As we close in on what might be an extraordinary day—and, realistically speaking, might also be a heartbreaking one—I think of them together, Minnie Miñoso and Buck O’Neil, two old friends with enough joy to power Times Square and enough friends to fill it on New Year’s Eve.
With the lockout, yesterday's vote may be one of the last things we have to celebrate for a bit. I'm very happy for you and for their memory for Buck and Minnie to be elected to the HOF. I'm also very pleased to see Gil Hodges, who should have been elected long ago, to get his due. The first baseball game my parents took me to involved the 1969 Miracle Mets - a doubleheader at Shea vs the Pirates in which I believe the Mets won both games 1-0. As with Dusty Baker, Hodges combined contributions to the game as both a player and manager merit his election. Oliva won the batting title in both his rookie and sophomore seasons - a feat that I believe is unequalled to this day. His 8 season stretch from 1964-71, coming as it did in the midst of the late 1960s hitting drought, was excellent. Had he had the benefit of modern knee surgery, his career would have been much longer.
At one point in my life, I was a small Hall guy. However I was elated to hear the announcement for all the new inductees, particularly Minnie and Buck. The Hall is a distinct honor and should hold true to standards. Still, to anyone who passes that bar, there is so much joy—particularly to them if they are still live, but also to their family, friends, and fans who will live on. We could all use more joy.
It's like the old adage of what do you call the person who graduates last in med school—doctor. Congrats to all of them.
So happy for you Joe to see Minnie and Buck added. I know it would have been great to be sitting with Buck the day he was elected- as he should have been 15 years ago- but this should be a sweet day nonetheless
Happy for Buck and Gil Hodges. I think the selections were pretty good. I am really surprised it did not include Dick Allen. He was the one I was more certain would get in.
As Joe noted in his article, the math worked against him - or at least against electing Kaat, Minoso, Oliva, Hodges - and Allen. The fact that this committee elected 4 players, all of whom are deserving, was great. Also great to see that two of those elected are still alive and will hopefully be in Cooperstown next summer for enshrinement day.
Yes. They can only vote for 4. With that restriction I’m amazed that so many got in. 4 from the golden days, 2 old timers. Which means in the golden days committee 61 votes went to 5 guys, with Allen missing it with 11. Only 3 other votes went to all the other golden days candidates. It’s almost like the voters got together to say, we need to be almost unanimous in our votes. And they almost did that - 6q out of 64 votes went to 5 players. Would have loved Allen to make it too. That’s 2 times in a row he has missed by one vote.
Glad they did this. The golden days were the days of my youth, and I’m glad to see such a large number make it.
So 6 guys made it. I think Ortiz will probably be the only regular candidate to make it, although he may not. Possibly Rolen. But there is a good chance no one will make it. Glad to see such a large number make it through these committees.
I remember my first game with my Dad at Comiskey Park on a Sunday afternoon. So big and powerful looking. Like the steel mills nearby. But, it was the team that was electrifying. Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Hoyt Wilhelm and Minnie Miñoso. From the point of view of a sheltered six year old boy from the suburbs, they were all all larger than life and superhuman, but none more exotic and exciting and fun than Minnie.
My best friend lived near him when he was an old man and told me that he was one of the happiest, joyful people he had ever met.
Thanks for bringing him to life one more time. This is what makes you do special, Joe. Your ability to bring to life the wonderful human beings you knew and loved. Thanks for another beautiful tribute.
Powerful and pinpoint. O'Neil and Minoso are bigger than the Hall of Fame itself - the Hall itself should be grateful to be able to have the chance to enshrine them within. What titans!
I hope it happens but fear it will not. My guess is that Dick Allen is going to be the only one to get in. I would like to see him in, Minnie and Buck in, and also Gil Hodges.
I want them in the Hall of Fame too, but the ballots are so stacked and the math is so slanted that I’m not sure they can get the votes this time either. I sure wish I’m wrong.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the Hall should simply be more inclusive, granting greater weight to players who electrified the league for a few years, career totals and advanced statistics be damned. Sure, not every inductee would merit a full-blown permanent memorial, but revolving displays of the lesser lights might inspire fathers to undertake a pilgrimage with their kids when old but dear heroes are again in the spotlight.
The dark underbelly of advanced stats has been to suck the magic out of the game, and replace those who inspired us with those who grimly ground out wins. And it has directly led to today’s unsatisfying game. Don’t bunt. Don’t try to stretch out a triple: the spreadsheet has found a 1% edge in playing it safe. Blah.
Dude, beautifully done, as always. If you can make an argument for them as players (and you can)…. And then add to that what they went through to get there, and what they meant to huge segments of the game’s fans (and you can)…. And then add to all that what they did fir the game after they retired…. How on earth can anybody not vote for them?
