Ford Frick gained baseball's highest honor when he was inducted into the institution he founded
A sportswriter by trade, Ford Frick covered the Yankees for more than a decade. Along the way he was the ghostwriter for Babe Ruth in newspaper columns and for Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball. Everything changed for Frick in early 1934 when was hired to be the National League’s public r
Ford Frick gained baseball's highest honor when he was inducted into the institution he founded
A sportswriter by trade, Ford Frick covered the Yankees for more than a decade. Along the way he was the ghostwriter for Babe Ruth in newspaper columns and for Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball.
Everything changed for Frick in early 1934 when was hired to be the National League’s public relations director. Nice months after accepting the PR position, Frick was elected to replace the ailing John Heydler as president of the NL.
Frick was Senior Circuit’s boss until September 20, 1951 when he became commissioner. The Indiana native then spent 14 years as baseball’s chief.
Choosing a singular crowning achievement for Frick is difficult. He came up with the idea of the league awarding lifetime passes to it’s players, a practice still active today. His first dozen years as NL president came during the depression and World War II. Frick’s work at the time was instrumental in keeping teams from folding.
In 1947, Frick presided over the National League as Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. When the Cardinals proposed a one-game boycott in protest of Robinson’s debut, Frick’s threat of a ban immediately ended the issue.
During his reign as commissioner, he guided baseball through the expansion of four teams. By negotiating favorable television contracts, he brought wealth and visibility to the game during a time of unprecedented growth.
Despite such accomplishments, many see Frick’s most indelible mark on the game as the father of the Hall of Fame.
Representatives of Cooperstown millionaire Stephan Clark contacted NL president Frick in hopes of generating publicity for a baseball celebration in upstate New York. Frick suggested opening a full-fledged museum.
Clark and Frick soon combined forces to make it a reality. In 1936 the Hall’s inaugural class was elected; three years later the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened its doors. The rest is history.
In recognition of Frick’s many accomplishments as a top baseball executive for 34 years, the Veterans Committee voted him a plaque in 1970. Murderers’ Row leadoff man Earle Combs, 1948 AL MVP Lou Boudreau, and Cardinals pitcher Jesse Haines joined Frick as inductees. Twenty-two Hall of Famers attended the July 27th ceremony as Frick received baseball’s highest honor.
Feeney invites Carey to the induction ceremony and also to a “Stag Dinner” for “members of the National League who are Hall of Famers.”
What a thrill it must’ve been for Frick to stand alongside the game’s greats as he was inducted into the institution he created. He no doubt attended the NL-only party, proud of his time as league president.
The relationship between Ford Frick and Cooperstown started in 1935. With Frick’s induction in 1970, the relationship is forever guaranteed.
As NL president Frick had to police and discipline organizations in his league
Commissioner Ford Frick wrote this letter in 1960 policing the Dodgers on their exploitation of a rule loophole. Each team had a limit of the number of players for their system. The Dodgers found a way to skirt this limit by signing youngsters and having them immediately play in a rookie team. These
As NL president Frick had to police and discipline organizations in his league
Commissioner Ford Frick wrote this letter in 1960 policing the Dodgers on their exploitation of a rule loophole. Each team had a limit of the number of players for their system. The Dodgers found a way to skirt this limit by signing youngsters and having them immediately play in a rookie team.
These players would not yet count toward their franchise limit of minor league players.
Frick writes that this practice would no longer be acceptable. “…if these players signed to contracts are free to play on a rookie team, they are likewise free to play on a regular minor league where they would count in your player limits…”
In the second page of the letter Ford Frick asks Fresco Thompson about their handling of a recently-signed prospect from Texas. The final paragraph speaks of rules specific to the California High School authorities. Frick started as a sportswriter, ghostwriting books for Babe Ruth among others. Later he served as as public relations director for the National League. He
In the second page of the letter Ford Frick asks Fresco Thompson about their handling of a recently-signed prospect from Texas. The final paragraph speaks of rules specific to the California High School authorities.
Frick started as a sportswriter, ghostwriting books for Babe Ruth among others. Later he served as as public relations director for the National League. He ascended to the league’s presidency in 1934 and held the post until 1951.
In 1951 Frick became the third Commissioner of Baseball. He served as baseball’s chief until 1965.
