Who are your Inner Circle Hall of Famers?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Mark17

Your analogy is flawed because the Sistine Chapel's fame is 100% due to the skill employed by the best artisan of the day... not because it was painted. Integration is a watershed moment in baseball because somebody did it.

If Rickey chooses to make Campanella the guy to break the color line, Robinson would be a borderline HOFer. Roy won 3 MVP awards and was the better player, and that's just one example.

Interestingly, I believe he had only one season in the Negro Leagues (at age 26) before Rickey chose him, is that right? So it's hard to say his Dodgers stats are that misleading unlike Campy who had a number of Negro League seasons that would have enhanced his career stats.

[Seven]

Many of the names have already been mentioned. I'm going to provide three Negro League Players that everyone should consider.

1. Satchel Paige
2. Josh Gibson
3. Oscar Charleston

Paige is very self explanatory IMO. His two seasons with the Indians, in 48 and 49 while he was ages 41 and 42 respectively gave a brief glimpse into his dominance as a pitcher. I have little doubt that if there was no Color Barrier, he'd be considered right there with Johnson, Grove, Mathewson and Young as one of the greatest pitchers to ever take the mound.

Concerning Gibson and Charleston. Gibson's dominance as a hitter was borderline unparalleled by anyone in his day, and the same goes for Charleston's prowess in both hitting and pitching.

[Carter08]

I think most would agree Jackie is obviously important beyond his skills. And then the debate about whether he is the most skilled player that could have broken the barrier can be debated.

Turning back to the inner circle as far as collecting goes is it universal agreement that Ruth is number 1? If so, who is 2? Cobb? If Ruth is 10 on a scale of 1-10 where do the others fall?

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Carter08

I think most would agree Jackie is obviously important beyond his skills. And then the debate about whether he is the most skilled player that could have broken the barrier can be debated.

Turning back to the inner circle as far as collecting goes is it universal agreement that Ruth is number 1? If so, who is 2? Cobb? If Ruth is 10 on a scale of 1-10 where do the others fall?

Agreed that Ruth is hands down #1 in the inner circle. I think you can make a strong case for Walter Johnson or Willie Mays as number 2. But there's certainly arguments for others. SABR actually has Gehrig as #2:
https://www.baseball-almanac.com/leg...lisab100.shtml

While other websites have Mays:
https://baseballegg.com/all-time-pla...eball-history/

[Yoda]

I wonder why there has been no mention of a worthy candidate to the inner sanctum: George Sisler. He played in the same era of Ruth, their RC's coming from the same set, batted over .400 twice and played a stellar first base. I know he played for the lowly Browns but records are records.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I wonder why there has been no mention of a worthy candidate to the inner sanctum: George Sisler. He played in the same era of Ruth, their RC's coming from the same set, batted over .400 twice and played a stellar first base. I know he played for the lowly Browns but records are records.

Agreed re: George Sisler. He is actually mentioned in their Snubs list:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...snubs-our-list

"George Sisler, the initial first baseman elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America in 1939, might well be the best all-around player in the history of that position. In 1920, Sisler collected 257 hits in a 154-game season, a modern-era record that stood until Ichiro Suzuki had 262 in 2004. In 1922, Sisler hit safely in 41 consecutive games, a modern-era record that stood until Joe DiMaggio's 56-game streak in 1941. He led his league in stolen bases four times, and his defense is celebrated on his Hall of Fame plaque as follows: "Credited with being one of best two fielding first basemen in history of game." -- Paul Hembekides"

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

Hall of Fame plaque as follows: "Credited with being one of best two fielding first basemen in history of game." -- Paul Hembekides"

And so, the most corrupt player in baseball history, Hal Chase, gets a shout out on Sisler's HOF plaque.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Mark17

And so, the most corrupt player in baseball history, Hal Chase, gets a shout out on Sisler's HOF plaque.

Very interesting that Hal Chase gets mentioned in the HOF for doing something positive, albeit his mention is indirect. Thanks for pointing out the reference.

[terjung]

Shhhh! More talk like that and people will want to collect him!

Sisler could also take the mound in a pinch.

Originally Posted by Yoda

I wonder why there has been no mention of a worthy candidate to the inner sanctum: George Sisler. He played in the same era of Ruth, their RC's coming from the same set, batted over .400 twice and played a stellar first base. I know he played for the lowly Browns but records are records.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by terjung

Shhhh! More talk like that and people will want to collect him!

Sisler could also take the mound in a pinch.

Sisler was a monster and one of the most under appreciated players in the hobby. But you didn't hear that from me...