Committee Chairman

Dick Enberg to the Baseball HOF

Dec 11, 2014

Today the Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that Dick Enberg won the Ford C. Frick Award, which automatically gains entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Enberg was known for his signature “Oh my” call and his multi faceted ability calling baseball, football, tennis and horse racing. He would first become a fixture in baseball in 1968 as the radio and television voice of the California Angels, and would gain national attention a decade later doing the play by play of the NBC Game of the Week from 1978 to 1982, and would later do the in studio duties from 1983 to 1989.

He would later return to baseball in 2010 where he would become the San Diego Padres play-by-play announcer, a position he still holds today at the age of 80.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Dick Enberg on receiving this accolade, and “Oh My” we’ll see him in Cooperstown.

Writer Tom Gage to the Baseball HOF

Dec 10, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It was announced on Tuesday that long time writer; Tom Gage will be entering the Baseball Hall of Fame in the writer’s wing. Gage, who has been the beat writer for the Detroit News since 1979, has covered the Detroit Tigers, and multiple Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, though this time from a different perspective, the podium.

Gage is this year’s recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, the highest honor that be given to Baseball writer. That annual winner automatically enters the Baseball Hall of Fame and it has been given annually since 1962.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Tom Gage, the Detroit News, the Detroit Tigers and baseball fans of Detroit at this time.

Marshawn Lynch claims media might keep him out of the HOF

Dec 09, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Marshawn Lynch recently talked to NFL Gameday about his legacy and his belief that he might not enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame because of the media, and the relationship that he has with them:

“You know who votes for that, they don’t seem to see eye to eye with me – which is cool. And if I’m not, (expletive), I’ll still live.”

While it may be a little early to talk about the Pro Football Hall of Fame in regards to Lynch he is on a path that should put him in the conversation. With four Pro Bowls (and a likely fifth this year) and a First Team All Pro selection already in his resume he already has some serious credentials.

Statistically speaking he has over 8,000 Rushing Yards and is closing on 2,000 Receiving Yards. Last season he led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and is leading in that category currently. These are good numbers, and he adds to that, a Super Bowl Ring with the Seahawks last year and a touchdown in the big dance.

Realistically, Marshawn Lynch still has some stat padding to do as in this era, 10,000 Rushing Yards just doesn’t cut it, though four more above seasons should put him in the chase.

As for the media keeping him out, unlike other Halls of Fame there have not been as many perceived snubs as others. If Lynch earns a place in the Football Hall of Fame, and like we said, we think he is on the right path for it, hopefully his suspicions are not correct.

Golden Era Ballot pitches a shutout

Dec 09, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

In what should be a surprise to nobody who has paid attention to Veteran’s Committees of any kind over the past few decades from the Baseball Hall of Fame, they have elected none of the twelve nominees to Cooperstown.

The Golden Era Committee, which replaced the Veteran’s Committee, convenes every three years focusing on players from the 1947 to 1972 era.

Dick Allen and Tony Oliva each received 11 of the available 16 votes cast; one short of the 12 needed for election. Although this is a bitter pill to swallow for the family of Allen, he was not on the ballot three years ago and for him to come one vote shy of induction gives hope that it could come soon. Allen was the 1972 American League MVP, and considered one of the most feared hitters of his day, but never received more than 20% of the ballot on his fifteen years on the writer’s ballot.

Tony Oliva’s 11 votes are 3 up from his total three years ago. Oliva spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins and won three Batting Titles and led the A.L. in hits five times. During Oliva’s fifteen years on the writer’s ballot he peaked at 47.3%.

Jim Kaat finished third in this year’s vote with 10 votes, the same amount he had on the last Golden Era Vote. Kaat is regarded as the greatest fielding Pitcher in baseball history and while on the writer’s ballot peaked as high as 29.6%.

Maury Wills finished with 9 votes, which again should be viewed as a small victory as he was not on the ballot on the inaugural Golden Era Ballot. On Wills’ fifteen years on the ballot his highest mark was 40.6% and he was the 1962 National League MVP and a six time Stolen Base Champion.

Minnie Minoso finished with 8 votes, down from one from the 9 he received on the last vote. Minoso’s highest vote tally with the writers was 21.1 %.

Ken Boyer, Luis Tiant, Bob Howsam, Gil Hodges and Billy Pierce only received 3 votes are less.

This has to be to a major blow for the supporters of Gil Hodges, who witnessed the support for the popular Brooklyn Dodger plummet from 9 votes to 3. Hodges holds the dubious distinction of accumulating the most votes by the writers without getting elected. On the last Golden Era Ballot, Boyer and Tiant also had three votes last time.

It should be noted that this is a different 16 man committee from the 2011 group that met. Only Hall of Famer Al Kaline and media member Dick Kaegel were part of both groups.

The Golden Era Committee will convene again in three years. Next year the Pre Integration era (1871 to 1946) will be looked at by a special committee, followed by the Expansion Era (1973 to present). This will continue to rotate.

It is unlikely that the 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will see nobody inducted as Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz are entering their first ballot, and all are strong candidates to be chosen on January 6th, when the baseball writer’s ballot is announced.