5 Year Hall of Famers? Make your case

[frankbmd]

Generally the body of work over an entire career is required for consideration of Hall of Fame membership.

And generally the body of work lasts longer than five years.

Consider if you will Sandy Koufax though. The first seven years of his career were mediocre. His Hall of Fame career began in 1962 and lasted until 1966.
Though few would argue his Hall of fame selection.

Who are the other 5 Year Hall of Famers? Make your case.

Dizzy Dean was close from 1932-1936, but I would consider his 1937 season worthy, giving him 6.

Currently I suppose (Hi Jake), that one could make a case for Kershaw despite his lack of postseason prowess and chronic back issues. He was also a legitimate Cy Young award candidate for 7 consecutive years, giving him at least 7.

But there must be others and we are not talking about only left-handed pitchers who play(ed) for the Dodgers.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Newhouser? Ed Walsh?

[drcy]

James Creighton should be in the Hall of Fame, but that is an exception to the rule rather than the rule being wrong.

[Jobu]

Jim Rice seems like a guy for this conversation if we are looking for guys in the Hall who did not dominate for more than a few years. He was really good in 1977-79 and 1983 and the decent to pretty good the rest of the time. 30+ HRs 4 times, 100+ rbs 8 times, and 100+ runs 3 times, and was not a great defender.

[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.

[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.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Newhouser? Ed Walsh?

Walsh had 7 years as a top pitcher.

[Fred]

Gavvy Cravath - From 1913-1919 he led the league in HRs in 6 out of 7 years. In 1913, the year he didn't lead the league, he was second. He also led the league in RBIs twice in that period.

Lefty O'Doul - hit .365 from 1928-1932

Probably a lot of 5 year guys out there.

I can think of a few more right off the bat.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Consider if you will Sandy Koufax though. The first seven years of his career were mediocre.

Koufax wasn't mediocre in 1961. He led the NL in strikeouts, FIP, Hits/9, K/9 and K/BB. He put up 5.7 WAR (5+ WAR is an All Star) which was 2nd in the NL. So, he had 6 years at HOF level, the last 4 as good as any 4 year run by a pitcher.

Addie Joss with only 9 full seasons would be a candidate with 7 good years. George Sisler had a good 7 year peak (1916-1922) then really fell off. High Pockets Kelly was only at starter level for 7 years (1920-26) and 9 of 16 years at less than 2 WAR per season. Freddie Lindstom was only at a starter level for 6 seasons (1926-1930, 1933). Chick Hafey had 7 seasons at starter level (1927-31, 33,34). Hack Wilson had 5 great seasons (1926-1930) but only had 2 more at starter level (1924,1932). Tommy McCarthy only had 6 years at starter level (1888, 1890-94). Rube Marquard is in the HOF based on 3 good seasons (1911-1913) with the Giants and 1 later with the Dodgers (1916).

[topcat61]

Cardinals and Reds Outfielder Chick Hafey had a 13 year career, but had only 5 full seasons. Most say he's one of the least qualified candidates in the Hall and got in as a "Friend of Frankie". I give him some slack because he may have been legally blind.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Jimmy Ryan. Side note, love watching the Bo 30 for 30.

[packs]

Hard to top Lefty O'Doul from 1929 to 1932. If he had hit 400 instead of 398 in 1929 I'm pretty sure he'd be in.

I always thought Babe Herman has been criminally overlooked. He's a career 324 hitter over 13 seasons, really only 11 full. A guy who averaged a 324 average and 100 RBI's over his career should be remembered a lot more than he is.