Posted By:
warshawlawI am by no means an expert on the PCL but I do know some of its history.
First, the PCL as many minor leagues of the day, was not a feeder to the majors like we think of them today. The concept of a farm system was created by Branch Rickey in the 1930's with the Cardinals. The PCL was an independent league during the years when O'Doul was there, meaning that they had to agree to sell the player to the majors. It was not until the depression that the PCL teams desperate to stay afloat entered into a subservient arrangement with the majors. Some teams did have working relations with specific major league teams prior to that. The deal cut both ways: when DiMaggio came up with SF, he was considered a $100,000 sale prospect. He injured his knee and was rapidly devalued and sold for $25,000 to the Yankees.
Second, O'Doul was recognized as a really good hitter during his pitching days. Babe Ruth in his autobiography states that he and Huggins discussed converting the then pitcher ODoul into an outfielder but that things never got to that point before the Yankees released him. ODoul tried to make it as a pitcher for a couple of years in the PCL then tore the cover off the ball as a hitter and was brought to the majors.
Third, there are a number of players in the HOF who were elected and who were dominant for about 5 years then merely filled time to make up the service requirement. Koufax and Dean come to mind.
Lastly, the HOF is a hall of FAME, not a hall of stats. Where a player has raw stats that make him worthy of being remembered, he should be elected. Similarly, where a player/manager/executive has the overall package of service that makes him worthy of remembrance, he should be elected.