There is no joy in Mudville \u2013 Major League baseball is in timeout.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\nWith the major league baseball season suspended as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans of the national pastime are searching for hardball-related diversions.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019re watching \u201cclassic\u201d ball games from the past, cueing up baseball movies, revisiting our baseball card and memorabilia collections, playing dice- and computer-based baseball games, reading (even re-reading) countless baseball books and challenging others (online) with increasingly obscure baseball trivia.\u00a0 Heck, even old \u201cPitch Backs\u201d are being pulled out of the back of the garage and Wiffle (c) Balls are flying in rec (wreck?) rooms.<\/p>\n
![\"ReliquaryNew\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/ReliquaryNew-300x221.jpg\")
<\/a>Where am I going with this? Early this week, another rite of spring brought baseball back to my home.\u00a0 I received my annual Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals<\/strong> <\/span>ballot; which means I can spend some joyous time pondering the character and characters that helped shape the history of our grand game (as presented in the always informative and creative biographies included with the ballot).<\/p>\nI\u2019ll take a look at my choices from this year\u2019s ballot in a bit, but first – for those not familiar with The Baseball Reliquary – a little background.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Baseball Reliquary is an organization of fans dedicated to the free-spirited celebration of the human side of baseball’s history and heritage.<\/p>\n
Reliquary (rel\u2032\u0259 kwer\u2032\u0113)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNoun- a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept and displayed for veneration.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile its \u201chome\u201d is in Pasadena, California, The Reliquary is not just a place. \u00a0The Reliquary really resides in the hearts of its founders, members, contributors and honorees \u2013 who all are important parts of the organization\u2019s joyful (often irreverent, but always well-informed and fan-centric) celebration of all things baseball.\u00a0 This celebration is fueled through The Reliquary\u2019s Shrine of the Eternals,<\/strong> collection of historic artifacts<\/strong>, exhibitions<\/strong> and collaboration with the Whittier College Institute for Baseball Studies.<\/strong><\/p>\nLet\u2019s look at each of these.<\/p>\n
The Shrine of the Eternals<\/strong> <\/span>is the Reliquary\u2019s best-known element and its honorees include (among others) a one-armed major league outfielder, a pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD, a team owner who sent a midget to the plate, a man in a chicken suit, a member of Major League Baseball\u2019s 3,000-hit club, a manager who won eight World Championships, a cartoon character who pitched his team to more than 1,000 losses, more than one best-selling author, a statistical wizard and even the sports editor of the Daily Worker (American Communist Party newspaper). The honorees are each unique in their roles in \u2013 and contributions to –\u00a0\u00a0 the national pastime, but they all share the distinction of having made a significant impact on the game. \u00a0Note: Each year, The Reliquary also recognizes distinguished service to baseball by a fan (The Hilda Award) and contributions to the preservation of baseball history (The Tony Salin Award). \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nThe Baseball Reliquary\u2019s Collection<\/strong><\/span> of what BBRT would term \u201cart-ifacts\u201d is as diverse as its roster of Shrine honorees.\u00a0 The collection includes (but is \u201coh-so not limited\u201d to) the Walter O\u2019Malley Tortilla, the Roger Bresnahan Potato, the Eddie Gaedel Jock Strap,\u00a0 a Babe Ruth cigar, a Mother Teresa autographed baseball (a whole case actually), a heat-twisted 45-rpm record from the White Sox\u2019 ill-fated Disco Demolition Night; and a \u00a0San Diego Chicken game-worn costume.<\/p>\nThe Baseball Reliquary\u2019<\/strong>s Exhibits<\/strong><\/span> have have covered such varied topics as Latino and Black baseball history, baseball in foreign policy, baseball literature and art, a celebration of baseball cards, and even the self-defining \u201cLasordapalooza.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Whittier (CA) College Institute for Baseball Studies<\/strong><\/span> is the first humanities-based baseball research center associated with a U.S. college or university, The Institute houses the Baseball Reliquary\u2019s baseball-related research collection – books, periodicals and papers from distinguished authors, historians and journalists. It is open to students, scholars and the general public.<\/p>\nWhy Not Join Now<\/span><\/p>\nAs we now contemplate even more time with no action on the diamonds, I think joining The Baseball Reliquary would be a gem of an idea for all fans. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you are interested, click here <\/a>for BBRT\u2019s full (and FUN) story of the history behind The Baseball Reliquary (You can skip the first few paragraphs, which mirror this post, and jump down to the text below the Reliquary logo.) Or, if you\u2019ve already decided to consider membership, visit the Reliquary website at http:\/\/www.baseballreliquary.org<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n
—–THE SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS 2020 VOTING—–<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNow, on to the Shrine of the Eternals. Before I share my ballot, here\u2019s what the Reliquary has to say about this honor.<\/p>\n
“Similar in concept to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Shrine of the Eternals differs philosophically in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. The Baseball Reliquary believes that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability will offer the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball than has heretofore been provided by \u201cHalls of Fame\u201d in the more traditional and conservative institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n“Criteria for election shall be: the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape. Electees, both on and off the diamond, shall have been responsible for developing baseball in one or more of the following ways: through athletic and\/or business achievements; in terms of its larger cultural and sociological impact as a mass entertainment; and as an arena for the human imagination.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nEach year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.\u00a0 Reliquarians can vote for up to nine nominees.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at those who are getting my vote this year.<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2013BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE\u2019S 2020 SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS BALLOT\u2014<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nLuke Easter (1915-79) \u2026 Sixth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"balloot\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/balloot-201x300.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cLuscious\u201d Luke Easter was one of the most prodigious home run hitters of all time. His titanic blasts were known as \u201cEaster Eggs.\u201d Among his notables, Easter:<\/p>\n\n- Was the first player to a homer into the farthest reaches of center field in the Polo Grounds;<\/li>\n
