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Marty Brennaman Leads Push to Put William “Dummy” Hoy Before Hall of Fame Committee

The campaign pairs a public event and an online petition with arguments about Hoy’s on-field record and his reported role in creating umpire hand signals to press for Hall consideration.

Overview

  • Longtime Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman is organizing a public 'Dummy Hoy Day' and an online petition to raise awareness and press the Hall of Fame to consider Hoy for a committee ballot.
  • Organizers emphasize Hoy’s 14 major-league seasons, 596 stolen bases and more than 1,000 walks as evidence of sustained performance during the dead-ball era.
  • Baseball historians credited in the campaign say Hoy’s deafness prompted umpires to adopt visible hand signals for calls, a change the organizers present as a lasting impact on the game.
  • The effort seeks to get Hoy on the Classic Baseball Era committee ballot for possible induction, though the Hall’s committee must still decide which candidates appear on its review list.
  • Campaigners say the event and petition also aim to amplify disability awareness and spotlight how Hoy’s career offers a model for players with hearing impairment and for public recognition.