1939

Lou Gehrig

Old Timer's: Cy Young

Gehrig played his final games in 1939, he made it into the Hall-of-Fame that very year, no one could have a problem with that.  At the time, no one really knew exactly what the Hall-of-Fame was going to be.

In 1939, Willie Keeler and George Sisler made the Hall-of-Fame over Rogers Hornsby ... that brought the total number of players selected by BBWAA to 11 over four years.  Seems reasonable enough.  An Old Timer's Committee was formed to select the best 19th century players.  Again seems reasonable.

Except that between 1939 and 1946 they selected 28 players.  Among those the Old Timer's Committee chose were Tinkers-Evers-Chance; SS Bill Dahlen-2B Larry Doyle-1B Roger Connor were all far better and were left out.  Tommy McCarthy may very well be the very worst player in the Hall-of-Fame, while Sherry Magee was far better but wasn't chosen then, nor anytime since.  Home Run Baker was the best third baseman in history at that point yet was passed over in favor of Jimmy Collins.

Without question the best 19th century players and early 20th century players should be in the Hall-of-Fame, but it should be the right players.  The question is how to choose the correct ones.  The Veteran's Committee started in 1953, originally only choosing only every other year, which sounds right.  Most importantly is to make sure they aren't choosing more than contemporary selections.  That is perhaps the biggest thing that helped destroy the exclusivity of the Hall-of-Fame. 

First Old Timer's Committee choice is Cy Young.  The first crossover star from the NL to the AL.  In his first 10 years, he had a K / BB ratio of 1.46.  Then he went to the AL and in his eight years with Boston, that ratio jumped to 4.48; the career leader is Curt Schilling with 4.38.  That would be like a hitter who has a .260 batting average after 10 years suddenly hitting .370 for the next decade.  Of course, with Young, it says more about how the sport changed so much and so suddenly during those years (it was actually a hitters league in the 1890s before the start of the dead-ball era).  He was remarkably consistent for nearly 20 years

Lou Gehrig was unquestionably the best first baseman in history for over 70 years.  Then it seemed Albert Pujols might be able to overtake him.  But he has slowed since signing with the Angels.  For Gehrig's career: 179 OPS+, 112 WAR; for Pujols: 165 OPS+ and 93 WAR.  Gehrig is higher in offensive win %, adjusted batting runs and all that shit.  In just his 13th year in the league, the Angels first baseman may never again be among the very best hitters in the league.  Pujols is the better fielder, though.  There is an argument for Pujols if you believe sports performance could have increased in 70 years

Gehrig also quit on his team.  That should be unforgivable