Worst MLB Hall of Famers

Metrics have reset the bar for Cooperstown, and a few of those who fall short may surprise you.

Worst MLB Hall of Famers

Jack Morris, pitching at the 1981 All-Star Game, has the highest career ERA (3.90) of any Hall of Fame pitcher.

Remember when baseball was a simple game? Yeah, me, too. Then metrics reared its decimal point and complicated everything.

The (too) many numbers and formulas have changed the way we view the game. They even can make Hall of Famers look better or worse than we remember them. And if you believe in Wins Above Replacement, some don’t make the cut at all.

Here are the 25 Hall of Famers with the lowest WAR rates.

Note: Players who also made contributions as managers, umpires or executives are not included. Statistics with asterisks are incomplete.

25. Luis Aparicio

Position: Shortstop

Career: 18 seasons (1956-73)

Teams: Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox

Stats for Luis Aparicio

Career statistics/162 games: .262 BA, 5 HR, 49 RBI, 32 SB

WAR/162: 3.48

World Series titles: 1 (1966)

Year inducted: 1984 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Luis Aparicio

The 13-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glover had little competition in an era of good-field, no-hit middle infielders.

Luis Aparicio led the American League in stolen bases nine times, but a feeble .311 on-base percentage limited his chances. "Little Louie" never scored more than 98 runs in a season, though he batted first or second in the order in 83 percent of his starts. And despite not having a lot of pop (83 career home runs), Aparicio did collect 2,677 hits in his career.

Still, his greatest value was defense. That alone may no longer warrant a place in Cooperstown.

In Their Own Words: Luis Aparicio

Luis Aparicio steals third — Luis Aparicio, No. 11, stole 506 bases in his career.

"What is the top requirement for a second baseman? A fine shortstop. I am fortunate in having the greatest shortstop in baseball, Luis Aparicio." —Nellie Fox

24. George Kell

Position: Third base

Career: 15 seasons (1943-57)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles

Stats for George Kell

Career statistics/162: .306 BA, 7 HR, 79 RBI, 5 SB

WAR/162: 3.37

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1983 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: George Kell

Here’s one of the 16 players on the list who the Veterans Committee pushed through the Hall of Fame door.

The 10-time All-Star and one-time batting champion was a doubles hitter at a power position. George Kell hit as many as 10 homers in a season only once in his career.

He also was ordinary in the field, never appeared in a postseason game and failed to receive more than 37 percent of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) vote in 15 attempts.

So how did he get really, really good all of a sudden?

In Their Own Words: George Kell

George Kell poses with Lou Boudrea — George Kell, right, won the AL batting title in 1949 with a .343 batting average.

"Never let yourself get fooled by the same pitcher on the same pitch on the same day." —George Kell

23. Nellie Fox

Position: Second base

Career: 19 seasons (1946-65)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Houston Colt .45s/Astros

Stats for Nellie Fox

Career statistics/162: .288 BA, 2 HR, 54 RBI, 5 SB

WAR/162: 3.35

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1997 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Nellie Fox

One would think that 15 All-Star Games, three Gold Gloves and an MVP Award might be enough for Hall of Fame status.

Yet that wasn’t enough for this singles hitter with average speed to garner the necessary votes in 15 years on the BBWAA ballot.

Fun fact: "Little Nel" put the ball in play on 97.7 percent of his at-bats. His 1958 season was among the craziest ever — zero home runs, 11 strikeouts in 698 plate appearances.

In Their Own Words: Nellie Fox

Nellie Fox and Rocky Bridges — Chicago White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox, left, and Washington Senators shortstop Rocky Bridges with wads of chewing tobacco before a game in 1957.

"I don't think anyone liked to play more than I did." —Nellie Fox

22. Red Ruffing

Position: Pitcher

Career: 22 seasons (1924-42, 1945-47)

Teams: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox

Stats for Red Ruffing

Career statistics/162: 37 G, 254 IP, 16-13 W-L, 3.80 ERA

WAR/162: 3.24

World Series titles: 6 (1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941)

Year inducted: 1967 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Red Ruffing

Red Ruffing's success had as much to do with the greatness around him as anything else.

After six-plus awful seasons with the Red Sox (39-96 record, 4.61 ERA), the right-hander was shipped to New York, where his career took off in the midst of the Yankees' dynasty.

There was no extended dominance, though. His career 3.80 ERA ranks 80th of the 81 HOF pitchers, and 234 of his 273 victories came after he turned 30 years old.

In Their Own Words: Red Ruffing

Red Ruffing swings bat — Red Ruffing Ruffing missed the 1943 and 1944 MLB seasons due to his service during World War II.

"Matrimony was probably the first union to defy management." —Red Ruffing

21. Freddie Lindstrom

Position: Third base, outfield

Career: 13 seasons (1924-36)

Teams: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers

Stats for Freddie Lindstrom

Career statistics/162: .311 BA, 12 HR, 88 RBI, 9 SB

WAR/162: 3.19

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1976 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Freddie Lindstrom

Freddie Lindstrom averaged 212 hits and 17 homers in the 1928-30 seasons, at which point the 24-year-old was on a potential Hall of Fame path.

He played only two full seasons thereafter because of ankle and back problems.

His 1,747 career hits are among the fewest for any position player in Cooperstown.

In other words, he's the Hall of What Might Have Been.

In Their Own Words: Freddie Lindstrom

Freddie Lindstrom posing with teammates — Freddie Lindstrom, center, with Chicago Cubs teammates Larry French and Phil Cavarretta in 1935.

"My greatest thrill? That's easy. It came the day Mr. McGraw named his 20 all-time players. I'm ninth on that list and that is thrill enough to last me a lifetime." —

20. Tony Perez

Position: First base, third base

Career: 23 seasons (1964-86)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies

Stats for Tony Perez

Career statistics/162: .279 BA, 22 HR, 96 RBI, 3 SB

WAR/162: 3.15

World Series titles: 2 (1975, 1976)

Year inducted: 2000 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Tony Perez

The seven-time All-Star was long on longevity, short on dominance.

While "Doggie" made his name as a consistent run producer, table-setters Pete Rose and Joe Morgan had a lot to do with it.

Tony Perez was a league leader in one category — grounded into double plays. Factor in subpar speed and range, and he’s closer to Hall of Good (HOG) standards.

In Their Own Words: Tony Perez

Tony Perez celebrates with Johnny Bench — Tony Perez hit 379 career home runs.

"How can anyone as slow as you pull a muscle?" —Pete Rose to Tony Perez

19. Eppa Rixey

Position: Pitcher

Career: 21 seasons (1912-17, 1919-33)

Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds

Stats for Eppa Rixey

Career statistics/162: 38 G, 245 IP, 15-14 W-L, 3.15 ERA

WAR/162: 3.12

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1963 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Eppa Rixey

The left-hander was a 20-game loser (twice) almost as many times as he was a 20-game winner (thrice).

Then again, Eppa Rixey played with average teams or worse for much of his career.

The BBWAA wasn’t overly impressed, either. He received more than 31 percent of the vote once in 16 tries.

In Their Own Words: Eppa Rixey

Eppa Rixey posing with teammates — Eppa Rixey, second from left, was 6-foot-5.

"How dumb can the hitters in this league get? I've been doing this for fifteen years. When they're batting with the count two balls and no strikes, or three and one, they're always looking for the fastball and they never get it." —Eppa Rixey

18. Ray Schalk

Position: Catcher

Career: 18 seasons (1912-29)

Teams: Chicago White Sox, New York Giants

Stats for Ray Schalk

Career statistics/162: .253 BA, 1 HR, 55 RBI, 16 SB

WAR/162: 3.05

World Series titles: 1 (1917)

Year inducted: 1955 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Ray Schalk

Ray Schalk was a rock behind the plate for some the best White Sox teams ever. But how good does a catcher have to be on defense to overcome a career .316 slugging percentage?

