When the HOF had its first vote in 1936, only 5 players got in -- but many more received votes. Hal Chase had the 25th most votes, ahead of 18 eventual HOFers including Three Finger Brown, Sam Crawford, John McGraw, Connie Mack, Bill Terry and Al Simmons. In the 1937 vote, Chase received more votes and moved up to 22nd on the list of most votes, ahead of 32 eventual HOFers. But for his criminal actions, Chase would have been a HOF lock. He was roundly recognized as the best first baseman of his time by not just the press but his peers as well.
Last edited by calvindog; 01-07-2010 at 07:48 AM.
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