This is the 19th Lifetime Pass ever issued by Ford Frick and MLB, this one to Sliding Billy Hamilton
This is the lifetime pass that Billy Hamilton received, the 19th ever issued as evidenced by the numbering in the top right corner. The original passes are the only of the lifetime variety that were paper. Later incarnations of the passes were issued on solid gold, sterling silver, metal, and leathe
This is the 19th Lifetime Pass ever issued by Ford Frick and MLB, this one to Sliding Billy Hamilton
This is the lifetime pass that Billy Hamilton received, the 19th ever issued as evidenced by the numbering in the top right corner. The original passes are the only of the lifetime variety that were paper. Later incarnations of the passes were issued on solid gold, sterling silver, metal, and leather.
One of only three Major League players to average more than one run per game played, Hamilton crossed the plate at least 100 times in eleven seasons. His 197 runs scored in 1894 remains the Major League record. A two-time batting champ, Hamilton hit a career high .403 in 1894.
Hamilton’s name can still be found among baseball’s all-time career leader board in stolen bases (3rd), on-base percentage (4th), and batting average (7th).
Bobby Wallace's solid gold MLB lifetime pass, one of only 17 initially issued by Ford Frick
Roderick John “Bobby” Wallace was part of an elite group of players to receive one of the initial Lifetime Pass made out of gold. Ford Frick awarded these gold passes to players with 20 or more years of MLB service in 1935. Only 17 players were issued such passes, including Wallace, Ty Cobb, Edd
Sterling silver passes were given to the 386 players with at least ten years but less than twenty. The gold passes are held in museums and private collections, though the silver passes do reach the open market from time to time.
Joe Sewell's solid silver lifetime pass issued by Ford Frick
Imagine having a pass that gives you admission to any regular season Major League game for life. That’s what Joe Sewell had in this solid silver lifetime pass. By virtue of having played ten or more years by 1934, Sewell was among the first players to receive the gift. A master of bat control, Sewell never struck out more than 20 times
Joe Sewell's solid silver lifetime pass issued by Ford Frick
Imagine having a pass that gives you admission to any regular season Major League game for life. That’s what Joe Sewell had in this solid silver lifetime pass. By virtue of having played ten or more years by 1934, Sewell was among the first players to receive the gift. A master of bat control, Sewell never struck out more than 20 times in a season. His strikeout totals reached double digits only in his first for season and never again throughout his 14-year playing career.
Honus Wagner thanks Ford Frick for his lifetime pass in 1935
Imagine having a lifetime pass to any game in the National League. That’s what NL President Ford Frick bestowed upon Honus Wagner 18 years after the Flying Dutchman retired. Overjoyed by the gesture Wagner, one of the first five Hall of Fame inductees, sent a handwritten thank-you letter to Frick 12 days later on April 25, 1935. Wagner dropped
Honus Wagner thanks Ford Frick for his lifetime pass in 1935
Imagine having a lifetime pass to any game in the National League. That’s what NL President Ford Frick bestowed upon Honus Wagner 18 years after the Flying Dutchman retired. Overjoyed by the gesture Wagner, one of the first five Hall of Fame inductees, sent a handwritten thank-you letter to Frick 12 days later on April 25, 1935.
Wagner dropped the letter at the post office on a Thursday afternoon after the Pirate team for which he served as hitting instructor fell in 6-0 loss at Cincinnati. Future Hall of Famer Waite Hoyt took the loss for Pittsburgh, but Wagner’s thoughts were full of gratitude to Frick for his kind gesture.
Notice Wagner’s flowing handwriting and gracious tone in the letter which is signed “J Honus Wagner Pirate Coach” at the bottom of the hotel letterhead.
Walter Johnson handwritten letter to HoFer Ford Frick thanking him for the lifetime pass
Walter Johnson expressed his gratitude to NL President Ford Frick after receiving a solid gold Lifetime Pass for admission into all National and American League games. Johnson was one of 17 players to receive a golden pass. Johnson’s 21 years with the Senators put him on the short list of playe
Johnson was one of 17 players to receive a golden pass. Johnson’s 21 years with the Senators put him on the short list of players who completed 20 or more years in Major Leagues to qualify for the golden ticket. Players with 10-19 years received the solid silver variety. Though the silver passes were also well received, there were 386 of them.
