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Hall of Merit
— A Look at Baseball's All-Time Best

Monday, October 03, 2005

1961 Results: The “Earl of Snohomish” is Now the Earl of the Hall of Merit!

In his 16th year on the ballot, Cleveland Indians great Earl Averill was inducted into the Hall of Merit by the slimmest of margins over Yankees legend Red Rufiing.

Rounding out the top-ten were: Joe Medwick (he was very close himself!), Wes Ferrell, Biz Mackey, Eppa Rixey, Clark Griffith, George Sisler, George Van Haltren , and Cool Papa Bell.

A record 76 candidates found their name on a ballot for this election, breaking the “old” record of 74.

RK   LY  Player                   PTS  Bal   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1    4  Earl Averill             475   35   2  4  4  1  2  4  1  2  4     1  2  2  2  4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2    5  Red Ruffing              462   30   5  1  3  2  5  2  2  2  3        1     2  2
 3    3  Joe Medwick              454   33   2  6  3  1     1  2  4  2     4  2  3  2  1
 4    6  Wes Ferrell              420   28   4  3  2  2  1  1  3  1  3  2  1  3  2      
 5    7  Biz Mackey               392   31   1  1  2  2  1  3  3  4  2  2  1  2  3  2  2
 6    9  Eppa Rixey               389   28   3  3  2  2  1  2  2  1  2     3     2  3  2
 7    8  Clark Griffith           372   23   6  1  2  2  2  1  1  1  1  2  1  1        2
 8   10  George Sisler            345   26   1     4  1  3  3  2  1  1  2  2  1  1  3  1
 9   12  George Van Haltren       318   22   3  1  2  1  3  2  1  1  1  1     2  2     2
10   11  Cool Papa Bell           288   22      4     1  1  2  2  1  2  3  2  1  1  2   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   13  Jake Beckley             275   19   1  5  2     1  1  1  1     2     2  2     1
12   14  Cupid Childs             258   19      1  2  1  3  1     3  4  2        1     1
13   17  Hugh Duffy               250   19         3  3  2     2  1  1  2  1     1  2  1
14   15  Pete Browning            246   17   3  1  1     2     1     4  1  1  1     1  1
15   20  Cannonball Dick Redding  241   19   1  1     2  2  1  2  1     2     2  2  2  1
16   16  Willard Brown            232   19      1  1  1  3  1     1  1  1  5     2  1  1
17   19  Bobby Doerr              231   17   1  1  1  2  2  1     1  1  3     1  2     1
18   18  Joe Sewell               228   18   1  2     2  1  1     2  1     2  1  2     3
19   22  José Méndez              221   16   1     1  2  3  2     1        3  2        1
20   23  Dobie Moore              211   14   1  2  2  1  1  1  1  2        1  1        1
21  n/e  Ralph Kiner              196   15   1              3  1  2  1  6     1         
22   24  Joe Gordon               192   18      1     1     2        1  3  2  2  3  1  2
23   21  Mickey Welch             174   11   2  2  1  1  1           1     1  1        1
24   27  Bucky Walters            169   13      2  2  1        2  2                    4
25   25  Alejandro Oms            165   12      1  1  2     1  3     1  1        1     1
26   28  Charley Jones            162   12   1  2              3  2        1  1     1  1
27   26  Rube Waddell             148   12   1        1  1     2     2     1  1     2  1
28   32  Edd Roush                144   13   1              1     1     3  1  3  1  2   
29   29T Tommy Leach              129    9   1        2        2     1  1  2            
30   29T Burleigh Grimes          128    9   1        1  1  1  1     1  2        1      
31   31  Gavy Cravath             127    9   1     1  1        1  1  1  1  1     1      
32   34  Roger Bresnahan          120   10   2                 1     1     1     2  2  1
33   33  Wally Schang             117    8   1        2        1  1  1     2            
34   37  Larry Doyle              101    7      2     1  1  1                 1        1
35   36  Quincy Trouppe            96    9         1  1     1                 2  1  2  1
36   35  Bob Elliott               95    9         1        1  1           1  1  1  3   
37   38  Bill Monroe               78    7      1                    1  1  2     2      
38   41T Bob Johnson               69    7            1           1        1     1  3   
39   40  John McGraw               59    4               2  1        1                  
40   41T Tommy Bridges             57    5                     1  1  1  1           1   
41   43  Dizzy Dean                57    4            1  1        1     1               
42   45T Jimmy Ryan                54    6                        1           3     2   
43  n/e  Vern Stephens             51    4               2                 1  1         
44   44  Ernie Lombardi            45    4   1                                      3   
45   39  Charlie Keller            44    4                  1  1                 1  1   
46   48  Dizzy Trout               43    3                  2     1                     
47   49  Ed Williamson             41    4                     1        1     1     1   
48   45T Sam Rice                  40    4                        2              1     1
49   50  Ben Taylor                40    3         1              1           1         
50   55  Carl Mays                 37    4                              1  2           1
51   47  Luke Easter               34    2         1     1                              
52   52T Addie Joss                33    3                  1        1                 1
53   52T Dutch Leonard             29    2                  1  1                        
54   57  Bobo Newsom               27    3                              1  1           1
55T  54  Chuck Klein               27    2                     1  1                     
55T  51  Vic Willis                27    2                  1        1                  
57   67  Dick Lundy                21    3                                       1  1  1
58T  60T Fielder Jones             18    1         1                                    
58T  68  Leroy Matlock             18    1         1                                    
58T  58  Pie Traynor               18    1         1                                    
61T  56  George J. Burns           17    2                                    1  1      
61T  59  Dom DiMaggio              17    2                                    1  1      
61T  71  Lefty Gomez               17    2                              1              1
64T  62T Tommy Bond                17    1            1                                 
64T  60T Ed Cicotte                17    1            1                                 
64T  62T Johnny Pesky              17    1            1                                 
64T  65T Bobby Veach               17    1            1                                 
68T  69  Frank Chance              15    2                                       1  1   
68T  64  Hack Wilson               15    2                                    1        1
70   65T Dolf Luque                15    1                  1                           
71   70  Fred Dunlap               10    1                                 1            
72T  72T Sam Leever                 9    1                                    1         
72T n/e  Joe Tinker                 9    1                                    1         
74   72T Rabbit Maranville          8    1                                       1      
75  n/e  Tommy Henrich              7    1                                          1   
76  n/e  Tony Mullane               6    1                                             1
Ballots Cast: 49

