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 “1953 Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony” Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:

The Great Hall of Fame Induction Class of 1953!

“In the first nine years under Mr. Mack’s guidance, I was a great ballplayer. He was the greatest man I ever met in my life.” -Al Simmons speaking of his manager, Connie Mack, at the 1953 Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony.

Ok…I admit it. I love Old-Timers’ photos. And if you’re like me and also like them, then here’s a neat one I think you’ll enjoy.

Nineteen fifty-three was a great year for the Hall of Fame. The Induction Ceremony, held on July 27, 1953, featured inductees Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons who both took a turn at the podium.

Later that year, on September 28^th, the Veterans’ Committee elected players Bobby Wallace and Chief Bender; baseball pioneer Harry Wright; legendary front office exec Ed Barrow; plus umpires Bill Klem and Tom Connolly. The Veterans’ group selectees were all honored during the 1954 Induction Ceremony, but are considered part of the Class of 1953.

In the featured photo, we see 1953 inductees Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons. Joining them for the special occasion are returning Hall-of-Fame stars Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Connie Mack, Ed Walsh, and Rogers Hornsby. They all seem to be enjoying the day’s festivities. Looks like they even decided to link hands for the photo. Hornsby, in his Cincinnati Reds uniform, was in his last year as a major league manager.

There’s an interesting side-bar to Dizzy Dean’s induction that day. Fourteen years earlier, on June 12, 1939, Dizzy was the starting pitcher in the Hall-of-Fame Dedication Game, played during the weekend of the museum’s founding ceremony. And now here he was, 14 years later, being inducted into the Hall of Fame himself. Must have been quite a thrill for ol’ Diz.

In an interview with the Sporting News, Dizzy had this to say about his previous trip to Cooperstown back in ’39:

“I never dreamed my plaque would be in the Hall of Fame when I was pitchin’ in that Dedication Game. I’ll be mighty proud when I see myself in the shrine along with the other wonderful fellows.” Later, speaking about the returning stars, Dizzy added this in his own unique “Dizzy lingo”: “Them’s the kind of ballplayers I’d like to have had behind me all the time!”

Here’s a few words about some of the players mentioned above:

Dizzy Dean won 150 games with 1163 strikeouts and a 3.02 career ERA in 12 years in the majors. His best year was the Cardinals’ World Series Championship year of 1934—the year of the Gashouse Gane—when Dizzy won 30 games and the National League MVP award.

Al Simmons used his time at the mike to praise Connie Mack, calling him “the greatest man I ever met in my life.” In his nine years as a Philadelphia Athletic with Mr. Mack as his manager, Simmons hit .359, including a batting title in 1939 when he hit .390. His 254 hits in 1925 is still the major league single-season record for right-handed hitters.

Chief Bender had a career mark of 212-127 (.645) with a stellar 2.46 ERA over 16 seasons.  He received high praise from his manager Connie Mack that day: “If everything depended upon one game, I just used Albert [Bender’s middle name]. He was the greatest money pitcher of all time.”

Little known Bobby Wallace spent 60 years in baseball, including 25 years as a player, 15 with the St. Louis Browns. Over his career, he amassed 2309 hits. He was one of the most versatile players of all time. His best season was 1897 went he hit .355 with 173 hits and 112 RBIs.

Baseball pioneer Harry Wright was the founder and manager of the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, including a perfect 57-0 record in 1869.

Bill Klem, the “Old Arbitor,” is considered to be the greatest umpire of all time, having officiated 5370 regular-season contests and 103 World Series games over a record 18 World Series from 1905-1941.

Tom Connolly was an umpire for 33 years. Later, as a supervisor, he established standards for umpire integrity. He umpired the first American League game in 1901 and was one of the best at controlling a game. He once went 10 years without ejecting a single player.

Ed Barrow was the architect of baseball’s greatest dynasty, the New York Yankees, including 14 pennants and 10 World Series victories during his time in the front office.

All in all, a pretty good class of inductees in 1953!

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Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from article on the National Hall of Fame website

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