Kiki Cuyler: Right Fielder, Chicago Cubs

.321 average, 1305 runs scored, 2299 hits, 128 home runs, 1065 RBI, 328 stolen bases

Kiki Cuyler leads of this year’s induction class that includes all outfielders, and with good reason. The 18-year MLB veteran played played for four different teams throughout his career, but spent most of his time with the Chicago Cubs (eight years). Cuyler was a classic ballplayer that could beat a team in multiple ways, whether it be with his bat, glove, or legs. He was elected to one All-Star game was a part of four pennant winning teams, helping the Pirates win the 1925 by driving in the winning run off of Walter Johnson. During his time in professional baseball, he hit over .300 in 10 different seasons (over .350 four times), had five 100+ runs scored seasons (led league twice), led the league in stolen bases four times, and led the league in doubles and triples once. In the field, he played over 1,800 games in the outfield, while recording 4,034 putouts and 191 assists. After his playing career, he was a minor league manager and coach for the Cubs and Red Sox. One of his claims to fame is that he hit two inside-the-park home runs in Philly’s Baker Bowl back in 1925.

Goose Goslin: Left Fielder, Washington Senators

.316 average, 1483 runs scored, 2735 hits, 248 home runs, 1609 RBI, 175 stolen bases

Like his fellow inductee, Goose Goslin also played 18 years in Major League Baseball, but he only played for three teams, with 12 of his seasons coming with the Washington Senators. He was known for his powerful swing and clutch hitting, as he was an integral part to winning five AL pennants with the Senators and Tigers, winning a World Series with each of them (1924 and 1935). He scored 100+ runs seven times, he led the league twice in triples and his 173 three-baggers rank 22nd all-time, he ranks 31st all-time with his 1,609 career RBI and drove in 100+ runs 11 times, hit over .300 in 11 different seasons, won a batting title in 1928, and was elected to an All-Star game in 1936. While he was not the best fielder (i.e. the nickname Goose), he had a great throwing arm, leading the league in that category twice and recorded 181 assists in Left Field, the second-most all-time. It could have been more, but Goslin decided to wander over to a track and field practice nearby them and tried the shot put, then his arm was never the same. A fun fact about Goslin is that he is the only player in history to play in all 19 World Series games that featured the Washington Senators.

Joe Medwick: Left Fielder, St. Louis Cardinals

.324 average, 1198 runs scored, 2471 hits, 205 home runs, 1383 RBI, 42 stolen bases

Medwick was a tough competitor throughout his 17-year career in the Major Leagues, epitomizing the Cardinals during their “Gashouse Gang” era. The 1934 World Series champion hit over .300 in a season in 14 seasons, enjoyed six 100+ RBI seasons (led league three consecutive years), he was named to 10 All-Star games, and won an MVP award in 1937. His 1,790 games in left field rank ninth all-time, and is also in the top-ten all-time at the position in putouts (3,851) and assists (133). Medick is one of three New Jersey born ballplayers to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, with his most special season coming in 1937 when he won the triple crown. He not only led the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, but showed his complete dominance by leading the league in nine other offensive categories that year. This includes: games played, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, slugging percentage, total bases, OPS, and OPS+. Now that’s how you have a good year. His magic in 1937 carried over to the mid-summer classic, when he became the first player in MLB history to record four hits in the All-Star game.

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