John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 03, 2005 at 09:43 PM | 51 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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   1. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:05 AM (#1660563)
Congratulations to Earl! No offense to Muscles, but I'm glad he's still on the outside looking in.

Nobody sent me their tally, so there's probably a mistake(s).
   2. OCF Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:18 AM (#1660577)
Closer than I thought it was on my running tallies - I'd somehow tallied two Medwick votes (and 8th and a 14th) as Averill votes. It checks now; I don't think there's a mistake.

As previously noted, the 76 candidates with votes breaks the old record by 3.

As for the sentiment John expressed in #1 - I had Ruffing first, Medwick 3rd, and Averill 9th myself.
   3. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:19 AM (#1660578)
Jim fixed that problem that Eric was having with the "pre" tag. All hail the great Furtado!
   4. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:23 AM (#1660587)
As for the sentiment John expressed in #1 - I had Ruffing first, Medwick 3rd, and Averill 9th myself.

They're going to make it eventually, OCF. They've been around long enough that they're not going to do a "Sewell" on you.

It checks now; I don't think there's a mistake.


:-0
   5. Happy Jack Chesbro Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:24 AM (#1660589)
Curses! Foiled Again!
   6. OCF Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:26 AM (#1660591)
Consensus scores:

Mean: -13.8. New record low; old record -10.3 in 1958.

Best possible: +2.

