Greatest Five Year Stretch in a Career

[oldjudge]

What player do you think had the greatest five year stretch during their career? I think Hornsby from 1921-25 would be tough to top but I'm sure there are others who are in the running. What are your thoughts?

[dodgerblue6969]

sandy koufax

[barrysloate]

Rogers Hornsby from 1921-25, when his batting average for that five year stretch was .403.

Oops, that's what Jay said. I ony read half your post!

[glenv]

Yogi Berra - 1949-53 Won the MVP one year and was 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in voting in the others. Also got five World Series rings in those five years. Hard to top that!

[barrysloate]

Since I duplicated Jay, how about:

Ruth 1920-24
Ruth 1926-30
Gehrig 1930-34

[glynparson]

1996-2000

[bbcard1]

if you interpret your question to be which player in comparison to virtually everyone else who was playing at that time and the established norm had the most above context sustained period of excellence, a pretty compelling case could be made for Albert Pujols.

[drc]

1992-98 Greg Maddux had a good string. As a starting pitcher and leading the league in innings pitched each year, he had a 1.56 ERA in 1994 and 1.63 in 1995.

[GasHouseGang]

I was going to say Ruth from 1926-1930. He averaged 51 homers per year during that stretch.

YR HR AVG
1926 47 .372
1927 60 .356
1928 54 .323
1929 46 .345
1930 49 .359

[travrosty]

ichiro suzuki 2006-2010 pretty good.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Barry Bonds 2000-04. 4 MVPs, 1 second place.

[glynparson]

but I tried to go outside the box a little. Pedro was filthy during the era 1996-2000 and this was during a hitters paradise

[Touch'EmAll]

Ali (Cassius Clay) in early/mid 1970's - pretty darn awesome if you consider the depth and quality of competition at that point.

Also Dizzy Dean 1932-1936 = like wow! Check out his stats.

[jwgators]

Walter Johnson, 1912-16. 58.7 pitching WAR, averaged 30 wins and a 1.55 ERA.

[wolf441]

but I tried to go outside the box a little. Pedro was filthy during the era 1996-2000 and this was during a hitters paradise

I watched almost all of Pedro's starts during that run and it was a sight to behold! At his best, he made good hitters look absolutely foolish. I can't believe that he never threw a no-no.

[Runscott]

Walter Johnson - 1911-15

[packs]

Rube Waddell was pretty good from 1903 - 1907. Led lead in strike outs every year. Won the triple crown one year. Threw 142 complete games and 34 shut outs.

[Rob D.]

Bill Mastro, 2003-07

[honus94566]

Bill Mastro, 2003-07

Bwahahaa :)


I vote Walter Johnson as well.

[iwantitiwinit]

Wilt Chamberlain 5 seasons 1959-1960 thru 1963-1964 Avg points per game 41.69 (yes that is a correct figure) and 25.25 avg total rebounds per game. Avg games played 78.20 per season

[MVSNYC]

not saying this ranks as the "greatest" stretch ever, but Derek Jeter had a great run from 1996-2000. Rookie of the Year, 4 Rings, averaged .323 & 200 hits over those 5 years.

[Touch'EmAll]

Art Shell had 5 killer years. Bet his RC in top grade is worth a lot.

[z28jd]

I thought for sure this thread was about Larry Corcoran and his five year stretch from 1880-84:

170-83 2.23 with 246 complete games in 255 starts. Led the league in strikeouts in 1880, wins in 1881 and ERA in 1882. Posted a 2.40 ERA in 1884 when the White Stockings changed the home ground rules to allow balls hit over the right field fence to be homers. Prior to that they were ground rule doubles because it was less than 200 feet down the line

[chris6net]

Wilt Chamberlain 5 seasons 1959-1960 thru 1963-1964 Avg points per game 41.69 (yes that is a correct figure) and 25.25 avg total rebounds per game. Avg games played 78.20 per season

We are talking about the best 5 years together in Baseball not other Sports aren,t we?
I just want to make sure
Thanks CN

[doug.goodman]

It's hard to not go with Koufax

[gman]

While not in the same league as most of the names mentioned, Craig Biggio had an impressive run from 1995-1999. In 1998, he became only the second player to hit 50 doubles and steal 50 bases in the same season (Speaker was the first). He also won 3 gold gloves during this span.

Then in 2000, he blew out his knee and was never quite the same.

[rdixon1208]

Grag Maddux 1991-1995

Led the league in IP 5x
Led the league in W 3x
Led league in CG 3x
Led league in WHIP 3x
4 CY Awards
5 Gold Glove Awards

[David R]

I would say Barry Bonds from 2000-2004. He was amazing.

[oldjudge]

Tough comparing batters to pitchers (or basketball players), but it is interesting to compare Hornsby from 1921-25 with Ruth from 1926-30.