Three-time world champ Johnny Evers received his lifetime pass for Ford Frick in 1936
John J. Evers was the second baseman for the 1906 Chicago Cubs who went 116-36. Their .763 winning percentage remains the highest for any team in a single season. During the next two seasons Evers helped anchor the Cubs infield that led Chicago to back-to-back Fall Classic victories. By the time he
Three-time world champ Johnny Evers received his lifetime pass for Ford Frick in 1936
John J. Evers was the second baseman for the 1906 Chicago Cubs who went 116-36. Their .763 winning percentage remains the highest for any team in a single season. During the next two seasons Evers helped anchor the Cubs infield that led Chicago to back-to-back Fall Classic victories.
By the time he hung up his spikes, Evers was a three-time World Series champion. The 1914 Most Valuable Player, Evers was one of three Cubs infielders to earn admission to the Hall of Fame.
In 1934 National League President Ford Frick decided to award lifetime passes to players with at least ten years of MLB service. By virtue of his 18-year career, Evers was one of the first recipients.
In the collection is this letter dated April 1, 1936 from Evers to Frick. The second basemen thanks the NL chief for the gift of the lifetime pass.
The signature of Evers is difficult to obtain by virtue of his 1947 death date.
Fred Clarke letter to Ford Frick thanking him for the lifetime pass
When the NL and AL got together to award Lifetime Passes, men who played 20 or more years received solid gold passes. Only 17 were initially issued. Upon receiving his gold pass Fred Clarke, a veteran of 21 Major League seasons was so pleased that he was compelled
Fred Clarke letter to Ford Frick thanking him for the lifetime pass
When the NL and AL got together to award Lifetime Passes, men who played 20 or more years received solid gold passes. Only 17 were initially issued. Upon receiving his gold pass Fred Clarke, a veteran of 21 Major League seasons was so pleased that he was compelled to write this thank-you note to NL president Ford Frick. In the letter, Clarke also thanks Frick for the previously-received NL-only Lifetime Pass. As a player Clarke tallied 2,678 hits and a .312 lifetime average. As a manager Clarke guided teams to four pennants and a World Series championship.
Letter from NL President Ford Frick to autograph collector requesting Mathewson's signature
Collectors of Hall of Fame autographs got started early. In this letter National League President Ford Frick responds to a fan’s request about obtaining a Christy Mathewson signature. The letter is dated August 2, 1939,
Letter from NL President Ford Frick to autograph collector requesting Mathewson's signature
Collectors of Hall of Fame autographs got started early. In this letter National League President Ford Frick responds to a fan’s request about obtaining a Christy Mathewson signature. The letter is dated August 2, 1939, less than two months after the Hall’s first induction ceremony on June 12, 1939. Frick would eventually gain induction in his own right in 1970.
Ford Frick letter to Walter O'Malley
In the collection is this letter that reveals a bit of the business side of baseball. Commissioner Ford Frick writes to Dodger owner and fellow Hall of Fame executive Walter O’Malley to invite him to an informal meeting of club presidents. Dated 11/5/1954, the correspondence between the two re
In the collection is this letter that reveals a bit of the business side of baseball. Commissioner Ford Frick writes to Dodger owner and fellow Hall of Fame executive Walter O’Malley to invite him to an informal meeting of club presidents. Dated 11/5/1954, the correspondence between the two reads in part, “Baseball problems today are so complicated and policy decisions so vital that a meeting of the men at the top of the clubs is particularly important.” O’Malley has handwritten notes in the margin of the letter including, “See that I accept” the invitation to the meeting.
A newspaper man turned league publicist turned league president came up with a brilliant idea in 1934 — reward longtime National League players with a lifetime pass to all NL games. Senior Circuit owners approved Ford Frick’s proposal at the league meeting in December of ’34. A few months later, Frick sent out ornately decorated paper Lifetime Passes to the NL’s greatest players. He even sent one to Babe Ruth who appeared in all of 28 games for the Boston Braves in 1935. A 21-year veteran of the American League, the Babe was grateful if not surprised when he remarked, “At least the National League has a heart”. An image of the original paper pass presented to Hall of Fame outfielder Sliding Billy Hamilton can be seen below. A similar pass curiously issued to Stan Coveleski, a lifetime American Leaguer is also shown. Perhaps shamed by Ruth’s remarks, the American League joined forces in 1936 to issue a pass to all Major League contests. Players with twenty or more years of service received a solid gold pass. Seventeen men qualified for the true “golden ticket” — Ruth, Fred Clarke, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Bill Dahlen, Harry Davis, Red Faber, Walter Johnson, […]
