Cub Hall of Fame trivia

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 2:38 PM CST Comment 78 comments

On Monday, Ron Gant, Dan Plesac and Greg Vaughn became the 187th, 188th and 189th players between 1978 and the present day to receive ZERO votes in their first year listed on the Baseball Writers Association of America's Hall of Fame Ballot.

(Not all players are listed on the ballot. Todd Hundley, for instance, was "eligible" this year but was not on the ballot.)

Since Gant, Plesac and Vaughn received less than 5 percent of the vote, they are ineligible for future consideration.

Of the 189 players who received ZERO votes in their first year on the ballot, 34 have at least one regular-season at-bat or have pitched at least one regular-season game with the major-league Cubs. How many can you name??

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I'm fairly young...

so I’ll guess Morgan, Myers, Dunston, McGriff, and Blauser, with no confidence in any.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 13, 2009 2:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

And to keep stabbing...

Tapani, Mulholland, Wilson, and McRae.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 13, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Other Than Plesac

Just guessing:
Steve Stone, Dave Smith, Rick Aguilera, Rick Monday, Dick Tidrow, Mike Krukow?

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 2:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Neifi Perez.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Jan 13, 2009 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hall of what?

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Jan 13, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 14, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So far...

you’ve got 2…

1. Steve Stone
2. Dick Tidrow

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 2:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sweet.

I’m dropped an 0-9.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 13, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I, not I'm.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 13, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a two or three-game stretch for Neifi

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jan 14, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

just to re-iterate

These 189 guys were nominated to actually get on the ballot in their first year eligible.

Dunston, for instance, got on last year (2008) and got one vote.
Blauser, on the other hand, was not nominated.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 2:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Blauser play enough years to qualify?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 13, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He did but...

..the committee did not deem him worthy enough to put him on the ballot.

This year (2009), for instance, Girardi was eligible as a player but was not nominated to be placed on the ballot.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

Todd Hundley was eligible, but was not nominated to appear on the ballot.

Randy, on the other hand, was nominated to appear on the ballot in his first year. And he received ZERO votes.

Seems interesting that there are guys who can get on the ballot and still get NO votes. I bet if Randy had played for the Yankees and put up the same numbers, he would’ve seen more respect from voters.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't realize they had stopped....

… automatically putting people on the ballot after ten years of play and five years retired.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 13, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Me neither!

Seems like a strange rule.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Other Guesses

Scott Sanderson, Howard Johnson, Larry Gura, Andre Thornton, Craig Lefferts

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

one more interesting tidbit

Kingman received just THREE votes in his first year eligible — 1992.

Proving once again, a lot of bad pr goes a long way.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Up to 5!

1. Larry Gura
2. Howard Johnson
3. Scott Sanderson
4. Steve Stone
5. Dick Tidrow
…

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i should add plesac to that list, so 6...

1. Larry Gura
2. Howard Johnson
3. Dan Plesac
4. Scott Sanderson
5. Steve Stone
6. Dick Tidrow

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm Not Cheating By Looking It Up

Candy Maldonado, Dennis Lamp, Bill Caudill, Donnie Moore, Gary Matthews, Sr.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Great guesses, up to 7...

1. Larry Gura
2. Howard Johnson
3. Gary Matthews Sr.
4. Dan Plesac
5. Scott Sanderson
6. Steve Stone
7. Dick Tidrow

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Of the 27 remaining...

…only two played for the Cubs in the 90s, none in the 2000s.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Going Back A Long Time

Manny Trillo, Ivan DeJesus, Bobby Murcer, Davey Lopes, Jim Sundberg

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Up to 8!

Still 2 players from the 90s left! (Duration of Cubs’ stint in parenthesis.)

1. Larry Gura (1970-73)
2. Howard Johnson (1995)
3. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
4. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
5. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
6. Steve Stone (1974-76)
7. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
8. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How about

Larry Bowa
Rick Reuschel

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jose Cardinal?

"[I]f we get a Jumbotron, I can't pull the instant replay thing on all the rookies. Every time there's a good play, we're like, 'Oh, look at the replay,' and you get the rookies to look at the scoreboard." - Ryan Dempster, 2 January 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Jan 13, 2009 3:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Have A Life

Rod Beck, Ron Cey, Rick Sutcliffe, Mel Rojas, Bill Campbell, Willie Hernandez

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Broglio

by jbertram on Jan 13, 2009 3:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bill Buckner?

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No, on all counts.

Good guesses, but all those guys either weren’t nominated in their first year eligible, or received more than ZERO votes in their first year on the ballot.

Cey (my favorite player ever), for instance, received eight votes in 93. The same year Madlock got 19, Davey Lopes and Andre Thornton got 2, and Sarge Matthews got 0.

All of those guys were booted off the ballot for getting less than 5 percent.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

or

Dwight Smith
Tim Stoddard

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nope

Don’t know about Stoddard, but I doubt Dwight Smith was nominated.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't

Matthews go on the list with 0?

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He's already on there (see above)

Still 2 players from the 90s left! (Duration of Cubs’ stint in parenthesis.)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

I missed it.

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How About?

Keith Moreland, Don Kessinger, Bill Hands, Ken Holtzman, Darold Knowles

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You are on fire, up to 10...

Still 2 guys left who played for the Cubs in the 90s.

1. Larry Gura (1970-73)
2. Bill Hands (1967-1972)
3. Howard Johnson (1995)
4. Darold Knowles (1975-76)
5. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
6. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
7. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
8. Steve Stone (1974-76)
9. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
10. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

24 guys left...

…only 4 of them played for the Cubs after 1980.
Of course, they have may have played for other teams after 1980.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yet More Guesses

Chris Speier, Gary Gaetti, Leon Durham, Glenn Beckert, Phil Regan, Rawley Eastwick

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 3:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How about

Lance Johnson
Ted Abernathy
George Bell

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 3:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nope...

Good guesses memphiscub and chuck12570, but no on all nine.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 3:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's another hint...

Four of the 24 remaining guys played for the Cubs after 1980.

All four were pitchers.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who Else?

Steve Trout, Dick Ruthven, Randy Hundley, Oscar Gamble, Tommy Davis, Jaime Navarro

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You got two more, up to 12!

Still 22 left, including the 4 Cubs who pitched for the team after 1980.
(Duration of Cubs’ stint in parenthesis)

1. Oscar Gamble (1969)
2. Larry Gura (1970-73)
3. Bill Hands (1967-1972)
4. Randy Hundley (1966-1973; 1976-77)
5. Howard Johnson (1995)
6. Darold Knowles (1975-76)
7. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
8. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
9. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
10. Steve Stone (1974-76)
11. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
12. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let's See About Others

Joe Niekro, Milt Pappas, Mitch Williams, Jim Hickman, Ray Burris, Mike Bielecki

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 4:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was waiting for someone to guess Wild Thing, up to 13!

(Now three Cubs left who pitched after 1980)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here we go.

Lynn McGlothen, Woodie Fryman, Champ Summers, Danny Jackson, Bob Tewksbury, Jack Aker, Steve Barber, John Boccabella, Chris Cannizzarro, Phil Gagliano, Bob Miller, Dick Selma, Jim Colborn.

How’d I do?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 13, 2009 4:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Phil Gagliano

I did not know he ever played for the Cubs. I see he played for them in 1970. I have only heard about his Cardinals days playing with another Memphis product, Tim McCarver.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice guess, 13-for-13...still 8 left according to my math!