Only once did "Cracker" hit more than two homers in a season. And he had as many as 60 RBI in two seasons.

The BBWAA denied him 15 times before the Veterans Committee came to the rescue.

In Their Own Words: Ray Schalk

Harry Hooper, Eddie Collins, and Ray Schalk, stand together — Ray Schalk, far right, with Chicago White Sox teammates Harry Hooper and Eddie Collins in 1925.

"(Ray) Schalk is unquestionably the hardest working catcher in baseball as he is doubtless also the brainiest, the nerviest, the most competent. He presents the unique distinction of performing more work than any other catcher and at the same time performing it better. Both in quantity and in quality of service Ray Schalk is unquestionably the premier backstop in baseball." —John C. Ward in Baseball Magazine (1920, SABR Baseball Biography Project, "Ray Schalk", Source)

17. Pie Traynor

Position: Third base

Career: 17 seasons (1920-35, 1937)

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Stats for Pie Traynor

Career statistics/162: .320 BA, 5 HR, 106 RBI, 13 SB

WAR/162: 3.02

World Series titles: 1 (1925)

Year inducted: 1948 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Pie Traynor

The high-average, Gold Glove-caliber infielder was as consistent as the sunrise for the better part of his career. Yet Pie Traynor led the league in one category — triples (once).

He also had one season of 10-or-more homers and two of 50-or-more walks, hardly the ideal combination for someone who batted fourth or fifth in the order throughout his career.

He’s a first-ballot member of the Hall of Very Good, no doubt.

In Their Own Words: Pie Traynor

Bill Terry congratulates Pie Traynor — New York Giants manager and first baseman Bill Terry, left, congratulates Pie Traynor, Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman on his elevation to the manager of the Pirates, in 1934.

"If I had to pick the greatest team player in baseball today — and I have some of the greats on my own club — I would have to pick Pie Traynor." —John McGraw

16. Herb Pennock

Position: Pitcher

Career: 22 seasons (1912-17, 1919-34)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees

Stats for Herb Pennock

Career statistics/162: 40 G, 234 IP, 16-11 W-L, 3.60 ERA

WAR/162: 2.92

World Series titles: 3 (1923, 1927, 1932)

Year inducted: 1948 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Herb Pennock

The "Knight of Kennett Square" (Pennsylvania) was Red Ruffing before Red Ruffing.

Barely average in his first 10 seasons, Herb Pennock was a late bloomer who went on to thrive with dominant Yankees teams.

The lefty was money in the World Series (5-0 record, 1.95 ERA), but his career ERA (75th among HOFers) and WAR (44.6, 62nd) make him another HOG candidate.

In Their Own Words: Herb Pennock

Herb Pennock with New York baseball heroes — Herb Pennock, third from left, with other New York baseball heroes at the Polo Grounds in 1944.

"Work for what is called a rag arm. A loose arm can pitch overhanded, side arm, three quarter, underhanded, any old way, to suit the situation at hand." —Herb Pennock, The Ten Commandments For Pitchers

15. Rick Ferrell

Rick Ferrell and Ray Schalk — Washington Senators catcher Rick Ferrell, left, is congratulated by former Chicago White Sox catcher Ray Schalk in 1945 before catching the 1,721st game of his career to equal the American League catching record set by Schalk in 1928.

Position: Catcher

Career: 18 seasons (1929-45, 1947)

Teams: St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators

Stats for Rick Ferrell

Career statistics/162: .281 BA, 2 HR, 63 RBI, 2 SB

WAR/162: 2.90

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1984 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Rick Ferrell

The durable, strong-armed catcher never received more than 0.5 percent of the BWAA vote before the veterans gave him a Hall pass.

Rick Ferrell was a seven-time All-Star back when offense was optional at the position.

Fun fact: His 28 career homers were 10 fewer than brother Wes, a two-time All-Star pitcher himself.

In Their Own Words: Rick Ferrell

Wes and Rick Ferrell — Rick Ferrell, right, with his brother at spring training with the Boston Red Sox in 1936.

