5 Year Hall of Famers? Make your case

[Topnotchsy]

I feel like Johan Santana deserves to be in the Hall. I’d much prefer someone who was pretty much the undisputed best pitcher in baseball for half a decade in the Hall rather that guys who were never close to the best, but compiled solid stats for a long time.

Not sure how long Lefty O’Doul was a legit star but he’s another name that comes to mind.

[GaryPassamonte]

Ross Barnes 1871-1876. I know it's six years, but take a look. It's hard to top. Barnes's career was Koufax's in reverse.

[bgar3]

5 year totals,
93-35
93 complete games
20 shutouts
3-1 World Series
1912 combined 37-6
Outfielder for Cleveland including World Series.

[BLongley]

Jack Chesbro? He had about 5 good years of his 11, with his 41 win season often thought to be the only reason he got in the Hall.

I know his time was pre 1900, but Hoss Radbourn too? Similar to Chesbro with that one year where he won like 59 games and pitched every game... he did have a couple other good seasons as well, but still his total good seasons is around 5 I would say.

[BLongley]

For hitters it’s tougher, but maybe Ralph Kiner... he only played 9 years total... and had 5 maybe 6 solid years. Leading the league in homers for 6 years in a row...

[frankbmd]

Longevity is also a relative indicator of Hall of Fame potential, but if longevity is abbreviated by death, you can get in.

ADDIE JOSS

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BLongley

For hitters it’s tougher, but maybe Ralph Kiner... he only played 9 years total... and had 5 maybe 6 solid years. Leading the league in homers for 6 years in a row...

You seem to be subtracting one today. He played 10 years and led for 7 in a row.

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by BLongley

For hitters it’s tougher, but maybe Ralph Kiner... he only played 9 years total... and had 5 maybe 6 solid years. Leading the league in homers for 6 years in a row...

I looked up his numbers and can't believe he didn't win MVP in 1947.. He finished 6th and Bob Elliott who had worse numbers than Kiner.

[ejharrington]

Dwight Gooden's first five years in the majors were HOF worthy.

Ross Barnes (already mentioned) had a five year stretch that was unbelievable. I think he should be in HOF as a Pioneer.

[Throttlesteer]

Larry Walker - from 1997 to 2002, he was beyond impressive. A couple of batting titles, some pop in the bat, and playing a position that gets little attention.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Larry Walker - from 1997 to 2002, he was beyond impressive. A couple of batting titles, some pop in the bat, and playing a position that gets little attention.

If Colorado is considered a position...

[ronniehatesjazz]

I’m amazed that none of you neanderthals mentioned Big Klu from 52-56 when he terrorized every slabman in the national league! Also, totally agree with lefty o doul and gavvy carrath. Should both be hofers IMO.

[Throttlesteer]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

If Colorado is considered a position...

Thin air doesnt win batting titles

[riggs336]

Although "not a hall of famer on the best day of his life" (Bill James), Riggs Stephenson had a good run from 1926-1930 batting .342 with an OPS around .900 for the five year stretch. I asked him about the HOF in 1977. Not surprisingly he thought he should be in. I agreed with him at the time but I've changed my mind since. Nice man and a good ballplayer, though.

[Andrew1975]

Originally Posted by bgar3

5 year totals,
93-35
93 complete games
20 shutouts
3-1 World Series
1912 combined 37-6
Outfielder for Cleveland including World Series.

+1

[ruth_rookie]

Back to back MVP (‘60 and ‘61)
Steroid-free, single-season HR record
Maris gets my vote. Great idea for a thread btw. I love hearing debates like this.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

I feel like Johan Santana deserves to be in the Hall. I’d much prefer someone who was pretty much the undisputed best pitcher in baseball for half a decade in the Hall rather that guys who were never close to the best, but compiled solid stats for a long time.

Not sure how long Lefty O’Doul was a legit star but he’s another name that comes to mind.

Santana has a much stronger case than I thought. He would not be out of place in the Hall, for sure.

Lefty had basically four years as a top player.

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Lefty had basically four years as a top player.

Lefty deserves to be in the Hall as a "builder" but his performance as a player certainly doesn't hurt.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Santana has a much stronger case than I thought. He would not be out of place in the Hall, for sure.

Lefty had basically four years as a top player.

At 2.4 percent in his first year of eligibility he has a long way to go.

[jpop43]

Don Mattingly: 1984- 1989

MVP, Batting Title, x5 All-Star, x3 Sliver Slugger, x5 Gold Gloves

[Jason19th]

I think the barber gets forgotten - but from 1950-1954 he went 73-33

[Peter_Spaeth]

Don Newcombe was great for the first 5/6 years of his career and missed two peak years for military service.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by Jason19th

I think the barber gets forgotten - but from 1950-1954 he went 73-33

Don Mattingly is the poster boy for five year HOFer. Over the period from 1984-88 he batted about .330 with, on average, over 200 hits per year. He also hit for power and was one of the best fielding first basemen in the game.