- Hit the longest home run in the history of old Cleveland Municipal Stadium \u2013 clearing the distant right field scoreboard; and<\/li>\n
- Was the first player to hit a drive over the CF scoreboard in Buffalo\u2019s Offerman Stadium (at age 42), proving it was no fluke by hitting the second drive to ever to clear the scoreboard just a month later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easter began his baseball career in 1937, as an OF\/1B and cleanup hitter for the St. Louis Titanium Giants (a company team) \u2013 and didn\u2019t play his final game until 27 years later.\u00a0 Everything about the 6\u20194\u201d, 240-pound Easter was big \u2013 his stature, his bat, his love of the game, his love of life, his relationship with teammates and the fans and, later, even his Buick.<\/p>\n
While he began showing his prowess at the plate in the late 1930\u2019s, he really began carving his name into baseball history after getting out of the military in 1943.<\/p>\n
In 1945, he starred with the barnstorming Cincinnati Crescents (for whom he hit the Polo Grounds home run noted above).<\/p>\n
In 1947, he joined the Homestead Grays, where he hit .311, with 10 home runs in 219 at bats.\u00a0 Research by Society for American Baseball Research Member Justin Murphy indicates Easter followed that up by hitting .363 for the Grays and tying teammate Buck Leonard for the Negro National League (NNL) lead in home runs (13) \u2013 helping the Grays to the NNL World Series Championship.<\/p>\n
In 1949, Easter signed with the Cleveland Indians and made his major league debut on August 1 of that season \u2013 at age 34 \u2013 just the eleventh black player in the major leagues. While he hit only .222 in 54 games for the Indians, due in part to an injured knee, Easter showed his (already long-proven) power by going .363-25-92 in 80 games at Triple A San Diego.<\/p>\n
Then, in 1950, he hit .280-28-107 in 141 games for the Indians \u2013 earning recognition from the Sporting News<\/em> as the AL\u2019s Most Outstanding Player.\u00a0 In 1951, he went .270-27-103 for the Tribe and, in 1952, .263-31-97. Age and injuries were already taking their toll, however, and on May 4, 1954, the 38-year-old Easter played his final MLB game \u2013 ending his MLB career with a .274-93-340 line in 491 games.<\/p>\nAh, but Luscious Luke was not done. He played on in the minor leagues until 1964 \u2013 putting up four seasons of 30 or more home runs and 100+ RBI \u2013 earning his way into the International League Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
Over his career, Easter also played winter ball in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and Hawaii. A Winter-League star, Easter hit .402 for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League in 1948-49 (winning league MVP honors); led the Mexican Pacific Coast League (for Hermosillo) in homers in 1954-55; and lead the Puerto Rican Winter League in homers in 1955-56 and 1956-57.<\/p>\n
Easter, later serving as a Union Steward for TRW in Ohio, was murdered during a payroll robbery in 1979.<\/p>\n
Why did Luke Easter get my vote? Consider that non-other than Bill James rated him the second-best Negro Leagues\u2019 first baseman of all time (behind only Buck Leonard) and Al Rosen (a teammate of Easter on the Indians, as well as a four-time All Star, two-time AL home run leader, 1953 American League MVP and 1989 National Executive of the Year) maintained, \u201cHad Luke come up to the big leagues as a young man, there\u2019s no telling what numbers he would have had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Easter comes up big on the BBRT \u201cShrine\u201d ballot.<\/p>\n
____________________________<\/p>\n
Rube Foster (1879-1930) \u2026. Twenty-second\u00a0year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nAndrew \u201cRube\u201d Foster was an outstanding hurler, confined \u2013 by history \u2013 to pitching primarily for Black teams. He was a star on such squads as the Chicago Union Giants, Cuban X-Giants and Philadelphia Giants. Just how good was Foster on the mound? Records are sketchy, but the Baseball Hall of Fame reports that, in 1902, Foster ran off a streak of 44 straight victories and the Negro League Baseball Museum credits Foster with a 54-1 record that season.<\/p>\n
Rube Foster\u2019s tireless efforts earned him the unofficial title of \u201cThe Father of Black Baseball.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nFoster\u2019s contributions to the national pastime, however, went beyond the mound. In 1911, he partnered with John Schorling (son-in-law of Charles Comiskey) to establish the Chicago American (Black) Giants. Under Foster\u2019s leadership, the Giants became Black baseball\u2019s most dominant team.<\/p>\n
But Foster wasn\u2019t done yet.\u00a0 In 1920, he was a key player (cited by many as THE key player) in the founding of the Negro National League.\u00a0 As the league flourished, Foster wore many hats. He served not only as the league\u2019s president and treasurer, but also was the owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants \u2013 winning the NNL\u2019s first three pennants.\u00a0 By 1926, his demanding schedule had taken a toll and Foster suffered a nervous breakdown. He never fully recovered and passed away prematurely in 1930. Fans might enjoy Larry Lester\u2019s book \u201cRube Foster in His Time: On the Field and in the Papers with Black Baseball\u2019s Greatest Visionary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rube Foster was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.<\/p>\n
__________________________________________________________<\/p>\n
Julio Franco (1958 \u2013) \u2026 Second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\nIf you believe \u201cOld Guys Rule\u201d \u2013 Julio Franco should be your king.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nAs Rod Serling often said:\u00a0 For your consideration:<\/em> Only 25 Major League home runs have been hit by players who had passed their 45th birthday \u2013 and Julio Franco hit 20 of them.<\/p>\nFranco is also the oldest player to homer in an MLB game. Franco went deep at age 48 years, 254 days, hitting a two-run shot off Arizona\u2019s Randy Johnson as Franco\u2019s Mets topped the Diamondbacks 5-3 on April 26, 2006). In that same game, Franco also became the second-oldest MLB player to steal base \u2013 and, thus, the oldest player to homer and steal a base in the same game.<\/p>\n
Franco is also the:<\/p>\n
\n- Oldest player to hit a grand slam (46 years, 308 days) \u2013 connecting as a pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves in a 7-2 win over the Marlins on June 27, 2005;<\/li>\n
- Oldest player to record a multi-homer game, belting a pair of homers on June 18, 2005 (age 46 years, 299 days), as his Atlanta Braves topped the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Franco started at first base and went two-for-four with two homers and three RBI;<\/li>\n
- Oldest player to hit a pinch-hit home run, in the eighth inning of a Mets\u2019 7-2 win over the Padres at San Diego (April 20, 2006 \u2013 47 years, 240 days);<\/li>\n
- Oldest player to steal two bases in a game (and in an inning) \u2013 (June 16, 3005 \u2013 46 years, 297 days)’ and<\/li>\n
- Oldest player to be put into a game as a pinch runner (July 29, 2006 \u2013 47 years, 340 days) … he delivered, promptly stealing second base, going to third on an errant throw.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From 1982 to 1994, Franco played primarily as a middle infielder and DH for the Phillies, Indians, Rangers and White Sox \u2013 making three All Star teams (MVP of the 1990 All Star Game), earning five Silver Slugger Awards and leading the American League in hitting at .341 for the Rangers in 1991. In that 1991 campaign, Franco collected 201 hits, 15 homers, 78 RBI, 108 runs scored and 36 steals in 45 attempts. At season\u2019s end, he had hit .300+ in five of the previous six seasons \u2013 the lone exception being .296 in 1990.<\/p>\n