"We were brothers off the field, but there was no love lost on it. We fought like cats and dogs. Wes was always trying to strike me out, and meantime, I was always trying to hit a home run off him." —Rick Ferrell

14. Jim Bottomley

Position: First base

Career: 16 seasons (1922-37)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Browns

Stats for Jim Bottomley

Career statistics/162: .310 BA, 18 HR, 116 RBI, 5 SB

WAR/162: 2.87

World Series titles: 2 (1926, 1931)

Year inducted: 1974 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Jim Bottomley

In his prime, the 1928 National League MVP averaged 22 homers and 126 RBI over six seasons. Trouble was, Jim Bottomley's production declined sharply after he turned 30 years old.

"Sunny Jim" was a liability in the field and on the basepaths, not to mention a considerable disappointment (.200/.258/.311 slash line) in 24 postseason games.

In Their Own Words: Jim Bottomley

"Jim Bottomley was a morale man, a winner, the guy who held early St. Louis championship clubs together." —Fellow Hall of Famer Bill Terry on Cardinals first baseman Jim Bottomley

13. Burleigh Grimes

Position: Pitcher

Career: 19 seasons (1916-34)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees

Stats for Burleigh Grimes

Career statistics/162: 38 G, 255 IP, 16-13 W-L, 3.53 ERA

WAR/162: 2.85

World Series titles: 1 (1931)

Year inducted: 1964 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Burleigh Grimes

"Ol' Stubblebeard" was the last of the legal spitball pitchers. The five-time 20-game winner had his moments, all right, yet Burleigh Grimes was more durable than dominant.

What’s more, the right-hander was among the 17 players who were granted lifetime exemptions when his out pitch was banned before the 1920 season. Asterisk, anyone?

In Their Own Words: Burleigh Grimes

Burleigh Grimes and Lingle Mungo — Burleigh Grimes, right, managed the Brooklyn Dodgers for two seasons after his playing career. Here is with ace pitcher Van Lingle Mungo at Dodgers spring training in 1937.

"Why is it there are so many nice guys interested in baseball? Not me, I was a real bastard when I played." —Burleigh Grimes

12. Lou Brock

Position: Outfield

Career: 19 seasons (1961-79)

Teams: Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals

Stats for Lou Brock

Career statistics/162: .293 BA, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 58 SB

WAR/162: 2.81

World Series titles: 2 (1964, 1967)

Year inducted: 1985 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Lou Brock

Lou Brock, during the 1967 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, scored 1,610 runs in his career.

How does a world-class base stealer with 3,023 career hits not qualify for the Hall of Fame? Uh, let me try to explain.

First, he plays more than 2,600 games. "The Rocket" had four stellar seasons in his mid-to-late 20s, but otherwise, his career lacked extended excellence.

The guy thrived on raw athleticism, but bad habits reduced his effectiveness. (See Game 5, 1968 World Series). His career .344 on-base percentage and 75 percent stolen-base success rate were good at best. And his -51 Total Zone Fielding Runs were more like that of a designated hitter.

That said, we still would trade Ernie Broglio for him in a heartbeat.

In Their Own Words: Lou Brock

"Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time." —Lou Brock

11. Jack Morris

Position: Pitcher

Career: 18 seasons (1977-94)

Teams: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians

Stats for Jack Morris

Career statistics/162: 35 G, 242 IP, 16-12 W-L, 3.90 ERA

WAR/162: 2.75

World Series titles: 3 (1984, 1991, 1992)

Year inducted: 2018 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Jack Morris

As many of those who covered him would agree, Jack Morris was an all-time ... pain. Remember when this lovely human told a female intern in the clubhouse, "I don’t talk to women when I’m naked unless they’re on top of me or I’m on top of them"?

Yet I don’t buy that media bias is what kept Mr. Congeniality out of the Cooperstown for so long. It had a lot more to do with his career 3.90 ERA (worst of the 81 Hall of Fame pitchers), WAR total (No. 64) and win percentage (No. 49).

