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70-537: Baseball Hall of Fame members Connie Mack (1884), Frank Grant (1887) and Ed Walsh (1902–1903) played for Meriden minor league teams. Minor league baseball play began in Meriden, Connecticut , in 1884. The Meriden team became members of the independent level Connecticut State League . Meriden ended their first season with a record of 25–22 to place second in the six–team league standings. Managed by George Lyon and Albert Boardman, Meriden finished 9.0 games behind

140-502: A championship as the franchise resumed play. Playing as members of the six–team Class F level Connecticut State League, the Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 52–21 to place first in the final standings. Jack Chapman managed the league champions, who finished 5.0 games ahead of the second place Derby Angelsin the final standings. Meriden would play uninterrupted through the 1905 season. The Meriden Bulldogs continued play in

210-404: A championship in a shortened season. Meriden began the season, playing as members of the six–team Connecticut State League. The league folded July 25, 1888, with Meriden in first place with a 9–3 record, ending the season as Connecticut State League champions. The Connecticut State League resumed play in 1891, with Meriden as a member of the ten–team league. The league folded June 13, 1891. Meriden

280-474: A few cases, like umpires, they wear caps without logos. (Executives are not depicted wearing caps.) Additionally, as of 2015, inductee biographies on the Hall's website for all players and managers, and executives who were associated with specific teams, list a "primary team", which does not necessarily match the cap logo. The Hall selects the logo "based on where that player makes his most indelible mark." Although

350-423: A final record of 54–72. Playing the season under the direction of manager Billy Lush , Meriden ended their last Connecticut State League season 30.5 games behind the first place Springfield Ponies in the standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1908 season and did not return to the 1909 Connecticut State League. In 1910, Meriden, Connecticut regained a franchise for a partial season. On July 10, 1910,

420-415: A manager and sportswriter) had first approached the idea of making a memorial to the great players of the past in what was believed to have been the birthplace of baseball: Cooperstown, New York , but the idea did not muster much momentum until after his death in 1925. In 1934, the idea for establishing a Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was devised by several individuals, such as Ford C. Frick (president of

490-442: A maximum of ten years of eligibility (lowered from fifteen years for the 2015 election). Under special circumstances, certain players may be deemed eligible for induction even though they have not met all requirements. Addie Joss was elected in 1978, despite only playing nine seasons before he died of meningitis. Additionally, if an otherwise eligible player dies before his fifth year of retirement, then that player may be placed on

560-578: A record of 12–34. Jack Remsen and Walter Burnham were the Meriden managers. Baseball Hall of Fame member Frank Grant played for the 1886 Meriden Silvermen, integrating the team in the era before the Negro leagues were formed and race restrictions imposed. Reportedly, Grant was one of six black players playing in the otherwise all–white baseball leagues in 1886. After the Silvermen folded, Frank Grant played

630-409: A separate era of baseball. Five years after retirement, any player with 10 years of major league experience who passes a screening committee (which removes from consideration players of clearly lesser qualification) is eligible to be elected by BBWAA members with 10 years' membership or more who also have been actively covering MLB at any time in the 10 years preceding the election (the latter requirement

700-470: A special election at the 1939 Winter Meetings in Cincinnati, specifically to elect Gehrig (most likely because it was known that he was terminally ill , making it uncertain that he would live long enough to see another election). Nobody else was on that ballot, and the numerical results have never been made public. Since no elections were held in 1940 or 1941, the special election permitted Gehrig to enter

770-538: Is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York , operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-related artifacts and exhibits, honoring those who have excelled in playing , managing , and serving the sport. The Hall's motto is "Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations". Cooperstown

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840-477: Is called the "Silver City." In the era, there were numerous silver companies based in Meriden, including the Meriden Britannia Company , founded in 1852. The Silverites placed 5th in the 1900 Class F level Connecticut State League. Playing under managers Connie Miller, A.R. Penny and Tom Reilly, Meriden ended the season with a record of 47–48. The Meriden Silverites finished 16.0 games behind

910-542: Is listed as the Angels despite playing one fewer season for that team than for the Astros. In 2001, the Hall of Fame decided to change the policy on cap logo selection, as a result of rumors that some teams were offering compensation, such as number retirement, money, or organizational jobs, in exchange for the cap designation. (For example, though Wade Boggs denied the claims, some media reports had said that his contract with

