Question 5: You mentioned the Negro Leagues…can we assume that the honoree spent his career in either the American or National League – or both – as opposed to having been recognized for his contribution to the Negro Leagues or other leagues.
Answer: Yes, you may. And that answer eliminates 17 more greats of the game, among them Josh Gibson, who many consider to be the greatest home run hitter of all time, Babe Ruth not excluded.
Gibson debuted with the Homestead Grays as an 18-year phenom out of the Pittsburgh colored sandlots during the summer of 1930. In his July 25 debut against the Kansas City Monarchs, he earned recognition more for his catching abilities than his offense, going hitless in two at bats.
This answer also eliminates such noted threats as Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell, Willie Wells, and Monte Irvin. The honest reality, though, is that in numerous instances the record books are not clear on what Negro League players did on at-bat by at-bat basis. In this respect, then, we are operating on a combination of data and presumption.
For the same reason, this response eliminates Martin Dihigo, a multi-skill performer in both the Negro and Latin leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. Finally, it eliminates possibly the best known Negro Leaguer of all, Satchel Paige.
It still, however, leaves, more than 100 Hall of Famers. We know this much about them: They played in the American or National League during the live ball era, and they neither hit 500 home runs nor 2,500 base hits.