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MLB Hall of Fame: Every Class’ Best Player (1990s Edition)

By Paul Willems

Plaques in the main hallway identify inductee classes in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum July 25, 2004 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Plaques in the main hallway identify inductee classes in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum July 25, 2004 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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(Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images)
(Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

MLB Hall of Fame: 1990s Edition

Nellie Fox, 1997

Accomplishments: 1959 AL MVP, 15x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove

Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: Tom Lasorda (manager), Phil Niekro, Willie Wells

1997 was a close call between Fox and knuckleball specialist (and MLB the Show villain) Niekro, but at the end of the day, Fox’s list of accomplishments at a fairly weakly-represented position in Cooperstown, that of second base. With his 15 all-star game nods ranking second among the game’s all-time best at the position as well as an MVP and trio of Gold Gloves under his belt, Fox is certainly deserving of his top spot here.

Jim Bunning, 1996

Accomplishments: 9x All-Star

Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: Bill Foster, Ned Hanlon/Earl Weaver (manager)

Full disclosure: if I were to not have limited this series to just players, Earl Weaver would almost certainly get this spot, not only for his success with the Baltimore Orioles during his legendary tenure, but also a fiery personality to go along with his diminutive stature. However, the late Jim Bunning takes the mantle of the top player in the 1996 class. While his record does not amaze like others at 224-184, his 3.27 career ERA suggests that it could very well have been better. He was recognized wholly for his efforts in this regard with 9 all-star appearances across his stints with Detroit and Philadelphia. He also struck out 250 batters or more in 3 straight years from 1965-1967, leading the majors with 253 in the final of those three years.

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