The Hall's 2010 VC Managers & Umpires Ballot

The Baseball Hall Of Fame finally released the ballots for consideration by various parts of the Veterans Committee for 2010 induction.

Of the ten candidates on the 2008 Managers & Umpires ballot (voted in December 2007), two were elected, and seven of the other eight return for re-consideration on this cycle. If nothing else, that should speed up my review of the candidates, as there are only three new faces.

Candidates who have been considered previously by any version of the Veterans Committee since 2003 -- when VC voting results were first released (prior editions of the VC simply announced the names of electees) -- have their prior voting returns noted.

When evaluating managerial seasons, I'm only closely considering those years where the candidate was the manager for over half the season, though noteworthy fractional seasons will be mentioned. And while the "best season" tends to be chosen by regular season winning percentage, that's not always the case -- a World Series championship might be viewed as better than a stronger W-L record.

The "Connections" category indicates where the candidate has a direct, past working relationship with one or more voters (this does not apply to all candidates). The Managers & Umpires committee has 16 electors; the Hall considers them demographically to be ten Hall honorees, three former or current executives, and three baseball writers. Looking more closely, though, we find that twelve of the committee members were major league players and/or managers, and seven of them have been on the same team simultaneously with some of the candidates (well, six; one is a curious connection). I find this adds some potential perspective to how the voters might approach the candidates, if they really liked (or despised) someone they know personally from being on the same team. The 2010 committee voters are: HOFers Jim Bunning, Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Al Kaline, Tommy Lasorda, Phil Niekro, Tony Perez, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams, and Dick Williams; executives Jim Frey (managed), Roland Hemond, and Bob Watson (played), and writers Tim Kurkjian, Jack O'Connell, and Tom Verducci.

Finally, an asterisk * marks which team the candidate managed that I think would best represent his career on a Hall plaque, should he be elected.

Voting results will be announced on December 7.


Here are the ten candidates on the Managers & Umpires ballot, in the traditional alphabetical order.

Manager candidates (eight).

1. Charlie Grimm (managerial record / player record)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 19 (14 full time/majority, 5 partial) -- *Chicago Cubs 1932-38, '44-49, '60, Boston/Milwaukee Braves 1952-56.
Career W-L record: 1287-1067 (.547).
Best season: 1935 Cubs, 100-54 (.649), first place by +4 games, NL pennant.
Worst season: 1948 Cubs, 64-90 (.416), 8th place (dead last) by -27.5 games (-0.5 games behind seventh place).
Finishes: first place four times (1932, 1935, 1938 (Grimm did not finish the season), 1945), second place three times, third place five times, 4th - once, 6th - once, 7th - once, 8th - once.
Postseason appearances: three (1932, 1935, 1945), and managed the 1938 Cubs a little more than halfway into the season.
Postseason W-L record: 5-12 (.294).
Postseason series record: 0-3.
Championships: zero. Well, he was running the Cubs, what could anyone expect?

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Hank Aaron, Richie Ashburn, Ernie Banks, Kiki Cuyler, Dizzy Dean, Jimmie Foxx, Burleigh Grimes, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Chuck Klein, Tony Lazzeri, Freddie Lindstrom, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, coached Billy Williams.
Award winners: 1935 NL MVP Hartnett, 1945 NL MVP Phil Cavarretta.
Key rookies debuted: Aaron.

Connections: coached Billy Williams for three seasons (1961-63).

Baseball bonus points: Grimm was a player for 20 seasons (1916, '18-36) with the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs; and was a player-manager, an extinct breed today, for his last five seasons (1932-36). A first baseman, he was around a league average hitter, some good seasons, some not so good.

Claims to fame: manager of the Chicago Cubs for three National League pennant seasons and part of a fourth one. The last man to get the Cubs to the World Series! Maybe the Ricketts family should have him exhumed, his DNA analyzed, and a new version cloned to run the Cubs. Just a thought.