980-624: Is often used as shorthand (or a metonym ) for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The Hall of Fame was established in 1939 by Stephen Carlton Clark , an heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Clark sought to bring tourists to the village hurt by the Great Depression , which reduced the local tourist trade, and Prohibition , which devastated the local hops industry. Clark constructed

1050-403: The 2009 election process ; the main committee did not select a player, while the panel for pre–World War II players elected Joe Gordon in its first and ultimately only vote. The main committee voted as part of the election process for inductions in odd-numbered years, while the pre-World War II panel would vote every five years, and the panel for umpires, managers, and executives voted as part of

1120-597: The Ansonia Cuban Giants , a team made up of entirely African-American ballplayers, including future Hall of Famers Frank Grant and Sol White . In 1902, it was a Class D league with teams in eight cities. In 1905, the league became Class B , which lasted until 1913, when the league became the Eastern Association due to several teams outside of the state entering the league. Also a Class B league, it survived two more seasons, then folded after

1190-657: The Cincinnati Reds when he was their manager in the 1980s. (Baseball's Rule 21, prominently posted in every clubhouse locker room, mandates permanent banishment from MLB for having a gambling interest of any sort on a game in which a player or manager is directly involved.) Rose later admitted that he bet on the Reds in his 2004 autobiography . Baseball fans are deeply split on the issue of whether these two should remain banned or have their punishment revoked. Writer Bill James , though he advocates Rose eventually making it into

1260-640: The National League ) and Alexander Cleland, a Scottish immigrant who decided to serve as the first executive secretary for the Museum for the next seven years that worked with the interests of the Village and Major League Baseball . Stephen Carlton Clark (a Cooperstown native) paid for the construction of the museum, which was planned to open in 1939 to mark the "Centennial of Baseball", which included renovations to Doubleday Field. William Beattie served as

1330-532: The Negro leagues have also been considered at various times, beginning in 1971. In 2005, the Hall completed a study on African American players between the late 19th century and the integration of the major leagues in 1947, and conducted a special election for such players in February 2006; seventeen figures from the Negro leagues were chosen in that election, in addition to the eighteen previously selected. Following

1400-775: The Norwich Bonbons of the four–team Class D level Connecticut Association moved to Meriden with a record of 19–21. Based in Meriden, the franchise became the Meriden Doublins on July 15, 1910, playing their first home game on July 19, 1910. The team had an 0–4 record while briefly based in Meriden, as the franchise disbanded on July 24, 1910. the Norwich/Meriden team finished with an overall record of 19–25, playing under managers Dennis Hayes, John Stone and Patsy Flanagan. The Connecticut Association permanently stopped play on August 4, 1910, never to reform. In

1470-480: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays required him to request depiction in the Hall of Fame as a Devil Ray.) The Hall decided that it would no longer defer to the inductee, though the player's wishes would be considered, when deciding on the logo to appear on the plaque. Newly elected members affected by the change include the following: Sam Crane (who had played a decade in 19th century baseball before becoming

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1540-665: The United States House of Representatives by Rep. Richard Hanna , a Republican from New York, and passed the House on October 26, 2011. The coins, which depict baseball gloves and balls, are the first concave designs produced by the Mint. The mintage included 50,000 gold coins, 400,000 silver coins, and 750,000 clad (nickel-copper) coins. The Mint released them on March 27, 2014, and the gold and silver editions quickly sold out. The Hall receives money from surcharges included in

1610-408: The 1898 eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Bulldogs placed fifth in the standings, compiling a record of 46–48 under returning manager Jack Chapman. Meriden finished 8.0 games behind the first place Waterbury Pirates in the final standings. Meriden adopted the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1899 and would play a predominant number of seasons under the nickname. Continuing play in

1680-625: The 1904 season. With a record of 31–84, Meriden placed eighth under manager Sam Kennedy. The Class D level league returned to "Connecticut State League" name, as Meriden finished 39.0 games behind the first place Bridgeport Orators . 1905 the Meriden Silverites placed fifth, as the Connecticut State League became a Class B level League. The Silverites ended the season with a final record of 49–64, led by returning manager Sam Kennedy. Meriden finished 19.0 games behind

1750-1610: The 1914 season. 1884 Connecticut State League Willimantic expelled September 3. The league played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays 1885 Connecticut State League (Continuation of the Southern New England League ) New Britain disbanded September 8 1888 Connecticut State League President: J. Howard Taylor Bridgeport transferred to Stamford in May, then disbanded June 27. Danbury disbanded June 5. The league disbanded July 25. 1891 Connecticut State League President: A.W. Lang Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10. 1894 Connecticut State League Standings unknown 1895 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke 1896 Connecticut State League President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League) 1897 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock 1898 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock New Britain disbanded June 23. Derby disbanded June 25. 1899 Connecticut State League - schedule President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1900 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1901 Connecticut State League President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1902 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1903 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs: 12 Holyoke games (8-4) were deducted after

1820-489: The 1990s. The Hall of Fame includes one female member, Effa Manley . The newest members of the Hall of Fame, inducted on July 21, 2024 , are Adrián Beltré , Todd Helton , Jim Leyland , and Joe Mauer . In 2019, former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera became the first player to be elected unanimously. Derek Jeter , Marvin Miller , Ted Simmons , and Larry Walker were to be inducted in 2020, but their induction ceremony

1890-406: The 2010 changes, Negro leagues figures were primarily considered for induction alongside other figures from the 1871–1946 era, called the "Pre-Integration Era" by the Hall; since 2016, Negro leagues figures are primarily considered alongside other figures from what the Hall calls the "Early Baseball" era (1871–1949). Predictably, the selection process catalyzes endless debate among baseball fans over

1960-520: The Class F level Connecticut State League, the Silverites compiled a record of 44–47, placing fifth in the eight–team league. Managed in 1899 by A. R. Penny and George Courtney, Meriden finished 9.5 games behind the first place New Haven Blues in the final standings. Meriden, Connecticut use of the "Silverites" and their other silver related nicknames corresponds to local history and industry. Meriden

2030-544: The Commissioner's Office made reparations, but the negative publicity damaged the Hall of Fame's reputation, and made it more difficult for it to solicit donations. In 2012, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed a law ordering the United States Mint to produce and sell commemorative, non-circulating coins to benefit the private, non-profit Hall. The bill, H.R. 2527 , was introduced in

2100-541: The Connecticut State League, beginning play on August 27, 1885. The Maroons again finished first as the team compiled an 8–2 record in the remaining Connecticut State League portion of the season, continuing play under manager William Thomas. Meriden continued minor league play in 1886, adopting the Meriden Silvermen moniker. The Silvermen became members of the eight–team Independent level Eastern League . The Meriden Silvermen franchise folded July 13, 1886, with

2170-413: The Hall always made the final decision on which logo was shown, until 2001 the Hall deferred to the wishes of players or managers whose careers were linked with multiple teams. Some examples of inductees associated with multiple teams are the following: In all of the above cases, the "primary team" is the team for which the inductee spent the largest portion of his career except for Ryan, whose primary team

Meriden, Connecticut minor league baseball history - Misplaced Pages Continue

2240-570: The Hall had been sold on the collectibles market. The items had been lent to the Baseball Commissioner 's office, gotten mixed up with other property owned by the Commissioner's office and employees of the office, and moved to the garage of Joe Reichler , an assistant to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn , who sold the items to resolve his personal financial difficulties. Under pressure from the New York Attorney General,

2310-632: The Hall launched Baseball as America , a traveling exhibit that toured ten American museums over six years. The Hall of Fame has since also sponsored educational programming on the Internet to bring the Hall of Fame to schoolchildren who might not visit. The Hall and Museum completed a series of renovations in spring 2005. The Hall of Fame also presents an annual exhibit at FanFest at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game . Among baseball fans, "Hall of Fame" means not only

2380-502: The Hall of Fame's building, which was dedicated on June 12, 1939. (His granddaughter, Jane Forbes Clark , is the current chairman of the board of directors.) The erroneous claim that Civil War hero Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown was instrumental in the early marketing of the Hall. An expanded library and research facility opened in 1994. Dale Petroskey became the organization's president in 1999. In 2002,

2450-487: The Hall of Fame, compared the people who want to put Jackson in the Hall of Fame to "those women who show up at murder trials wanting to marry the cute murderer ". The actions and composition of the Veterans Committee have been at times controversial, with occasional selections of contemporaries and teammates of the committee members over seemingly more worthy candidates. In 2001, the Veterans Committee