DanG: -4
Howie Menckel: -5
Rusty Priske: -6
Adam Schafer: -6
andrew siegel: -6
Chris J: -6
danb: -6
OCF: -7
...
favre: -14 (median)
...
yest: -21
Patrick W: -21
Ron Wargo: -21
John Murphy: -22
karlmagnus: -22
KJOK: -23
Gadfly: -23
Dolf Lucky: -25
   7. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:29 AM (#1660593)
Talk about fragmentation!
   8. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:31 AM (#1660596)
John Murphy: -22
karlmagnus: -22


Must be the "Eagle Eye" effect. ;-)
   9. OCF Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:35 AM (#1660603)
Vern Stephens: 43rd place with two 5ths, an 11th, and a 12th. Even though several other people (including me) mentioned him on their extended ballots, that pretty much finishes him as a serious candidate - after all, he's a well-documented 20th-century candidate who didn't miss much war time.

So here's a question: in the category of Red Sox shortstops who could really hit, but didn't really have quite enough career, who would you prefer: Stephens or Nomar Garciaparra? (That's assuming that the rest of Garciaparra's career won't add very much value.)
   10. sunnyday2 Posted: October 04, 2005 at 12:59 AM (#1660630)
During the balloting I noted 4 voters who had Averill on their ballots either the first time (I think 2 or maybe even 3 of the 4 said so) or after being off for awhile--I think it was 3 15ths and a 14th worth 25 points. It was obvious from that that Earl was going to win, though Medwick led most of the way til today's ballots came in. Even I had Averill on my ballot for the first time this year after doing my Kiner-inspired "moneyball" analysis. Don't know that my moneyball chart explains Earl going from 8 to 4 to 1. What else happened? Anybody?

Once upon a time we thought Averill and Sewell were frick and frack!

Ruffing is on 3 more ballots than last year, Medwick only 1.

The other big mover is Redding from 20th to 15th. And whatever happened to Averill, well, maybe it wasn't moneyball, because Moneyball Charlie Keller, who tried to hop a ride on the Kiner Train (which was perhaps his first mistake), dropped from 39 to 44.

Other moneyballers: Browning up from 15 to 14 which is however the equivalent of dropping a spot (passed by Duffy). Kiner new at a relatively miserable #21, Bob Johnson up from 41 to 38, John McGraw up from 40 to 39 which is no improvement at all, Chuck Klein drops from 54 to 55, Frank Chance from 69 to 68T, Hack Wilson down from 64 to 68T.

Moneyball is not the ticket to the HoM.
   11. Howie Menckel Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:22 AM (#1660660)
All-time 'vote points totals' leaders, through 1961. Active for 1962 vote in CAPS

Jennings 16976
VAN HALTREN 16157.5
BECKLEY 15515
DUFFY 15390.5
GRIFFITH 14642
Pike 13399
BROWNING 13391.5
Thompson 12349
WADDELL 11764
Bennett 11503

CHILDS 11252
WELCH 11239
Caruthers 10704
RYAN 10701.5
Beckwith 9920
H Stovey 9576
Start 8378.5
RIXEY 8360
McGinnity 8232
Pearce 8073

McVey 7985.5
Grant 7969.5
Sisler 7731
BRESNAHAN 7728
Suttles 7696
(TLeach 7558, C Jones 6689, Sewell 6151, Ferrell 6007, Monroe 5402, Redding 4708, Roush 4631, Mendez 4626, Doyle 4574, Williamson 4402, Ruffing 3346, CP Bell 3271, Medwick 3158)
   12. Howie Menckel Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:23 AM (#1660662)
Sisler, in the No. 23 slot, should be in CAPS.
   13. PhillyBooster Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:27 AM (#1660666)
During the balloting I noted 4 voters who had Averill on their ballots either the first time (I think 2 or maybe even 3 of the 4 said so) or after being off for awhile--I think it was 3 15ths and a 14th worth 25 points.

I was one of the "new Averill" voters. Not classifiable as "strategic" in any way, since I didn't have any of this year's Top 4 on my ballot last year, although I had both Averill and Ruffing in my extended 1960 "Top 25" list, and for the past several years that I posted it.

For me, the analysis when I'm picking from a sub-15 guy to add to the ballot in a weak year starts with "Who do I have the best chance of being wrong about excluding?" That likely gives an advantage to guys like Averill and Oms (my 14 and 15 new votes this year), who earned credit of questionable worth in alternate leagues.

