It is possible that this candidate is shrouded with more controversy than our 1A and 1B candidates combined?

Did he or didn’t he conspire to fix to the 1919 World Series?  Over eighty years after the fact, there is still a sizable debate as to whether “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was involved in the “Black Sox” scandal that saw the Chicago White Sox throw the World Series for financial gain against the Cincinnati Reds.

Statistically, there is no argument about the Hall of Fame qualifications of Pete Rose.  Even the most casual baseball fan is aware that “Charlie Hustle” is the all-time hit king with 4,256 hits; a record that may never be broken.  Rose also was a seventeen-time All-Star, and proved to be a clutch performer as evidenced by his three World Series Rings; including a World Series MVP.  Sadly, as much as casual sports fans are aware of Rose’s on-field accomplishments, many who have never turned their dial to ESPN knows his off-field embarrassments.

A great R&B and Soul man of the late 50’s and early 60’s, Little Willie John was not nearly the star he should have been.  He was recognized as a great musician within the industry but he is largely unknown without it.  He may be far from the most recognized name in the Hall, but he does deserve to be there.