2520-410: The Hall of Fame, including 274 former professional players, 23 managers, 10 umpires, and 39 pioneers, executives, and organizers. 118 members of the Hall of Fame have been inducted posthumously, including four who died after their selection was announced. Of the 39 members primarily recognized for their contributions to Negro league baseball , 31 were inducted posthumously, including all 26 selected since

2590-606: The Hall while still alive. If a player fails to be elected by the BBWAA within 10 years of his eligibility for election, he may be selected by the Veterans Committee. Following changes to the election process for that body made in 2010 and 2016, the Veterans Committee is now responsible for electing all otherwise eligible candidates who are not eligible for the BBWAA ballot — both long-retired players and non-playing personnel (managers, umpires, and executives). From 2011 to 2016, each candidate could be considered once every three years; now,

2660-567: The Hall, and voted on a reduced number of candidates from among players whose careers began in 1943 or later. Separate committees, including sportswriters and broadcasters, would select umpires, managers and executives, as well as players from earlier eras. In the first election to be held under the 2007 revisions, two managers and three executives were elected in December 2007 as part of the 2008 election process . The next Veterans Committee elections for players were held in December 2008 as part of

2730-491: The Meriden Silverites in 1902 in his first professional season. Walsh signed his first professional contract with the Meriden Silverites, earning $ 150 per month. Walsh ended the season with a 16–5 record and 2.31 ERA for the Silverites, pitching in 22 games. The 1903 Meriden Silverites were the runner–up, as the league changed names for one season. Meriden ended the season with a record of 60–41 to place second in eight-team Class D level Connecticut League . Managed by Sam Kennedy,

2800-495: The Silverites ended the season 4.5 games behind the first place Holyoke Paperweights in the final standings. In 1903, Ed Walsh continued play with Meriden, compiling an 11–10 record with a 2.14 ERA in 21 games. Walsh began his Hall of Fame major league career the next season with the Chicago White Sox . While playing in Meriden, Connecticut, it was noted that Ed Walsh met his wife Rosemary Carney, who sold ice cream at

2870-416: The ballot at the first election at least six months after his death. Roberto Clemente set the precedent: the writers put him up for consideration after his death on New Year's Eve, 1972, and he was inducted in 1973. The five-year waiting period was established in 1954 after an evolutionary process. In 1936 all players were eligible, including active ones. From the 1937 election until the 1945 election, there

Meriden, Connecticut minor league baseball history - Misplaced Pages Continue

2940-408: The ballpark in Meriden. The pair settled in Meriden, raised a family and lived there during Walsh's career in the major leagues. After his retirement from baseball, Walsh became a chemical engineer, working at a filtration plant for the Meriden municipal water department. Walsh also loved the game of golf and reportedly became the course professional in Meriden. The Silverites finished in last place in

3010-500: The election process for inductions in even-numbered years. Further changes to the Veterans Committee process were announced by the Hall in July 2010, July 2016, and April 2022. Per the latest changes, announced on April 22, 2022, the multiple eras previously utilized were collapsed to three, to be voted on in an annual rotation (one per year): A one-year waiting period beyond potential BBWAA eligibility (which had been abolished in 2016)

3080-465: The final league standings. Meriden returned to the "Meriden Silverites" moniker in 1902, as the eight–team Connecticut State League became a Class D level league. Ending the season with a final record of 51–58, the Silverites placed sixth in the league. Meriden was managed by Connie Miller and Tommy Tucker . The Silverites ended the season 17.5 games behind the first place New Haven Blues team. At age 21, Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Walsh played for

3150-539: The final season of minor league baseball, the 1913 Meriden Hopes finished last, as the team played a partial season as members of the Class B level Eastern Association . The Holyoke Papermakers, with a 24–52 record, moved to Meriden on July 11, 1913. After compiling a record of 16–43 based in Meriden, the team ended the season with an overall record of 40–95, placing eighth, playing under manager Jim Garry in both locations. The Holyoke/Meriden team finished 45.0 games behind

3220-403: The first curator of the museum. According to the Hall of Fame, approximately 260,000 visitors enter the museum each year, and the running total has surpassed 17 million. These visitors see only a fraction of its 40,000 artifacts, 3 million library items (such as newspaper clippings and photos) and 140,000 baseball cards. The Hall has seen a noticeable decrease in attendance since