In 1994, when the remainder of the MLB season was lost to a strike, Franco was in the midst of possibly his best campaign.\u00a0 After 112 games, he was hitting .319, with 138 hits, 20 home runs, 98 RBI, 72 runs scored, and eight steals.\u00a0 Franco was determined to keep swinging the bat and signed to play in Japan with the Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines.\u00a0 In the 1995 Japanese season, Franco hit .306 and won the Pacific League\u2019s equivalent of the Gold Glove at first base.<\/p>\n
Franco returned to MLB in 1996, joining the Cleveland Indians, hitting .322-14-76 in 112 games. In August of the following season, the Indians released Franco \u2013 who was hitting .284-3-25 at the time. He finished the 1997 campaign with the Brewers, hitting .241 in 14 games with Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
In 1998, at age 39, Franco was back in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte; where he hit .290, with 18 home runs and 77 RBI in 131 games. Then in 1999, he celebrated turning 40 (when most ballplayers are retired or coaching) by hitting for a .423 average in the Mexican League and getting one late-season MLB at bat with Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n
As he moved into his forties, Franco was far from finished as a player. He played in South Korea in 2000 (age 41), hitting .327-22-110.\u00a0 In 2001, the well-traveled batsman was back in the Mexican League (Mexico City Tigers), where stellar play (a .437 average in 110 games) earned him a spot on the Atlanta Braves\u2019 roster in September. Franco hit .300, with three home runs and 11 RBI over the final 5 \u00bd weeks of the MLB season.<\/p>\n
From 2001 to 2007, the ageless wonder \u2013 professional hitter and pretty darn good first sacker \u2013 played for the Braves and Mets.\u00a0 From 2001 through 2006 \u2013 ages 42 to 47 \u2013 Franco averaged .290 over 581 games.\u00a0 He hit .222 in 55 games in his final MLB season \u2013 2007 with the Mets and Braves.<\/p>\n
Even at 49, Franco was not done battering baseballs. In 2008, he could be found at first base with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (where he hit .250 in 36 games). That season, Franco \u2013 after 23 Major League seasons and 30 years after his first professional baseball game \u2013 announced his retirement as a player.<\/p>\n
Oops? Not so fast. In 2014, at the age of 55, he appeared in seven games for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League \u2013 going six for 27.\u00a0\u00a0 Then in 2015, Franco was signed as player-manager of the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League (identified as a semi-pro league).<\/p>\n
In 23 MLB seasons, Franco hit .298, with 2,586 hits, 173 homers, 1,285 runs, 1,194 RBI and 281 stolen bases. He also collected 618 minor league (U.S) hits, 316 in the Mexican League, 286 in Japan, 267 in the Dominican Winter League and 156 in South Korea and six in independent ball (U.S.).<\/p>\n
Forever young, Mr. Franco – baseball’s Energizer Bunny – got my vote.<\/p>\n
_____________________________________________________<\/p>\n
Mamie \u201cPeanut\u201d Johnson (1935 \u2013 2017) \u2026 Seventh year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMamie Johnson was one of three females to play for the Indianapolis Clowns during the declining days of the Negro Leagues (and the only woman ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues). \u00a0Johnson took the mound to the Clowns for three seasons (1953-55), running up a 33-8 record.\u00a0 Her exploits are chronicled in the children\u2019s book \u201cA Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie \u2018Peanut\u2019 Johnson,\u201d by Michelle Y. Green.<\/p>\n
________________________________<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mike Marshall (1943 \u2013\u00a0 ) \u2026 Fifteenth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI should probably say Doctor Mike Marshall, since this former major league reliever (14 seasons \u2026 1967, 1969-81) earned three college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Kinesiology is the study of muscle movement and Marshall used his knowledge to develop his own exercise program focused on minimizing stress, reducing injury and accelerating recovery time.\u00a0 While his unorthodox methods, advanced education and outspoken approach often had him at odds with baseball\u2019s traditionalists (and may be part of the reason he pitched for nine teams in 14 seasons), they did get the job done.<\/p>\n
The fact is, we never saw a closer quite like Mike Marshall before he came along \u2013 and we\u2019re not likely to see one like him again. In 1974, as a Dodger, he put up the grand-daddy of all relief seasons \u2013 setting the single-season MLB records for appearances with 106 and innings pitched in relief at 208 1\/3. He finished the campaign 15-12, with a league-topping 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA.\u00a0 That season, Marshall was called on to go more than one inning in 74 games (68.5 percent of the time) and he toiled three or more innings 22 times. He also relieved in 13 consecutive regular-season games \u2013 an MLB record later tied (1986) by the Rangers\u2019 Dale Mohorcic. His efforts won him the 1974 Cy Young Award and recognition as The Sporting News<\/em> NL Pitcher of the Year.<\/p>\nMarshall led his league in games pitched four times and saves three times \u2013 finishing 97-112, 3.14 with 188 saves.<\/p>\n
A true \u201cfireman\u201d from an era when closers came in to put out fires and stayed on the mound to ensure they were no flare ups, Marshall gets my vote for the Shrine.<\/p>\n
______________________________________<\/p>\n
Pete Reiser (1919-1981) \u2026 Eighth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nCombine Willie Mays\u2019 skill set (younger folks, think Mike Trout) with Pete Rose\u2019s hustle and on-field abandon and you have Pete Reiser. In his first full MLB season (CF, Dodgers, 1941), a 22-year-old Reiser dazzled defensively and led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), batting average (.343), total bases (299), Slugging Percentage (.558) and hit by pitch (11) \u2013 tossing in 14 home runs and 76 RBI for good measure. He was an All Star and finished second in the National League MVP balloting.\u00a0 Unfortunately, unpadded outfield walls, helmet-less at bats (the fiery Reiser was a frequent bean ball target) and aggressiveness on the base paths (Reiser twice led the NL in stolen bases and holds the NL record for steals of home in a season at seven) took their toll.<\/p>\n
In his ten-season career, Reiser endured five skull fractures, a brain injury, a dislocated shoulder and a damaged knee.\u00a0 He was carted off the field 11 times during his career (six times unconscious) and once actually given last rites at the stadium \u2013 and he played on. The three-time All Star retired as a player with a .295 career average, playing in 861 games over ten seasons. No telling what he might have done with padded outfield walls and batting helmets.\u00a0 Pete Reiser was a true \u2013 and talented \u2013 gamer. For more on Reiser, try \u201cPete Reiser: The Rough and Tumble Career of the Perfect Ballplayer,\u201d by Sidney Jacobson.<\/p>\n
For a combination of pure talent and reckless abandon – Pete Reiser gets my vote.<\/p>\n