(Duration of Cubs stint in parenthesis)

1. Jack Aker (1972-73)
2. Steve Barber (1970)
3. John Boccabella (1963-1968)
4. Chris Cannizzarro (1971)
5. Jim Colborn (1969-1971)
6. Woodie Fryman (1978)
7. Phil Gagliano (1970)
8. Oscar Gamble (1969)
9. Larry Gura (1970-73)
10. Bill Hands (1967-1972)
11. Randy Hundley (1966-1973; 1976-77)
12. Danny Jackson (1991-92)
13. Howard Johnson (1995)
14. Darold Knowles (1975-76)
15. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
16. Lynn McGlothen (1978-1981)
17. Bob Miller (1970-71)
18. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
19. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
20. Dick Selma (1969)
21. Steve Stone (1974-76)
22. Champ Summers (1975-76)
23. Bob Tewksbury (1987-88)
24. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
25. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)
26. Mitch Williams (1989-1990)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

gotta catch a train

i’ll check in later.

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 4:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Let Me Rack My Brain

Bobby Bonds, Davey Johnson, Rico Carty, Ted Sizemore, Jerry Mumphrey, Joe Pepitone

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Now Cheating for A Couple

I looked up Juan Pizarro and Tony Taylor.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 13, 2009 5:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You got it. Just 5 more on that list.

I just think it’s pretty fascinating to look at this list of guys, who were good enough to have a solid career, good enough to get nominated for the HOF, yet didn’t merit a single HOF vote for whatever reason. Certainly they deserve more than that distinction.

When so much of the Hall is politics now (Henderson not getting unanimous; Rice getting in but Hawk having to wait; no love for Lee Smith; Santo, etc.), it’s just as interesting to see the guys at the bottom of the ballot and how the bits and pieces of votes have played out over time.

(Duration of Cubs stint in parenthesis)
1. Jack Aker (1972-73)
2. Steve Barber (1970)
3. John Boccabella (1963-1968)
4. Chris Cannizzarro (1971)
5. Jim Colborn (1969-1971)
6. Woodie Fryman (1978)
7. Phil Gagliano (1970)
8. Oscar Gamble (1969)
9. Larry Gura (1970-73)
10. Bill Hands (1967-1972)
11. Randy Hundley (1966-1973; 1976-77)
12. Danny Jackson (1991-92)
13. Howard Johnson (1995)
14. Darold Knowles (1975-76)
15. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
16. Lynn McGlothen (1978-1981)
17. Bob Miller (1970-71)
18. Joe Pepitone (1970-73)
19. Juan Pizarro (1970-73)
20. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
21. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
22. Dick Selma (1969)
23. Steve Stone (1974-76)
24. Champ Summers (1975-76)
25. Tony Taylor (1958-1960)
26. Bob Tewksbury (1987-88)
27. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
28. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)
29. Mitch Williams (1989-1990)

by pinkpony on Jan 13, 2009 7:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Remember that...

… in those days, all you had to do to get “nominated” was to play ten years in the majors and be retired for five. There was no exclusion procedure; everyone who qualified under those two criteria got on the ballot, which is why people like Summers and Gagliano got there.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 13, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Last Gasp...

Ted Sizemore
Bert Hooten
Willie Wilson

by Chuck12570 on Jan 13, 2009 9:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Umm

Jerry Martin, Larry Bittner , Pete Lacock

by jtsurf on Jan 13, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe rejected already . . .

but I’ll try Andre Rodgers, Lindy McDaniel, George Altman, the Penguin, and, maybe, Adolfo Phillips, Dick Ellsworth, Bob Buhl, Larry Jackson . . .

by West Coast Diehard on Jan 13, 2009 11:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

for those still scoring at home...

…here are hints on the last 5 Cubs on that list. The duration of their Cubs’ career is in parentheses:

1. ______ (1977-78)
2. ______ (1967-68)
3. ______ (1967)
4. ______ (1975-76)
5. ______ (1963-67)

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

70's Players

Geoff Zahn and Greg Gross

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 14, 2009 10:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yep. That's two of em.

1. Greg Gross (1977-78)
2. ______ (1967-68)
3. ______ (1967)
4. Geoff Zahn (1975-76)
5. ______ (1963-67)

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 10:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Joe Niekro?

by Chuck12570 on Jan 14, 2009 11:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jim Hickman?

by Chuck12570 on Jan 14, 2009 11:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nope.

One of them shares a name with a famous actor.

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jimmy Stewart (1963-67).

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL. Yep.

1. Greg Gross (1977-78)
2. ______ (1967-68)
3. ______ (1967)
4. Geoff Zahn (1975-76)
5. Jimmy Stewart (1963-67)

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 11:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's one more for you.

Ray Culp (1967).

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 11:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

You got it.

1. Greg Gross (1977-78)
2. ______ (1967-68)
3. Ray Culp (1967)
4. Geoff Zahn (1975-76)
5. Jimmy Stewart (1963-67)

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 11:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'm stumped.

I can’t find any player who both meets the criteria of playing at least 10 years and who played for the Cubs ONLY in those two years.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Last guy...

…shares a last name with a two-time-Cub-pennant-winning, Top 100 Cub of all time who “could have been” in the HOF.

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 11:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Found him.

John Stephenson.

That has to be about the worst career of anyone who was ever even ON a HoF ballot: never had more than 279 AB in any one season and hit .216/.271/.296 in 989 career AB.

Good clue, BTW.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You got it.

That was fun. Who could have predicted — watching Stephenson’s magical two Cub at-bats (0-for-2) during the 1968 season — that he would not only show up on the 1979 HOF ballot, but get as many votes (ZERO) as Tommie Agee.

Interesting side note: Mazeroski was on that same ballot (1979) and drew just 36 votes (8.3 percent).

Full list:
(Duration of Cubs stint in parenthesis)

1. Jack Aker (1972-73)
2. Steve Barber (1970)
3. John Boccabella (1963-1968)
4. Chris Cannizzarro (1971)
5. Jim Colborn (1969-1971)
6. Ray Culp (1967)
7. Woodie Fryman (1978)
8. Phil Gagliano (1970)
9. Oscar Gamble (1969)
10. Greg Gross (1977-78)
11. Larry Gura (1970-73)
12. Bill Hands (1967-1972)
13. Randy Hundley (1966-1973; 1976-77)
14. Danny Jackson (1991-92)
15. Howard Johnson (1995)
16. Darold Knowles (1975-76)
17. Gary Matthews Sr. (1984-87)
18. Lynn McGlothen (1978-1981)
19. Bob Miller (1970-71)
20. Joe Pepitone (1970-73)
21. Juan Pizarro (1970-73)
22. Dan Plesac (1993-94)
23. Scott Sanderson (1984-89)
24. Dick Selma (1969)
25. John Stephenson (1967-68)
26. Jimmy Stewart (1963-67)
27. Steve Stone (1974-76)
28. Champ Summers (1975-76)
29. Tony Taylor (1958-1960)
30. Bob Tewksbury (1987-88)
31. Dick Tidrow (1979-82)
32. Manny Trillo (1975-78; 1986-88)
33. Mitch Williams (1989-1990)
34. Geoff Zahn (1975-76)

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 11:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

In 1987, 1989 and 1991...

… Howard Johnson was among the top hitters in baseball. But he didn’t have enough good years to put together anything close to a HoF career. By the time the Cubs got him he was done.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 12:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry Gura

He pitched briefly and awfully for the Cubs after getting released by the Royals in 1985. I can’t blame anyone for not remembering his second stint with the Cubs.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 14, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And if I remember correctly...

..HoJo was one of those guys (like Joel Youngblood and Von Hayes; and now Nate McClouth and Adrian Gonzalez) who seemed to bat .780 at Wrigley with about 99 2B. I loathed the guy at the time. He’s unstoppable in the nintendo-baseball game of that era — RBI Baseball 2.

But a wash-out — a la Jeff Blauser — with the Cubs.

by pinkpony on Jan 14, 2009 12:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

HoJo hit...

.275/.374/.574 with 27 HR in 357 career AB at Wrigley, by far the most HR he hit in any ballpark other than Shea.

He never homered against the Cubs at Shea, interestingly enough.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's Too Bad...

that the Cubs couldn’t have gotten HoJo to play third base right after Davey Lopes and Ron Cey left the club. He could’ve put up some great numbers at Wrigley during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 14, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs