Veteran Move

The Hall of Fame Veterans Committee vote is soon and MLB.com has the details.

Vets Committee to vote on nominees
Forty-two players, execs and managers on ballot for Hall

Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn are assured their place in the 2007 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this summer. The question now is, will they have company?

Voting members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America have had their say with the election of Ripken and Gwynn -- both on the ballot for the first time. Now it is up to the Hall of Famers themselves as well as honored writers and broadcasters, who make up the Veterans Committee, to decide if other players are deserving of plaques in the venerated museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Nine former Most Valuable Player Award winners are among the 27 players on the 2007 Veterans Committee ballot that was announced on Sept. 28. In addition, 15 former managers, umpires and executives were named on a separate ballot that is part of the Veterans Committee election of Hall of Famers, Ford C. Frick Award winners for broadcasters and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winners for writers.

The complete list is at the link, but there are profiles about:

Tony Oliva

The Twins have had many legendary players since they moved to Minnesota in 1960, but few have had greater appeal than Tony Oliva.

Throughout his illustrious career, Oliva earned the respect and admiration of his fellow players, coaches and fans. But one honor has eluded Oliva for more than two decades.

Oliva is making his third appearance on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot. In the 2005 Veterans election, he garnered 56.3 percent of the vote to finish in third place. A candidate must receive 75 percent of the vote to gain election. In 15 years on the Baseball Writers' ballot, his highest vote percentage was 47.3 percent in 1988. Results of the 2007 Veterans Committee election will be announced on Feb. 27, and the induction ceremony will take place on July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Al Oliver

On Sept. 14, 1968, Al Oliver received the call that the Pittsburgh Pirates had summoned him to the Majors.

Soon after, he received another call that his father had passed away from silicosis, a condition that results from dust build-up in the lungs.

It was a day that understandably changed his life.

Oliver, who had lost his mother when he was 11 years old, would have to tackle the rigors of professional sports without the two biggest influences in his life.

In addition, the 21-year-old Ohio native would have to do so as a replacement parent, as he raised his younger brother and a teenage sister who was pregnant.

Jim Kaat

Despite recording 283 victories over a career that spanned a remarkable 25 seasons, pitcher Jim Kaat spent 15 years on the Hall of Fame bballot without being voted in.

But the Baseball Writers Association of America passed over Kaat each year until his eligibility finally ended in 2003. His first bid on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot in 2005 was also unsuccessful.

In 2007, the left-hander is getting another chance at a ticket to Cooperstown as one of 27 players and 15 managers, executives and umpires who are candidates for election by the Hall's veterans.

In the Major Leagues from 1959-83 with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals, Kaat was 283-237 lifetime with a 3.45 ERA. Currently 29th on the all-time victories list, he had three 20-win seasons, which included a career-high 25 victories for Minnesota in 1966. He was also a three-time All-Star and earned his lone World Series ring as a reliever with St. Louis in 1982.

Paul Richards

Paul Richards' name will be forever synonymous with the cerebral approach to baseball. A sharp intellect intent on honing younger players, Richards made his mark not in grandiose changes, but in refining the intricate and mental aspects of the game.

His name appears on the 2007 Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot for his role in molding inexperienced players into true competitors.

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Richards is probably best known for implementing the oversized mitt used by catchers today, but baseball historian Warren Corbett said that creation was relatively minor compared to some of Richards' other contributions.

Minnie Minoso

Minnie Minoso's mercurial nature as a fan favorite seemingly makes him Hall of Fame-worthy, even without consideration of his on-field results.

But Minoso's playing resume certainly has the merit to stand on its own.

Minoso became the first black player to suit up for the White Sox on May 1, 1951, against the Yankees at Comiskey Park. He also suited up during seven different decades, with a June 30, 1993, foray into Independent League baseball with the St. Paul Saints setting the record.