Shoeless Joe Jackson, 1915-1920, 27.8 bWAR
The first of two of the infamous Black Sox players that were banned from the game after the 1919 World Series that will appear on this list, Jackson is an incredible case study as he was only 32 when he was banned from the game, and he could have played for many more years, most likely.
Jackson was acquired in the run toward the pennant in 1915, as the White Sox finished with 93 wins, finishing behind the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, in spite of having the best Pythagorean expected won/lost record in the American League in the season.
After a solid 1917 where he helped to lead the team to a World Series championship, many key the loss of Jackson to service in World War I as a key reason the White Sox fell off in 1918.
He was back in force in 1919, posting a .928 OPS, and hitting .351 as the team dominated their way to the World Series.
In just six seasons, Jackson posted the highest career batting average of any White Sox player in their franchise history with a .340 batting average. He also still holds the club’s single season triples record with 21 in 1916, also placing second on the list with 20 in 1920.
Jackson enjoyed his best season as a member of the White Sox in 1920 as controversy swirled around the club regarding the 1919 World Series scandal. He hit .382/.444/.589 with 42 doubles, 20 triples, 12 home runs, 105 runs, and 121 RBI.
Over his time with the White Sox, Jackson hit .340/.407/.499 with 139 doubles, 79 triples, 30 home runs, and 64 stolen bases. Most incredible was his 251/87 K/BB ratio over 2,800 plate appearances.
Interestingly, after placing in the top 5 three times with the Indians before coming over to the White Sox, Jackson never placed in the MVP balloting as a member of the White Sox.
He was nominated twice for the Hall of Fame in the old nominating system, which tells the regard with which writers held Jackson, nominating him in spite of his lifetime ban from the game.
Next: Bench