Sunday, February 16, 2025
54.7 F
Roseville

Hoy for the Hall of Fame

I guess every year you’ll just have to get used to reading about William Elsworth “Dummy” Hoy, a deaf professional baseball player from 1888-1902.

I’ve written more on him than anyone over the last decade: first, because he should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; he means as much to deaf people as Jackie Robinson does to African Americans; and lastly, because I’m a baseball fan.

A group of Hoy enthusiasts has been trying for years to get Hoy into the Hall. The greatest, Steve Sandy, helped facilitate Hoy’s induction into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, and has been pushing for a “Hoy” USPS commemorative stamp. Other Hoy enthusiasts include David Risotto, Rex Bishop, Don Casper, and Gary Kaschak. The five have been working separately and as a team on various projects.
A center fielder with more than 600 stolen bases, 2,000 hits, and a rocket arm, Hoy played in an era in which every deaf baseball player had the nickname “Dummy.” He embraced the moniker.

He probably was responsible for umpires developing ball and strike hand signals, and coached in the minor leagues. He still shares the major league record for runners thrown out at home in one inning (three), and has been inducted already into at least four halls of fame.

What will it take for Hoy to make the Hall of Fame? Kaschak, for one, has been in contact with the Overview Committee, the group gathering names for the ballot. He has succeeded over the last couple years in terms of getting committee members to read his proposal, but Hoy’s stats alone apparently haven’t been quite good enough.

To make the Hall another way, boosters likely will promote Hoy for the next Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, through which the Hall honors people who “enhanced baseball’s positive impact on society, broadened the game’s appeal, and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by (Negro League legend) O’Neil.”

Separate from the above efforts, Risotto and Sandy have approached actor Billy Crystal about involvement in a film featuring Hoy, “The Silent Natural.”

In a telephone interview, Kaschak said, “For Hoy to get in, it will take someone (at the National Baseball Hall of Fame) to recognize the efforts put forth for decades, that (having Hoy inducted) is as important to Deaf people as Jackie Robinson’s (induction) was to the black community.”



Brighter Side

Trending

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

Topics

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

PCWA Hell Hole Reservoir project approved to increase storage

Auburn, Calif. - At its Thursday meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved a $5.8 million contract for the Hell Hole seasonal storage increase project, adding to the capacity of the Hell Hole Reservoir so it can

🍀Clover Valley’s long history predating Rocklin

According to Sierra College Geology Professor Dick Hilton, the valley started to form five million years ago as the Sierra range lifted and tilted westward. Runoff streams wore down millions of years of rock and gravel deposits

❤️ 7 wonderfully fun spring break destinations in California

Roseville, Calif. - We ♥ California! Exploring the breadth and length of the magnificent Golden State is life's never ending journey. With exciting travel opportunities and variety in all directions, Roseville enjoys a premium and convenient location to fuel those adventures.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center emphasizes the use of prevention and natural therapeutics

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is a professional primary care natural medicine committed to helping all people reach their full potential – mind, body and spirit.

Paul Black’s Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.