MLB Hall of Fame: Every Class’ Best Player (1990s Edition)
Three decades down, many more to go as Call to the Pen takes a look at the MLB Hall of Fame classes of the 1990s to see who are the best of the best.
We’ve made it through the 2010s and traversed through the 2000s, now it’s time to see who takes the cake in the last decade before Y2K would spell the end for all of us, the ten years that blessed us with the very internet which allows us at Call to the Pen to speak to all of you. Which members elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in the 1990s were the best? Let’s find out.
Nolan Ryan, 1999
Accomplishments: 8x All-Star, 1969 World Series champion, 2x ERA champion
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: George Brett, Orlando Cepeda, Nestor Chylak (umpire), Frank Selee (manager), Smokey Joe Williams, Robin Yount
Seven no-hitters, not really sure what else has to be said. Sure, he was wild, as an MLB record 2,795 walks would show, but when you strike out 5,714 batters and have an all-time H/9 to boot, it puts the pieces together for one of the most dominant starting pitchers the game has ever seen.
Known as the Ryan Express, he struck out over 300 hitters six times and threw his final no-hitter at the age of 44 years young. Just like during his career, and even with a stacked induction field alongside him, no one could touch Nolan Ryan on his way into Cooperstown.
Don Sutton, 1998
Accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 1980 ERA champion, All-Star MVP
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: George Davis, Larry Doby, Lee MacPhail (executive), Bullet Rogan
Now, compared to 1999, the 1998 class was certainly not as stocked with Hall of Fame names, but just like 1999, a starting pitcher gets the top nod. Sutton, who made his name with a California team just as Nolan Ryan did, was a 4-time All-Star in Dodger Blue, with back to back appearances in 1972 and 1973.
His numbers don’t jump off the page at you, he won 20 games just once in his career and never punched out more than 217 batters in a season, but his 3.09 ERA over his 16 years with the Dodgers is certainly evidence of a pitcher that you could rely on.
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.
MLB Hall of Fame: 1990s Edition
Mike Schmidt, 1995
Accomplishments: 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, 1980 World Series champion, 10x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, 1980 World Series MVP
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: Richie Ashburn, Leon Day, William Hulbert (executive), Vic Willis
One of the Phillies’ biggest rivals in the game is the New York Mets, the mascot of whom is simply named Mr. Met. Conversely, Mike Schmidt could very well be called Mr. Phillie. One of the most powerful third basemen in the history of the game, finishing his career with 548 home runs and six Silver Slugger awards. However, Schmidt was equally as excellent with his glove, racking up 10 Gold Gloves at the hot corner. This prowess at both parts of the game allowed him to collect a trio of MVP awards and a dozen all-star appearances.
Steve Carlton, 1994
Accomplishments: 4x Cy Young, 1972 triple crown, 10x All-Star, 2x World Series champion, 1981 Gold Glove, ERA title
Another contender for Mr. Phillie, Steve Carlton is right there as one of the best left-handers the game has ever seen, regardless of being a starter or relief pitcher. A four-time Cy Young winner and the only pitcher of the 1970s to win the pitching triple crown, Carlton headed the rotation for a decade, with five 20 win seasons from 1971-1982 and a 310 strikeout season in 1972. Winning a World Series with both St. Louis and Philadelphia, he proved to be a solid October pitcher with a postseason ERA of 3.26.
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: Leo Durocher (manager), Phil Rizzuto
MLB Hall of Fame: 1990s Edition
Reggie Jackson, 1993
Accomplishments: 1973 AL MVP, 14x All-Star, 5x World Series champion, 2x Silver Slugger, 2x World Series MVP
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: None
The only inductee of 1993, Mr. October stood alone in Cooperstown, just like he often stood out with his trademark mustache and sunglasses. The true definition of a slugging outfielder, Jackson hit 563 bombs with a respectable .262 average to his name, but failed to win a Gold Glove during his career while also finishing near the top of the all-time strikouts list (Joey Gallo would be proud, indeed). However, Jackson’s biggest calling card may just be his postseason hitting, with a career .278 average in the playoffs with 18 home runs, a whopping 10 of which came in his five Fall Classic appearances.
Tom Seaver, 1992
Accomplishments: 3x Cy Young, 1967 NL Rookie of the Year, 12x All-Star, 1969 World Series champion, 3x ERA champion
Other MLB Hall of Fame inductees: Rollie Fingers, Bill McGowan (umpire), Hal Newhouser
One of the greatest right-handed pitchers the game has seen and perhaps the greatest New York Met ever, Tom Seaver was the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year, the face of the 1969 Miracle Mets team who won the World Series and the stabilizing force for the Mets franchise for his tenure. Now suffering from the complications of dementia in his old age and retiring from public life just this year, it’s a good thing to think about that he was able to get his Hall of Fame moment before his current situation arose.