3290-584: The first place Hartford Senators in the final standings. The Meriden franchise folded following the 1913 season and did not return to the 1914 Eastern Association. Meriden, Connecticut has not hosted another minor league team. For their duration of play, aside from their first season, Meriden minor league teams were noted to have hosted home games at the Meriden Ball Park . Reportedly, the ballpark opened on May 12, 1885. Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

3360-464: The first place Norwich Witches . Adopting the Silver Citys moniker in 1901, Meriden placed fourth in the eight–team Class F level Connecticut State League. The Silver Citys compiled a record of 55–50, playing the season under the direction of returning manager Tom Reilly. Also called the "Miler" team in 1901, Meriden finished the season 10.0 games behind the first place Bristol Woodchoppers in

3430-426: The first place Holyoke Paperweights. The Meriden Silverites folded after the season and did not return to play as members of the 1906 Connecticut State League. After a two-season hiatus, the Meriden Silverites franchise returned to minor league play in 1908. Meriden rejoined the eight–team Class B level Connecticut State League in what was their final season as a member of the league. The Silverites placed seventh, with

3500-419: The first place Waterbury team. Baseball Hall of Fame member Connie Mack played for Meriden in 1884, at age 21, in his first professional season. It was reported that local lawyer and team promoter Cornelius J. Danaher, signed Cornelius McGillicuddy, Mack's given name, as catcher for a salary of $ 90 per month. On September 15, 1884, it was reported that Meriden won a disputed contest against Hartford. Meriden

3570-450: The frequency depends on the era in which an individual made his greatest contributions. A more complete discussion of the new process is available below . From 2008 to 2010, following changes made by the Hall in July 2007, the main Veterans Committee, then made up of living Hall of Famers, voted only on players whose careers began in 1943 or later. These changes also established three separate committees to select other figures: Players of

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3640-420: The game. — Ogden Nash , Sport magazine (January 1949) Contrary to popular belief, no formal exception was made for Lou Gehrig (other than to hold a special one-man election for him): there was no waiting period at that time, and Gehrig met all other qualifications, so he would have been eligible for the next regular election after he retired during the 1939 season. However, the BBWAA decided to hold

3710-439: The hope of heightening the value of their own selection. After no one was selected for the third consecutive election in 2007, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt noted, "The same thing happens every year. The current members want to preserve the prestige as much as possible, and are unwilling to open the doors." In 2007, the committee and its selection processes were again reorganized; the main committee then included all living members of

3780-446: The level of Jackson or Rose. Jackson and Rose were both banned from MLB for life for actions related to gambling on their own teams—Jackson was determined to have cooperated with those who conspired to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series , and for accepting payment for losing, and Rose voluntarily accepted a permanent spot on the ineligible list in return for MLB's promise to make no official finding in relation to alleged betting on

3850-710: The merits of various candidates. Even players elected years ago remain the subjects of discussions as to whether they deserved election. For example, Bill James ' 1994 book Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame? goes into detail about who he believes does and does not belong in the Hall of Fame. The selection rules for the Baseball Hall of Fame were modified to prevent the induction of anyone on Baseball's "permanently ineligible" list, such as Pete Rose or "Shoeless Joe" Jackson . Many others have been barred from participation in MLB, but none have Hall of Fame qualifications on

3920-422: The mid-1990s, dropped players were made permanently ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration, even by the Veterans Committee. A 2001 change in the election procedures restored the eligibility of these dropped players; while their names will not appear on future BBWAA ballots, they may be considered by the Veterans Committee. Players receiving 5% or more of the votes but fewer than 75% are reconsidered annually until

3990-476: The mid-2010s. A 2013 story on ESPN.com about the village of Cooperstown and its relation to the game partially linked the reduced attendance with Cooperstown Dreams Park, a youth baseball complex about 5 miles (8.0 km) away in the town of Hartwick . The 22 fields at Dreams Park currently draw 17,000 players each summer for a week of intensive play; while the complex includes housing for the players, their parents and grandparents must stay elsewhere. According to

4060-446: The museum and facility in Cooperstown, New York, but the pantheon of players, managers , umpires , executives, and pioneers who have been inducted into the Hall. The first five men elected were Ty Cobb , Babe Ruth , Honus Wagner , Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson , chosen in 1936; roughly 20 more were selected before the entire group was inducted at the Hall's 1939 opening. As of January 2024 , 346 people had been elected to

