Hodges, Oliva, Santo headline Veterans ballot
 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns


December 6, 2004
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -- Gil Hodges, Tony Oliva and Ron Santo headline the 25 candidates on the 2005 ballot for the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee.

Sparky Lyle, Jim Kaat, Luis Tiant and Smoky Joe Wood have been added to the ballot this year.

In its first vote two years ago, the reconstituted committee failed to give any of the candidates the necessary 75 percent vote needed for election.

Hodges, the former Brooklyn first baseman and New York Mets manager, was listed on 50 ballots, falling 11 votes shy. Oliva was second among the 26 listed players with 48 votes, followed by Santo (46), Joe Torre (29), Maury Wills (24) and Vada Pinson (21).

Allie Reynolds (16), Ken R. Williams (eight), Bob Meusel (six), Ted Kluszewski (four) and Mike G. Marshall (three) have been removed from the ballot this time.

Candidates were selected by a committee selected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and second screening committee of six Hall of Fame members. Results of voting will be announced March 2.

Eighty-five people are eligible to vote, including the 60 living Hall of Famers, 10 members of the writers wing and 14 members of the broadcasters wing. There also is one member of the former Veterans Committee whose term has not expired.

Under the revamped rules, the committee votes every two years for players and every four years for a ``composite'' group that includes managers, executives and umpires. The composite group will not be voted on again until 2007 -- two years ago, when 60 votes were needed for election on that ballot, the highest totals went to umpire Doug Harvey (48), Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley (38) and union head Marvin Miller (35).

Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry and Willie McGee are among the top newcomers on the BBWAA's Hall of Fame ballot, and Ryne Sandberg, Bruce Sutter, Jim Rice, Andre Dawson and Rich Gossage head the returning players. Results of that election will be announced Jan. 4.

Players must be retired for five years to be eligible for the Hall, and they can appear on the BBWAA ballot for up to 15 years. If they aren't elected, they must wait at least one year before going on the Veterans ballot.

Winners will be inducted during ceremonies July 31.

Could they just give it to Gil PUH-LEAZE! Enough already, the man was an amazing player and a fabulous manager!

I would definitely like to see Santo in the HOF...

I also think Smoky Joe Wood and Luis Tiant should get some consideration....

Tiant won 229 games winning 20 or more, 4 times.. He also led the league in era twice and shutouts 3 times...
He was so great in 1968 and if McLain hadnt won 31 games and had the year he did, Tiant probably would have won the Cy Young as he led the league in era and was 2nd in complete games and 1st in shutouts...
Tiants #'s are comparable to other HOF'ers, Jim Bunning and Catfish Hunter...


Wood has the 4th best era of all-time at 2.03.. What hurts him is that although technically he did play over 10 seasons, 4 of those seasons were 6 games or less as far as pitching goes...

BUT, like my other should be in the HOF guy, Bob Caruthers, when he didnt pitch he played the OF...

After 1915, he pitched in only 7 games but he played in 470 games thru 1922... In 1921 he hit .366 and his last year he hit .297 and had 92 rbi's...

-- http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...W/Wood_Joe.stm


In 1912 Walter Johnson said, "Can I throw harder than Joe Wood? Listen, my friend, there's no man alive can throw harder than Smoky Joe Wood."

I agree with you on both James. I have a problem though if Sparky Lyle gets in. I loved him when he pitched for the Yankees but I don't think he's HOF worthy at least not with so many other players out there deserving that honor first.

Let's hope that Bruce Sutter finally gets in too this time.

Kinda' strange to hear that they added Joe Wood back into the mix. I wonder what the criteria is with the revamped rules for the committee to throw an old-timer like him back in? Does it have anything to do with maybe Wood was never part of a previous veterans committee ballot?

Torre among 25 former players on 2005 veterans Hall ballot
 

http://sportsnetwork.com/default.asp...AAN3638451.htm

Cooperstown, NY (Sports Network) - Joe Torre, the current manager of the New York Yankees and a former major league infielder, is one of 25 former players featured on the 2005 Veterans Committee ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A nine-time All-Star, Torre played nearly 18 seasons (1960-77) and was the National League MVP in 1971 when he led the NL with a .363 batting average, 24 homers and a career-best 137 RBI while playing third base for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The other players on the ballot are: Dick Allen, Bobby Bonds, Ken Boyer, Rocky Colavito, Wes Ferrell, Curt Flood, Joe Gordon, Gil Hodges, Elston Howard, Jim Kaat, Mickey Lolich, Sparky Lyle, Marty Marion, Roger Maris, Carl Mays, Minnie Minoso, Thurman Munson, Don Newcombe, Tony Oliva, Vada Pinson, Ron Santo, Luis Tiant, Maury Wills and Smoky Joe Wood.

