On Sunday, December 5th of this year. The Golden Days Era Committee voted on the 10 candidates up for the Hall of Fame. Before they met I wrote my analysis here. We had a busy day on Sunday celebrating my Daughter's 16th birthday a day early and picking out and decorating our Christmas Trees. It wasn't until my daughter's actual birthday the next day, that I saw the results of the voting. The Committee voted to put Minnie Minoso, Jim Kaat, Gil Hodges and Tony Oliva in the Hall. In my opinion they are all worthy of induction. I am especially happy about Minoso and Kaat's election. also the look on my Dad's face when he heard that Gil Hodges, who hit a home run at the first MLB game he ever attended was one of the biggest thrills of my life.
However as much joy as I feel about who the committee did include pales in comparison to the misery I feel about the exclusion of Dick Allen who for the 2nd time missed the HOF by 1 vote, Allen was my first White Sox hero and in my opinion more deserving than any of the aforementioned 4 of enshrinement.
Some might say that I'm not objective, as I've already declared that He was my hero. The truth is he was my hero over 50 years ago and for years I accepted the story that he had not played long enough and was not a high character guy as legitimate reasons for him not being in Cooperstown.
Over the past 10 years as I have learned more about the racism he encountered in Philadelphia from the fans and the Press and as the advanced stats that were not available until a few decades ago that have validated his career as one of the best players of his generation have made me realize that my first White Sox hero is probably the best baseball player not in the Hall of Fame. (
Here is one of many fine articles that articulate why he should be in the Hall.)
I guess it is possible to be deeply disappointed and delighted at the same time. I am delighted that Minnie Minoso long career has finally been validated, and at the same time, I am deeply disappointed that Dick Allen's family could not celebrate along with Minoso's. I am also hopeful that in 5 years time when the committee meets again that Dick Allen's HOF caliber career will finally be recognized.
Jim Kaat HOF class of 2022
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