HR. RBI. BA
Ruth. 51. 152. .351
Hornsby. 29. 118. .402

The total WAR for each player over their respective 5 year period is almost exactly the same, 49.6 for Ruth vs 49.4 for Hornsby. If you neglect position I would give the nod to Ruth. However, to get that kind of production from a second baseman makes me, when all is considered, still go with Hornsby's 5 year period. It is really close though and I could see a strong argument either way.

[GaryPassamonte]

Jay- What about Ross Barnes from 1872-1876? Pretty hard to top for 19th century. He was a league leader in just about every category.

[Jlighter]

What about Ty Cobb 1909-1913 for his insane avg., obp. and decent SB numbers.

[kcohen]

OK, not quite in the pantheon of stars with these other guys, but I always thought that Ted Kluszewski's 1952-1956 stretch merited mention. The BA, HRs, and RBIs are eright up there with any combo of average and power, but then check out the strike out totals, which are miniscule.

In addition, you gotta give it up for the guns.

[z28jd]

OK, not quite in the pantheon of stars with these other guys, but I always thought that Ted Kluszewski's 1952-1956 stretch merited mention. The BA, HRs, and RBIs are eright up there with any combo of average and power, but then check out the strike out totals, which are miniscule.

In addition, you gotta give it up for the guns.


I have to write about Big Klu today(his trade from the Pirates happened on this date) so I'm going to start my story by saying "According to baseball historian Kenny Cohen, Ted's five year stretch..." and then I'll end it with the quote at the end "You gotta give it up for the guns" :)

[Pat R]

To many to choose from but Ted williams would have to be up there 41-42 46-48 if you take into account when he was in the service or 46-50 not to shabby either.

[z28jd]

What about Dan Brouthers from 1882-87(six years) leading the league in OPS every single season while guys like Cap Anson, King Kelly and Roger Connor were all established players finishing 2nd or 3rd most of that time. That would be beating out guys considered the best overall 19th century player, best during his era and the all-time home run king until beaten by Ruth. There was Brouthers though, putting up the best OPS every single year for six years straight

[Robextend]

Year W L ERA CG SHO SO

1910 25 17 1.36 38 8 313
1911 25 13 1.90 36 6 207
1912 33 12 1.39 34 7 303
1913 36 7 1.14 29 11 243
1914 28 18 1.72 33 9 225
1915 27 13 1.55 35 7 203

[packs]

Griffey was incredible from 1996 to 2000. He hit 249 home runs and drove in 685 RBIs in those 5 years. His 162 game average was 53 home runs and 146 RBIs.

Probably the greatest stretch ever for a modern hitter not cheating.

[irishdenny]

Bill Mastro, 2003-07

Yuwrah Killin' me ovah here ::)))

And den he got relijun...

Top dat Babie Ruth!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Griffey was incredible from 1996 to 2000. He hit 249 home runs and drove in 685 RBIs in those 5 years. His 162 game average was 53 home runs and 146 RBIs.

Probably the greatest stretch ever for a modern hitter not cheating.

Pujols 02-06 is right up there, with a much higher batting average. Unless of course you think he cheated.

[packs]

Albert never hit 50 or drove in 140 runs in a season. Griffey hit 50 two years in a row and drove in 140 runs THREE years in a row.

I should also mention the years Griffey didn't hit 50 in that 5 year stretch he hit 49, 48, and 40. The years he didn't drive in 140 he drove in 134 and 118.

He kills Albert. Especially when you also factor in Griffey won 4 Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers while also winning one MVP compared to Albert's one Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers and one MVP.

[yanks12025]

What about the Yankees career from 1949-53. Won 5 world championships.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Compare the OPS. Compare the slugging percentage. Look at the batting average. I would take Albert, and I love Griffey.

[Mikehealer]

Compare the OPS. Compare the slugging percentage. Look at the batting average. I would take Albert, and I love Griffey.

You would be in good shape with either, but my goodness does defense not count at all.

[packs]

I'm taking Griffey everyday but you can't lose with either player.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Albert won a couple of gold gloves no? Granted, Griffey has the edge there. As I said, far be it from me to knock Griffey, he was the best player of the 90s, and Albert was the best player of the 00s.

[Mikehealer]

I agree both were two of the best, I just think defense gets overlooked a great deal in these type of discussions. And they have to give those gold gloves to someone at 1st base.:)

[Peter_Spaeth]

I agree both were two of the best, I just think defense gets overlooked a great deal in these type of discussions. And they have to give those gold gloves to someone at 1st base.:)

yeah I remember someone won one a year he played very few games at first, who was that, palmeiro maybe? EDIT TO ADD yep, looked it up, 1999 he played 28 games at first, rest at DH, won the gold glove, too funny

[rdixon1208]

Those are real fancy numbers, but how many Cy Young Awards did he win? :p


Year W L ERA CG SHO SO

1910 25 17 1.36 38 8 313
1911 25 13 1.90 36 6 207
1912 33 12 1.39 34 7 303
1913 36 7 1.14 29 11 243
1914 28 18 1.72 33 9 225
1915 27 13 1.55 35 7 203

[BradH]

Debates like this are one of the great things about baseball and its history. There is obviously no perfect or correct answer, but it’s fun and there are so many great choices.