__________________________________________<\/p>\n
Bing Russell (1926-2003) \u2026 Fifth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNate Oliver \u201cBing Russell\u201d is probably best known to the general populace as Deputy Clem Foster in the TV series Bonanza.\u00a0 His TV and film credits, in fact, run long and deep.\u00a0 He was cast in the film The Magnificent Seven<\/em> and had guest roles in such television series as Wagon Train, Johnny Ringo, The Rifleman<\/em> and The Big Valley<\/em>.\u00a0 And he was more than just a cowboy, he was also seen in television roles in series ranging from The Rockford Files<\/em> to The Twilight Zone<\/em> to The Monkees.<\/em><\/p>\nFor baseball fans, Russel\u2019s greatest role may have been as owner of the Portland Mavericks \u2013 an independent entry into Northwest League.\u00a0 Shepherding the only independent team in the league, Russell took a group of ballplayers described in his Shrine of the Eternals nomination as \u201cmisfits, reprobates, hangers-on and washouts\u201d and turned them into winners and the toast of the town \u2013 much to the chagrin of baseball\u2019s organized franchises.<\/p>\n
It all came about after organized ball moved the struggling Triple A Portland Beavers out of the city after the 1972 season. Russell led a move to establish the Class C Portland Mavericks (as an independent franchise) in the city.\u00a0 As an owner, Russell’s focus was fun \u2013 and perhaps a bit of rebellion.\u00a0 He had no ties to any MLB franchise, banned corporate advertising in the ball park and filled his team from open tryouts.\u00a0 (He also, eventually, hired professional baseball\u2019s first female General Manager, as well as its first Asian-American General Manager.)<\/p>\n
How\u2019d all of this work out?\u00a0 Well, major league baseball did not expect the ragtag Mavericks to do well against their \u201cin-the-system\u201d prospects. They underestimated the impact of\u00a0 Russell\u2019s focus and style \u2013 and the determination of his last-chance hopefuls.<\/p>\n
In 1973, the Mavericks went 45-35 and finished first in the league\u2019s South Division.<\/p>\n
In 1974, they went 50-34 and finished second in the West Division \u2013 just two games behind the Dodgers\u2019 Bellinger farm club.<\/p>\n
In 1975, it was 42-35 and first place in the North Division.<\/p>\n
In 1976, it was 40-32 and another North Division first-place finish.<\/p>\n
In 1977, 44-22 and first place in the South Division. The Mavericks, that season, had the best record in the league, won their division by 22 games and drew 125,000 fans to 33 regular season home games (a minor-league short-season record).\u00a0 Their average attendance was 3,788 fans per game.<\/p>\n
Russell and his Mavericks had rekindled Portland passion for baseball with a combination of fun, irreverence and winning (Sounds like a Reliquary-friendly combo.) They had proven that an independent franchise could compete and win on the field and at the turnstiles. And, organized baseball took notice. They wanted the territory back and eventually \u2013 after some hard-fought legal battles \u2013 got it (although they had to pay Russell what was, at the time, by far the highest ever minor-league territorial rights payment; a victory for Russell and independent baseball).<\/p>\n
So, in 1978, the Mavericks were dissolved and were replaced by the PCL Portland Beavers. By the way, the Beavers drew an average of just 1,397 per game. Oh, and Russell\u2019s success was ultimately documented in the 2014 film \u201cThe Battered Bastards of Baseball.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 You should see it.<\/p>\nThree final fun facts about Russell and his life-long love affair with baseball.:<\/p>\n
1) He grew up near the Yankees Spring Training Camp in St. Petersburg, Florida and \u2013 as youngster \u2013 became a kind of unofficial mascot for the team \u2013 mingling with the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Lefty Gomez and Lou Gehrig.\u00a0 (Reportedly, Gehrig gave Russell the bat he used to hit his last major-league home run);<\/p>\n
2) Later, pre-Mavericks, Russell created a number of detailed baseball training\/instructional films; and<\/p>\n
3) Bing Russell\u2019s son, noted actor Kurt Russell, played four seasons of minor league baseball and his grandson Matt Franco played eight MLB seasons (Cubs, Mets, Braves).<\/p>\n
For a life-long commitment to baseball, an attitude consistent with The Baseball Reliquary’s values\u00a0 and a solid measure of success on the field and at the gate, Bing Russell gets my vote.<\/p>\n
____________________________________<\/p>\n
Justine Siegal (1975- ) \u2026 Second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nIn 1988, a baseball coach told 13-year-old pitcher-third baseman Justine Siegal that she wasn\u2019t wanted on his (boys) baseball team, that she should play softball instead. That denied opportunity to play the game she loved helped create a powerful gender-equity dynamo and, while there is still a long way to go, baseball is becoming the better for it.<\/p>\n
Being from Minnesota, I take pride in the fact the Siegal earned a Bachelor\u2019s Degree (Concentration: Leadership: Religion, Military and Baseball) from Northfield, Minnesota\u2019s St. Olaf College. She went on to earn a Masters degree in Sport Studies from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield (MA) College.\u00a0 And through all of this, Siegal never lost her passion for \u2013 and focus on \u2013 baseball and generating opportunity for women (and girls) to take their place in the national pastime.<\/p>\n
Consider:<\/p>\n
\n- In 1998, Siegal organized the Baseball for All Foundation focused on expanding opportunities for girls to \u201cget in the game\u201d of baseball (Baseball for All;<\/li>\n
- In 2002, she organized Sparks<\/em> \u2013 the first all-girl baseball team to compete in a national boys’ tournament;<\/li>\n
- In 2008-10, she was an assistant coach of the Springfield College Baseball Team;<\/li>\n
- In 2009, she became the first female coach of a professional men\u2019s baseball team, – the Brockton Rox of the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional baseball;<\/li>\n
- In 2011, she was the first woman to throw batting practice to a major league team (Cleveland Indians Spring Training);<\/li>\n
- In 2015. She was the first female hired for coaching duties with a major-league franchise (coaching in the Arizona Instructional a league for the Oakland A\u2019s franchise); and<\/li>\n
- In 2016, she was brought on as Mental Skills coach for the Israel Team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Siegal currently serves as Director of Sports Partnerships at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University \u2013 a position she has held since 2011. For more on Siegal and the impact of her work, I’d suggest visiting the baseballforall.com website<\/p>\n
When major league baseball sees its first female player, she will owe a tip of the cap to Justine Siegal. For her contributions to that eventuality, Siegal gets my vote.<\/p>\n
_______________________________________<\/p>\n
Rube Waddell (1876-1914) \u2026 Twenty-second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nRube Waddell is almost universally recognized as the zaniest player in MLB history (that alone should earn him a spot in the Shrine).\u00a0 Add the fact that he also was one of the best pitchers (at least when he was focused) in the game and Waddell seems a perfect fit for Reliquary honors.<\/p>\n
Waddell was known to:<\/p>\n
\n- Leave a ball game to chase fire engines;<\/li>\n
- Miss a game he was scheduled to start because he was fishing or playing marbles with neighborhood kids;<\/li>\n
- Bring his outfielders in to sit on the grass and then proceed to fan the side;<\/li>\n
- Wrestle alligators in the off-season; and<\/li>\n