[rats60]

I am surprised everyone missed the obvious for non Hall of Famers. Steve Garvey 1974-1980 .311 BA, 1408 hits, 160 Hrs, 730 RBI, 7 All Star, 5 top 6 MVP finishes, 4 Gold Gloves, 2 AS MVP, 1 NLCS MVP, 1 MVP. Only missed 8 games over 7 seasons. He was even better in 29 postseason games with .339 BA,. 585 SLG, 40 hits, 7 HE, 16 RBI leading his team to 3 World Series.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by jpop43

Don Mattingly: 1984- 1989

MVP, Batting Title, x5 All-Star, x3 Sliver Slugger, x5 Gold Gloves

Pedro Tony Oliva: 1964-1971

x3 Batting Title, x8 All-Star, x4 Hits leader, x4 Doubles leader, 1 Gold Glove*


* - I'm not real keen on gold glove awards as Palmeiro got one while being a DH.

[iwantitiwinit]

Albert Belle 1995-1999

Runs 556 5yr avg 111.2
Hits 915 183
Doubles 219 43.8
HR's 214 42.8
RBI's 659 131.8
Avg .305

[Touch'EmAll]

I like this "...but if longevity is abbreviated by death, you can get in." What about a career ending injury? Can/should you be able to get in? I am referring to Bo Jackson (I would first induct him into Football HOF). Are there extra bonus HOF points for death vs. career ending injury?

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

Albert Belle 1995-1999

Runs 556 5yr avg 111.2
Hits 915 183
Doubles 219 43.8
HR's 214 42.8
RBI's 659 131.8
Avg .305

Belle is a no-brainer HOFer. Him not being in is a joke. He was actually the hitter the "Jim Rice was FEARED" people claim Rice to have been. 9 straight years as an elite hitter with a 10th very good year on one leg. 40 homers every 162 games. Gimme a break.

[tjenkins]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Pedro Tony Oliva: 1964-1971

x3 Batting Title, x8 All-Star, x4 Hits leader, x4 Doubles leader, 1 Gold Glove*


* - I'm not real keen on gold glove awards as Palmeiro got one while being a DH.

I am am in agreement with Clydepepper with Tony O. He was as good as Clemente when he was good. Bad knees ruined his career. I have always been most impressed with the way he goes to communities as an ambassador to baseball. I live in South Dakota and he married a South Dakota girl and has been to our community a number of times to put on clinics.

[Mdmtx]

Silver King

[sycks22]

Bob Hamelin.

'94 ROY, next year he hit .168 and was out of baseball in a couple years. Maybe not a HOFer

[alaskapaul3]

Semi surprised no one mentioned Fred Lynn's Boston years 1975-80
Rookie of the year.
MVP
6 straight all star appearances
4 Gold Gloves

.308 124HR 521RBI 43 SB

...and then... the drop off

I'll go Al Spalding 1871-1876 for HOF (although , technically he is in as a pioneer)

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by alaskapaul3

Semi surprised no one mentioned Fred Lynn's Boston years 1975-80
Rookie of the year.
MVP
6 straight all star appearances
4 Gold Gloves

.308 124HR 521RBI 43 SB

...and then... the drop off

I'll go Al Spalding 1871-1876 for HOF (although , technically he is in as a pioneer)

Dwight Gooden sure fell from grace after a spectacular start. Canseco, to an extent.

[ruth_rookie]

Originally Posted by alaskapaul3

Semi surprised no one mentioned Fred Lynn's Boston years 1975-80
Rookie of the year.
MVP
6 straight all star appearances
4 Gold Gloves

.308 124HR 521RBI 43 SB

...and then... the drop off

I'll go Al Spalding 1871-1876 for HOF (although , technically he is in as a pioneer)

For some reason I actually thought Lynn was already in. Shows you what I know. The only player to win ROY and MVP in the same season if I’m not mistaken.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by ruth_rookie

For some reason I actually thought Lynn was already in. Shows you what I know. The only player to win ROY and MVP in the same season if I’m not mistaken.

I think that fact now has a pseudo-asterisk next to it. Ichiro, who played for many years in Japan, won the MVP and ROY awards in his first season here. He was probably in his 40's already.

[ejharrington]

He was until Ichiro also did it.

Originally Posted by ruth_rookie

For some reason I actually thought Lynn was already in. Shows you what I know. The only player to win ROY and MVP in the same season if I’m not mistaken.