In 1978, authors Robert Boone and Gerald Grunska collaborated on the first full length biography of the forgotten star, entitled "Hack: The Meteoric Life of One of Baseball's First Superstars, Hack Wilson." Excerpts from the book appeared in the January 1979 issue of Baseball Digest. This publicity may have drawn the attention of the Veterans Committee. In its 1979 voting, Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson was selected by the undisclosed vote of the committee to be enshrined alongside baseball's immortals. It had taken the baseball community more than 40 years to forgive his transgressions with alcohol, but finally the doors to Cooperstown were opened to him. Much like Sandy Koufax and Ralph Kiner, Hack was recognized for his dominant play during a short span of years, as opposed to the majority of Hall of Famers who show consistent excellence during long careers. His Hall of Fame plaque speaks of his 1930 records for home runs and RBIs, as well as his career batting average. There has been a renewal of interest in baseball's historic past during the years following Hack's enshrinement. Copious amounts of baseball books and articles have been written keeping alive the memories of baseball's formative years. The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), as well as independent baseball writers (often published by McFarland & Company), have published works covering many different aspects of baseball history. The World Wide Web has played a dramatic role in the access to and spread of baseball related information. These outlets ensure that Hack's legacy will not be soon forgotten. In 2000, author Clifton Blue Parker released a new biography of Hack's life, entitled "Fouled Away, The Baseball Tragedy of Hack Wilson." The book inspired filmaker Frank Cromer to purchase rights to a movie, and he has written a screenplay entitled "The Slugger" that he hopes to make into a full length motion picture. HackWilson.com was created in December 2009 and looks to take its place alongside these remembrances in keeping the legend of Hack Wilson alive and well. |
After his death in 1948, Hack's name was seldom mentioned for the better part of twenty-five years. It wasn't until 1972 that writers began questioning Hack's exclusion from the Hall of Fame. The Sporting News published an article in support of Hack in its February issue of that year. Two years later, the magazine ran an advertisement for a write-in campaign on Wilson's behalf. Each subsequent year Hack's name was brought up as a candidate worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame's Veterans Committee's consideration.