If not for his 10-inning gem in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, I bet the Veterans Committee wouldn’t have put him, uh, over the top, either.

In Their Own Words: Jack Morris

Jack Morris leaps in the air — Jack Morris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018.

"In a big game, they all wanted Jack Morris on the mound. Year after year, when Jack Morris was on the staff, there were never any questions about who was the ace. He was the guy you wanted on the mound in Game 1 in October. He was definitely the guy you wanted on the mound in Game 7 in October." —Author Danny Knobler in "Numbers Don't Lie: Tigers: The Biggest Numbers in Tigers History"

10. Bill Mazeroski

Position: Second base

Career: 17 seasons (1956-72)

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Stats for Bill Mazeroski

Career statistics/162: .260 BA, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 2 SB

WAR/162: 2.74

World Series titles: 2 (1960, 1971)

Year inducted: 2001 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Bill Mazeroski

The eight-time Gold Glover was the defensive equivalent of Babe Ruth at second base. Let that sink in for a while. Yeah, I know what his other numbers say, but cavernous Forbes Field did right-handed, fly-ball hitters like him no favors whatsoever.

If Maz had played every game at Wrigley Field, for instance, he would have had 241 (not 138) career homers. Or 41 fewer than Ryne Sandberg, who ranks fifth at the position.

Oh, there’s also that 1960 World Series homer of his, still the greatest in baseball history. New York Yankees haters believe that should put him in Cooperstown automatically.

In Their Own Words: Bill Mazeroski

Bill Mazeroski in 1956 — Bill Mazeroski hit 136 home runs in his career.

"The home run took a while to sink in because all I could think of was, 'We beat the Yankees! We beat the Yankees.'" —Bill Mazeroski

9. Early Wynn

Position: Pitcher

Career: 23 seasons (1939, 1941-44, 1946-63)

Teams: Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox

Stats for Early Wynn

Career statistics/162: 36 G, 238 IP, 16-13 W-L, 3.54 ERA

WAR/162: 2.69

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1972 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Early Wynn

We're not picking on the 1959 White Sox here, but this is the third member of the American League champs on the list. Just saying.

"Burly Early" wound up with exactly 300 victories in his career, although it took Early Wynn seven starts and five months over two seasons to get the last one. At 43 years of age.

Dude, the guy pitched forever. Repeat after me, girls and boys: Longevity does not mean greatness.

In Their Own Words: Early Wynn

Early Wynn delivers ball — Early Wynn had a career 3.54 ERA.

"You can't get enjoyment out of hate. I wish I could live by this one-hundred percent, but every fourth or fifth day during the summer, I go into a Jekyll and Hyde act. Every time a player gets a hit or home run off me, I get strange notions and ideas of things I would like to do to him. Then after the game, I feel ashamed and think to myself, 'This guy is a nice fellow and I wonder what's happening to you, Early?' So I'll call him up and invite him to be my guest at dinner and spend the evening talking shop." —Early Wynn, Sport Magazine, March 1956

8. Rabbit Maranville

Position: Shortstop, second base

Career: 23 seasons (1912-33, 1935)

Teams: Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals

Stats for Rabbit Maranville

Career statistics/162: .258 BA, 2 HR, 54 RBI, 18 SB

WAR/162: 2.60

World Series titles: 1 (1914)

Year inducted: 1954 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Rabbit Maranville

If there had been a Gold Glove Award in his day, Walter "Rabbit" Maranville would have won a bunch of them. At the plate, though, his puny .318 career on-base percentage was no match for his 5-foot-5 stature.

He hit .270 or better five times and never higher than .295 in his long career.

Even so, one of the all-time practical jokers finally got the last laugh when he was inducted posthumorously, er, posthumously into the Hall of Fame in his 14th year of eligibility.

In Their Own Words: Rabbit Maranville

Rabbit Maranville portrait — Rabbit Maranville managed the Chicago Cubs for 53 games in 1925.

