The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-15
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(Reg. U. $. Pat. Of.) By JACK GUENTHER

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New York, Jan. 15.-(UP)-When the hands of the clock reach the witching hour tonight, one or more men will be sanctifled as baseball immortals. The occasion Is the deadline of the 1942 Hall of Fame election, and while the ballots won't be tabulated for several days the identity of the man who stands out as the peoples choice isn't exactly a secret.
 He hasn't played full season for IA years, so he qualities from the standpoint of antiquity. He was up there in the big time "A years all told, so he has passed what is known as the test of time. And since he hammered out a lifetime batting average of 1858, once attaining the fabulous mark of .424, there can be no doubt of his sheer ability.
 His name, in case you haven't guessed it already, is.Rogers Hornsby the old right-handed powerhouse who knocked them near and knock ed them far for St. Louis, New York, Boston and Chicago from 1915 clear through 1937 Maybe he isn't the greatest all-around hitter that base ball has known, but he'll come close to matching any player you can name.
 The baseball writers-the gents who have the final say on Hall of Fame nominations-have tossed many a ballot the Rajah's way in the past, but never enough to as- sure him permanent remembrance in the sports mecca at CooperstoWn, N. Y. There is, of course, no way of determining if Hornsby will gain the coveted niche this year, either
 But he has come close, and he is certain to be among the top half dozen men when the slips are count ed and certified next Monday or Tuesday. Hall of Fame voting is always ticklish thing to forecast, because there is no accurate gauge with which to measure the writers opinion and because the election in itself can hardly be called a cut and dried procedure.
 Three-Quarters
 A man needs 75 per cent of the votes cast to gain entrance to the CooperstoWn shrine. Last year 274 votes were counted in all and three men were approved-George Sisler with 235 ballots, Eddie Collins with 2l3 and Willie Keeler with POT. III all, 1O7 men received at least one vote and 70 received more than TO- A glance at theshe figures proves that it is easier to keep a man out of the Hall than to vote him in.
 Hornsby's position in the baseball world always has been surrounded with hush-hush and mystery. While there is no evidence to support the theory, the rumor is that the Ra1ah's horse race dealings around the late 1920's and early 193Os brought down the wrath of Judge Landis, who has decided opinions about racetracks, and that he can't re-enter the major leagues.
 This may be true or it may not. There is no way to nail down the runors But history discloses that Hornsby fared pretty well as both a player and a manager when he had a chance. He managed both St. Louis teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Braves. He led the Cardinals to the world series in 1926, and the Chicago team from which he was removed in August went on to win the National league pennant in 1882.
 StandOut
 As a player, his ability was un- questioned. The records which he collected from string of figures long enough to baffle a veteran astronomer. Hornsby won the bat ting title seven times, was voted the most valuable player of his league twice, and on two occasions grand slammed his rivals in runs, hits, total bases, run batted in and straight batting percentages.
 Perhaps you say that even such a service record isn't quite enough to give a man the stature of a Ruth, a Cobb or a Wagner. We'll, I dis agree. Each baseball writer Is per- m1tted to nominate 10 men to the Hall of Fame. The first name I wrote down was that of the Rajah and hope that when the ballot box is unlocked few days hence his passport to posterity will be there.