With the lockout, yesterday's vote may be one of the last things we have to celebrate for a bit. I'm very happy for you and for their memory for Buck and Minnie to be elected to the HOF. I'm also very pleased to see Gil Hodges, who should have been elected long ago, to get his due. The first baseball game my parents took me to involved the 1969 Miracle Mets - a doubleheader at Shea vs the Pirates in which I believe the Mets won both games 1-0. As with Dusty Baker, Hodges combined contributions to the game as both a player and manager merit his election. Oliva won the batting title in both his rookie and sophomore seasons - a feat that I believe is unequalled to this day. His 8 season stretch from 1964-71, coming as it did in the midst of the late 1960s hitting drought, was excellent. Had he had the benefit of modern knee surgery, his career would have been much longer.
At one point in my life, I was a small Hall guy. However I was elated to hear the announcement for all the new inductees, particularly Minnie and Buck. The Hall is a distinct honor and should hold true to standards. Still, to anyone who passes that bar, there is so much joy—particularly to them if they are still live, but also to their family, friends, and fans who will live on. We could all use more joy.
It's like the old adage of what do you call the person who graduates last in med school—doctor. Congrats to all of them.
So happy for you Joe to see Minnie and Buck added. I know it would have been great to be sitting with Buck the day he was elected- as he should have been 15 years ago- but this should be a sweet day nonetheless
Bittersweet, but Buck and Minnie join the immortals.
Happy for Buck and Gil Hodges. I think the selections were pretty good. I am really surprised it did not include Dick Allen. He was the one I was more certain would get in.
As Joe noted in his article, the math worked against him - or at least against electing Kaat, Minoso, Oliva, Hodges - and Allen. The fact that this committee elected 4 players, all of whom are deserving, was great. Also great to see that two of those elected are still alive and will hopefully be in Cooperstown next summer for enshrinement day.
Anyone else refreshing their tab, nervous as all get out.
That being said I'm as torn and hopeful over Gil Hodges potential enshrinement as I am over Buck (and Minnie).
I'm concerned that none of them will get alone. (Oh man, not to mention Dick Allen.... math is stacked against all, it seems.)
I know 12 votes are needed. Is there a limit to the number of candidates a committee member can select?
Yes. They can only vote for 4. With that restriction I’m amazed that so many got in. 4 from the golden days, 2 old timers. Which means in the golden days committee 61 votes went to 5 guys, with Allen missing it with 11. Only 3 other votes went to all the other golden days candidates. It’s almost like the voters got together to say, we need to be almost unanimous in our votes. And they almost did that - 6q out of 64 votes went to 5 players. Would have loved Allen to make it too. That’s 2 times in a row he has missed by one vote.
Glad they did this. The golden days were the days of my youth, and I’m glad to see such a large number make it.
So 6 guys made it. I think Ortiz will probably be the only regular candidate to make it, although he may not. Possibly Rolen. But there is a good chance no one will make it. Glad to see such a large number make it through these committees.
I remember my first game with my Dad at Comiskey Park on a Sunday afternoon. So big and powerful looking. Like the steel mills nearby. But, it was the team that was electrifying. Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Hoyt Wilhelm and Minnie Miñoso. From the point of view of a sheltered six year old boy from the suburbs, they were all all larger than life and superhuman, but none more exotic and exciting and fun than Minnie.
My best friend lived near him when he was an old man and told me that he was one of the happiest, joyful people he had ever met.
Thanks for bringing him to life one more time. This is what makes you do special, Joe. Your ability to bring to life the wonderful human beings you knew and loved. Thanks for another beautiful tribute.
We all hope so.
Powerful and pinpoint. O'Neil and Minoso are bigger than the Hall of Fame itself - the Hall itself should be grateful to be able to have the chance to enshrine them within. What titans!
You, me, and probably most everyone who subscribes to this blog. Hope. Fear.
I hope it happens but fear it will not. My guess is that Dick Allen is going to be the only one to get in. I would like to see him in, Minnie and Buck in, and also Gil Hodges.
I want them in the Hall of Fame too, but the ballots are so stacked and the math is so slanted that I’m not sure they can get the votes this time either. I sure wish I’m wrong.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the Hall should simply be more inclusive, granting greater weight to players who electrified the league for a few years, career totals and advanced statistics be damned. Sure, not every inductee would merit a full-blown permanent memorial, but revolving displays of the lesser lights might inspire fathers to undertake a pilgrimage with their kids when old but dear heroes are again in the spotlight.
The dark underbelly of advanced stats has been to suck the magic out of the game, and replace those who inspired us with those who grimly ground out wins. And it has directly led to today’s unsatisfying game. Don’t bunt. Don’t try to stretch out a triple: the spreadsheet has found a 1% edge in playing it safe. Blah.
Fingers crossed that Buck and Minnie make it in. Hoping for the right thing to finally happen. Just breathe, Joe.
Does that happen anymore in this world? The right thing?
Every once in awhile. Maybe more than we think. Fingers crossed.
Dude, beautifully done, as always. If you can make an argument for them as players (and you can)…. And then add to that what they went through to get there, and what they meant to huge segments of the game’s fans (and you can)…. And then add to all that what they did fir the game after they retired…. How on earth can anybody not vote for them?
I want it for you Joe. Here’s hoping.