"I've lost a lot of teeth and square yards of hide. But I've never lost my self-respect, and I've kept what I find in few men of my age — my enthusiasm." —Rabbit Maranville

7. Jesse Haines

Position: Pitcher

Career: 19 seasons (1918, 1920-37)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals

Stats for Jesse Haines

Career statistics/162: 40 G, 242 IP, 15-11 W-L, 3.64 ERA

WAR/162: 2.59

World Series titles: 2 (1926, 1934)

Year inducted: 1970 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Jesse Haines

"Pop" was the only team member to play with the first five pennant winners in Cardinals history. Jesse Haines also beat the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1926 World Series.

Unfortunately, the right-handed knuckleballer spent too much of his athletic prime in the minors to put up gaudy numbers. He ranks a distant 76th in career ERA and 72nd in WAR (35.8) on the Hall of Fame list.

In a dozen tries on the BBWAA ballot, he received no more than 8 percent of the vote.

In Their Own Words: Jesse Haines

Jesse Haines with the 1926 St. Louis Cardinals — Jesse Haines, third from the left in the middle row, with the 1926 St. Louis Cardinals.

"My favorite ball is the knuckler. I hold the ball tight against the knuckles of my pitching hand and throw it with every ounce of speed I can put behind it. When it's breaking right, it swoops down a good deal like a curve, only faster and with a sharper break than a curve. I don't believe any batter in uniform likes to face a good knuckleball when it's sweeping in with a lot of zip and breaking right." —Jesse Haines

6. George Kelly

Position: First base

Career: 16 seasons (1915-17, 1919-30, 1932)

Teams: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers

Stats for George Kelly

Career statistics/162: .297 BA, 15 HR, 102 RBI, 6 SB

WAR/162: 2.52573

World Series titles: 2 (1921, 1922)

Year inducted: 1973 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: George Kelly

Some critics consider the 6-foot-4 beanpole known as "High Pockets" to be the worst player with a HOF plaque. We won’t go there.

George Kelly was a one-time home run champion, two-time RBI leader and confirmed clutch hitter. The slick fielder also was credited with the advancement of fundamentals at first base.

Still, he received a total of 15 votes in seven BBWAA elections before the Veterans Committee went to bat for him. Let’s move him to the Nickname Hall of Fame, shall we?

Bottom Line: George Kelly

John Mize and George Kelly — George Kelly, right, with John Mize in 1935.

"His (George Kelly) arm was so tremendous that he was directed to be the relay man on throws from the outfield. His arm was better, in fact, than any of today's players that I can think of." —Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch

5. Jim 'Catfish' Hunter

Jim Hunter — Jim "Catfish" Hunter went 224-166 with a 3.26 ERA in his career.

Position: Pitcher

Career: 15 seasons (1965-79)

Teams: Kansas City-Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees

Stats for Catfish Hunter

Career statistics/162: 35 G, 240 IP, 16-12 W-L, 3.26 ERA

WAR/162: 2.52569

World Series titles: 5 (1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978)

Year inducted: 1987 (BBWAA)

Bottom Line: Catfish Hunter

The best of "Catfish" was confined to five seasons. In that span, he recorded nearly half (111) of his 224 career victories, which rank 70th among Hall of Fame pitchers.

He also was fortunate to play with two loaded teams in a pitchers-friendly decade at the time. Otherwise, he had a 113-117 record, the definition of mediocre.

He led the league in two categories more than once — win percentage and homers allowed (twice each).

His postseason numbers were remarkably similar, which is to say, good to very good but not great.

In Their Own Words: Jim Hunter

Jim Hunter throws pitch — Catfish Hunter started 476 games in his career.

"The bigger the game, the better I liked it. Not that I was about to let anybody know I was excited. I approached every game the same way. One pitch, one hitter at a time." — Jim Hunter

4. Rube Marquard

Position: Pitcher

Career: 18 seasons (1908-25)

Teams: New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves

Stats for Rube Marquard

Career statistics/162: 39 G, 238 IP, 14-13 W-L, 3.08 ERA

WAR/162: 2.51

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 1971 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Rube Marquard

The lefty is widely regarded to be the worst of the Hall of Fame pitchers, but let’s cut him some slack here. Rube Marquard did win 19 consecutive games in 1912, still the modern record for one season.