4130-685: The remainder of the season for the Buffalo Bisons in the International League. In 1886, it was reported that Meriden was the smallest city in the Eastern League and that the franchise had suffered financially due to a schedule that had no weekend dates during May and only seven total home games during May, 1886. The financial hardships from lack of revenue were noted to have contributed to the franchise folding. The Meriden team returned to minor league play in 1888, winning

4200-477: The sale price: a total of $ 9.5 million if all the coins are sold. Derby Angels The Connecticut League , also known as the Connecticut State League , was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut . The league began as offshoot of the original Connecticut State League, which dates back as far as 1884. In 1891, the Connecticut State League included

4270-534: The story, Prior to Dreams Park, a room might be filled for a week by several sets of tourists. Now, that room will be taken by just one family for the week, and that family may only go into Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame once. While there are other contributing factors (the recession and high gas prices among them), the Hall's attendance has tumbled since Dreams Park opened. The Hall drew 383,000 visitors in 1999. It drew 262,000 last year. A controversy erupted in 1982, when it emerged that some historic items given to

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4340-462: The team. The City of Meriden placed Connie Mack in their hall of fame in 1980. The 1885 Meriden Maroons played in two leagues during the season and won championships in both. The Maroons began the season as members of the Southern New England League . The league folded on August 25, 1885, and reformed, leaving Meriden with a 41–21 record and in first place under manager William Thomas when the league stopped play. The league then restructured to become

4410-463: Was added for the 2016 election). From a final ballot typically including 25–40 candidates, each writer may vote for up to 10 players; until the late 1950s, voters were advised to cast votes for the maximum 10 candidates. Any player named on 75% or more of all ballots cast is elected. A player who is named on fewer than 5% of ballots is dropped from future elections. In some instances, the screening committee had restored their names to later ballots, but in

4480-597: Was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic until September 8, 2021. The ceremony was open to the public, as COVID restrictions had been lifted. Players are currently inducted into the Hall of Fame through election by either the Baseball Writers' Association of America (or BBWAA), or the Veterans Committee , which now consists of four subcommittees, each of which considers and votes for candidates from

4550-453: Was in effect. (DiMaggio, for example, retired after the 1951 season and was first eligible in the 1953 election.) The modern rule establishing a wait of five years was passed in 1954, although those who had already been eligible under the old rule were grandfathered into the ballot, thus permitting Joe DiMaggio to be elected within four years of his retirement. Z is for Zenith The summit of fame. These men are up there. These men are

4620-462: Was in second place with a record of 10–4, playing under manager Tom Reilly, when the league folded. In 1895, the Meriden Silvermen became members of the four–team Connecticut State League, which played a shortened season. The Silverman compiled a record of 4–3 to place second in the league standings. Connie Miller and Tom Reilly were managers, as the Connecticut State League played from July 2, 1895, to August 31, 1895. The 1897 Meriden Bulldogs won

4690-597: Was leading 5–3 in the 9th inning, when Hartford forfeited the game, refusing to play with a new baseball after the previous ball was hit foul into a marsh area. Earlier in the game, Connie Mack hit the only home run of the season at the Meriden Ball Park. On July 1, 1947, the city of Meriden reportedly hosted "Connie Mack Day" as a celebration of his accomplishments in baseball. Mack was noted to have brought his Philadelphia Athletics team to Meriden "many times" to play local teams in his years of owning and managing

4760-422: Was no waiting period, so any retired player was eligible, but writers were discouraged from voting for current major leaguers. Since there was no formal rule preventing a writer from casting a ballot for an active player, the scribes did not always comply with the informal guideline; Joe DiMaggio received a vote in 1945, for example. From the 1946 election until the 1954 election, an official one-year waiting period

4830-486: Was reformed to comprise the living Hall of Fame members and other honorees. The revamped Committee held three elections, in 2003 and 2007 , for both players and non-players, and in 2005 for players only. No individual was elected in that time, sparking criticism among some observers who expressed doubt whether the new Veterans Committee would ever elect a player. The Committee members, most of whom were Hall members, were accused of being reluctant to elect new candidates in

4900-418: Was reintroduced, thus restricting the committee to considering players retired for at least 16 seasons. The eligibility criteria for Era Committee consideration differ between players, managers, and executives. While the text on a player's or manager's plaque lists all teams for which the inductee was a member in that specific role, inductees are usually depicted wearing the cap of a specific team, though in

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