Well, Gil served in WWII, was a pillar of the Brooklyn community in which the
team played, was a role model for which people prayed for him to break out of a
slump, brought a team from 9th place to win an improbable World Series  which
certainly broadened the appeal of the game of baseball as millions of people
(including non-fans) followed the team in the summer of '69 -at a time when the
country needed something like the Amazins- and displayed the traits of admirable
character, integrity and  dignity that the game could certainly use today. Plus
he was a hell of a ballplayer.

I think I have a frame work for a letter to Mr. Morgan at the Hall.

Ira

   

--- On Tue, 1/13/09, bklynbum14 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
From: bklynbum14 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [GIL HODGES HALL OF FAME SUPPORT] BUCK O'NEIL AWARD--HALL DEFINITION
To: gilhodgeshalloffamesupport@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 5:44 PM











The Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award will honor an individual

whose extraordinary efforts enhanced baseball's positive impact on

society, has broadened the game's appeal, and whose character,

integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by

O'Neil.



I think we can say GIL fits the mold here--the above came from HALL

site & remember BUCK stated at the HALL-GIL deserves to be in HALL--

how fitting for GIL to be first recipient now in 2009 or 2010--HALL

can do when they want--Write Joe Morgan at HALL to get this done for

GIL.





























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