OTT

THE VOTING HALL OF SHAME


Many organizations create a Hall of Fame to honor past members. Usually, the members of the organization take their responsibilities seriously. Sometimes, as with HD for the Ott league, many owners apparently are more concerned with the future and cannot be bothered to look in the past.

The results announced this year were stunning. After “reviewing” a number of candidates, only one was voted in…..deservedly so….Cookie Manto. What of the others deserving honor? Are new owners simply not voting?

Maybe the Commissioner should require voting as a pre-requisite to joining the league?

Maybe there should be a veteran’s committee made up of original owners who realise the contributions from veterans..particularily those that began mid-career. Those veterans dominated the early years but could not run up huge statistics due to their age when Ott commenced. Perhaps the Commish can have a vote of those that were original owners still with the league and REQUIRE all owners to vote for any players deemed worthy by a “founders committee”?

Something needs to be done. Even though Ott had its own “steroid era” that bloated statistics for the offense (especially in Santa Fe’s bandbox), the following should be in the HOF:

Bryan Gold: played mostly for Santa Fe and that has probably hurt his chances because of the super hitter-friendliness of the home park. However, even if you discount the numbers for the Santa Fe factor, a .325 average, the second most hits in league history (2813), and the second most HR (687) in league history should put him in the HOF.

Rudy Ankiel: Number 5 in all time HR with 540, 1945 hits.

Alan Coleman: 1797 hits, 503 HR

Yamid Amazega (479 HR) and Pat Swift (414): Catchers who ruled in the early years that did not have the benefit of long careers to pad their numbers.
Wilton Webster: without the benefit of the SF factor, put up stunning career statistics and acheivements. He was not eligle last year, but if he doesn’t get an unanimous election next year then someone should call the police because Webster will be robbed.

Terry Ellis: The best of the pitchers that had their careers shortened in the steroid era.