Hall of Stats

The Pre-Integration Ballot is out and there are reasons to be happy and reasons to be disappointed. Today, I’m focusing on why I'm excited.

• Doc Adams is on the ballot: It’s no secret that I was pulling for Adams to make his first-ever appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot. He was the 2014 SABR Overlooked Nineteenth Century Base Ball Legend and I’ve been in contact with Marjorie, his great-granddaughter, ever since.
• Bill Dahlen seems poised for induction: Dahlen, who has a 145 Hall Rating, fell just two votes shy in 2013. It seems that everyone assumes he’s going in this year. I’m trying not to get my hopes up.
• Wes Ferrell returned to the ballot: Ferrell is proof that I can love 20th century players, too. Ferrell is one of the most unique players of all time. He was an overlooked ace (who played in hitters parks in a hitters era) who batted like a #6 hitter. He also had a Koufaxian peak.
• Harry Stovey is also on the ballot: The 2011 Overlooked Legend, Stovey is a deserving candidate who was left off the ballot in 2013. In fact, according to Graham Womack’s research, Stovey hasn’t been on a ballot since 1955.

I obviously really wanted Jack Glasscock (132 Hall Rating) to appear on the ballot. Ross Barnes, Pete Browning, Urban Shocker, and others would have been worthy candidates as well. But today I’m happy that four candidates I strongly support are one step closer to Cooperstown.

Back in June, I wrote a preview of the ballot with an in-depth look at my ten favorite candidates. You can read more about Adams, Dahlen, Ferrell, and Stovey there.