The run came in the midst of three stellar seasons (73-28 record) before he turned mediocre.

No matter. He never received more than 14 percent of the vote in a dozen BBWAA elections before the Veterans Committee got it wrong again.

In Their Own Words: Rube Marquard

Rube Marquard with son — Rube Marquard was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.

"Any hitter can hit a fast one. But not many can hit slow ones." —Rube Marquard

3. Harold Baines

Position: Outfield, designated hitter

Career: 22 seasons (1980-2001)

Teams: Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians

Stats for Harold Baines

Career statistics/162: .289 BA, 22 HR, 93 RBI, 2 SB

WAR/162: 2.22

World Series titles: None

Year inducted: 2019 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Harold Baines

In his last 17 seasons, Harold Baines never led the league in any category. In his last nine, he spent exactly two innings in the field.

He does hold one major league record — fewest words spoken in a long, long career.

If his former manager Tony La Russa and former team owner Jerry Reinsdorf hadn’t strong-armed the Veterans Committee, he would be a member of the Hall of Kinda Sorta Good.

In Their Own Words: Harold Baines

Harold Baines celebrating with Baltimore Orioles teammates — Harold Baines, center, played for five MLB teams.

"I wasn’t that great a talker before I got into baseball, so I’m not going to change. You can try to change to be different, but no. I’m not trying to be rude. That’s just the kind of person I am. I know some take it the wrong way, but I can’t worry about that. All I can worry about is what I do between the lines." —Harold Baines

2. Tommy McCarthy

Position: Outfield

Career: 13 seasons (1884-96)

Teams: Boston Pilgrims, Boston Beaneaters, Philadelphia Quakers, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Bridegrooms

Stats for Tommy McCarthy

Career statistics/162: .292 BA, 6 HR, 93 RB, 64* SB

WAR/162: 2.06

Championship Series titles: 1 (1892)

Year inducted: 1946 (Old Timers Committee)

Bottom Line: Tommy McCarthy

His claim to fame, if not the Hall of Fame, came as a pioneer of the hit-and-run play. Tommy McCarthy also was an excellent base stealer, although how excellent isn’t clear because caught-stealing numbers aren’t available for his era.

That and three bucks would get him a tall cappuccino at Starbucks if he were still here.

No way should it get him the highest honor in the game.

In Their Own Words: Tommy McCarthy

"Although Tommy McCarthy is a member of the Hall of Fame, many baseball scholars consider his selection one of the biggest mistakes the Veterans (then Old-Times') Committee has made. McCarthy made it through a solid 13-year stint in three different leagues, but did not enjoy a standout career." —Author Matthew Silverman in "Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia"

1. Lloyd Waner

Position: Outfielder

Career: 18 seasons (1927-42, 1944-45)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers

Stats for Lloyd Waner

Career statistics/162: .316 BA, 2 HR, 49 RBI, 5 SB

WAR/162: 1.96

World Series title: None

Year inducted: 1967 (Veterans Committee)

Bottom Line: Lloyd Waner

"Little Poison" was an accomplished high-contact hitter with speed to burn. His strikeout rate ranks behind only Joe Sewell and Nellie Fox in major league history.

The 5-foot-9 scatback played center field like he owned it. But after six stellar seasons, in what should have been the prime of his career, health and alcohol issues began to take their tolls.

Above average, definitely. All-time great, uh, don’t think so.

In Their Own Words: Lloyd Waner

Paul and Lloyd Waner — Lloyd Waner, left, played on the Pittsburgh Pirates with his brother, Paul.

"When I played, a pitcher could throw at you any time he wanted to. In fact, he could tell you he was going to throw at you, and there was nothing said. You had to take it. If he hit ya, he hit ya." —Lloyd Waner

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