Allen Lieu
Today’s quote was recited by Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark. She stated that “the results today are a reminder that election to the Hall of Fame is incredibly difficult and the highest honor an individual can receive in baseball.” Gil Hodges and Maury Wills, two incredible baseball players, were not elected to the Hall of Fame today by the Golden Era Committee. In order to be elected to the Hall of Fame, the requirements for enshrinement in Cooperstown is similiar to the BWAA Hall of Fame Vote. Each person must receive 75% of the vote. Since there are only 16 people voting, a candidate must receive 75%of the vote, with is 12 votes. The voting members are rotated each time a vote commences. Voters are ex-players, executives and media. The Golden Era vote happens every three years, as the committees change per year (the other two are Pre-Integration, Expansion Era).
The Golden Era Committee gives players who are no longer eligible to be on baseball’s writers’ ballots, as their time has expired past the maximum time requirement to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. The Golden Era covers players from 1947-1972.
Maury Wills was known for his blazing speed on the basepaths. He was a member of multiple Dodgers championships and play with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1959-1966 and 1966-1969. Throughout his career he put up impressive numbers. Willis compliled a lifetime average of .281 with 2,134 hits. He scored 1,067 runs, hit 177 doubles and 71 triples. He also recorded 586 stolen bases throughout his career.
Gil Hodges played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played alongside Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, and Roy Campenella. Originally a catcher, he was moved to 1st base due to Campenella’s emergence as catcher. Hodges spent a large portion of his career with the Dodgers organization. He also received three Gold Gloves with the organization. He was a three time champion with the Dodgers.
Wills changed the way we play baseball,his presence on the basepaths disrupted most pitchers and made some grounds crews dampen the track when the Dodgers came to town#
Wills and Hodges are both deserving. In fact, the most recent Golden Era Committee Vote featured nine worthy former players. Hopefully, at least one will be elected next time. Hodges was only a two time champion with the Dodgers, 1955, in Brooklyn, and 1959, in Los Angeles. He later managed the New York Mets to their first championship in 1969.