It's ironic, I guess, that the same "uncertainty" factor that hurts players in my early analysis actually helps them later on.

To simplify, if I rated all of my players on a scale of 1-10, and I've already voted for all of my 9s and 10s, I go to my pile of 8s and think, "Which one of these guys might I be wrong about, and actually be a "9"? Averill is more likely to be a missing 9, but could also be an overrated 6 or 7. But I'm going to vote for the guy who I think is a 25% chance of being a "9" than the guy I am 100% sure is an 8.

To change the subject, it looks like only 7 candidates were named on half of the ballot, which I would guess is also a record.
   14. karlmagnus Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:38 AM (#1660683)
Phillybooster, I think a lot of voters rate like you, which has helped the NEL/WWII credit players against those with better nailed down statistical records. I had Averill well off ballot, as I have Mackey and Bell, the other two who benefit from a lot of "rounding up."
   15. DanG Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:43 AM (#1660692)
Interesting that Ruffing and Medwick's support in HoM voting closely parallels their support in the Coop's elections. Both lingered long on the BBWAA ballot. Ruffing was elected in 1967, his last year eligible, edging Medwick in a close runoff vote. Medwick was elected the next year, in his final year eligible.
   16. Howie Menckel Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:01 AM (#1660721)
This was the first time in their 8 years together that Ruffing beat out Medwick, but they tied once and on average Medwick only has a 20-pt lead per year.
   17. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:02 AM (#1660722)
This is the second election in a row that I have given the last spot to a new inductee that hadn't been on my ballot previously. Let me just say that there was no strategic voting on my part. It's a silly proposition when you think about it since the runner-ups are going to go in anyway eventually (unless your last name is Sewell, of course).

I will say that Ruffing or Medwick will never make my ballot, so if it's close between them again, I wont be responsible. :-)

BTW, Marc, Dobie Moore just missed my ballot.
   18. jimd Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:11 AM (#1660737)
Runners-up still waiting:
1932 VanHaltren
1940 Sewell
1942 Rixey
1958 Medwick (also 1959, 1960)
   19. DavidFoss Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:19 AM (#1660745)
Wow, Averill. From the obtuse comments in the ballot thread, I figured it might be even more controversial. Averill's not consensus, but he's not that contentious.

I was not a new Averill voter, but I was close -- he returned to my ballot in 1960. I think the thing that made me vote for him over Medwick was position/fielding. That A+ in CF jumped out at me.

What were all the 'wows' about in the week? Were there times when several voters were tied? Did Averill come from far behind?
   20. Mark Shirk (jsch) Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:23 AM (#1660754)
OCF,

What I think hurts Stephens is that many of his best yeras came during the war, years which most of us gave him a discount. In this sense, there is some chance of his candidacy being revived if we come to some conclusion that we are docking too much during the war. I only dock 10%, however, so maybe not.

Because of the war discounts, I would take Garciaparra. I think that his best years were monsters in tougher leagues than Stehpens'.
   21. Howie Menckel Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:25 AM (#1660757)
cool list, jimd.
   22. Mark Shirk (jsch) Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:25 AM (#1660759)
OCF,

Stephens is not a serious candidate, I believe, because many of his best years came during the war. in this sense, however, his candidacy could be revived should we decide that war discounts aren't fair or something like that.

As to your question, I would choose Garciaparra. His best years came in leagues that weren't watered down at all.
   23. Mark Shirk (jsch) Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:27 AM (#1660761)
wow, when I looked at this thread two minutes ago, it appeared as though my original post had been eaten. Now it is there. I am soooo confused.
   24. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:46 AM (#1660795)
What were all the 'wows' about in the week? Were there times when several voters were tied? Did Averill come from far behind?

The lead changed hands quite a few times during the week between the top three candidates. I thought it was going to be Ruffing, but Averill pulled ahead at the end.
   25. DavidFoss Posted: October 04, 2005 at 03:03 AM (#1660829)
Other moneyballers: Browning up from 15 to 14 which is however the equivalent of dropping a spot (passed by Duffy). Kiner new at a relatively miserable #21, Bob Johnson up from 41 to 38, John McGraw up from 40 to 39 which is no improvement at all, Chuck Klein drops from 54 to 55, Frank Chance from 69 to 68T, Hack Wilson down from 64 to 68T.

