Pat Gillick gave me hope for the future regarding the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Pat Gillick
Pondering HOFer Pat Gillick
Don’t wait for Cooperstown to give you permission to write to front office heroes! |
I was delighted with Pat Gillick’s detailed response he sent me in 2011.
He speculated on future baseball executives who could join him as Hall of Fame members.
Since hearing from Pat, I haven’t focused enough on baseball’s history makers in the front office.
Just today, I sent a letter to Roland Hemond. I heard him speak nearly 25 years ago at an American Legion World Series. After the speech, he told me that his philosophy as a general manager was to trade players one year too soon. He wanted to see that both teams got something worthwhile in a deal. He seemed like a kind, insightful man.
Cross your fingers for me.
Newest Hall of Famer Pat Gillick Predicts Next General Manager Headed to Cooperstown
Ebay is swimming with Gillick sigs like this one ($35?). Surprisingly, he’s still signing all TTM requests! |
Pat Gillick, baseball’s newest Hall of Famer, is the makings for a made-for-TV movie.
Being general manager for the 2008 World Series champion Phillies? That’s just whipped cream on his sundae! Gillick’s involvement in pro ball extends some 50 years and several organizations.
Before becoming a front office executive, Gillick toiled as a scout. He added:
“Actually scouted for Astros and Yankees. Cesar Cedeno was a great talent that should have enjoyed a longer M.L. career.”
Gillick followed the path of his father, Larry Gillick. Dad’s first job was as minor league pitcher. The younger Gillick, whose minor league career pitching in the Orioles farm system lasted five seasons before injuries, remembered:
“Father was a good ‘AA’ pitcher. PCL was ‘AA in the 1930s. Hard worker my father, and served with the Mariners in World War II. Mother was an actress.”
In July, Gillick gets to address the baseball world in his acceptance speech. What executives would he like to welcome to the Hall in the future?
“John Schuerholz certainly deserving. Many young GM’s have great talent and are “prospects” for the HOF in the future.
Regards,
Pat Gillick
HOF 2011″
How many people bothered to write to Gillick for an autograph before his new HOF status? Scouts and other off-field heroes are worthy autographs. Once Cooperstown agrees, collecting their signatures gets much tougher.