On October 5, 2015, Daniel Lucius ‘Doc’ Adams appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, 153 years after he retired from the Knickerbockers. The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Doc Adams as one of the 10 candidates on the 2016 Pre-integration Era ballot. This marked a major milestone on the road to recognizing Doc Adams with induction as a member of the Hall of Fame.

Doc Adams has been dead since 1899; he is too well versed in the art of patience.

John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball

For a more detailed announcement read DOC ADAMS HELPED SHAPE BASEBALL’S EARLIEST DAYS.

Sadly, Doc came up 2 votes short for election. However, shortly after the vote, the re-discovery of Doc’s handwritten “Laws of Base Ball” was announced. Surely, this seminal document should convince any voter with doubts, that Adams belongs in the Hall of Fame. However, it did not convince the Early Baseball Historical Overview Committee as they inexplicably left Doc Adams off of the 2022 Early Baseball Ballot. He will next be eligible for the 2025 Classic Baseball Era ballot.

Thanks for your continued support as we take this final step to achieve the goal of getting Doc his long overdue recognition.