Greatest Five Year Stretch in a Career

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.