The final candidates were selected by 60 members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Any candidate named on 75 percent of ballots cast will earn election into the Hall of Fame and will be enshrined on July 31, 2005.

Results will be announced on March 2, 2005.

The Veterans Committee is comprised of the 60 living members of the Hall of Fame, 14 Ford C. Frick Award recipients, 10 J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipients, and one former Veterans Committee member whose term has not yet expired.

Players are reviewed for election into the Hall of Fame via the veterans committee every two years. The Committee did not elect any new members to the Hall in 2003. The top vote-getter was Hodges with 61.7 percent, followed closely by Oliva (59.3) and Santo (56.8).

Torre certainly fits into the same category with Hodges for my money.

So, I was looking at that list of 25 players. And I started thinking about a 25-man roster.......

P: W.Ferrell, Kaat, Lolich, Lyle, Mays, Newcombe, Tiant, Wood
C: Howard, Munson and Torre (plus 3B/1B)
IF: D.Allen (1B/3B), K.Boyer (3B), Gordon (2B), Hodges (1B), Marion (SS), Santo (3B), M.Wills (SS)
OF: Bo.Bonds, Colavito, Flood, Maris, Minoso, Oliva, Pinson

That's a heck of a team, maybe short a pitcher or two and without any real legit backup at second. But I'll take that team and see you every October in the playoffs :cool:

I'm a Brooklyn boy so I'm gonna put some hope that Gil gets in.

Absolutely true !

Mike

Here are bios on each of the candidates
 

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/m...ns_bios#dallen

2005 Hall of Fame Veteran's Committee bios

DICK ALLEN: 15 seasons (1963-77) with five teams...Colorful and controversial slugger...Named NL Rookie of the Year 1964...AL MVP (1972) with two other top ten finishes...Led AL in home runs twice, RBI once, BB once...Led NL in runs scored once...Named to seven All-Star teams...Three-time league leader in slugging percentage....Hit 351 career home runs...Contemporary first basemen....Orlando Cepeda, Harmon Killebrew,
Willie McCovey and Tony Perez.

BOBBY BONDS: 14 seasons (1968-81), seven with the Giants... One LCS (1971)... Three All-Star teams... Third in 1973 NL MVP Award balloting and fourth in 1971...Three Gold Gloves...Holds Single-season NL record for most leadoff HRs and held NL record for most career leadoff HR (30) until Craig Biggio...Led NL in runs scored twice, and in total bases and outfield double plays, once...30 or more HR six times...20 or more HR 10 times...100 or more RBI twice...Stole 40 or more bases seven times, 30-39 bases three times, and 20-29 bases once...After his playing days, served as a coach with the Indians and Giants...Contemporary outfielders: Lou Brock, Reggie Jackson, Willie Stargell, Dave Winfield and Carl Yastrzemski.

KEN BOYER: 15 seasons (1955-69), 11 in St. Louis...Eight 20-HR seasons, drove in 90 or more runs eight times and scored 75 or more runs 10 times... A five-time .300 hitter...The 1964 NL MVP and also top ten three other times...Led the NL in double plays five times, assists twice and putouts once in earning five Gold Glove awards, including four consecutive (1958-61)...Named to seven All-Star teams, hitting .348 with two HR...Had uniform number (14) retired by the Cardinals in 1984...Contemporary third basemen: Eddie Mathews and Brooks Robinson.

ROCKY CALAVITO: 14 seasons (1955-68), eight with the Indians... Nine All-Star teams... Third in 1958 AL MVP voting and was top 10 four times overall...Tied for second (behind Aparicio) in 1956 AL Rookie of the Year voting... Established AL record for most consecutive errorless games among outfielders (234)...Set AL record for most years leading outfielders in games played...Tied ML record for most consecutive HR (4) and AL record for most total bases (16) in a game, June 10, 1959...Led AL in slugging in 1958, HR in 1959 and in RBI in 1965...Led AL in total bases twice, walks once and OF double plays twice...Served as a coach with the Indians and Royals...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson and Billy Williams.

