GRANT BAZE — and what could have been!
I enjoyed reading the beautiful tribute to the late Grant Baze, The accolades were magnificent and the speakers at his memorial were impressive. However, the one thing that would have allowed Grant to go to his early grave a happy man would have been had he been enshrined into the ACBL Hall of fame DURING HIS LIFETIME. In his early days he partnered the great Peter Pender and other celebrated names and always did very well. After Peter’s death, per force, I suppose, Grant turned to professionalism and I understand he played a lot of successful rubber bridge. Sadly, for some unexplainable reason (certainly not lack of talent nor ethics), he never garnered enough votes to make the Hall. There were many lesser players that made it into the elite group who were not nearly as worthy. Grant was a perfect gentleman and it would have been an honor to the Hall to have him included while he could have enjoyed the glory.
No doubt he will eventually make it into the ‘deceased column,’” but a lot of good it will do him. We often spoke at the Nationals of his great disappointment but I guess he was a fatalist, saying “well, maybe next year.” But, there will be no next year as he is no longer with us. It makes me sad that other players certainly no more worthy than Grant have their names emblazoned there, but Grant never had the thrill of being recognized in his lifetime!
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This man was the exemplification of great bridge and great sportsmanship. I miss him (and his laugh) greatly.
Robb:
I don’t remember his laugh. However, I was taken with his charm and impeccable manners.
Judy
Oh – Grant had a super, giant laugh that only someone who loved what he was doing and enjoyed life could have.
He was a great guy – in addition to a top notch player – and I miss him still.
I have many fond memories of time spent with Grant. He was a great player and a good friend with a fine sense of humor. He is missed.
You make a valid point.
Maybe we can redress a wrong, albeit too little, too late.
I hope the HoF committee will give him every consideration, even though Grant will not be here to enjoy it.
George Mittleman mentioned to me that he had many fabulous experiences with Grant and he thought it a shame (as do many of us) that he was not already inducted. I know George for one, will be happy to step to the podium on Grant’s behalf should that day arise.
He deserves it as a player, through a proven track record, and as a person whose ethics and credentials are beyond reproach. He is the ultimate Hall of Fame candidate.
Let’s hope it happens sooner than later. Maybe Toronto, this summer. Hell, I could accept the nomination for him, but certainly there are numerous more viable candidates than me, but few better applicants than Grant.
C
His name was on the 2009 ballot. Ballots go out January 10th, but that was a Saturday, so they were held up for mailing until Monday. Grant died on Sunday, so the ACBL had time to rewrite the ballot without his name on it. If we had realized this and kept him on dialysis another 15 hours, this whole mess would be mute. The League might have recalled the ballots, but he would have been awarded a Von Zedwitz for sure. The HOF Committee has the authority to make the award now, and they should.