I dunno about some of those Moneyballers on your list. Browning and Klein had batting averages that were way too high (even compared to contemporaries) and walk rates that were nothing to get too excited about. McGraw has a case due to all the walks, but he also hit .334 for his career.

Moneyball is not the ticket to the HoM.

I dunno, if you look at the HOM-not-HOF list and compare it to the HOF-not-HOM list, I'll bet you'll see more moneyball character in the HOM list. Hack vs Traynor, Wilson vs JJohnson, Sheckard vs ????. Maybe some the other way, I don't have a full list.

The big deal, though, is that there is no salary cap in the HOM. To be a Moneyball player, you have a have at least one major strike against you other wise you wouldn't have been underrated in the first place. We get so many shoo-in candidates coming in at 1B/OF (especially from the 20s & 30s) that the 'underrated' guys often don't get a chance to replace the 'overrated' guys because we end up not elected either. There are a ton of HOF-ers from this era we aren't inducting.
   26. sunnyday2 Posted: October 04, 2005 at 03:17 AM (#1660863)
My "moneyball" list was guys who are on at least two of the following three top 100 of all-time: OPS, OPS+ and OBA.
   27. DavidFoss Posted: October 04, 2005 at 03:32 AM (#1660885)
My "moneyball" list was guys who are on at least two of the following three top 100 of all-time: OPS, OPS+ and OBA.

Ah, OK, I guess I didn't catch that before, I must have just jumped right into the comparisons. I figured that Moneyball also implied some sort of penalty for high AVG (as high-BA guys wouldn't be "cheap"). My bad.
   28. Brent Posted: October 04, 2005 at 03:50 AM (#1660905)
I'm happy - Averill had the kind of balanced skill set that that sometimes is underappreciated - he hit for average, hit for power, had good strike zone judgment, contributed with the glove.

What else happened? Anybody?

I suspect that Chris Cobb's recent careful analysis of the outfield candidates was influential to some voters, just as his Negro League studies have been.

I'm also personally pleased because Averill was also the first candidate for whom our minor league translations have been influential. He may turn out to be the only candidate we elect for whom minor league credit was a deciding factor for many voters (that is, unless Gavy Cravath catches a second wind).
   29. Kelly in SD Posted: October 04, 2005 at 06:30 AM (#1661060)
Congrats to the Earl.

I'm sorry I could not get a ballot in this "year." The move down to San Diego has been more difficult than my wife and I assumed. My vote would not have changed the results as Averill and Ferrell are the only top 12 finishers who would have been on my ballot.

Things have settled down enough that you will definitely see a 1962 ballot from me.
   30. sunnyday2 Posted: October 04, 2005 at 11:15 AM (#1661128)
David, no problem. Not bad.

I had Averill on my ballot but I am hardly blown away by a ten-year career with nothing even remotely approaching a "historic" type of peak. I still don't see ten years of Averill as being on the same planet as nine years of Kiner. Much less twelve years of Medwick, or seven years of Sisler I and seven more of Sisler II.
   31. Dr. Chaleeko Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:05 PM (#1661175)
I must have been awfully scared off by the way low consensus score last week, because I went from Karl/Yest territory to somewhere north of it this week. I don't know if that's a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing.... ; )
   32. sunnyday2 Posted: October 04, 2005 at 01:19 PM (#1661185)
Doc, it's definitely a thing. Whether a good thing or a bad thing, you'll have to ask Martha.

I myself am disappionted that I'm not down there with the guys that are really having the most fun anymore. Though to be truthful, I don't understand it. I forget how the consensus scores are supposed to work.

