Last Chance for David Concepcion to Reach the Hall

As a former member of the baseball non-voting media sometimes I sit and think about why players get passed by their opportunity to be inducted in to the shrine of legendary status which they truly deserve.

This is the case of David Concepcion who retired in 1988 and has been eligible for selection to the Hall since 1993.

I do understand that there is a certain criteria for a players selection to the Shrine of Shrines in Cooperstown but Concepcion is not just another average player. He was part of the Big Red Machine in the '70s from which all its members have been inducted for the exception of Pete Rose who is also being excluded based on ethical issues.

David Concepcion was born in Venezuela and was drafted by Cincinnati as a amateur free agent in 1967. He made his debut on April 6, 1970 as a shortstop sharing duties with Woody Woodward and Darrel Chaney.

Over the next 19 seasons with the Reds his accomplishments were astonishing including nine All Star Game appearances, five Golden Gloves with four of them consecutive from 1974-'77, three National League MVP nominations, two World Series Championships, Winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1977, and No. 13 retired by the Reds organization in 2007 for his contribution during his career.

Although his career numbers don't show his great contributions to the Reds organization as a whole his peers like Hall of Fame Johnny Bench always comments about his leadership in the club house and on the field of play.

Its time for those writers who at one time described him as one of the best middle infielders in the game to start putting their hands in their hearts and look at the player not just at the numbers.

David Conception retired on Sept. 15, 1988 giving his all to the fans and his team by taking the pitching mound for 1 1/3 innings in a blowout game, giving up two hits, no runs, and striking out one batter.

David Conception is now living in his home in Venezuela and supporting the local baseball children's league.