Baseball related songs: “To the Veterans’ Committee” by the Baseball Project

In this episode of Baseball related songs, we pay attention to another song by the Baseball Project: “To the Veterans’ Committee”
In previous episodes we already paid attention to two other songs of the Baseball Project: “Satchel Paige said” and “1976.”

The Baseball Project was formed in 2007 by Peter Buck, Mike Mills (both R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate) and Linda Pitmon (several bands and cooperations).

“To the Veterans’ Committee” can be found on the group’s album “3rd”. The song is an “open letter” to the Veterans Committee to allow former Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy into the Hall of Fame. 

The Veterans’ Committee is the popular name of various committees of the National Baseball Hall of Fame that elect participants other than recently retired players. By 2010, the Veterans Committee was split up in three separate committees: the Expansion Era Committee (1973–present), the Golden Era Committee (1947–1972), and the Pre-Integration Era Committee (1876–1946). Nevertheless, the name Veterans Committee is still used by the fans and the press. Over the years, the Veterans’ Committee has been a bit controversial as it “refuses” to vote in Gil Hodges, former Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman and New York Mets manager.

Another controversy is keeping Dale Murphy out of the HOF, at least according to the Baseball Project. Arguably, Murphy’s numbers may not be good enough to earn a spot in Cooperstown: A career .265 BA, 2,111 hits and 398 home runs.

Dale Murphy and the Baseball Project met for the first time a few years ago at a function at the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York that included a private donation of 35,000 baseball cards and a panel discussion on the sport and race relations.

The song “To the Veterans’ Committee” pleads for Dale Murphy’s long overdue induction into Cooperstown. It was written by Mike Mills, who stated: “I always felt Dale should be in the Hall of Fame just based on what he did as a player,” Mills said. “But after meeting him, I believed it even more. What a great person. He has all four qualifications for the Hall: ability, character, sportsmanship, integrity. It’s just stupid that he’s not in there.”

The song praises Murphy for his accomplishments and his decision to not use performance-enhancing drugs.

The lyrics of “To the Veterans’ Committee” are as follows:

Submitted here for your consideration
A man who needs no qualifications
Character, ability, sportsmanship, integrity
These are the things that you require
And he’s got them in spades

Two MVP’s and five gold gloves
Atlanta fans’ undying love
And though he heard the voices like the rest
He stayed out of the vipers’ nest
He chose to play with just his best
And that’s why I feel good to say

I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame

Forget about the liars
All the Sosas and McGuires

I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
They say 400 is the magic number
But Murphy hit 398

You can’t tell me that isn’t great
And that’s why I don’t want to wait

To see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame

Forget about the cheaters
And all the steroid eaters

I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame
I want to see Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame