? The names on the cast-bronze plaques hanging in the National Baseball Hall of Fame embody the history and drama of the sport—they are the royalty of baseball. Yet many inductees believed their entry into the Hall was anything but guaranteed, and even some who waited by the phone for the fateful “call to the Hall” were stunned to hear the news. Reactions to the call varied from stoicism to overwhelming emotion, but for most of the 31 inductees interviewed in this book, it was a moment of reflection and gratitude. In other cases, the call came years too late and family members received the posthumous honor.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments deletev
Foreword by Marty Appel
Introduction
Part I.Behind the Call
A Baseball
The First Call to the Hall
Behind the Vote
On the Line
Part II.Answering the Call
Craig Biggio
George Brett
Orlando Cepeda
Nestor Chylak, Jr.
Roberto Clemente
Bobby Cox
Andre Dawson
Leon Day
Tom Gage
Pat Gillick
Joe Gordon
Goose Gossage
Paul Hagen
Doug Harvey
Whitey Herzog
Ferguson Jenkins
James Biz Mackey
Effa Manley
Juan Marichal
Denny Matthews
Tim McCarver
Hank ODay
Tony Perez
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Brooks Robinson
Jacob Ruppert, Jr.
Ryne Sandberg
Ron Santo
Ozzie Smith
John Smoltz
James Deacon White
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Kevin Warneke has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, magazine editor, public relations executive, CEO of a nonprofit organization and fundraiser. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska. David C. Ogden, a retired professor from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has published extensively about the relationship between African-Americans and baseball. He lives in Pacific Junction, Iowa.
