Combs, Frick, Haines elected by the Veterans Committee

Written by: Jonathan Coe

On Feb. 1, 1970, Ford Frick’s career truly came full circle.

That day, Frick, Earle Combs and Jesse Haines were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Frick was a featured sports writer at the New York Journal American and, in the 1920s, was one of the first baseball radio broadcasters. After serving a few months in 1934 as National League publicity director, Frick replaced John Heydler as league president.

He remained in that position until he was elected baseball commissioner on Sept. 20, 1951. Frick retired at the end of two seven-year terms in December 1965.

“It’s marvelous,” was Frick’s immediate reaction. “I don’t know what to say. The Hall of Fame means a lot in baseball. To be put in the Hall with those other guys is a tremendous honor.”

It was only fitting that Frick should be elected, for it was he and philanthropist Stephen Clark who combined to launch the Hall of Fame in the 1930s.

Combs was the leadoff batter in the famed Murderers’ Row of the Yankees in the 1920s and 1930s. Combs had a .325 batting average for 12 seasons with the Bronx Bombers. A line drive, left-handed hitter, he three times led the AL in triples and once in total base hits. In four World Series, Combs hit .350.

“He was the table-setter for (Babe) Ruth and (Lou) Gehrig,” said Joe Cronin, president of the American League at the time of Combs’ election.

But the one shocking scene involving Combs, which etched itself in the minds of baseball fans everywhere, came in July 1934.

St. Louis Browns third baseman Harlond Clift lifted a long drive toward the Sportsman’s Park left field bleacher wall. Combs, racing back, ran out of running room and crashed into the green concrete, full speed, as he made the catch, then collapsed unconscious.

Combs suffered a broken collarbone and a fractured skull. He came back to play in 1935, but his career ended after that season.

It was also at Sportsman’s Park where Jesse Haines spent all but one season of his long career, and that exception only accounted for five innings in one game for the Reds.

Haines, a right-hander, won 210 games and went 3-1 in his four World Series appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals over 18 seasons. One of Haines’ top moments came in 1924, when he became the first Cardinal since 1876 to throw a no-hitter as he aced the Braves.