Ford C. Frick Award

Last updated
Ford C. Frick Award
1962 Baseball Guide p2.jpg
Ford C. Frick, the award's namesake
SportBaseball
Awarded for"Commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting abilities, reverence within the game, popularity with fans, and recognition by peers."
Location Cooperstown, New York
Presented by National Baseball Hall of Fame
History
First award1978
First winner Mel Allen
Most recent Tom Hamilton (2025)
Website Official website

The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball". [a] It is named for Ford C. Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Prior to his career as an executive, Frick was a baseball writer and occasional broadcaster; he gained fame as a ghostwriter for Babe Ruth in the 1920s. The award was created in 1978, and named in tribute to Frick following his death that year.

Contents

Though they are sometimes erroneously referred to as "Hall of Famers", honorees are not inducted into the Hall of Fame. [3] Honorees (if living) give a speech at the Hall of Fame during induction weekend, and their names are added to a plaque in the Hall's library. As of 2024, none of the winners of the award have gone on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Selection

Detail on the selection process for the award when it was first established is lacking.

From 2004 to 2016, fans were allowed to vote for three of the award's ten annual nominees; in the final years of fan voting, it was conducted on the Hall's Facebook page. Through 2013, seven candidates were selected by a committee consisting of previous Frick Award winners and broadcast historians and columnists, which also determined the final recipient. Beginning with the 2014 award, the final election committee no longer selected any of the finalists; that became the role of a Hall of Fame research committee. [4]

2014 changes

Other changes in the selection process were also announced for the 2014 award; these changes were similar to those instituted in 2010 for Veterans Committee balloting. From 2014 to 2016, candidates were considered every third year, based on the era in which they made their most significant contributions: [4]

2017 changes

The Hall of Fame announced further changes to the selection process in 2016 that took effect immediately, with the first award affected by these changes being that for 2017. Fan voting was eliminated, and the final ballot was cut from 10 to 8. Candidates were still considered every third year, but in mostly different categories: [5]

2022 changes

In April 2022, the Hall of Fame announced further changes to the Frick Award selection process. The size of the ballot was restored to 10 nominees, while also requiring that at least one candidate be a foreign-language broadcaster. [6] The election cycle was also revised, effective with the 2023 balloting: four consecutive elections will have a composite ballot of local and national broadcasters, followed by one election for broadcasters whose careers ended prior to 1994 (the introduction of the Wild Card era). [6] Thus, recipients will be selected per the following balloting rotation, which will then repeat: [6]

Veterans Committee participation

For several years in the early 2000s, Frick Award honorees also became life members of the Veterans Committee, which considers candidates for Hall of Fame induction who are not eligible for the regular voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America specifically, players no longer on the BBWAA ballot and all non-players. However, starting with the 2008 elections, voting for players on the main Veterans Committee ballot was restricted to Hall of Fame members. After further changes announced for the 2011 elections, Frick Award winners became eligible to serve on the voting bodies that replaced the Veterans Committee that consider candidates from different eras of baseball.

Recipients

Mel Allen, 1978 co-recipient Mel Allen NYWTS.jpg
Mel Allen, 1978 co-recipient
Harry Caray, 1989 recipient Harry Caray 1988.jpg
Harry Caray, 1989 recipient
Jaime Jarrin, 1998 recipient Jaime Jarrin 2009.jpg
Jaime Jarrín, 1998 recipient
Bob Costas, 2018 recipient Bob Costas.JPG
Bob Costas, 2018 recipient
YearHonoreePrimary affiliation(s)
1978 Mel Allen New York Yankees
Red Barber Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees
1979 Bob Elson Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Mutual
1980 Russ Hodges New York/San Francisco Giants
1981 Ernie Harwell Detroit Tigers
1982 Vin Scully Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, NBC, CBS Radio
1983 Jack Brickhouse Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
1984 Curt Gowdy Boston Red Sox, NBC
1985 Buck Canel New York Yankees, New York Mets
1986 Bob Prince Pittsburgh Pirates
1987 Jack Buck St. Louis Cardinals, CBS
1988 Lindsey Nelson New York Mets
1989 Harry Caray St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs
1990 By Saam Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics
1991 Joe Garagiola St. Louis Cardinals, NBC
1992 Milo Hamilton Houston Astros
1993 Chuck Thompson Baltimore Orioles
1994 Bob Murphy New York Mets
1995 Bob Wolff Washington Senators, NBC
1996 Herb Carneal Minnesota Twins
1997 Jimmy Dudley Cleveland Indians
1998 Jaime Jarrín Los Angeles Dodgers
1999 Arch McDonald Washington Senators
2000 Marty Brennaman Cincinnati Reds
2001 Felo Ramírez Florida Marlins
2002 Harry Kalas Philadelphia Phillies
2003 Bob Uecker Milwaukee Brewers, ABC, NBC
2004 Lon Simmons San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics
2005 Jerry Coleman San Diego Padres
2006 Gene Elston Houston Astros, CBS Radio
2007 Denny Matthews Kansas City Royals
2008 Dave Niehaus Seattle Mariners
2009 Tony Kubek Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, NBC
2010 Jon Miller Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, ESPN
2011 Dave Van Horne Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins
2012 Tim McCarver New York Mets, ABC, CBS, Fox
2013 Tom Cheek Toronto Blue Jays
2014 Eric Nadel Texas Rangers
2015 Dick Enberg California Angels, San Diego Padres, NBC
2016 Graham McNamee NBC Radio
2017 Bill King Oakland Athletics
2018 Bob Costas NBC, MLB Network
2019 Al Helfer Brooklyn Dodgers, Mutual
2020 Ken Harrelson Chicago White Sox
2021 Al Michaels Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, ABC
2022 Jack Graney Cleveland Indians
2023 Pat Hughes Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs
2024 Joe Castiglione Boston Red Sox
2025 Tom Hamilton Cleveland Indians/Guardians

Source: [7] [8]

See also

Notes

  1. This award should not be confused with a like-named Ford C. Frick Award given to the Rookie of the Year in each league from 1965 into the 1970s. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2001 followed the system in use since 1995. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players and elected two: Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield. The Veterans Committee met in closed sessions and selected two people from multiple classified ballots: Bill Mazeroski and Hilton Smith.

