359 with 15 homers and 108 RBIs in 1894 for the Chicago Colts. It's very difficult to compare statistics from so long ago. Previously he has only been considered for election twice, and received less than two percent of the vote.

Wes Ferrell: Pitcher who played for a variety of teams, mostly the Indians and Red Sox. Has some nice stats: won twenty or more six times and 25 twice, led the league in complete games four times, in an era when they plentiful, but he won fewer than 200 games and had a lifetime ERA of 4.04. His brother Rick is in the Hall.

Marty Marion: He's really tough to evaluate. Played 13 seasons during the '40s and '50s, mostly for the Cardinals, and was 1944 MVP (during a time when most players were in the military). His batting stats are average. The Hall's write-up of him says "considered one of the best fielding shortstops of his era." Well, do we have proof of that? Fielding statistics can be notoriously unreliable. He may have been the Ozzie Smith of his time, but at least Smith had a thousand more hits. Did have a great nickname: The Octopus.

Tony Mullane: Speaking of nicknames, Mullane had a great one: The Apollo of the Box. Forget about twenty wins--Mullane had thirty or more five straight years, but pre-1900 pitching stats are skewed. Still, he had 284 lifetime wins in 13 years, with an ERA of 3.05. Has to have strong consideration.

Hank O'Day: Talk about tough evaluation--O'Day was an umpire, and few are alive who saw him call a game, as he last umped in 1927. He umped 10 World Series, tied for second all-time, so certainly he was well-respected. Also pitched and managed for a few years.

Al Reach: In addition to a short playing career, Reach was an executive with the Phillies for twenty years, then established a sporting goods company and published the official guide of major league baseball. Al Spaulding is in the Hall, so perhaps that is why Reach is being considered. With no stats to consider, this is a completely subjective call.

Jacob Ruppert: It's kind of surprising he isn't in already, as he was the owner of the Yankees during their Ruthian years, from 1915 to 1939, which totals nine pennants and six World Series, but also was the most dynamic dynasty in baseball history. Before Ruppert (who bought Babe Ruth from the Red Sox), the Yankees were also-rans, but by the time he died they were the premiere franchise in American sports.

Bucky Walters: Had a nice pitching career, mostly with the Reds, winning 198 but losing 160, and an ERA of 3.05. Won twenty or more three times, including 27 in 1939. Good stats, but hardly worthy of the Hall.

Deacon White: We go way back in time for this fellow, who I had never heard of before. He played twenty seasons, ending his career in 1890. He hit .312 for his career, and was known as a great bare-handed catcher.

I have no idea who will be voted in. I would guess Breadon and Ruppert, as that is who I would vote for. I don't think any of the players will be voted in, as I don't think any of them have the greatness required. The results will be announced January 9th.