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If the Hall of Fame started today, what 20 players would you put in (among eligible candidates)? I say 20, because 5 were elected in the first election in 1936, and I think given the 70 years of additional baseball since then, it's fair to say that the number of qualified candidates for the first election has quadrupled.
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I think this would be my first 20:
Lou Gehrig - First Base
Rogers Hornsby - Second Base
Jackie Robinson - Second Base
Honus Wagner - Shortstop
Mike Schmidt - Third Base
Ted Williams - Left Field
Stan Musial - Left Field
Willie Mays - Center Field
Ty Cobb - Center Field
Mickey Mantle - Center Field
Tris Speaker - Center Field
Joe DiMaggio - Center Field
Babe Ruth - Right Field
Hank Aaron - Right Field
Frank Robinson - Right Field
Walter Johnson - Starting Pitcher
Lefty Grove - Starting Pitcher
Pete Alexander - Starting Pitcher
Cy Young - Starting Pitcher
Tom Seaver - Starting Pitcher -
--Twenty is a tough cut. My first draft;
C: Bench, Berra
1B: Gehrig, Anson
2B: Robinson
3B: Schmidt
SS: Wagner, Ripken
LF: Williams, Musial
CF: Mays, Cobb
RF: Ruth, Aaron
P: W. Johnson, Young, Grove, Spahn, Seaver
--These are not my twenty BEST players, but the 20 most deserving. I'm sticking to eligible players as requested, which means 10 MLB years and retired 5 years. Thus no Negro Leaguers or active/recently retired players (Ripken eligible as of next election, close enough).
--I've actually only listed 19. I'm still mulling over my 20th. Candidates include; Eddie Collins, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Morgan, George Brett, Rickey Henderson, Mickey Mantle and Frank Robinson (all 3 2Bs listed were better than Jackie Robinson, but he has to be in the first class). Tris Speaker might jump over some of those guys in the 2nd election, but misses the cut for number one. Being a great player is my first criteria, but having an important historical role is a boost and all eras need to be represented.Comment
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Rickey isn't eligible yet Mark.Comment
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--Or even officially retired
. Guess that narrows it down to 6 candidates for my last spot.
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With my rationale being representation at each position (including RP), and additions for unique and age-tested accomplishments....(again, NOT necessarily the BEST, but the most notable imho).
C-Berra
1B-Gehrig
2B- J. Robinson
SS- Wagner
3B- Schmidt
OF- Ruth, Cobb, Williams, Musial, Mantle, Mays, DiMaggio, Aaron
SP- Young, Johnson, Grove, Mathewson, Spahn, Ryan
RP- Eckersley
Thinking also of: Speaker, Hornsby, Cochrane, Alexander, Foxx, Wilhelm, Greenberg, Gibson; limited though to 20 guys!"Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you. What's that you say Mrs. Robinson? Joltin' Joe has left and gone away. Hey hey hey."Comment
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According to the HoF rules, Rickey is already accruing time towards the five year waiting period. Playing minor league ball doesn't delay the five year waiting period.Originally posted by leecemark--Or even officially retired . Guess that narrows it down to 6 candidates for my last spot.Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.-Crash DavisComment
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--True, but The Rickey has said frequently he is still hoping for another major league shot. Should he manage to get even a brief appearance with somebody his clock would start over again.Comment
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I wouldn't be surprised if Rickey comes back and makes an appearance with the A's at the end of one of these seasons, provided that the A's are out of it. There was talk about Billy Beane considering that last season, but only if was sure that Rickey would retire afterwards.Comment
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Somebody said that if you don't have a catcher, you have a lot of passed ballsOriginally posted by DoubleX
P-Paige, WJohnson, Young, Clemens, Alexander, Grove, Maddux
C-Bench, Berra
1B-Gehrig, Foxx
2B-Collins, Hornsby
3B-Schmidt, Mathews
SS-Wagner
OF-Ruth, Cobb, Mays, Aaron
And a LOT of second-guessing myself
h 
Mythical SF Chronicle scouting report: "That Jeff runs like a deer. Unfortunately, he also hits AND throws like one." I am Venus DeMilo - NO ARM! I can play like a big leaguer, I can field like Luzinski, run like Lombardi. The secret to managing is keeping the ones who hate you away from the undecided ones. I am a triumph of quantity over quality. I'm almost useful, every village needs an idiot.
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Clemens and Maddux aren't eligible candidates.Originally posted by RuthMayBondSomebody said that if you don't have a catcher, you have a lot of passed balls
P-Paige, WJohnson, Young, Clemens, Alexander, Grove, Maddux
C-Bench, Berra
1B-Gehrig, Foxx
2B-Collins, Hornsby
3B-Schmidt, Mathews
SS-Wagner
OF-Ruth, Cobb, Mays, Aaron
And a LOT of second-guessing myselfh Dave Bill Tom George Mark Bob Ernie Soupy Dick Alex Sparky
Joe Gary MCA Emanuel Sonny Dave Earl Stan
Jonathan Neil Roger Anthony Ray Thomas Art Don
Gates Philip John Warrior Rik Casey Tony Horace
Robin Bill Ernie JEDIComment
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I see that 19th century players and pioneers aren't getting much love.Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of BaseballComment
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Wow, I know what I'm doingOriginally posted by Captain Cold Nose
Replace them with Mathewson and, uh, Seaver or Nichols?
Mythical SF Chronicle scouting report: "That Jeff runs like a deer. Unfortunately, he also hits AND throws like one." I am Venus DeMilo - NO ARM! I can play like a big leaguer, I can field like Luzinski, run like Lombardi. The secret to managing is keeping the ones who hate you away from the undecided ones. I am a triumph of quantity over quality. I'm almost useful, every village needs an idiot.
Good traders: MadHatter(2), BoofBonser26, StormSurgeComment
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I agree with this list with just a couple of changes.
Johnny Bench
Lou Gehrig
Rogers Hornsby
Jackie Robinson
Honus Wagner
Mike Schmidt
Ted Williams
Stan Musial
Willie Mays
Ty Cobb
Mickey Mantle
Tris Speaker
Joe DiMaggio
Babe Ruth
Hank Aaron
Walter Johnson
Lefty Grove
Cy Young
Christy Mathewson
Nolan Ryan1968 and 1984, the greatest ever.Comment
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One of these things is not like the other, which one of these things does not belongOriginally posted by Tigerfan1974
Mythical SF Chronicle scouting report: "That Jeff runs like a deer. Unfortunately, he also hits AND throws like one." I am Venus DeMilo - NO ARM! I can play like a big leaguer, I can field like Luzinski, run like Lombardi. The secret to managing is keeping the ones who hate you away from the undecided ones. I am a triumph of quantity over quality. I'm almost useful, every village needs an idiot.
Good traders: MadHatter(2), BoofBonser26, StormSurgeComment
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