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1999 followed the system in use since 1995. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players and elected three: George Brett, Nolan Ryan, and Robin Yount. The Veterans Committee met in closed sessions and selected four people from multiple classified ballots: Orlando Cepeda, Nestor Chylak, Frank Selee, and Smokey Joe Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1996 followed the system in use since 1995. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players but no one tallied the necessary 75% support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1995 introduced a system of multiple classified ballots for consideration by the Veterans Committee. That group met in closed sessions as usual and selected four people: Richie Ashburn, Leon Day, William Hulbert, and Vic Willis. Day and Hulbert were named from the new ballots for Negro leagues and 19th century figures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2009 proceeded according to revised rules enacted in 2001 and further revamped in 2007. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) held an election to select from among recent players, and elected Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson.

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1980 followed the system in place since 1978. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players and elected Al Kaline and Duke Snider. The Veterans Committee met in closed sessions to consider older major league players as well as managers, umpires, executives, and figures from the Negro leagues. It selected outfielder Chuck Klein and Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey, both deceased. A formal induction ceremony was held in Cooperstown, New York, on August 3, 1980, with Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn presiding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2010 proceeded according to rules enacted in 2001 and revised in 2007. As always, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recent players; one player was elected, Andre Dawson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2011 proceeded according to the rules revised in July 2010. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players. The new Expansion Era Committee, which replaced the Veterans Committee, convened in December 2010 to select from an Expansion Era ballot of long-retired players and non-playing personnel who made their greatest contributions to the sport from 1973 to the present time, called the "Expansion Era" by the Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2012 proceeded according to rules most recently revised in July 2010. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 9, 2012. The Golden Era Committee, the second of three new era committees established by the July 2010 rules change, replacing the Veterans Committee, convened early in December 2011 to select from a Golden Era ballot of retired players and non-playing personnel who made their greatest contributions to the sport between 1947 and 1972, called the "Golden Era" by the Hall of Fame.

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2014 proceeded according to rules most recently revised in July 2010. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 8, 2014. The Expansion Era Committee, one of three voting panels that replaced the more broadly defined Veterans Committee following the July 2010 rules change, convened early in December 2013 to select from a ballot of retired players and non-playing personnel who made their greatest contributions to the sport after 1972, a time frame that the Hall of Fame calls the "Expansion Era".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2015 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2014. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 6, 2015. Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio were elected to the Hall of Fame. It was the first time since 1955 that the BBWAA elected four players in one year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2016 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2015. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 6, 2016; Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza were elected to the Hall of Fame.

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2017 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 18, 2017. The BBWAA elected Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, and Iván Rodríguez to the Hall of Fame.

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2018 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players. The results were announced on January 24, 2018, with the BBWAA electing Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman to the Hall of Fame. Jones and Thome were elected in their first year of eligibility.

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2019 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players. The results were announced on January 22, 2019, with the BBWAA electing Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martínez, and Mike Mussina to the Hall of Fame. Rivera and Halladay were elected in their first year of eligibility, while Martínez was elected in his last year of eligibility. Rivera became the first player to be unanimously elected, appearing on all 425 ballots; he broke Ken Griffey Jr.'s record of 99.32 percent, set in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2020 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players. The results were announced on January 21, 2020, with Derek Jeter and Larry Walker elected to the Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span> Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2021 proceeded according to rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players. The results were announced on January 26, 2021, with no players receiving enough votes to be inducted.

Elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2022 were conducted according to the rules most recently amended in 2016. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with results announced on January 25. David Ortiz, in his first year of eligibility, was the only player elected from the BBWAA ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting</span>

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2023 were conducted according to the rules most recently amended in 2022. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, with the results announced on January 24. Scott Rolen, in his sixth year of eligibility, was the only player elected from the BBWAA ballot. Rolen had received 10.2% of the vote in his first year on the ballot in 2018, the lowest first-year percentage ever for a candidate eventually voted in by the BBWAA.

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2025 will be conducted according to the rules most recently amended in 2022. As in the past, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) will vote by mail to select from a ballot of recently retired players, and the results will be announced on January 21.

References

  1. "Baseball Honors Its Top Rookies". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyoming. UPI. December 23, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved July 25, 2022 via newspapers.com.
  2. "Fisk Gets Gold Plated". Star-Gazette . Elmira, New York. AP. April 10, 1973. p. 17. Retrieved July 25, 2022 via newspapers.com.
  3. "National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Hall of Famers FAQ". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009.
  4. 1 2 "Baseball Hall of Fame Restructures Frick Award Selection Process" (Press release). National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. September 4, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  5. "Hall of Fame Makes Series of Announcements" (Press release). National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "Hall of Fame Restructures Era Committee, Frick Award Voting". baseballhall.org. April 22, 2022.
  7. "Ford C. Frick Award". baseballhall.org. National Baseball Hall of Fame.
  8. "Ford C. Frick Award". Baseball Almanac .