How about the oldest players for the HOF?

[BackPocket9Ball]

Steve,

The players that have been or will be inducted into the HOF this year have all been players who reached their peak in the 1960s or later (except possibly Eddie Taylor) when there were tournaments.

What about the players who were part of the first generation great players of the game and peaked prior to the 1960s? Players like Hayden Lingo, "Rags" Fitzpatrick, Glen "Eufaula" Womack, Johnny "Irish", Hubert Cokes, Earl Schriver, Don Decoy, Big Nose Roberts, Marcel Camp, Bob Ingersoll, and "Clem" Metz?

Are these guys likely to be HOF candidates in the future?

[NH Steve]

Steve,

The players that have been or will be inducted into the HOF this year have all been players who reached their peak in the 1960s or later (except possibly Eddie Taylor) when there were tournaments.

What about the players who were part of the first generation great players of the game and peaked prior to the 1960s? Players like Hayden Lingo, "Rags" Fitzpatrick, Glen "Eufaula" Womack, Johnny "Irish", Hubert Cokes, Earl Schriver, Don Decoy, Big Nose Roberts, Marcel Camp, Bob Ingersoll, and "Clem" Metz?

Are these guys likely to be HOF candidates in the future?
We've been talking about having a separate ballot -- maybe called the 'heritage ballot' -- that includes only early players, kind of like what the Baseball HOF does, to focus attention on some of those special early players and promoters of the game. The heritage ballot would probably only elect one inductee per year -- and maybe not even every year.

Good observation. Because the first One Pocket tourney began with the Jansco's in 1961, the publicity on One Pocket doesn't really start until the 60's too -- so we all know a lot more about those more recent players than the earlier ones. I know I'd like to know a lot more about guys like Lingo, Irish, etc...

[hemicudas]

We've been talking about having a separate ballot -- maybe called the 'heritage ballot' -- that includes only early players, kind of like what the Baseball HOF does, to focus attention on some of those special early players and promoters of the game. The heritage ballot would probably only elect one inductee per year -- and maybe not even every year.

Good observation. Because the first One Pocket tourney began with the Jansco's in 1961, the publicity on One Pocket doesn't really start until the 60's too -- so we all know a lot more about those more recent players than the earlier ones. I know I'd like to know a lot more about guys like Lingo, Irish, etc...
That sounds like a very good idea, Steve. Recognizing the living legends first was the way to go, IMO. Let them enjoy it while they are still with us. The baseball HOF is a great analogy.