# Can I get a group together to pick a brand-new MLB HoF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [August 30, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346 "2023-08-30T12:49:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/1 "2023-08-30T12:49:57Z")
If you consider yourself a reasonable and knowledgeable student of the game, you’re eligible to help me select a Hall of Fame from scratch. I have a series of questions, the answers to which grow increasingly complicated, that create a HoF that makes sense–that is, it safeguards against crazy picks, and guarantees that everyone will find its occupants deserving. (I’ll explain how later.) For now we can begin with one simple question: “Who do you think were the greatest two or three players ever to play MLB?” This is a majority vote process, so if you want to nominate a very odd personal choice, understand that it won’t go anywhere. What you’re doing is nominating those players whom you think a majority of your fellow voters will also nominate. I’ll start by nominating Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds. (I’ll also note that I’m a big Willie Mays fan, and I detest Barry Bonds. But my feelings don’t enter into my choices. Those three are the ones I think a majority of other voters will choose.) I expect this process will work, given enough reasonable and knowledgeable voters, so give me the benefit of your reason and your knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/2 "2023-08-30T13:49:06Z")
I suppose Cy Young and Ty Cobb are kind of obvious. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/3 "2023-08-30T14:19:49Z")
As the two greatest, leaving out Ruth (for example)? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/4 "2023-08-30T14:27:14Z")
I’ll nominate Brooks Robinson and Jackie Robinson. I grew up watching Brooks play third base. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/5 "2023-08-30T14:34:01Z")
My top 3 choices are Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/6 "2023-08-30T15:00:05Z")
My top 3 are the same as OP. Ruth, Mays, Bonds. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/7 "2023-08-30T15:11:52Z")
Mays, Bonds and Aaron. Mays was the most complete baseball player to ever play the game. He was massively underrated, which is ridiculous to even think about. (At least, he’s _currently_ underrated - he was highly regarded during his time.) Bonds was the single most feared hitter that pitchers have ever faced. His intentional walk numbers exceed the numbers that entire franchises have put together. Aaron was the most consistently dominant player we’ve seen. For 20+ years he was a superhuman hitting machine. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/8 "2023-08-30T15:15:35Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ll nominate Brooks Robinson and Jackie Robinson. > > I grew up watching Brooks play third base. Just to be clear, you’re nominating the Robinsons as the two greatest ballplayers in MLB history, greater than Mays, Ruth, Cobb, Young, Aaron, Mantle, Williams, Bonds etc., and you think a majority of voters in this thread will agree with you? Just checking to make sure you understand what I’m asking for. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/9 "2023-08-30T15:31:34Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Just checking to make sure you understand what I’m asking for. No. I misunderstood the question. Sorry about that. I went back to edit, but it was too late. Are current players eligible, or are we using MLB rules requiring 5 years of retirement? ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/10 "2023-08-30T15:52:23Z")
Let’s say no to current players–there’s enough to disagree over without muddying the waters further. Five years retired is fine. Go again. Curious about who you’re nominating now. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/11 "2023-08-30T15:56:06Z")
And to give away a bit more of what we’re shooting for here: each succeeding question will identify a group of players larger than the group before. But this process will depend on the answers already given in the smaller, preceding group, so we can’t move on until each question is definitively answered. Meaning that this process will take several weeks if successful. I can promise that you’ll find it challenging. You may want to dust off your reference books (or websites) in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/12 "2023-08-30T16:00:44Z")
I plan on cribbing almost exclusively from Posnanski’s Top 100 list, so beware. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/13 "2023-08-30T16:03:12Z")
Slightly unreliable, as Pos admits that his rating system was fudged in order to make clever remarks about some players. But sure, knock yourself out. I’m planning on making extensive use of Bill James’ revised Historical Abstract myself. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/14 "2023-08-30T16:06:39Z")
Ruth, Mays and Ted Williams. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/15 "2023-08-30T16:07:49Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > As the two greatest, leaving out Ruth (for example)? I guess I misunderstood. I thought we were looking to populate a new HoF. Still, you need a pitcher, right? Who would beat out Cy? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/16 "2023-08-30T16:35:50Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Slightly unreliable, as Pos admits that his rating system was fudged in order to make clever remarks about some players. Oh certainly - many of the specific rankings are related to their uniform number, or a hitting streak, etc. But for the most part, it’s a very good start, and I suspect I’ll be ill-equipped for the granularity past #25 or so. I actually haven’t read James’ abstract. I should use this opportunity to get a copy - but man, I hate giving that guy any money. > [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Still, you need a pitcher, right? Who would beat out Cy? Walter Johnson. Bob Gibson. Clemens. Randy Johnson. Koufax. Etc. Cy Young will be in any baseball HOF, but he likely barely cracks the top 10 pitchers. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/17 "2023-08-30T18:17:32Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Still, you need a pitcher All in due time. As Casey said, if you don’t have a catcher, you’re going to have a lot of passed balls. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/18 "2023-08-30T18:55:46Z")
Ruth, Mays, Cobb Bonds is disqualified in my estimation. This would probably be interesting to do by position. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/19 "2023-08-30T19:20:25Z")
Did you mean to limit this strictly to MLB? If not, I’d probably say Ruth, Mays, Charleston; but if you mean to limit it to MLB than Ted Williams instead of Oscar Charleston. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346/20 "2023-08-30T21:38:53Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > interesting to do by position. Patience, my friend. We’re getting there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346.md?page=2)