WES FERRELL: 15 seasons (1927-41), and posted a .601 winning percentage...Career won-loss percentage was 86 points higher than his teams...Six seasons of 25 or more CG, leading the AL four times...Two All-Star teams...Top ten in MVP voting twice, including second in 1935...League leader in wins once and innings three times...Eight seasons of 200-plus innings...Six seasons of 20-plus wins including each of his first four full seasons, the only 20th century pitcher to accomplish the feat...Won 20 games for the '36 Red Sox who won 74 games all year...Recognized as the top hitting pitcher of the 20th century, batting .280 with 37 HR...Holds career and single-season HR marks by a pitcher...Contemporary pitchers: Dizzy Dean, Lefty Gomez, Lefty Grove, Jesse Haines, Waite Hoyt, Carl Hubbell, Ted Lyons and Red Ruffing.

CURT FLOOD: 15 seasons (1956-69, '71), 12 with the Cardinals...Hit .300+ six times...Led the NL in hits once...Played on three pennant winners...Three All-Star teams...Seven Gold Glove awards (1963-69)...Tied ML record (1966) by not committing an error all year...Established NL record for most consecutive errorless games by an outfielder (226)... Completed first unassisted double play by a NL outfielder in 34 years (1967)...Top ten in MVP voting once...In 1969, his rejection of a trade and subsequent fight against the reserve clause eventually led to free agency for the players...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell, Billy Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

JOE GORDON: 11 seasons (1938-50), seven with the Yankees and four with the Indians...Drove in 100-plus runs four times, hit 20+ HR seven times and scored 80-plus runs eight times...Known for tremendous range... Hit 32 home runs in 1948 for the Indians (a single-season record among second basemen until 2001) and an AL-best 246 career as a second baseman...1942 AL MVP and top ten four other times...Nine-time All-Star...Six World Series, five rings...Led AL second basemen in assists and errors (four times each), DP (three times), TC/G (twice) and putouts (once)...Holds or shares the following World Series records for second basemen: highest fielding average in five-game series; most putouts in a five-game series; most assists in a five-game series; most chances accepted in a five-game series; most double plays in a six-game series; most double plays in a five-game series; most assists in a game and most assists in an inning...Contemporary second basemen: Bobby Doerr, Billy Herman, Jackie Robinson and Red Schoendienst.

GIL HODGES: 18 years (1943, 1947-63), 16 with the Dodgers...Top ten in MVP voting three times (1950, '54, '57)...Eight-time All-Star...20+ HR in 11 straight seasons (1949-59), twice reaching the 40 plateau...Three Gold Gloves...Drove in more than 100 runs in seven straight seasons (1949-55), finishing in the Top 6 in the NL each time...Established a since-broken NL record with 14 career grand slams...Three times led NL first basemen in fielding percentage, ending career with a .992 mark...Appeared in seven World Series, homering in last four Series, including two game-winners...Began managerial career in 1963 with Washington and compiled a 660-753 (.467) mark in nine seasons with Senators and Mets...Led the "Miracle Mets" to a 100-win season and championship in 1969...Died of a heart attack two days before his 48th birthday in spring training 1972...Contemporary first baseman: Johnny Mize.

ELSTON HOWARD: 14 seasons (1955-68) 13 with the Yankees...Nine consecutive All-Star selections...MVP in 1963, the first African American in AL to win it...Also top ten two other times...Hit 20-plus doubles four times, 20-plus homers three times and topped .300 three times...Played 54 games in 10 World Series with five HR and 19 RBI... Two-time Gold Glove winner...Invented the "doughnut" bat weight...Contemporary catchers: Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella.

JIM KAAT: 25 seasons (1959-83), 13 with Twins...won 283 games (29th all-time), with three seasons over 20 wins...5th in AL MVP voting in 1966, winning 25 games...three-time All-Star (1962, 1966, 1975)...won 16 straight Gold Gloves (1962-77)...pitched in two World Series and two League Championship series...13th all-time with 625 games started and 24th all-time with 4,530 innings pitched...lifetime ERA 3.45, with 31 shutouts...Contemporary pitchers: Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Don Drysdale, Rollie Fingers, Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, Jim Hunter, Ferguson Jenkins, Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Hoyt Wilhelm.

MICKEY LOLICH: 16 seasons (1963-79), 13 with the Tigers...Twice finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, including 1971, when he led the AL with 25 wins, 29 complete games, 376 innings pitched and 308 strikeouts, finishing second in Cy Young voting...Third in Cy Young voting in 1972, with a career best 2.50 ERA...Named 1968 World Series MVP, hurling three complete-game victories over the Cardinals... In five total post season games, was 3-1, 1.57 ERA...Won 15 or more games eight times, including 20-plus twice...Three-time All-Star...Finished with 2,832 strikeouts, which was 7th most at the time and first among LHP...Total still ranks #1 in the AL among LHP...Contemporary pitchers: Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins and Phil Niekro.

