The 2013 Hall Pre-Integration Ballot -- the non-player candidates

This year's version of the Veterans Committee ballot, named the Pre-Integration Era ballot for those whose primary baseball career contributions occurred completely or mainly before 1947, has four non-player candidates. Let's rummage through the names and see if anyone measures up to the honor of the Hall of Fame. Three of these men have been on recent ballots.

7. Samuel Breadon (Wiki bio)

Previous Hall consideration
VC voting: 2010, less than 3 votes (of 12; less than 17%).

Claim to fame: owner of the St. Louis Cardinals, 1920-47.

The Cardinals rose to power during Breadon's tenure, developing the farm system, bringing home six World Series championships (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946) and three other National League pennants (1928, 1930, 1943). But the best thing Breadon did during his tenure was keep Branch Rickey on staff and let him do as he would -- Rickey gets the credit for the farm system, trades, signings, just about everything. Breadon was one of the best types of owners -- he usually got out of the way of the smart baseball people he employed -- but that doesn't raise him up to Hall class.

Chipmaker's vote: no.


8. Hank O'Day (Wiki bio | playing career | managing career)

Previous Hall consideration
VC voting: 2008, 25.0% (4/16 votes); 2010, 50.0% (8/16).

Claims to fame: National League umpire for 29 years (1895, 1897-1911, 1913, 1915-27). Officiated in ten World Series. Developed a stand-offish persona for professional reasons, as he wanted to avoid even potential improprieties, which enhanced his reputation for excellence.

Baseball bonus points: O'day began his baseball career as a player, lasting seven seasons mainly as a pitcher, from 1884-90, before his arm grew too sore to continue. He was also a manager for two seasons, in 1912 for the Cincinnati Reds and 1914 for the Chicago Cubs.

Assessing an umpire objectively is difficult in modern times, and O'Day's career was a century ago. Legends tend only to grow over time. O'Day is a good candidate, but I'm generally not in favor of umpires being honored in the Hall anyway, so I do not support him, as before. Impressively varied career though.

Chipmaker's vote: No.



9. Al Reach (Wiki bio | playing career | extremely brief managerial career)

Previous Hall consideration: none.


Claims to fame: Player prior to the first pro league forming, then five years in the National Association, including being a member of the first champion team, the 1871 Philadelphia Athletics. Later was a founding minority owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, and moved on to start a sporting goods company which, among other things, published the Reach Guide for years, one of the seminal statistical records publications.

Reach had an interesting career and accomplished a lot, but to my eye nothing here, individually or as a complete body of work, stands up and proclaims Hall-class greatness. He was primarily a businessman, he did business, and rather well. And the Guides were an excellent effort, lasting over a century. I just cannot find enough to support his candidacy.

Chipmaker's vote: no.


10. Jacob Ruppert (Wiki bio)

Previous Hall consideration
VC voting: 2010, 58.3% (7/12 votes).

Claims to fame: Owner of the New York Yankees from 1915-39, when he died, a tenure that included seven World Series championships (1923, 1927-28, 1932, 1936-38, and 1939 posthumously) and three other American League pennants (1921-22, 1926). Built and opened Yankee Stadium (1923). Acquired Babe Ruth early on.

I have little interest in owners, as their biggest impact is in paying for things. They should hire good baseball people and get out of their way -- but few really do, as they are hands-on folks. There's probably more owners in the Hall than there should be. Ruppert, though, didn't just put forth a winning team, he put forth a dynasty -- THE Dynasty, the Murderer's Row Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig and Lazzeri and, later, DiMaggio. And he paid for his own ballpark, which today would be almost quaint if not actively discouraged by MLB's powers. If ever a team owner deserves election to the Hall, Ruppert is an excellent choice.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.

Summing up: I support Ruppert, and with the three players I have already supported (Dahlen, Mullane, White), I have exactly four candidates, which is the upper limit imposed upon the actual electors. So I'm good with my virtual ballot.

Results to be announced on December 3, most likely.