- Much too frequently do battle with owners and managers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Waddell simply was more interested in the freedom to enjoy life and do things his way than in money or professional stability.\u00a0 But, when Waddell was on his game, he was arguably the best pitcher of his time. The 6\u20191\u201d, 195-lb. lefty led the AL in strikeouts six consecutive seasons (1902-1907) \u2013 by a wide margin.<\/p>\n
In 1902, Waddell joined the Philadelphia Athletics in June \u2013 making his first start on June 26 (with just 86 games left in the season). Waddell proceeded to win 24 games (the league\u2019s second-highest total) against seven losses, with a 2.05 ERA.\u00a0 Despite his shortened season, he led the AL with 210 strikeouts, fifty more than the runner-up (none other than Cy Young).<\/p>\n
In 1904, Waddell set a modern (post-1900) MLB record with 349 strikeouts that stood until 1965.\u00a0 Waddell, elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946, finished with a 193-143, 2.16 stat line \u2013 leading the AL in strikeouts six times, ERA twice, wins once and complete games once. For more on Waddell, BBRT suggests: \u201cRube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist,\u201d by Allan Howard Levy.<\/p>\n
Honoring the zaniest player in history – a title it appears Waddell will hold into eternity – just seems right for the Shrine of the Eternals. Rube gets my vote.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nPrimary Resources:\u00a0 The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball-Reference.com; The Baseball Reliquary; The Society for American Baseball Research.<\/em><\/p>\n\nComing in May – The Results of The Baseball Reliquary’s 2020 Shrine of the Eternals balloting – and a full list of past honorees.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"100\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/100-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.\u00a0 To see the full list, click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Where am I going with this? Early this week, another rite of spring brought baseball back to my home.\u00a0 I received my annual Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals<\/strong> <\/span>ballot; which means I can spend some joyous time pondering the character and characters that helped shape the history of our grand game (as presented in the always informative and creative biographies included with the ballot).<\/p>\nI\u2019ll take a look at my choices from this year\u2019s ballot in a bit, but first – for those not familiar with The Baseball Reliquary – a little background.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Baseball Reliquary is an organization of fans dedicated to the free-spirited celebration of the human side of baseball’s history and heritage.<\/p>\n
Reliquary (rel\u2032\u0259 kwer\u2032\u0113)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Noun- a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept and displayed for veneration.<\/span><\/p>\n While its \u201chome\u201d is in Pasadena, California, The Reliquary is not just a place. \u00a0The Reliquary really resides in the hearts of its founders, members, contributors and honorees \u2013 who all are important parts of the organization\u2019s joyful (often irreverent, but always well-informed and fan-centric) celebration of all things baseball.\u00a0 This celebration is fueled through The Reliquary\u2019s Shrine of the Eternals,<\/strong> collection of historic artifacts<\/strong>, exhibitions<\/strong> and collaboration with the Whittier College Institute for Baseball Studies.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at each of these.<\/p>\n The Shrine of the Eternals<\/strong> <\/span>is the Reliquary\u2019s best-known element and its honorees include (among others) a one-armed major league outfielder, a pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD, a team owner who sent a midget to the plate, a man in a chicken suit, a member of Major League Baseball\u2019s 3,000-hit club, a manager who won eight World Championships, a cartoon character who pitched his team to more than 1,000 losses, more than one best-selling author, a statistical wizard and even the sports editor of the Daily Worker (American Communist Party newspaper). The honorees are each unique in their roles in \u2013 and contributions to –\u00a0\u00a0 the national pastime, but they all share the distinction of having made a significant impact on the game. \u00a0Note: Each year, The Reliquary also recognizes distinguished service to baseball by a fan (The Hilda Award) and contributions to the preservation of baseball history (The Tony Salin Award). \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The Baseball Reliquary\u2019s Collection<\/strong><\/span> of what BBRT would term \u201cart-ifacts\u201d is as diverse as its roster of Shrine honorees.\u00a0 The collection includes (but is \u201coh-so not limited\u201d to) the Walter O\u2019Malley Tortilla, the Roger Bresnahan Potato, the Eddie Gaedel Jock Strap,\u00a0 a Babe Ruth cigar, a Mother Teresa autographed baseball (a whole case actually), a heat-twisted 45-rpm record from the White Sox\u2019 ill-fated Disco Demolition Night; and a \u00a0San Diego Chicken game-worn costume.<\/p>\n The Baseball Reliquary\u2019<\/strong>s Exhibits<\/strong><\/span> have have covered such varied topics as Latino and Black baseball history, baseball in foreign policy, baseball literature and art, a celebration of baseball cards, and even the self-defining \u201cLasordapalooza.\u201d<\/p>\n The Whittier (CA) College Institute for Baseball Studies<\/strong><\/span> is the first humanities-based baseball research center associated with a U.S. college or university, The Institute houses the Baseball Reliquary\u2019s baseball-related research collection – books, periodicals and papers from distinguished authors, historians and journalists. It is open to students, scholars and the general public.<\/p>\n Why Not Join Now<\/span><\/p>\n As we now contemplate even more time with no action on the diamonds, I think joining The Baseball Reliquary would be a gem of an idea for all fans. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you are interested, click here <\/a>for BBRT\u2019s full (and FUN) story of the history behind The Baseball Reliquary (You can skip the first few paragraphs, which mirror this post, and jump down to the text below the Reliquary logo.) Or, if you\u2019ve already decided to consider membership, visit the Reliquary website at http:\/\/www.baseballreliquary.org<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n —–THE SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS 2020 VOTING—–<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Now, on to the Shrine of the Eternals. Before I share my ballot, here\u2019s what the Reliquary has to say about this honor.<\/p>\n “Similar in concept to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Shrine of the Eternals differs philosophically in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. The Baseball Reliquary believes that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability will offer the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball than has heretofore been provided by \u201cHalls of Fame\u201d in the more traditional and conservative institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n “Criteria for election shall be: the distinctiveness of play (good or bad); the uniqueness of character and personality; and the imprint that the individual has made on the baseball landscape. Electees, both on and off the diamond, shall have been responsible for developing baseball in one or more of the following ways: through athletic and\/or business achievements; in terms of its larger cultural and sociological impact as a mass entertainment; and as an arena for the human imagination.