SPARKY LYLE: 16 seasons (1967-82), 7 with Yankees...won AL Cy Young Award in 1977, with 13-5 record, 26 saves, and 2.17 ERA...a three-time All-Star (1973, 1976-77)...third in AL MVP voting in 1972, sixth in 1977...pitched in two World Series and three League Championship series and one League Division Series...led AL in saves twice, in top 10 ten times...won 99 games and saved 238, usually pitching no more than one inning per appearance...14th all-time with 899 games pitched...Contemporary pitchers: Steve Carlton, Rollie Fingers, Bob Gibson, Jim Hunter, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton.

And here are the rest
 

MARTY MARION: 13 seasons (1940-50, 52-53), all in St. Louis, 11 with the Cardinals and two with the Browns...1944 NL MVP, also top 10 in 1942 and 1945...Led NL shortstops in fielding percentage three times...Named to eight straight All-Star teams (1943-50)...Led NL in doubles once...Helped Cardinals to four pennants and three world championships...Playing career cut short due to back injury...Six seasons as a manager with the Cardinals, Browns and White Sox...Led 1955 White Sox to a 91-win season...Contemporary shortstops: Lou Boudreau, Pee Wee Reese and Phil Rizzuto.

ROGER MARIS: 12 seasons (1957-68), seven with the New York Yankees...Broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record with 61 in 1961, a record which stood until 1998...Won the AL MVP Award in 1960 and 1961...Holds or shares AL records for most intentional walks in a game (4) and most homers in a doubleheader (4)...In addition to his 1961 HR title, led the AL runs, RBI and total bases that year; and in slugging and RBI in 1960...A four-time All-Star...Won a Gold Glove in the outfield in 1960...Played in seven World Series wining three rings...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle and Frank Robinson.

CARL MAYS: 15 seasons (1915-29), five each with the Red Sox, Yankees and Reds... Right-handed submariner...Won 20 games five times, with a career high 27 in 1921...Led league twice in CG and SHO; once in wins, winning percentage, games, and IP...Top ten in wins and CG seven times...ERA, IP and winning percentage six times...Pitched first 15 innings of 17-inning scoreless tie against the St. Louis Browns, 1916... Could also handle the bat, finishing his career with a .268 BA...Played on four pennant winners, going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in the 1918 Fall Classic...Gained notoriety for throwing the pitch that led to the death of Ray Chapman, though he was absolved of all wrongdoing...Contemporary pitchers: Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Stan Coveleski, Red Faber, Burleigh Grimes, Jesse Haines, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson, Rube Marquard, Herb Pennock, Eppa Rixey and Dazzy Vance.

MINNIE MINOSO: 17 seasons (1949, 1951-64, 76, 80) over five different decades, 12 with the White Sox...A charismatic fan favorite...Nine seasons of .300+ BA...Seven-time All-Star...Top ten AL MVP voting five times...Three Gold Gloves in left field...Led league in stolen bases three consecutive seasons (1952-54); triples three times; doubles, hits, total bases and slugging percentage once each...100+ runs scored five times, 100+ RBI four times...Holds ML record for most years leading league in hit by pitch (10) and AL record for most consecutive years leading the league (6)...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Richie Ashburn, Roberto Clemente, Larry Doby, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Enos Slaughter, Duke Snider and Ted Williams.

THURMAN MUNSON: 11 seasons (1969-79), all with the Yankees...1970 AL Rookie of the Year...1976 AL MVP, seventh in balloting in '75 and '77... Three Gold Gloves...Seven-time All-Star...Played in the World Series, 1976-78...Hit .529 in the 1976 WS, setting a WS record with seven consecutive hits...Overall, hit .357 with three HR and 22 RBI in 30 post season games... Drove in 100 runs three times and batted over .300 five times...Contemporary catchers: Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk.

DON NEWCOMBE: 10 seasons (1949-51, 54-60), eight with the Dodgers...Only player to win Rookie of the Year (1949), Cy Young (1956), and MVP (1956) awards...Ranked in MVP top ten voting two other times...Three-time 20-game winner including a league-leading 27 in 1956...Also led league in winning percent twice, strikeouts once...Three times led league in fewest walks per nine innings...Four All-Star teams and three World Series... Contemporary pitchers: Whitey Ford, Bob Lemon, Robin Roberts, Warren Spahn, Hoyt Wilhelm and Early Wynn.

