JR Huckel & Associates

Election and Induction Services for Halls of Fame

Ron Santo – The Good and the Sad

15-12-2011
Ron Santo was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame following his death. Should the health condition of a potential Hall of Famer be part of the conversation?

(December 14, 2011) On December 5th the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced the election of Ron Santo to the Hall of Fame by the Golden Era committee. The Good is that he has been recognized for an honor that many thought long overdue.

The Sad – Santo passed away a little more than a year ago, December 3rd, 2010, after a long battle with diabetes.

How should a Hall of Fame handle this difficult set of circumstances – a worthy candidate whose health is declining and might not be living if the honor were to be conferred in a year or two? When an organization has an objective voting system with voters acting autonomously, it may be difficult to change the process to accommodate such a status.

However, if your Hall of Fame uses a committee structure and discussion to determine the new Hall of Famers, do you consider the health status of a candidate? If a candidate’s credentials are strong, should exceptions be made so the honor is not conferred posthumously? That and other questions around this issue should arise and be discussed.

I think it’s worth the time.

Jack Huckel, Founder & Principal of J.R. Huckel & Associates, offers election and induction consulting services to Halls of Fame. Jack served the National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum as Director of Museum and Archives for 9-1/2 years after more than 10 years as a volunteer. More information is available at the firm’s web site. He can be reached at jack@jrhuckel.com or 518/852-3033.

Jack is a member of the International Sports Heritage Association.

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