In Honor Of The Hall Of Fame Voting Let's Open Some 1984 Donruss Baseball Champions

Since the Hall of Fame election results were announced yesterday I thought it appropriate that I open a couple of packs of 1984 Donruss Baseball Champions which highlights some of the greatest players ever. It also features players who were "champions" at the the time but never had a chance at making the Hall of Fame. For each player in my packs I'll take a look to see if they ever received votes in
Hall of Fame balloting.


It took Bert seven times to get 79.7% of the vote in 2011 and was elected with Roberto Alomar. Fergie Jenkins was on the ballot three times when he earned 75.4% of the vote in 1991 and was elected with Rod Carew and Gaylord Perry.

#42 Bert Blyleven
#33 Ferguson Jenkins
Yaz was elected on his first ballot in 1989 with Johnny Bench. Lonnie Smith retired in 1994 and in 2000 he was up for Hall of Fame voting and received one vote.

#10 Carl Yastrzemski
#23 Lonnie Smith
Gorman Thomas retired in 1986 and in the 1992 HOF voting he didn't receive a vote! That's pretty rough for my Wallet Card subject! Foster also retired in 1986 and received 5.6% of votes in 1992. He was able to stay on the ballot until 1995 when he received 4.1%.

#2 George Foster
#5 Gorman Thomas




Joe Morgan was a first-ballot Hall of Famer with Jim Palmer in 1990. He received 81.8% of the vote. Buckner retired in 1990 and in received just 2.1% of votes in 1996.

#18 Bill Buckner
#44 Joe Morgan


Each pack also had an already-selected Hall of Famer and these cards feature a Dick Perez painting.

#50 Mickey Mantle
#20 Rogers Hornsby

The reverse side features their Hall of Fame plaque and stats. Mantle is called the greatest playoff hitter and Hornsby as the greatest right-hand hitter ever. 

 

Each pack also had a three-piece card of the Duke Snider Donruss Diamond King puzzle. I think I own this one in pieces that I haven't put together yet.


Comments

Matt Runyon said…
I don't remember these cards -- they're pretty cool. Buckner deserved more votes.