Just a note about this but only four hofers were inducted without being retired a full five years like the current rules state. First was Babe Ruth who last played in 1935 but was in the inaugural class in 1937, next was Lou Gerhig who last played in early 1939 but was inducted later that year for obvious reasons, third was Joe DiMaggio who last played in 1951 but was elected in 1955 and finally was Roberto Clemente who finished the 1972 season before he was tragically killed two months later. He was inducted in 1973.
As to the question DiMaggio was the quickest to become inducted by the writers who finished a carrier and retired not due to extenuating circumstances besides Babe Ruth. The way I would look at it is he was second to only Ruth on speed of induction. Pretty big honor in my opinion.
Drew
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Drew
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