2016 Pre-Integration Committee Candidates

Six former big league players, three executives and one of the game’s earliest organizers comprise the 10-name Pre-Integration Era ballot to be reviewed and voted upon Dec. 7 at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

Pre-Integration Committee Meets for Second Time

Doc Adams, Sam Breadon, Bill Dahlen, Wes Ferrell, Garry Herrmann, Marty Marion, Frank McCormick, Harry Stovey, Chris von der Ahe and Bucky Walters are the candidates for Pre-Integration Era Committee consideration for Hall of Fame election for the Class of 2016. Dahlen, Ferrell, Marion, McCormick, Stovey and Walters are included for their contributions as players, while the other four are inclusions for their off-field careers. All candidates are deceased.

Any candidate to receive votes on 75 percent of the ballots cast by the 16-member Pre-Integration Era Committee will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 24, 2016, along with any electees who emerge from the 2016 Baseball Writers’ Association of America election, to be announced on Jan. 6, 2016.

The 10 Pre-Integration Era finalists were selected by the BBWAA-appointed Historical Overview Committee from all eligible candidates among Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players whose most significant career impact was realized during the time period from baseball’s origins through 1946. Eligible candidates include: Players who played in at least 10 major league seasons, who are not on Major League Baseball’s ineligible list, and have been retired for 21 or more seasons; and Managers, Umpires and Executives with 10 or more years in baseball.

Adams, Herrmann, McCormick, von der Ahe and Stovey are new additions for consideration by the Pre-Integration Era Committee, which elected Hank O’Day, Jacob Ruppert and Deacon White in December 2012, the last time the Pre-Integration Era Ballot was considered. Tony Mullane and Alfred Reach were previously considered for election in the fall of 2012 but did not return to the 2016 Pre-Integration Era ballot.

The Pre-Integration Era ballot was determined this fall by the Historical Overview Committee, comprised of 11 veteran historians: Dave Van Dyck (Chicago Tribune); Bob Elliott (Toronto Sun); Jim Henneman (formerly Baltimore Sun); Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Steve Hirdt (Elias Sports Bureau); Bill Madden (formerly New York Daily News); Jack O’Connell (BBWAA secretary/treasurer); Jim Reeves (formerly Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Tracy Ringolsby (MLB.com); Glenn Schwarz (formerly San Francisco Chronicle); and Mark Whicker (Los Angeles News Group).

The 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorate charged with the review of the Pre-Integration era features Hall of Fame members Bert Blyleven, Bobby Cox, Pat Gillick and Phil Niekro; major league executives Chuck Armstrong (Mariners), Bill DeWitt (Cardinals), Gary Hughes (Red Sox) and Tal Smith (Astros); and veteran media members/historians Steve Hirdt, Peter Morris, Jack O’Connell, Claire Smith, Tim Sullivan, T.R. Sullivan, Gary Thorne and Tim Wendel.

Quick Candidate Bios

Doc Adams

A talented player in baseball’s earliest days who became a pioneering force on a multitude of fronts in baseball’s nascent years. Adams, who became a member of the famed Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in 1845, helped standardize the game’s tools and contributed to the establishment of the shortstop position.

Sam Breadon

Purchased interest in the St. Louis Cardinals in 1917 and took control of the club in 1920. Breadon hired Branch Rickey and created the blueprint for the modern farm system with minor league clubs owned or controlled by the parent club. He presided over nine pennant winners and six World Series championships, include the Gashouse Gang teams of the 1930s and the dynasty teams of the 1940s. During his tenure as principle owner, the Cardinals posted a 2,470-1,830 record, good for a .574 winning percentage.

Bill Dahlen

Spent 21 seasons in the majors from 1891-1911, playing almost 90 percent of his games at shortstop, compiling a .272 batting average with 84 home runs and 1,234 RBI. He scored 100 or more runs in each of his first six seasons and recorded 120 hits or more 15 times. He retired in 1911 as the active home run leader with 84 and as the all-time leader in games played (2,444).

Wes Ferrell

Pitched for 15 seasons from 1927-1941, compiling a 193-128 record with a 4.04 career ERA. Won at least 20 games six times and is the only pitcher from the 20th century to win at least 20 games in each of first four full big league seasons. He led the league in complete games four times and was runner-up for the American League MVP in 1935.

August “Garry” Herrmann

Served as president of the Cincinnati Reds from 1902 to 1927 and chairman of baseball’s ruling National Commission from 1903 to 1920. He helped to broker peace between the warring National and American Leagues in the first decade of the 20th century and helped organize the modern World Series.

Marty Marion

Spent 13 seasons in the majors, 1940-50, 1952-53, batting .263 with 36 home runs and 624 RBI at shortstop. Was named the 1944 N.L. MVP Award winner, twice also finishing in the top 10. Considered one of the best fielding shortstops of his era.

Frank McCormick

Eight-time All-Star and the 1940 National League Most Valuable Player. A slick-fielding first baseman who led the National League in hits three straight years from 1938 through 1940, McCormick compiled a career batting average of .299 in 13 big league seasons.

Harry Stovey

Standout outfielder in the National League and the American Association in the 1880s and 1890s, leading his league in home runs five times and runs scored four times. In 14 seasons, Stovey batted .289 with 347 doubles, 174 home runs and 509 stolen bases.

Chris von der Ahe

Owned the original St. Louis Browns franchise – now the Cardinals – from 1881 through 1899 and demonstrated his visionary qualities with entertainment options at games. His team won the championship of the American Association – then recognized as a major league – from 1885 through 1888, teams that featured future Hall of Famers Charlie Comiskey and Tommy McCarthy.

Bucky Walters

Pitched 19 seasons in the major leagues, from 1934-1950, compiling a 198-160 lifetime record, with a 3.30 era in 428 games/398 starts. He won the 1939 NL MVP Award, posting a 27-11 record, with a 2.29 ERA, winning the pitching Triple Crown with 137 strikeouts. Named to five All-Star teams. Walters converted to a pitcher from an infielder following his first four seasons in the majors from 1931-34.

Full Candidate Bios

Doc Adams helped shape baseball’s earliest days

Pioneer player, executive one of 10 finalists for Pre-Integration Committee consideration at Baseball Hall of Fame

Sam Breadon - Cardinal Rule

Breadon helped create St. Louis dynasty

Bill Dahlen stands test of time

Shortstop one of 10 finalists for Pre-Integration Committee consideration at Baseball Hall of Fame

Ferrell remembered for pitching, hitting skill

Former All-Star one of 10 finalists on Pre-Integration Committee Hall of Fame ballot

Gary Herrmann - A King in Queen City

Longtime Reds owner, league chairman August Herrmann a Pre-Integration Committee Finalist at Hall of Fame

Marty Marion - No shortage of talent

Marty Marion turned defensive wizardry at shortstop into spot on Hall of Fame ballot

Reds slugger Frank McCormick

Frank McCormick of Cincinnati Reds fame is one of ten candidates on the Pre-Integration Committee ballot

19th century star Harry Stovey

The powerful and speedy Harry Stovey is one of ten finalists to be considered by the Pre-Integration Committee

Chris von der Ahe - A Magnate for Success

19th Century owner Chris von der Ahe a Pre-Integration Committee Finalist at Hall of Fame

Bucky Walters - Making his pitch

Infielder-turned-hurler Bucky Walters a Hall of Fame finalist

Voting Rules

BBWAA Election Rules

Sports writers elect recently retired players.

Era Committees

Contemporary and Classic Era Committee Rules.

Voting Rules History

History of rule changes

Future Eligibles

Upcoming ballots

BBWAA Election Rules

Sports writers elect recently retired players.

Era Committees

Contemporary and Classic Era Committee Rules.

Voting Rules History

History of rule changes

Future Eligibles

Upcoming ballots

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