Danny Murtaugh

by bolton on Nov 9, 2007 12:02 AM EST Comment 10 comments

I just noticed that Danny Murtaugh is among the 20 former managers, executives and umpires on the new Hall of Fame ballot to be considered by the Veterans Committee next month.

Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog, Dick Williams and Davey Johnson are just some of the other names on the ballot, so I'm sure Murtaugh won't get elected over those more popular names.

But a .540 winning percentage and two world series titles is a pretty good resume. And, of course, he filled out the first all-black lineup card in MLB.

Anyone here think he's deserving and does anyone think he has a shot?

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Not really

We all have fond memories of Danny, and he managed some great clubs, as well as having brought two of them world championships, but in the grand scheme of baseball history, I doubt he has the resume of a Hall of Famer. That isn't to detract at all from what he did--he was brought back to clean up messes three times. It is just the standard for election to the Hall of Fame ought to be consistent excellence over a long period of time. I think there are people there who don't deserve to be there, even though they had illustrious careers.

by RichieHebner on Nov 9, 2007 9:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No and no.

Sorry.

by bucdaddy on Nov 9, 2007 10:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I could actually see...

...him hopping a few of the guys you mentioned, purely on personality. Johnson and Martin had serious personality issues that might cost them some votes, and Williams could fail as a result of his police record. Not saying it's necessarily right or fair, but that's the way things work sometimes in HOF elections. It's why Kirby Puckett sailed through, while Dick Allen's on the outside looking in.

Murtaugh isn't the only Buc on the ballot; former owner Barney Dreyfuss also made the cut.

If there's a slam dunk on the list, it's probably Marvin Miller.

by Vlad on Nov 9, 2007 11:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Marvin Miller

changes the face of sports, not just baseball. If he isn't a slam dunk, I don't know who is. If any Pirate luminary deserves entry it is Barney Dreyfuss.

by RichieHebner on Nov 9, 2007 5:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Danny was a fine example for HOF consideration. If he had managed in New York, he'd be in already.

by Doug Froebel on Nov 9, 2007 9:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

danny

yeah i say he should, but probably wont.

robt

by robt on Nov 10, 2007 10:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Shouldn't a high priority for consideration for a Hall of Fame be that the guy was, y'know, famous? I doubt Danny was even remotely famous outside of Pittsburgh -- if you asked 100 random nonPirates baseball fans, "Who managed the Pirates to the 1960 and 1971 World Series championships?" how many do you think would know? Hell, how many Piartes fans would know? Billy Martin was trouble -- traditional trouble -- but he's certainly as famous as any manager ever, what with the perennial Yankees revolving door, the NYC media etc. Murtaugh's temperamental opposite. That gets noticed way way more than a guy in a rocking chair.

by bucdaddy on Nov 12, 2007 11:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs