DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

This January, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans' Committee again failed to elect former Washington Nationals, Louisville Colonels, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder William “Dummy” Hoy, who played major league baseball from 1888-1902.

“William Ellsworth Hoy was the first deaf player to have a substantial and successful career in the major leagues,” wrote 49-year-old Matthew S. Moore, publisher of Deaf Life magazine, in an email. “He deserves in the Hall of Fame because of his contributions to the game, one of which was carrying sign language and signals into the baseball world. He was also a noteworthy center fielder, and accomplished feats such as throwing out three base runners at the plate in a single game.”

Hoy and two others still hold the major league record for throwing out runners at home in a single game. He had 1,004 career walks, about 600 steals, a .288 career batting average and 2,054 base hits. Hoy led two different leagues in walks once each, and led once in being hit by a pitch and in number of at bats. The Cincinnati Reds inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2003.

From 1898-99, he shared a line-up with Louisville shortstop Honus Wagner, and in 1901 Hoy's White Sox team won the American League pennant. Without a doubt, Hoy, who was deaf, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

“Most members of the Veterans' Committee aren't familiar with nineteenth century players,” said Moore. “They're more interested in living or recent players. Lack of awareness and indifference are big obstacles (to his election).”

Similar to this columnist, Moore is trying to get the Veterans' Committee's attention. In that vein, Moore's company manages the Dummy Hoy (dummyhoy.com) website and will soon publish an authoritative book on Dummy Hoy through Deaf Life Press. Moore personally chairs the Committee for Dummy Hoy.

In the early 1900s, nearly every American deaf athlete took the nickname Dummy. The name then didn't carry any negative connotations. Hoy didn't mind his nickname; he even encouraged it.

Said Moore, “[Hoy's induction] would be cause for rejoicing and the ultimate acknowledgment that deaf players have made unique contributions to baseball and to American culture. It would be a vindication of all the hard work that Hoy's supporters have put in over the last half century, all those who have advocated and campaigned for his induction.”

Contact www.danieljvance.com. [Blue Valley Sod and Palmer Bus Service grants make this column possible.]