Grimm took the Cubs to the World Series -- more than once! -- and that's the sort of thing which, while perhaps not that amazing at the time, is the stuff of myth and legend in certain northern Chicago neighborhoods today. He was good at getting winning results, only posting three full losing seasons over his managing career. I don't have a strong sense of great accomplishment, but the mere thought of a Cubs World Series team is so remote, so abstract, that any manager who could make it manifest not once, but three times (and strongly contributed toward a fourth), has to be Hall worthy. I might change my mind with further review, but heck, let's go with it. Cubs fans need something to rejoice.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


2. Whitey Herzog (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, turned 78 this month (November 2009).

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 31.6% (25 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 35.8% (29 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: 68.8% (11 of 16 votes; tied for highest non-elected return, one vote short).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 18 (14 full time/majority, 4 partial) -- Texas Rangers 1973, California Angels 1974, Kansas City Royals 1975-79, *St. Louis Cardinals 1980-90.
Career W-L record: 1281-1125 (.532).
Best season: 1977 Royals, 102-60 (.630), first place by +8 games, AL West champion.
Worst season: 1973 Rangers, 47-91 (.341), 6th place (dead last) by -37 games (-20 games behind fifth place). Herzog did not last the season.
Finishes: first place six times (1976-78, 1982, 1985, 1987), second place once, third place three times, 4th - once, 5th - once, 6th - once. Took the 1981 Cardinals to second place in both halves of the strike-split season, which overall was the best record in the NL East, but the Cards stayed home in that unusual October.
Postseason appearances: six (1976-78, 1982, 1985, 1987).
Postseason W-L record: 26-25 (.510).
Postseason series record: 4-5.
Championships: one, 1982 St. Louis Cardinals. Probably should have won in 1985 as well, but let's not revisit that situation. There was more involved than just one bad call.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: George Brett, Frank Robinson, Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter.
Award winners: 1985 NL MVP Willie McGee, 1985 NL ROY Vince Coleman, 1986 NL ROY Todd Worrell.

Honors: 1985 National League Manager Of The Year Award.

Connections: teammate of Dick Williams for four seasons (1959-62, with two different teams), teammate of Bunning and Kaline for one season (1963); very briefly served as Angels manager preceding Dick Williams (1974).

Baseball bonus points: Herzog was a player for eight seasons (1956-63) with the Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Primarily he was a fourth outfielder (mostly right field), but he did play in over 80 games four times. A little above league average as a hitter. This part of his career was never going to get him into the Hall, though.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1982 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, and had two other World Series appearances. Known as the "White Rat". Acted as his own general manager during his St. Louis tenure, building the teams he then took to the Series. A leader in shaping the conceptual bullpen into the artwork of relief pitching the best ones are today -- middle relievers who work to get the game to The Closer, who nails it down. His best teams played "small ball" style, getting on base and running, which worked well on Busch Stadium's artificial turf.

Good career, maybe even very good, but not really great. If he'd climbed into another dugout after leaving the Cardinals, put together another contender (or champion!), piled on another four or six winning seasons -- but he did not do that. Herzog gave us about 2/3 of a Hall-class career. I wanted more.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


3. Davey Johnson (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, will turn 67 in January 2010.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 14 (13 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- *New York Mets 1984-90, Cincinnati Reds 1993-95, Baltimore Orioles 1996-97, Los Angeles Dodgers 1999-2000.
Career W-L record: 1148-888 (.564).
Best season: 1986 Mets, 108-54 (.667), first place by +21.5 games, NL East champion, NL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1993 Reds, 53-65 (.449), 5th place (of 7) by -31 games -- and Johnson didn't start this season for Cincinnati.
Finishes: first place five times (1986, 1988, 1994 for what that season was worth, 1995, 1997), second place six times, third place once, 5th place once.
Postseason appearances: five (1986, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997).
Postseason W-L record: 23-23 (.500).
Postseason series record: 5-4.
Championships: one, 1986 New York Mets.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Jr. Probably a few more in time, like Mike Piazza.
Award winners: 1984 NL ROY & 1985 NL CYA Dwight Gooden, 1995 NL MVP Barry Larkin.
Key rookies debuted: Eric Gagne.

Honors: 1997 American League Manager Of The Year Award, despite being fired after the season and before the award was announced.

Connections: teammate of Niekro for two seasons (1973-74); succeeded Perez as Reds manager (1993).

Baseball bonus points: Johnson was a player for 13 seasons (1965-75, '77-78) with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs, and also played two seasons for the Tokyo Giants. A good hitter with two sterling seasons. Played second base. Four All-Star selections (one start), three Gold Gloves at second base, and a member of the 1970 World Series champion Orioles. Johnson was on the Hall's player ballot once, getting 3 votes, below 1%.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets, a team he helped build. Johnson was a notoriously winning manager, and had only one full, losing season.

Johnson was a consistent winner, one that many players liked playing for, and clearly was quite smart at his job. And yet he couldn't keep a job, and never got another chance after 2000. Why this was, I don't know. (Johnson managed Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and recently was hired as an adviser by the Washington Nationals). Johnson got winning results -- only once finished below second place in a full season at the helm -- and I'm good with that.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


4. Tom Kelly (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, turned 59 in August 2009.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 16 (15 full time, 1 partial) -- *Minnesota Twins 1986-2001.
Career W-L record: 1140-1244 (.478).
Best season: 1991 Twins, 95-67 (.586), first place by +8 games, AL West champion, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1995 Twins, 56-88 (.389), 5th place (dead last) by -44 games (-9 games behind fourth place).
Finishes: first place two times (1987, 1991), second place three times, fourth place four times, 5th - four times, 6th - once, 7th - once.
Postseason appearances: two (1987, 1991).
Postseason W-L record: 16-8 (.667).
Postseason series record: 4-0.
Championships: two, 1987 and 1991 Minnesota Twins.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Steve Carlton, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Dave Winfield.
Award winners: 1988 AL CYA Frank Viola, 1991 AL ROY Chuck Knoblauch, 1995 AL ROY Marty Cordova.
Key rookies debuted: Johan Santana.

Honors: 1991 American League Manager Of The Year Award.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: Kelly had a very brief major league playing career, as a part-time first baseman for the 1975 Twins. A cursory review of his stats shows why it was brief -- he couldn't hit. Turns out that he was pretty good at managing, though, so that's good.

Claims to fame: manager of two World Series champions, the 1987 and 1991 Minnesota Twins. An old school, one team for life man -- all of his major league playing and managing has been for the Twins.

Kelly was a reliable touchstone in Minneapolis, slogging away in the Metrodome for 16 seasons, writing Puckett's and Molitor's and Hrbek's names in the lineup, putting Blyleven or Viola on the mound, making the call for Reardon. Two championships in five years is great, the sort of accomplishment that tends only to happen on the banks of the Harlem River in these wild card modern times. But other than the title seasons and three second-place finishes, Kelly couldn't really get any mileage out of the Twins, not finishing above fourth place or with a winning record. Sure, nothing is better to have than sheer talent on the field, but craft and guile and tactics and strategies should buy a little more than fourth place, at least sometimes. Kelly left on a high note, the 2001 team which finished second, and set up the handful of postseason appearances that have followed, but overall I think there just isn't enough magic there to unlock the doors to the Hall.

Chipmaker's vote: No. I'd rather vote Yes, but it wouldn't seem honest.


5. Billy Martin (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 27.8% (22 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 14.8% (12 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 16 (15 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- Minnesota Twins 1969, Detroit Tigers 1971-73, Texas Rangers 1973-75, *New York Yankees 1975-78, '79, '83, '85, '88, Oakland Athletics 1980-82.
Career W-L record: 1253-1013 (.553).
Best season: 1977 Yankees, 100-62 (.617), first place by +2.5 games, AL East champion, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1982 Athletics, 68-94 (.420), 5th place (of 7) by -25 games.
Finishes: first place five (and one half) times (1969, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981), second place four (and one half) times, third place three times, 4th - once, 5th - once.
Postseason appearances: five (1969, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1981), and managed the 1978 Yankees about 60% into the season.
Postseason W-L record: 15-19 (.441).
Postseason series record: 4-4.
Championships: one, 1977 New York Yankees. Managed the 1978 Yankees for more than the first half of the season but was not with the team when they hoisted the trophy.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Rod Carew, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry, Dave Winfield.
Award winners: 1969 AL MVP Killebrew, 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs, 1974 AL ROY Mike Hargrove, 1976 AL MVP Thurman Munson, 1977 AL CYA Sparky Lyle, 1978 AL CYA Ron Guidry, 1985 AL MVP Don Mattingly.

Honors: The Yankees have retired Martin's #1 jersey.

Connections: teammate of Bunning and Kaline for one season (1958); managed Kaline for three seasons (1971-73), Jenkins for two seasons (1974-75), Niekro for one season (1985).

Baseball bonus points: Martin was a player for 11 seasons (1950-53, '55-61), mostly a second baseman, for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and Minnesota Twins. A member of four Yankees championship teams (1951, '52, '53, & '56) and MVP of the 1953 World Series. An All-Star selection in 1956.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1977 World Series champion New York Yankees, and was leading a title defense (ultimately successful) in 1978 when he got fired from the job. Became something of a punchline, being hired (and fired) by the Yankees five different times. Not known for self-control, diplomacy, measured sobriety, or well-managed anger issues.

Martin whipped teams into shape quickly and got some winning results, but his style was too mercurial and he never stayed long. Players and front offices burned out when dealing with Martin. He brought headlines, success, winning, and a championship to Yankee Stadium and entertainingly bantered with Reggie regularly; those sorts of actions brought the spotlight and made him memorable. But I cannot see that Martin's career, as a manager or in total, has enough historical weight for the Hall.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


6. Gene Mauch (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 26 (25 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- *Philadelphia Phillies 1960-68, Montreal Expos 1969-75, Minnesota Twins 1976-80, California Angels 1981-82 & '85-87.
Career W-L record: 1902-2037 (.483).
Best season: 1982 Angels, 93-69 (.574), first place by +3 games, AL West champion.
Worst season: 1961 Phillies, 47-107 (.305), 8th place (dead last) by -46 games (-17 games behind seventh place), a genuine disaster of a team that included a modern record 23 game losing streak.
Finishes: first place two times (1982, 1986), second place two times, third place two times, 4th - seven, 5th - four, 6th - three, 7th - twice, 8th - twice.
Postseason appearances: two (1982, 1986).
Postseason W-L record: 5-7 (.417).
Postseason series record: 0-2.
Championships: zero.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Jim Bunning, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins, Robin Roberts, Don Sutton.
Award winners: 1964 NL ROY Dick Allen, 1970 NL ROY Carl Morton, 1977 AL MVP Carew, 1979 AL ROY John Castino.
Key rookies debuted: Wally Joyner.

Connections: managed Bunning for five seasons (1964-68) and Jenkins for two (1965-66).

Baseball bonus points: Mauch was a player nine seasons (1944, '47-52, '56-57) with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox, primarily at second base, but he was strictly a backup player (he only once had more than 200 at-bats).

Claims to fame: Unfortunately for Mauch, his most familiar mention in the history books is with the 1964 Phillies, a team that collapsed in the final weeks of the season. The other prominent note about him is that he never managed in a World Series. These are not really the top line-items that should begin a Hall-class career record.

Mauch managed forever and made plenty of friends in baseball. He does carry much responsibility for that terrible 1964 pennant race burnout, he overworked his pitchers, but Mauch wasn't on the field and there's plenty of blame for all. A good manager but not a great one; the great ones can mold a team into winning shape in some few seasons.Mauch had lots of second-division (bottom half) finishes. Not enough in his managerial career proclaims Hall-worthiness. A strong candidate doesn't have to have championships or even postseason appearances, but there has to be some winning. Mauch doesn't have enough of it.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


7. Danny Murtaugh (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 37.5% (6 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 15 (13 full time/majority, 2 partial) -- *Pittsburgh Pirates 1957-64, '67, '70-71, '73-76.
Career W-L record: 1115-950 (.540).
Best season: 1960 Pirates, 95-59 (.617), first place by +7 games, NL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1963 Pirates, 74-88 (.457), 8th place (of 10) by -25 games.
Finishes: first place five times (1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975), second place two times, fourth place twice, 6th - three times, 8th - once.
Postseason appearances: five (1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975).
Postseason W-L record: 12-16 (.429).
Postseason series record: 3-3.
Championships: two, 1960 and 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell.
Award winners: 1960 NL MVP Don Groat, 1960 MLB CYA Vern Law.
Key rookies debuted: Stargell.

Honors: The Pirates have retired Murtaugh's #40 jersey.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: Murtaugh was a player for nine seasons (1941-43, '46-51) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and the Pirates, mostly as a second baseman. Led the NL with 18 stolen bases in his rookie season, which says more about the NL and its style of play in those days than it does about Murtaugh.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1960 and 1971 World Series champion Pirates teams. Won The Sporting News' Manager Of The Year Award in 1960 and 1970.

While Murtaugh didn't always run a winner, he did get strong efforts and winning results out of his teams (having Clemente and Mazeroski and Stargell surely helped). He never had a disaster team -- only three losing seasons, and only one of those by more than -4 games. I supported his candidacy on the 2008 ballot and, while I wasn't certain that was the right call, I still like the cut of his jib, so I'm good with holding out another thumbs-up.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


8. Steve O'Neill (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 14 (13 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- Cleveland Indians 1935-37, *Detroit Tigers 1943-48, Boston Red Sox 1950-51, Philadelphia Phillies 1952-54.
Career W-L record: 1040-821 (.559).
Best season: 1945 Tigers, 88-65 (.575), first place by +1.5 games, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1943 Tigers, 78-76 (.506), 5th place (of eight) by -20 games, and 1948 Tigers, also 78-76 (.506), also 5th place (of eight) by -18.5 games.
Finishes: first place one time (1945), second place three times, third place two times, 4th - four times, 5th - three times.
Postseason appearances: one (1945).
Postseason W-L record: 4-3 (.571).
Postseason series record: 1-0.
Championships: one, 1945 Detroit Tigers (besting fellow candidate Charlie Grimm's Chicago Cubs).

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Richie Ashburn, Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Bobby Doerr, Bob Feller, Hank Greenberg, George Kell, Hal Newhouser, Robin Roberts, Ted Williams.
Award winners: 1944 & 1945 AL MVP Newhouser.
Key rookies debuted: Feller.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: O'Neill was a player for 17 seasons (1911-25, '27-28) with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Browns. A catcher, he wasn't much of a hitter outside of his age 27-30 peak. O'Neill came from a baseball family; three other brothers played in the majors -- Jack (another C), Jim (2B), and Mike (a starting pitcher). O'Neill was a member of the 1920 World Series champion Indians.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1945 World Series champion Detroit Tigers. Never posting a losing W-L record in any managing season, even when finishing as low as fifth place.

O'Neill's distinction of never having a losing record on the season is impressive, and yet he only has the one first place finish. That's like today's Houston Astros -- hang around, be good, hope for lucky, except back in O'Neill's day there were no relief options like divisions or the wild card berth by which to limp into the postseason. His teams, particularly the Tigers (which benefited from the opposition's depleted wartime rosters), were good but not often enough great. A championship is a great feat that stands forever, and certainly O'Neill knew how to win, but I'm thinking there should have been at least one more World Series appearance to seal the deal for this Hall candidate.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


Umpire candidates (two).

9. Doug Harvey (umpiring record)

Personal status: living, will turn 80 in March 2010.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 60.8% (48 of 79 votes, highest return on the ballot).
2007 VC ballot: 64.2% (52 of 81 votes, highest return on the ballot).
2008 VC ballot: 68.8% (11 of 16 votes, tied for highest non-elected return).

Claims to fame: Harvey was a National League umpire for 31 years, back in the days when the leagues ran as separate offices and hired their own, independent umpiring crews. Worked 14 postseason series and six All-Star Games.