Griffey is not just one of the greats of his generation, but of all-time. BUT WITH THAT SAID….I’d take Pujols in his prime (say 2002-2010) any day of the week, simply because of how he changed the way opposing managers and pitchers defended a game, always thinking about him coming up to bat again and trying to minimize the damage that he'd surely produce. I never heard that or witnessed it with Griffey.


Albert never hit 50 or drove in 140 runs in a season. Griffey hit 50 two years in a row and drove in 140 runs THREE years in a row.

I should also mention the years Griffey didn't hit 50 in that 5 year stretch he hit 49, 48, and 40. The years he didn't drive in 140 he drove in 134 and 118.

He kills Albert. Especially when you also factor in Griffey won 4 Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers while also winning one MVP compared to Albert's one Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers and one MVP.

In the five-year spans mentioned by previous posters, Pujols just happened to be playing in the same league as Barry Bonds, who was making and breaking home run history each year, and MVP voters are enthralled by homers. Pujols was also only in his second year in the league in 2002. Griffey was THE STAR of his league by 1996.

Yet, let's look at the MVP voting for those years mentioned:
Albert’s finishes in the NL MVP race those years (2002-06): 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd

Ken’s finishes in the voting for his years (1996-2000): 4th, 1st, 4th, 10th, no votes

Albert finished in the top three in MVP voting each season of his five-year span. I understand that Griffey moved to the NL in 2000, but I don't see how a player literally receives NO MVP VOTES in one year of a "great" five-year span and have that be considered one of the best ever (?). I mean, Richard Hidalgo had votes that year. Antonio Alfonseca, twelve fingers and all, even had a vote. But Griffey had none.

Griffey finished with four Silver Slugger Awards in that span and Pujols had two I believe.

Griffey was an amazing defender, but I don’t give any credence to the Gold Glove Award (those of you on the board who I’ve discussed this with in the past know my feelings that it is the most flawed and worst representation of true excellence of any award in the history of the game).

Again, no correct answers, and I can't really argue too hard against Griffey's five-year span, I'm just saying there is was more to Pujols than the power numbers and his stats are way deeper than Griffey's, in my humble opinion.

[irishdenny]

The Train was Awesome...
BiG SiX wasn't holding anything back from 1904 to 1908:

Avg wins 29.4
ERA 1.52

And HiS Next 5 years He Never went over 2.06
I wish I was around when these Guys were Mowin' them Down

[BradH]

The Train was Awesome...
BiG SiX wasn't holding anything back from 1904 to 1908:

Avg wins 29.4
ERA 1.52

This might be the winner...Amazing numbers.


I wish I was around when these Guys were Mowin' them Down

I will second that sentiment also - how awesome would be to go back in time and sit in the stands to watch Johnson, Mathewson, Cobb, Wagner ....

Also, I wasn't saying in my previous post that I think Pujols had the best five-year span ever, I was simply trying to say that I thought his was better than the span nominated for Griffey.

[pariah1107]

Ted Williams 1941-45: he hit .406 in '41 & .356 in '42 and served his country from '43-'45. Not much more to say about that.

[Mark]

1918 .341 .400 .440 .841

1919 .352 .390 .530 .921

1920 .407 .449 .632 1.082

1921 .371 .411 .560 .971

1922 .420 .467 .594 1.061

what makes George Sisler's numbers so impressive is that 1918 and 1919 did not feature the "live" ball.

[alanu]

Gretzky in Edmonton

[novakjr]

I think you guys might have the wrong Albert....(let's try Belle).

1993 G-159 .290/370/552 38/HR 129/RBI 96/R 36/2B
1994 G-106 .357/438/714 36/HR 101/RBI 90/R 35/2B
1995 G-143 .317/401/690 50/HR 126/RBI 121/R 52/2B
1996 G-158 .311/410/623 48/HR 148/RBI 124/R 38/2B
1997 G-161 .274/332/491 30/HR 116/RBI 90/R 45/2B
1998 G-163 .328/399/655 49/HR 152/RBI 113/R 48/2B
1999 G-161 .297/400/541 37/HR 117/RBI 108/R 36/2B

OK, I listed 7 years to account for the 2 strike shortened seasons in '94 and '95...Although the stats would've still been pretty profound for a full season..Plus the down year in '97, with numbers that most teams would still take any year..

Still hard to believe he didn't win the MVP in '95...Numbers were also possibly good enough to win it in '94, '96 and '98 as well..But alas, he was a very well hated guy..

Pitchingwise. My vote has to go to Koufax.