TONY OLIVA: 15 seasons (1962-76), all with Twins, going to one World Series...Won three batting titles (also second once and third three times)...First player in history to win batting titles in his first two seasons...Led the AL in hits five times, doubles four times and runs once...Over 11 full seasons hit .300 or better six times...1964 AL Rookie of the Year...Finished in the top 10 in MVP voting five times, including twice as runner-up (1965 and '70)...Eight All-Star teams, consecutive (1964-71), and earned one Gold Glove...Sporting News AL Player of the Year twice (1965, '71)...Shares ML record for most total bases in a rookie season and held the AL record for most hits in a rookie season...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell, Billy Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

VADA PINSON: 18 seasons (1958-75), 11 with the Reds...One World Series and four All-Star teams...2,757 lifetime hits and 200+hit season four times...Third in 1961 NL MVP balloting and 10th in 1963...One Gold Glove Award (1961)...Led NL in hits, doubles and triples twice each and in runs scored once...Tied for NL lead in games played once...20-plus home runs seven times...100-plus RBI twice...Batted .300-plus four times...Stole 20-plus bases nine times... Served as a coach with three teams...Contemporary outfielders: Hank Aaron, Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell, Billy Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

RON SANTO: Spent all but one year of his 15-year career with the Cubs (1960-74)...Nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner...Ranks in the top three in most hitting categories for third basemen between 1950 and 1975...Led the league in triples once, walks four times, and OBP twice...342 homers is fourth all-time for third basemen...Hit .300-plus four times and 30+ HR four times...Finished fourth in 1960 Rookie of the Year voting...Holds or shares many defensive records for third basemen, including most consecutive NL games at third base (364), most years leading NL in putouts (7), most years leading NL in assists (7 straight), most years leading either league in chances (9), and most years leading either league in double plays (6)...Contemporary third basemen: Eddie Mathews and Brooks Robinson.

LUIS TIANT: 19 seasons (1964-82), 8 with Red Sox...three-time All-Star (1968, 1974, 1976)...won 20 games four times...led AL twice in ERA, 1.60 in 1968, 1.91 in 1972...top 10 in Cy Young Award voting three times, top 10 in MVP voting twice...21st all-time with 49 shutouts, led league three times...pitched in two League Championship series and one World Series, defeating Reds with two complete games for Boston in 1975 Series...229 career wins and 2,416 strikeouts...Contemporary pitchers: Steve Carlton, Rollie Fingers, Bob Gibson, Jim Hunter, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Hoyt Wilhelm.

JOE TORRE: 18 seasons as a catcher, third baseman, and first baseman (1960-77), including nine seasons with the Braves...Nine All-Star teams...Won NL MVP in 1971 and finished fifth in 1964...One Gold Glove (as a catcher)... Second to Billy Williams in 1961 NL Rookie of the Year balloting...Won 1971 batting title, also leading NL in hits, RBI, and total bases...Led NL catchers in double plays once and first basemen in double plays once...Tied for NL lead in games played once...200-plus hits twice...100-plus RBI five times...Batted .300-plus five times...After his playing days, served as a manager with the Mets, Braves, Cardinals, and currently the Yankees...As a manager, has won four World Championships, six pennants (all with the Yankees) and eight division titles, up to and including the 2003 season...Contemporary catchers: Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk.

MAURY WILLS: 14-year career (1959-72), 12 with Dodgers...104 stolen bases in 1962 broke Ty Cobb's mark of 96 set in 1915...The NL Most Valuable Player in 1962 and also had three other top-10 finishes...Led NL in stolen bases six straight years (1960-65)...Named to five All-Star teams...Appeared in four World Series...Led NL in triples, 1962...Contemporary shortstops: Luis Aparicio and Ernie Banks.

SMOKY JOE WOOD: 14 seasons (1908-15, 1917-22), 8 with Red Sox...outstanding pitcher who became an outfielder after arm injury ended pitching career...Walter Johnson said Wood threw harder than anybody...in 1912, had fantastic 34-5 record, then won three games in World Series...in 1912, led AL with 35 complete games, 10 shutouts, and .872 winning percentage, second with 258 strikeouts and 1.91 ERA, finished fifth in MVP voting...career ERA of 2.03 and winning percentage of .671 (116-57)...as outfielder, best season was 1922, with .297 average and 92 RBI....283 lifetime hitter...Contemporary pitchers: Grover Alexander, Albert Bender, Mordecai Brown, Walter Johnson, Rube Marquard, Christy Mathewson, Eddie Plank, Ed Walsh.