I consider umpires part of the framework of the game of baseball, best seen only lightly. As such, I don't think there is great need for them to be honored as inductees to the Hall. But the players, both in public statements and by the voting returns on the 2003 and 2007 VC ballots (when the electorate was player-dominated), clearly consider Harvey to be a serious candidate for induction. I have neither standing nor interest to contradict that consensus, though if Harvey was going to reach the necessary 75%, he probably should have made it by now. I've supported him before and I won't recant that, but my evaluation is strictly based upon a parroting of the players' views. They like him, okay, fine by me. He got 11 votes in 2008, so let's see him get 12 this time.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes. Hey, the players like him. Good enough.


10. Hank O'Day (complete major league service record, umpiring at the bottom)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 25.0% (4 of 16 votes).

Baseball bonus points: O'Day was a player for seven seasons (1884-90) with the Toledo Blue Stockings (American Association), Pittsburgh Alleghenys (AA), Washington Nationals (National League), New York Giants (NL), and New York Giants (Players League). He was a starting pitcher, but not a particularly good one. O'Day also spent two seasons managing, for the 1912 Cincinnati Reds and the 1914 Chicago Cubs, finishing with a 153-154 (.498) record.

Claims to fame: National League umpire for 30 years (1895, 1897-1911, 1913, 1915-27), with a handful of games in five other, earlier seasons as well. Officiated in ten World Series, including being the only NL ump in the three of the first four (1903, '05, '07). One of the umpires in the 1908 "Merkle's Boner" game that ended in a tie, forcing a replay game a few weeks later to decide the National League pennant.

Evaluating an umpire objectively is difficult even today -- and O'Day's career was a century ago. O'Day is a good candidate, but I'm not a strong supporter of umpires for the Hall, and I'm already backing Harvey, and that without enthusiasm. Impressive and diverse career, but not what I'm looking to have honored.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


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Summary of Chipmaker's Yes votes: Grimm, Johnson, Murtaugh, Harvey.

If I could vote for only one: Johnson.

Coming soon: the Executives (& Pioneers) ballot review.

The HOF's New VC, Part 2: The Managers & Umpires Ballot

Part of the Hall's re-constituted Veterans Committee will vote on the current Managers & Umpires ballot on December 2 at the Winter Meetings, with results announced on December 3. I'm hoping that total votes will be released, but it may be a simple in/out list, which is so much less interesting.

The ten candidates on this imminent M&U ballot. Candidates who were on the previous VC ballot (February 2007) will have very brief comments, unless I see a need to substantially reconsider my opinion from then to now. In the ever-popular alphabetic order, managers first:

1. (Manager #1) Whitey Herzog

Reviewed in February.

2003 VC ballot: 31.6%
2007 VC ballot: 35.8%

Good career. Not a great one. Whitey was good, but only delivered half, maybe 60% of a Hall-class career, and I don't know why he never got back into a dugout.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

2. (Manager #2) Davey Johnson

Claims to fame: manager of the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers, a total of 14 seasons. A short career but a brilliant one -- other than an inherited Reds team, Johnson's teams finished in first five times, second seven times, and third once. Career 1148 wins and a .564 winning percentage, and the monster 1986 Mets championship, a team he helped build. Won the 1997 American League Manager Of The Year Award despite being fired by the Orioles at the end of the season.

Baseball bonus points: was a player for 13 seasons, with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs, plus almost two complete seasons with the Tokyo Giants (click to see his stats in Japan -- scroll down about 4/5 of the page). A four-time All-Star, three Gold Gloves at second base, and a member of the 1970 World Series champion Orioles. Probably best remembered, as a player, for hitting 43 homers in 1973, becoming (with Evans (41) and Aaron (40)) the first 40+ HR trio of teammates. (Was on the Hall's player ballot once, got 3 votes, below 1%, and was relegated.)

Johnson was always a proven winner, one players spoke highly of, and yet -- and yet. Why couldn't this man keep a managerial job? He was a smart manager, maybe too smart, as he got fired four times in an 11-year period despite winning results on the field. And that he never got picked up after his last ouster in 2000 says something, but exactly what and about whom (either Johnson or how various owners and GMs viewed him) is uncertain. He knew what he was doing in the dugout and got results, and it's hard to evaluate him on anything other than that. Damn good manager; I'm going to give him the nod.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.