I mean, only 4 of the top 15 are on my ballot. Averill is way down in 15th, and then there's Medwick, Sisler and Browning (the moneyball hitters!). How that is not a low consensus I don't know.
   33. Dr. Chaleeko Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:36 PM (#1661311)
Perhaps we should begin refering to Averill as the Earl of SnoHOMish!
   34. OCF Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:45 PM (#1661333)
sunnyday2, I listed the bottom 8 consensus scores. You were 9th from the bottom at -20. And Dr. Chaleeko was 10th from the bottom at -19. There was very little consensus to agree with, and so many ways to disagree that it was hard to stick out as a low score. Dolf Lucky got the position he had by including only 3 of the top 16 (and not Averill at all), while giving his elect-me vote to someone (Lombardi) who otherwise only got three 14th-place votes.
   35. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 02:46 PM (#1661338)
Perhaps we should begin refering to Averill as the Earl of SnoHOMish!

Nice one, Eric. :-)
   36. sunnyday2 Posted: October 04, 2005 at 05:25 PM (#1661854)
>sunnyday2, I listed the bottom 8 consensus scores. You were 9th from the bottom at -20.

Thank god! (Thanks, O, for the clarification.)
   37. DanG Posted: October 04, 2005 at 05:43 PM (#1661896)
The top four unelected finishers in each election:
1898WillmsonO'NeillJones,CWelch
1899BrowningWillmsonO'NeillDunlap
1900BrowningWillmsonMullaneWelch
1901BrowningWillmsonWelchMcCormick
1902BrowningWillmsonWelchMcCormick
1903BrowningWillmsonWelchMcCormick
1904BrowningGriffinWillmsonWelch
1905BrowningTiernanGriffinMcCormick
1906BrowningTiernanMcCormickWilliamson
1907DuffyChildsBrowningTiernan
1908DuffyChildsTiernanBrowning
1909RyanDuffyVan HaltrChilds
1910DuffyRyanVan HaltrChilds
1911DuffyRyanVan HaltrChilds
1912DuffyRyanVan HaltrChilds
1913DuffyRyanBeckleyVan Haltren
1914DuffyRyanBeckleyVan Haltren
1915DuffyRyanVan HaltrBeckley
1916WaddellDuffyRyanVan Haltren
1917WaddellDuffyVan HaltrBeckley
1918WaddellVan HaltrRyanBeckley
1919WaddellVan HaltrRyanBeckley
1920WaddellDuffyVan HaltrBeckley
1921WaddellBresnahanBeckleyDuffy
1922WaddellBeckleyBresnahanDuffy
1923BeckleyRyanWaddellVan Haltren
1924BeckleyWaddellRyanDuffy
1925Van HaltrBeckleyRyanWaddell
1926BeckleyVan HaltrRyanWaddell
1927BeckleyVan HaltrRyanWaddell
1928BeckleyVan HaltrRyanGriffith
1929BeckleyVan HaltrGriffithRyan
1930Van HaltrBeckleyGriffithRyan
1931Van HaltrGriffithBeckleyChilds
1932Van HaltrGriffithBeckleyWaddell
1933Van HaltrBeckleyGriffithWaddell
1934BeckleyVan HaltrWaddellGriffith
1935BeckleyWaddellGriffithVan Haltren
1936BeckleyVan HaltrWaddellGriffith
1937BeckleyWaddellSislerGriffith
1938BeckleyGriffithSislerWaddell
1939SewellRixeyGriffithSisler
1940SewellRixeyGriffithSisler
1941RixeySewellGriffithLeach
1942RixeySewellGriffithVan Haltren
1943RixeyGriffithBeckleySewell
1944RixeyGriffithFerrellVan Haltren
1945RixeyGriffithFerrellSewell
1946RixeyFerrellGriffithSisler
1947RixeyFerrellGriffithBeckley
1948RixeyFerrellSislerGriffith
1949RixeyFerrellGriffithMackey
1950RixeyFerrellMackeySisler
1951RixeyFerrellMackeyGriffith
1952RixeyFerrellMackeyBell
1953RuffingRixeyFerrellMackey
1954MedwickRuffingFerrellRixey
1955MedwickRuffingFerrellMackey
1956MedwickRuffingFerrellRixey
1957MedwickRuffingFerrellMackey
1958MedwickRuffingMackeyFerrell
1959MedwickRuffingMackeyFerrell
1960MedwickRuffingFerrellMackey
1961RuffingMedwickFerrellMackey
   38. DanG Posted: October 04, 2005 at 05:45 PM (#1661900)
BTW, players in bold are new eligibles.