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Each year, the Baseball Reliquary submits a list of candidates to its members and the top three vote-getters are honored.\u00a0 Reliquarians can vote for up to nine nominees.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at those who are getting my vote this year.<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE\u2019S 2020 SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS BALLOT\u2014<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Luke Easter (1915-79) \u2026 Sixth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Easter began his baseball career in 1937, as an OF\/1B and cleanup hitter for the St. Louis Titanium Giants (a company team) \u2013 and didn\u2019t play his final game until 27 years later.\u00a0 Everything about the 6\u20194\u201d, 240-pound Easter was big \u2013 his stature, his bat, his love of the game, his love of life, his relationship with teammates and the fans and, later, even his Buick.<\/p>\n While he began showing his prowess at the plate in the late 1930\u2019s, he really began carving his name into baseball history after getting out of the military in 1943.<\/p>\n In 1945, he starred with the barnstorming Cincinnati Crescents (for whom he hit the Polo Grounds home run noted above).<\/p>\n In 1947, he joined the Homestead Grays, where he hit .311, with 10 home runs in 219 at bats.\u00a0 Research by Society for American Baseball Research Member Justin Murphy indicates Easter followed that up by hitting .363 for the Grays and tying teammate Buck Leonard for the Negro National League (NNL) lead in home runs (13) \u2013 helping the Grays to the NNL World Series Championship.<\/p>\n In 1949, Easter signed with the Cleveland Indians and made his major league debut on August 1 of that season \u2013 at age 34 \u2013 just the eleventh black player in the major leagues. While he hit only .222 in 54 games for the Indians, due in part to an injured knee, Easter showed his (already long-proven) power by going .363-25-92 in 80 games at Triple A San Diego.<\/p>\n Then, in 1950, he hit .280-28-107 in 141 games for the Indians \u2013 earning recognition from the Sporting News<\/em> as the AL\u2019s Most Outstanding Player.\u00a0 In 1951, he went .270-27-103 for the Tribe and, in 1952, .263-31-97. Age and injuries were already taking their toll, however, and on May 4, 1954, the 38-year-old Easter played his final MLB game \u2013 ending his MLB career with a .274-93-340 line in 491 games.<\/p>\n Ah, but Luscious Luke was not done. He played on in the minor leagues until 1964 \u2013 putting up four seasons of 30 or more home runs and 100+ RBI \u2013 earning his way into the International League Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n Over his career, Easter also played winter ball in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and Hawaii. A Winter-League star, Easter hit .402 for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League in 1948-49 (winning league MVP honors); led the Mexican Pacific Coast League (for Hermosillo) in homers in 1954-55; and lead the Puerto Rican Winter League in homers in 1955-56 and 1956-57.<\/p>\n Easter, later serving as a Union Steward for TRW in Ohio, was murdered during a payroll robbery in 1979.<\/p>\n Why did Luke Easter get my vote? Consider that non-other than Bill James rated him the second-best Negro Leagues\u2019 first baseman of all time (behind only Buck Leonard) and Al Rosen (a teammate of Easter on the Indians, as well as a four-time All Star, two-time AL home run leader, 1953 American League MVP and 1989 National Executive of the Year) maintained, \u201cHad Luke come up to the big leagues as a young man, there\u2019s no telling what numbers he would have had.\u201d<\/p>\n Easter comes up big on the BBRT \u201cShrine\u201d ballot.<\/p>\n ____________________________<\/p>\n Rube Foster (1879-1930) \u2026. Twenty-second\u00a0year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Andrew \u201cRube\u201d Foster was an outstanding hurler, confined \u2013 by history \u2013 to pitching primarily for Black teams. He was a star on such squads as the Chicago Union Giants, Cuban X-Giants and Philadelphia Giants. Just how good was Foster on the mound? Records are sketchy, but the Baseball Hall of Fame reports that, in 1902, Foster ran off a streak of 44 straight victories and the Negro League Baseball Museum credits Foster with a 54-1 record that season.<\/p>\n Rube Foster\u2019s tireless efforts earned him the unofficial title of \u201cThe Father of Black Baseball.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Foster\u2019s contributions to the national pastime, however, went beyond the mound. In 1911, he partnered with John Schorling (son-in-law of Charles Comiskey) to establish the Chicago American (Black) Giants. Under Foster\u2019s leadership, the Giants became Black baseball\u2019s most dominant team.<\/p>\n But Foster wasn\u2019t done yet.\u00a0 In 1920, he was a key player (cited by many as THE key player) in the founding of the Negro National League.\u00a0 As the league flourished, Foster wore many hats. He served not only as the league\u2019s president and treasurer, but also was the owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants \u2013 winning the NNL\u2019s first three pennants.\u00a0 By 1926, his demanding schedule had taken a toll and Foster suffered a nervous breakdown. He never fully recovered and passed away prematurely in 1930. Fans might enjoy Larry Lester\u2019s book \u201cRube Foster in His Time: On the Field and in the Papers with Black Baseball\u2019s Greatest Visionary.\u201d<\/p>\n Rube Foster was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.<\/p>\n __________________________________________________________<\/p>\n Julio Franco (1958 \u2013) \u2026 Second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you believe \u201cOld Guys Rule\u201d \u2013 Julio Franco should be your king.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As Rod Serling often said:\u00a0 For your consideration:<\/em> Only 25 Major League home runs have been hit by players who had passed their 45th birthday \u2013 and Julio Franco hit 20 of them.<\/p>\n Franco is also the oldest player to homer in an MLB game. Franco went deep at age 48 years, 254 days, hitting a two-run shot off Arizona\u2019s Randy Johnson as Franco\u2019s Mets topped the Diamondbacks 5-3 on April 26, 2006). In that same game, Franco also became the second-oldest MLB player to steal base \u2013 and, thus, the oldest player to homer and steal a base in the same game.<\/p>\n Franco is also the:<\/p>\n From 1982 to 1994, Franco played primarily as a middle infielder and DH for the Phillies, Indians, Rangers and White Sox \u2013 making three All Star teams (MVP of the 1990 All Star Game), earning five Silver Slugger Awards and leading the American League in hitting at .341 for the Rangers in 1991. In that 1991 campaign, Franco collected 201 hits, 15 homers, 78 RBI, 108 runs scored and 36 steals in 45 attempts. At season\u2019s end, he had hit .300+ in five of the previous six seasons \u2013 the lone exception being .296 in 1990.<\/p>\n In 1994, when the remainder of the MLB season was lost to a strike, Franco was in the midst of possibly his best campaign.\u00a0 After 112 games, he was hitting .319, with 138 hits, 20 home runs, 98 RBI, 72 runs scored, and eight steals.\u00a0 Franco was determined to keep swinging the bat and signed to play in Japan with the Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines.\u00a0 In the 1995 Japanese season, Franco hit .306 and won the Pacific League\u2019s equivalent of the Gold Glove at first base.