3. (Manager #3) Billy Martin

Reviewed in February.

2003 VC ballot: 27.8%
2007 VC ballot: 14.8%

Fiery, sure. Whipped teams into shape for a short haul, burned them out for anything longer. If he hadn't managed the Yankees to one championship (and then got fired during a successful defense thereof) and mixed it up with Reggie now and then, he wouldn't be half so remembered as he is. Doesn't have the historical weight to merit the Hall.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

4. (Manager #4) Gene Mauch

Claims to fame: 26 seasons as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Montréal Expos (from the start of the franchise), Minnesota Twins, and California Angels. Notorious for never managing in the World Series, and best-remembered (unfortunately) for the 1964 Phillies, a team that collapsed in the final two weeks. Two AL West titles with the Angels, both times being stopped in the ALCS. Career 1902 wins, .483 winning percentage.

Baseball bonus points: was a player for nine seasons (1944, '47-52, '56-57) with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox, but was never more than a spare part. Typically played second base.

Mauch stuck around a long time and made a lot of friends. He does own a lot of responsibility for the 1964 crash, as he overworked the pitchers, but he wasn't one of the guys on the field and it was bad enough for the blame to be spread around widely. A good manager but not a great one; the great ones can whip a team into shape even if it takes a few seasons. Hey, no one can hammer the manager of a first-year expansion team, it's a job and someone has to do it -- but in seven years with the Expos, they never finished above fourth (of six), and there wasn't any particularly powerful contender during that span -- Pittsburgh was the most dominant but could be beaten, and the 1973 NL East was simply begging some team to win it. And it was much the same in Minnesota, and most of his time in Philadelphia -- lots of second-division (bottom half) finishes. I cannot see anything in Mauch's managerial career that stands up and proclaims Hall-worthiness. There doesn't have to be championships or even division titles, but there has to be some winning.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

5. (Manager #5) Danny Murtaugh

Claims to fame: longtime manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates (15 seasons in four tenures from 1957-76). Skipper of the 1960 and 1971 World Series champion teams. Three other NL East titles. Career of 1115 wins and a .540 winning percentage. Continued to work for the Pirates in other roles during the gaps in his managerial career. Won The Sporting News' Manager Of The Year Award in 1960 and 1970.

Baseball bonus points: was a player for nine seasons (1941-43, '46-51) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and the Pirates. Four seasons as a regular, mostly played second base. Useful but mainly a spare part. Led the NL with 18 stolen bases in his rookie season, which says a little bit about Murtaugh and a lot more about the National League in 1941.

A Pirates lifer, basically, and while he didn't always run a winner he was good at getting value out of his team; never had a complete disaster team. Even his bad finishes, ranking-wise, weren't teams with especially bad records -- under .500, two times barely (75-79, 80-82) and only one other, strongly losing season, finishing at .457. And of course, two trophies are a sweet and rare accomplishment, though when your squad has guys like Clemente, Stargell, and Mazeroski playing it makes it that much easier. Knew what he was doing, and twice got the big prize (the 1960 title by the skin of the teeth, but a win is a win; Murtaugh did get the team into position for Maz to end it in dramatic fashion). I might change my mind tomorrow or next week, but right now I like Murtaugh's record.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.

6. (Manager #6) Billy Southworth

Claims to fame: 13 seasons as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Braves. Player-manager in 1929, a breed extinct today. Won four National League pennants (1942-44 with the Cardinals, 1948 with the Braves) and two World Series championships (1942, 1944). Never finished below fourth place, and his only two losing seasons were partial ones, in his first and last managing seasons. Career 1044 wins and a sterling .597 winning percentage.