Anyway, it looked great in the preview pane.
   39. DavidFoss Posted: October 04, 2005 at 05:56 PM (#1661920)
Looks a bit better if you navigate to this page through the important links instead of hot topics. Not great, but I can see the bold and the font is bigger.
   40. jingoist Posted: October 04, 2005 at 06:45 PM (#1662067)
Congratulations to all 1961 voters!
While certainly far from a consensus, your election of Mr. Averill was welcomed by this HOM lurker.
Now if we could make some real progress and get Beckley and/or GVH or Duffy elected........
   41. jimd Posted: October 04, 2005 at 08:02 PM (#1662286)
Oldest living HOMer
(progression)

1898-1901 -- Deacon White (elected, age 50)
1901-1912 -- George Wright (elected, age 54)
1912-1927 -- Joe Start (elected, age 69; died, age 84)
1927-1937 -- George Wright (age 80; died, age 90)
1937-1939 -- Deacon White (age 89; died, age 91)
1939-1947 -- Jack Glasscock (age 79; died, age 87)
1947-1955 -- Cy Young (age 79; died, age 88)
1955-1964 -- Grant Johnson (age 83; died, either age 92 or age 91 and 11 months)

Anyone have a date-of-birth and date-of-death for Grant Johnson?
I have years (1874-1964) but nothing more specific.
   42. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 11:27 PM (#1663021)
Anyone have a date-of-birth and date-of-death for Grant Johnson?
I have years (1874-1964) but nothing more specific.


According to the 1900 Census, Grant V. Johnson was born September of 1872. He's listed as black, a baseball player, and was living in Findlay, Ohio (his birthplace) at the time, so I'm 100% positive it's him.
   43. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 04, 2005 at 11:46 PM (#1663052)
According to the Baseball Guru website, Johnson died on 6 Sep 1964, so was he 91 or 92?
   44. jimd Posted: October 05, 2005 at 01:06 AM (#1663250)
Note that a September 1872 birthdate erases Clarke (10/3/72) and Wallace (11/4/73) from the oldest living HOMer list. Johnson becomes the oldest after the passing of Cy Young.
   45. John (You Can Call Me Grandma) Murphy Posted: October 05, 2005 at 01:17 AM (#1663282)
Jim, he's most likely the oldest HoMer ever (since he either just turned 92 or missed it by days), too.

I corrected your chart above. Nice project, Jim.
   46. jimd Posted: October 05, 2005 at 01:56 AM (#1663371)
Deacon White made it to 91 yrs 7 months. Grant will pass him, but it hasn't happened "yet".

Johnson will pass the mantle to Elmer Flick in 1964, who will then break the age record in Jan of 1968 and add 3 more years to that record (2 days past his 95th birthday).

I haven't looked in complete detail later, but Stan Coveleski will fall 4 months short of Flick's age record. Bill Terry is another nonogenarian.
   47. jimd Posted: October 05, 2005 at 02:02 AM (#1663384)
Oops. Did the math backwards. Flick died two days short of his 95th birthday.
   48. Ned Garvin: Male Prostitute Posted: October 05, 2005 at 08:08 PM (#1664752)
The "real" Earl of Snohomish

Earl Averill was better, but Snohomish wasn't a one-Earl baseball town!
   49. yest Posted: October 06, 2005 at 01:30 AM (#1665781)
yest: -21
Patrick W: -21
Ron Wargo: -21
John Murphy: -22
karlmagnus: -22
KJOK: -23
Gadfly: -23
Dolf Lucky: -25


Next year I'll regain my lead when I almost definatly leaving Robinson and Irvin off my ballot
   50. Mark Shirk (jsch) Posted: October 06, 2005 at 03:03 AM (#1666040)
I will then have to reflexively ask why Robinson is off your ballot yest.
   51. sunnyday2 Posted: October 06, 2005 at 09:45 AM (#1666394)
>I will then have to reflexively ask why Robinson is off your ballot yest.

Lack of black ink?

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