<\/p>\n Franco returned to MLB in 1996, joining the Cleveland Indians, hitting .322-14-76 in 112 games. In August of the following season, the Indians released Franco \u2013 who was hitting .284-3-25 at the time. He finished the 1997 campaign with the Brewers, hitting .241 in 14 games with Milwaukee.<\/p>\n In 1998, at age 39, Franco was back in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte; where he hit .290, with 18 home runs and 77 RBI in 131 games. Then in 1999, he celebrated turning 40 (when most ballplayers are retired or coaching) by hitting for a .423 average in the Mexican League and getting one late-season MLB at bat with Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n As he moved into his forties, Franco was far from finished as a player. He played in South Korea in 2000 (age 41), hitting .327-22-110.\u00a0 In 2001, the well-traveled batsman was back in the Mexican League (Mexico City Tigers), where stellar play (a .437 average in 110 games) earned him a spot on the Atlanta Braves\u2019 roster in September. Franco hit .300, with three home runs and 11 RBI over the final 5 \u00bd weeks of the MLB season.<\/p>\n From 2001 to 2007, the ageless wonder \u2013 professional hitter and pretty darn good first sacker \u2013 played for the Braves and Mets.\u00a0 From 2001 through 2006 \u2013 ages 42 to 47 \u2013 Franco averaged .290 over 581 games.\u00a0 He hit .222 in 55 games in his final MLB season \u2013 2007 with the Mets and Braves.<\/p>\n Even at 49, Franco was not done battering baseballs. In 2008, he could be found at first base with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (where he hit .250 in 36 games). That season, Franco \u2013 after 23 Major League seasons and 30 years after his first professional baseball game \u2013 announced his retirement as a player.<\/p>\n Oops? Not so fast. In 2014, at the age of 55, he appeared in seven games for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League \u2013 going six for 27.\u00a0\u00a0 Then in 2015, Franco was signed as player-manager of the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League (identified as a semi-pro league).<\/p>\n In 23 MLB seasons, Franco hit .298, with 2,586 hits, 173 homers, 1,285 runs, 1,194 RBI and 281 stolen bases. He also collected 618 minor league (U.S) hits, 316 in the Mexican League, 286 in Japan, 267 in the Dominican Winter League and 156 in South Korea and six in independent ball (U.S.).<\/p>\n Forever young, Mr. Franco – baseball’s Energizer Bunny – got my vote.<\/p>\n _____________________________________________________<\/p>\n Mamie \u201cPeanut\u201d Johnson (1935 \u2013 2017) \u2026 Seventh year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mamie Johnson was one of three females to play for the Indianapolis Clowns during the declining days of the Negro Leagues (and the only woman ever to pitch in the Negro Leagues). \u00a0Johnson took the mound to the Clowns for three seasons (1953-55), running up a 33-8 record.\u00a0 Her exploits are chronicled in the children\u2019s book \u201cA Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie \u2018Peanut\u2019 Johnson,\u201d by Michelle Y. Green.<\/p>\n ________________________________<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mike Marshall (1943 \u2013\u00a0 ) \u2026 Fifteenth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I should probably say Doctor Mike Marshall, since this former major league reliever (14 seasons \u2026 1967, 1969-81) earned three college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Kinesiology is the study of muscle movement and Marshall used his knowledge to develop his own exercise program focused on minimizing stress, reducing injury and accelerating recovery time.\u00a0 While his unorthodox methods, advanced education and outspoken approach often had him at odds with baseball\u2019s traditionalists (and may be part of the reason he pitched for nine teams in 14 seasons), they did get the job done.<\/p>\n The fact is, we never saw a closer quite like Mike Marshall before he came along \u2013 and we\u2019re not likely to see one like him again. In 1974, as a Dodger, he put up the grand-daddy of all relief seasons \u2013 setting the single-season MLB records for appearances with 106 and innings pitched in relief at 208 1\/3. He finished the campaign 15-12, with a league-topping 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA.\u00a0 That season, Marshall was called on to go more than one inning in 74 games (68.5 percent of the time) and he toiled three or more innings 22 times. He also relieved in 13 consecutive regular-season games \u2013 an MLB record later tied (1986) by the Rangers\u2019 Dale Mohorcic. His efforts won him the 1974 Cy Young Award and recognition as The Sporting News<\/em> NL Pitcher of the Year.<\/p>\n Marshall led his league in games pitched four times and saves three times \u2013 finishing 97-112, 3.14 with 188 saves.<\/p>\n A true \u201cfireman\u201d from an era when closers came in to put out fires and stayed on the mound to ensure they were no flare ups, Marshall gets my vote for the Shrine.<\/p>\n ______________________________________<\/p>\n Pete Reiser (1919-1981) \u2026 Eighth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Combine Willie Mays\u2019 skill set (younger folks, think Mike Trout) with Pete Rose\u2019s hustle and on-field abandon and you have Pete Reiser. In his first full MLB season (CF, Dodgers, 1941), a 22-year-old Reiser dazzled defensively and led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), batting average (.343), total bases (299), Slugging Percentage (.558) and hit by pitch (11) \u2013 tossing in 14 home runs and 76 RBI for good measure. He was an All Star and finished second in the National League MVP balloting.\u00a0 Unfortunately, unpadded outfield walls, helmet-less at bats (the fiery Reiser was a frequent bean ball target) and aggressiveness on the base paths (Reiser twice led the NL in stolen bases and holds the NL record for steals of home in a season at seven) took their toll.<\/p>\n In his ten-season career, Reiser endured five skull fractures, a brain injury, a dislocated shoulder and a damaged knee.\u00a0 He was carted off the field 11 times during his career (six times unconscious) and once actually given last rites at the stadium \u2013 and he played on. The three-time All Star retired as a player with a .295 career average, playing in 861 games over ten seasons. No telling what he might have done with padded outfield walls and batting helmets.\u00a0 Pete Reiser was a true \u2013 and talented \u2013 gamer. For more on Reiser, try \u201cPete Reiser: The Rough and Tumble Career of the Perfect Ballplayer,\u201d by Sidney Jacobson.<\/p>\n For a combination of pure talent and reckless abandon – Pete Reiser gets my vote.<\/p>\n __________________________________________<\/p>\n Bing Russell (1926-2003) \u2026 Fifth year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nate Oliver \u201cBing Russell\u201d is probably best known to the general populace as Deputy Clem Foster in the TV series Bonanza.\u00a0 His TV and film credits, in fact, run long and deep.\u00a0 He was cast in the film The Magnificent Seven<\/em> and had guest roles in such television series as Wagon Train, Johnny Ringo, The Rifleman<\/em> and The Big Valley<\/em>.\u00a0 And he was more than just a cowboy, he was also seen in television roles in series ranging from The Rockford Files<\/em> to The Twilight Zone<\/em> to The Monkees.<\/em><\/p>\n For baseball fans, Russel\u2019s greatest role may have been as owner of the Portland Mavericks \u2013 an independent entry into Northwest League.