Baseball bonus points: was a player for 13 seasons (1913, '15, '18-27, '29) with the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, New York Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals. Good but not great hitter. Mainly played right field. Member of the 1924 NL champion Giants, when he did very little in the World Series, and the 1926 World Series champion Cardinals, where he was the starting RF for all seven games as the Cards knocked off the Yankees, batting .345 with a double, triple, and home run. Led the NL in triples in 1919. Good player, but clearly this part of his career wasn't going to get him into the Hall -- he was on the writers ballot seven times between 1945 and 1958, and peaked at 6.8% (under today's rules he'd have been relegated after his first ballot).

The wartime years might have been a bit thinner for baseball, but Southworth made the most of them, bringing home three pennants and two trophies. And that winning percentage, .597, is fifth-best among long-time managers, behind HOFers McCarthy, Comiskey, and Selee, and Mutrie (and the next seven behind Southworth are HOFers as well, so ten of the top twelve). Not a long career but, like Johnson, a brilliant one, both in wins and hardware. I don't know why the Hall hasn't welcomed this man already.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.

7. (Manager #7) Dick Williams

Reviewed in February.

2003 VC ballot: 41.8%
2007 VC ballot: 37.0%

Wore out his welcomes, though not as quickly as Martin did. Popular when winning but never got a break when losing; didn't build up the goodwill needed to get a chance to pull out of a dive. Short-term managers have their purposes, but adorning a Hall plaque isn't one of them.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

8. (Umpire #1) Doug Harvey

Reviewed in February.

2003 VC ballot: 60.8% (highest return on ballot)
2007 VC ballot: 64.2% (highest return on ballot)

I don't see much need for the Hall to honor umpires, as to me they are not participants in the game, but part of the framework. So I don't really care if an umpire gets elected or not. The previous VC, which was player-heavy, obviously liked Harvey but not enough. The new electorate has eight former players, two former managers, three executives, and three writers. If these players like Harvey, he'll probably get in. If they don't, he won't. So far they've liked him, but he needs 12 of 16. I think he'll get it, but no tears if he doesn't.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes, as before, but again I'm just riding the player pool opinion.

9. (Umpire #2) Hank O'Day

Claims to fame: National League umpire for 29 years (1895, 1897-1911, 1913, 1915-27). Officiated in ten World Series, including being the only NL ump in the three of the first four (1903, '05, '07). Developed a stand-offish persona for professional reasons, as one- or two-man crews were the norm of the time, and he wanted to avoid even potential improprieties; this became the bedrock of his reputation for excellence. One of the umpires in the 1908 "Merkle's Boner" game that ended in a tie, forcing a replay game a few weeks later to decide the NL title.

Baseball bonus points: started out as a player, lasting seven years mainly as a pitcher, with the Toledo Blue Stockings (American Association), Pittsburgh Alleghenys (AA), Washington Nationals (National League), New York Giants (NL), and New York Giants (Players League), from 1884-90. His 329 IP workload in his final season left his arm too sore to continue. Adequate but nothing great, and no hitter whatsoever. O'Day was also a manager for two seasons, in 1912 for the Cincinnati Reds and 1914 for the Chicago Cubs. Both teams finished in fourth place; O'Day finished with 153 wins and a .498 winning percentage.

It's nearly impossible to assess an umpire objectively even in modern times, and O'Day's career was a century ago. Legends tend only to grow over time. I think O'Day is a good candidate and might be a good HOFer some day, but my general view of umpires still applies, and I've already cast a fainthearted vote for Harvey. So, not this time. Impressively varied career though.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

10. (Umpire #3) Cy Rigler

Claims to fame: longtime National League umpire (1906-35, 30 years). Credited for creating umpire hand-signaling for balls and strikes, a technique he pioneered while still working in the minors. An expert in groundskeeping and field layout. Worked in ten World Series. Noted for having a thick skin and great patience during on-field arguments, and had a dominating physical presence.

Another impressive career, but like O'Day another (very) olde-tymer. If Rigler is a sufficiently critical part of baseball history (and just for the hand signals alone, he deserves a lot of credit), he should have been in the Hall before now. So, another good candidate, but not this year.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

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Summary of Chipmaker's Yes votes: Johnson, Murtaugh, Southworth, Harvey.

If I could vote for only one: Southworth.

Coming soon: the Executives ballot.