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Class 9 Hall of Fame Inductee – Al Kaline Scores Again
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Voting for the TCBA
Players’ Hall of Fame concluded this week with only one new
member being enshrined. Mr. VitaMan himself, Al Kaline, who spent his entire 22-season career with Hyde Park, joined the elite club by receiving
86.2% of the vote. Al Kaline is one of those rare players whose loyalty to
his team was never questioned. Joining the Hyde Park team for TCBA 1954, Kaline spent his entire career wearing the white VM on
his blue cap, retiring following the 1975 TCBA season. It’s been 39 years
since his retirement, and yet Kaline remains one of
the most beloved Hyde Park-Beacon players. Al’s career numbers are indeed impressive:
G-#13 with 2675, AB-#13 with 9964, R-#17 with 1621, H-#15 with 2855, 2b-#20
with 521, BB-#21 with 1233. Kaline added 355
homeruns and 1264 RBI to complete a remarkable career. Kaline
helped lead the VitaMen to three successive TCBA
championships from 1956-1958 and batted over .300 eight times, including .334
in 1959. In that season, Hyde Park attempted to win a fourth consecutive
title but was defeated in the semi-final round, despite seven hits by Kaline in the 7-game series. Despite the obvious choice of Kaline as a Hall of Fame member, the election results
were overshadowed more by players who did NOT gain entry. Although it is
unfair to detract from Kaline’s accomplishments, it
was impossible to ignore the voters’ rejection of seemingly worthy
candidates. Closest to gaining entry was Ferguson
Jenkins, who received 67.6% of the vote. Jenkins had no official comment, but
did point out that his name will reappear on the Class 10 list up for
consideration in July 2014. Those who did not get the call this time
but who will be reconsidered in the future include, among others: Juan Marichal (56%), Jim Kaat (49%),
Eddie Collins (45%), George Sisler (42%), Tim
Raines (42%), Eppa Rixey
(41%), and Norm Cash (39%). Those players at least get to continue to dream
of having their day. There were several players who saw their
Hall of Fame hopes die in this election, including Rick Reuschel.
The pitcher had gained very heavy support in three previous elections, and it
was expected that he would gain entry this time around; but it was not to be.
Voters rejected Reuschel despite his impressive
career standing. Reuschel was gracious, but honest
when asked about the vote: “I had a career with which I am very proud:
218 wins ranks 30th all-time. There are
some other areas where I rank pretty high. I thought perhaps the voters would
agree, but apparently not. I’m okay with that. I had a great TCBA career. I
enjoyed every roll of the dice for those 16 seasons, played for some great
managers. Wood, Warren, Lafargue,
McEneaney, Kirwin – I’ve been very
fortunate in my career. I thank all the voters who did support me, I guess it just wasn’t
to be.” Others who saw the door to the Hall close
permanently include: Gary Carter, David Cone, Chili Davis, Bibb Falk, Dick Groat, Bill Hands, Jon Matlack,
Bob Meusel, Jeff Montgomery, Jeff Reardon, Ron
Santo, Dave Stieb, Frank Tanana, Frank Viola, Curt
Walker, Bob Welch, Billy Williams, and Cy Williams. The next class of Hall of Fame candidates
will be Class 10, currently scheduled to be announced on July 1, 2014. CLASS 9 Voting Totals:
Source:
TCBA Encyclopedia |
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