\u00a0 Shepherding the only independent team in the league, Russell took a group of ballplayers described in his Shrine of the Eternals nomination as \u201cmisfits, reprobates, hangers-on and washouts\u201d and turned them into winners and the toast of the town \u2013 much to the chagrin of baseball\u2019s organized franchises.<\/p>\n It all came about after organized ball moved the struggling Triple A Portland Beavers out of the city after the 1972 season. Russell led a move to establish the Class C Portland Mavericks (as an independent franchise) in the city.\u00a0 As an owner, Russell’s focus was fun \u2013 and perhaps a bit of rebellion.\u00a0 He had no ties to any MLB franchise, banned corporate advertising in the ball park and filled his team from open tryouts.\u00a0 (He also, eventually, hired professional baseball\u2019s first female General Manager, as well as its first Asian-American General Manager.)<\/p>\n How\u2019d all of this work out?\u00a0 Well, major league baseball did not expect the ragtag Mavericks to do well against their \u201cin-the-system\u201d prospects. They underestimated the impact of\u00a0 Russell\u2019s focus and style \u2013 and the determination of his last-chance hopefuls.<\/p>\n In 1973, the Mavericks went 45-35 and finished first in the league\u2019s South Division.<\/p>\n In 1974, they went 50-34 and finished second in the West Division \u2013 just two games behind the Dodgers\u2019 Bellinger farm club.<\/p>\n In 1975, it was 42-35 and first place in the North Division.<\/p>\n In 1976, it was 40-32 and another North Division first-place finish.<\/p>\n In 1977, 44-22 and first place in the South Division. The Mavericks, that season, had the best record in the league, won their division by 22 games and drew 125,000 fans to 33 regular season home games (a minor-league short-season record).\u00a0 Their average attendance was 3,788 fans per game.<\/p>\n Russell and his Mavericks had rekindled Portland passion for baseball with a combination of fun, irreverence and winning (Sounds like a Reliquary-friendly combo.) They had proven that an independent franchise could compete and win on the field and at the turnstiles. And, organized baseball took notice. They wanted the territory back and eventually \u2013 after some hard-fought legal battles \u2013 got it (although they had to pay Russell what was, at the time, by far the highest ever minor-league territorial rights payment; a victory for Russell and independent baseball).<\/p>\n So, in 1978, the Mavericks were dissolved and were replaced by the PCL Portland Beavers. By the way, the Beavers drew an average of just 1,397 per game. Oh, and Russell\u2019s success was ultimately documented in the 2014 film \u201cThe Battered Bastards of Baseball.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 You should see it.<\/p>\n Three final fun facts about Russell and his life-long love affair with baseball.:<\/p>\n 1) He grew up near the Yankees Spring Training Camp in St. Petersburg, Florida and \u2013 as youngster \u2013 became a kind of unofficial mascot for the team \u2013 mingling with the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Lefty Gomez and Lou Gehrig.\u00a0 (Reportedly, Gehrig gave Russell the bat he used to hit his last major-league home run);<\/p>\n 2) Later, pre-Mavericks, Russell created a number of detailed baseball training\/instructional films; and<\/p>\n 3) Bing Russell\u2019s son, noted actor Kurt Russell, played four seasons of minor league baseball and his grandson Matt Franco played eight MLB seasons (Cubs, Mets, Braves).<\/p>\n For a life-long commitment to baseball, an attitude consistent with The Baseball Reliquary’s values\u00a0 and a solid measure of success on the field and at the gate, Bing Russell gets my vote.<\/p>\n ____________________________________<\/p>\n Justine Siegal (1975- ) \u2026 Second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1988, a baseball coach told 13-year-old pitcher-third baseman Justine Siegal that she wasn\u2019t wanted on his (boys) baseball team, that she should play softball instead. That denied opportunity to play the game she loved helped create a powerful gender-equity dynamo and, while there is still a long way to go, baseball is becoming the better for it.<\/p>\n Being from Minnesota, I take pride in the fact the Siegal earned a Bachelor\u2019s Degree (Concentration: Leadership: Religion, Military and Baseball) from Northfield, Minnesota\u2019s St. Olaf College. She went on to earn a Masters degree in Sport Studies from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield (MA) College.\u00a0 And through all of this, Siegal never lost her passion for \u2013 and focus on \u2013 baseball and generating opportunity for women (and girls) to take their place in the national pastime.<\/p>\n Consider:<\/p>\n Siegal currently serves as Director of Sports Partnerships at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University \u2013 a position she has held since 2011. For more on Siegal and the impact of her work, I’d suggest visiting the baseballforall.com website<\/p>\n When major league baseball sees its first female player, she will owe a tip of the cap to Justine Siegal. For her contributions to that eventuality, Siegal gets my vote.<\/p>\n _______________________________________<\/p>\n Rube Waddell (1876-1914) \u2026 Twenty-second year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rube Waddell is almost universally recognized as the zaniest player in MLB history (that alone should earn him a spot in the Shrine).\u00a0 Add the fact that he also was one of the best pitchers (at least when he was focused) in the game and Waddell seems a perfect fit for Reliquary honors.<\/p>\n Waddell was known to:<\/p>\n Waddell simply was more interested in the freedom to enjoy life and do things his way than in money or professional stability.\u00a0 But, when Waddell was on his game, he was arguably the best pitcher of his time. The 6\u20191\u201d, 195-lb. lefty led the AL in strikeouts six consecutive seasons (1902-1907) \u2013 by a wide margin.<\/p>\n In 1902, Waddell joined the Philadelphia Athletics in June \u2013 making his first start on June 26 (with just 86 games left in the season). Waddell proceeded to win 24 games (the league\u2019s second-highest total) against seven losses, with a 2.05 ERA.\u00a0 Despite his shortened season, he led the AL with 210 strikeouts, fifty more than the runner-up (none other than Cy Young).<\/p>\n In 1904, Waddell set a modern (post-1900) MLB record with 349 strikeouts that stood until 1965.\u00a0 Waddell, elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946, finished with a 193-143, 2.16 stat line \u2013 leading the AL in strikeouts six times, ERA twice, wins once and complete games once. For more on Waddell, BBRT suggests: \u201cRube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist,\u201d by Allan Howard Levy.<\/p>\n Honoring the zaniest player in history – a title it appears Waddell will hold into eternity – just seems right for the Shrine of the Eternals. Rube gets my vote.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Primary Resources:\u00a0 The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball-Reference.com; The Baseball Reliquary; The Society for American Baseball Research.<\/em><\/p>\n Coming in May – The Results of The Baseball Reliquary’s 2020 Shrine of the Eternals balloting – and a full list of past honorees.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cLuscious\u201d Luke Easter was one of the most prodigious home run hitters of all time. His titanic blasts were known as \u201cEaster Eggs.\u201d Among his notables, Easter:<\/p>\n\n
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<\/a>Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.\u00a0 To see the full list, click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n