Doyel's Dribbles

Congratulations to Dave Niehaus, the Mariners broadcaster who won this year's Ford C. Frick award and the spot in Cooperstown that goes with it.

But Niehaus could have waited a year. Lord knows Joe Nuxhall waited a year. And another year. And maybe forever, it appears.

Nuxhall, the longtime Reds broadcaster, died late last year without his rightful spot in the Hall of Fame, and while a spot now would have been bittersweet in its timing, it would have been better than this: Nuxhall left out, again. And probably forever.

Nuxhall not only has all the stature a broadcaster needs to win the fricking Frick award, but he also holds a record that will never be broken: the youngest player to play in the major leagues. Considering he was 15 when he broke in, and considering MLB rules now prevent teams from signing anyone younger than 16, Nuxhall's record is safe.

Add it up, and he should be in the Hall of Fame. Fans spoke loudly during fan voting for the Frick ballot, giving Nuxhall more votes than the rest of the field combined. Nuxhall should have gotten in before this year, but he definitely should have made it now. My guess is this year was a now-or-never time for Nuxie.

Whoever didn't vote for him can piss off.

I agree...shockingly

Given the amount of people who seem to hate your guts, I know its rare to find someone who agrees with you, but here one is now. I completely agree, Nuxhall should be in the HOF, his record of being the youngest pitcher, the sheer longevity of the time he was involved with baseball (1944-2004...60 years) and the fact that he holds a couple of records for the Reds means he should be voted in. If he does not get in to the hall and Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens do, then it'll show just how ridiculously tarnished the game's highest honor has become, and how misguided the people who put those people into the hall are.

Shame on whoever is keeping Nuxhall out

Gregg, I agree wholeheartedly. Taking nothing away from Niehaus, Nuxie should have been in.

I believe this is just more proof that Major League Baseball, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the writers and the broadcasters, collectively, are elitist groups that take care of their own favorites and don't give a damn about what the fans think.

Sadly, you may be right that this was the now or never time for Hamilton Joe. He touched many lives and many hearts, and he reached many people. It is just too bad he could not reach the right ones to get him over the hump and into the Hall.

I reiterate the closing of your blog entry: whoever didn't vote for Joe can piss off.

Keep up the good work.

Iggy

Gregg Doyel

Shame on whoever is keeping Nuxhall out

I agree...shockingly

Shame on whoever is keeping Nuxhall out