William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy played fourteen seasons in the major leagues, compiled a career .287 batting average, stole 594 bases, and by most accounts was one of the finest defensive outfielders of the nineteenth century. He also happened to be deaf.

For more than a century, the Baseball Hall of Fame has passed over Hoy — not because the numbers don’t hold up, but because the era is distant and the story hasn’t been told loudly enough. That changes now.

Why 2027 Matters

The Classic Era Committee votes every three years on candidates from the sport’s earliest chapters. December 2027 represents one of the most significant opportunities in a generation to right a historical wrong.

If the Gold Glove existed in his era, Dummy Hoy would have won several. — Marty Brennaman

What the Campaign Is Doing

We’re building the largest coordinated public advocacy effort in the history of Classic Era Hall of Fame campaigns. That means petition signatures, media outreach, partnerships with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and a direct line of communication to the historians and journalists who sit on the committee.

How You Can Help

Sign the petition if you haven’t already. Share it with anyone who loves baseball, anyone who cares about accessibility and inclusion in sports history, anyone who believes the record should reflect the truth.