Posted By:
Tom LawrieThe 1894 squad actually had 7 HOFers:
John McGraw
Joe Kelley
Hugh Jennings
Willie Keeler
Wilbert Robinson
Dan Brouthers
Ned Hanlon
You could make arguments that some of them could have been inducted either for their managing or for their playing careers, especially McGraw and Jennings. Note, however, that there was not a pitcher in the bunch. That was the main weakness of the squad.
Nonetheless, they were a dynasty for their era. The won 3 straight NL Pennants (1894-96), lost in 1897 by only a game, and were the only team to play in all 4 Temple Cups (losing in 1894-95, and winning in 1896-97). Their 1896 team was thus the only team to win both the NL Pennant and the Temple Cup (though it had only 6 HOFers, as Brouthers departed after the 1894 season).
They are my favorite team of all time, but I would never bet against a team with Ruth and Gehrig in their prime.
Tom Lawrie