For Negro League aficionados & experts: I would like to hear your opinions

[Scocs]

This thread is so unbelievable because I was going to start a thread this week about the idea of Net54 members petitioning the Hall of Fame on this exact subject.

Over the past six months, I have written two letters to the president of the National Baseball HOF, Jeff Idelson, imploring him to reconvene a special committee to examine Negro League player induction. The first and only time it met was back in 2006 when they inducted 12 players and five executives, spanning a nearly one hundred year period. These two letters have been met with silence.

Jeff Idelson was then quoted last year by Sporting News that that was the only time they were going to open the gates of Cooperstown to Negro League players. Needless to say I was incensed and now ask all of you who are interested to bombard Mr. Idelson with "strongly-worded" letters of disapproval and outrage.

Here is his contact info:

Mr. Jeff Idelson
President
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Thank you all for your support and to have this great sport finally recognize the achievements of these men!

Scott Segal

[Scocs]

P.S.

I would definitely include:

Dick Lundy
Oliver Marcelle
Grant "Home Run" Johnson
John Donaldson
Alejandro Oms


...and certainly would root for:

Clint Thomas
Bruce Petway
Spotswood Poles
Dobie Moore
John Beckwith
Nip Winters
Dick "Cannonball" Redding
Newt Allen
Bingo DeMoss

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Scocs

P.S.

I would definitely include:

Dick Lundy
Oliver Marcelle
Grant "Home Run" Johnson
John Donaldson
Alejandro Oms


...and certainly would root for:

Clint Thomas
Bruce Petway
Spotswood Poles
Dobie Moore
John Beckwith
Nip Winters
Dick "Cannonball" Redding
Newt Allen
Bingo DeMoss

Love the "root for" comment.... and think that your are right that they are long shots... not sure if I had mentioned Chino Smith, but I may also add him to the long shot category....

[bcbgcbrcb]

Ed Bolden has to be at the top of any Negro League Executives list.

[Scocs]

True, if you induct Dobie Moore, seems like you have to take Chino Smith too.

Not sure about lifetime accomplishments, but Ed Wesley and Dave Malarchar?

[btcarfagno]

My off the radar choice would be Quincy Trouppe.

Tom C

[Scocs]

Anybody else feel a sense of righteous indignation enough to write letters to the Hall of Fame?

Mr. Idelson wil perhaps take this issue more seriously if he hears mutiple voices speaking out.

No slight against the late Ron Santo, but if he could get in through a "Golden Committee" session after both the regular (15 years worth of voting) and Veterans committees rejected his induction, then these Negro Leaguers deserve at least another chance at Cooperstown. That's what justice looks like....

Thank you again!

[aljurgela]

Hey Scott.... I do that it is a worthwhile cause and believe that I will send a letter. It is a true injustice... especially when you look at Marcelle vs. Santo. Makes my blood boil. Best,

[Scocs]

FWIW, I just wanted to let everyone know I mailed Jeff Idelson another letter a couple of days ago. It would send a powerful message if other Forum members did the same, so please consider writing to the Hall of Fame to support allowing more Negro Leaguers in.

At present, they have no plans to consider inducting any of them anymore!

Thanks,
Scott

[toledo_mudhen]

On a related note - if ya ever get to Kansas City the Negro League Baseball Museum at 18th and Vine is a day well spent. Tons of stuff. Buck O'Neill was very instrumental in making this go.

http://nlbm.com/s/index.cfm