First Inductees To Baseball Hall Of Fame
The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, is one of the most prestigious sports museums in the world. It honors the game's greatest players, coaches, umpires, and executives. The Hall of Fame first opened its doors in 1939, and the first class of inductees was enshrined later that year. Here is a look at the first inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame, their careers, and their legacies.
Class of 1936
The inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame was inducted in 1936. The class consisted of five players: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. Each of these players was considered a legend in his time and had a profound impact on the game of baseball.
Babe Ruth, known as "The Sultan of Swat," was perhaps the most famous baseball player of all time. He played for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees during his career and set numerous records, including the career home run record. Ty Cobb, known as "The Georgia Peach," played for the Detroit Tigers and was one of the most aggressive and talented players of his era. Honus Wagner, known as "The Flying Dutchman," played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was widely regarded as the best shortstop in the game's history. Christy Mathewson, known as "Matty," was a pitcher for the New York Giants and was one of the game's most dominant pitchers during his career. Walter Johnson, known as "The Big Train," was a pitcher for the Washington Senators and was one of the game's most powerful and intimidating pitchers of all time.
Class of 1937
The second class of inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame was enshrined in 1937. This class consisted of three players: Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, and Cy Young. Each of these players had a significant impact on the game of baseball and left a lasting legacy.
Nap Lajoie, known as "Larry," played second base for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Cleveland Naps (later renamed the Indians). He was an excellent hitter and fielder and won the American League batting title twice. Tris Speaker, known as "Spoke," played center field for the Boston Red Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Senators. He was an excellent hitter and fielder and set numerous records during his career. Cy Young, known as "Cyclone," was a pitcher for the Cleveland Spiders, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Red Sox. He won more than 500 games in his career and was one of the most dominant pitchers of his time.
Class of 1938
The third class of inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame was enshrined in 1938. This class consisted of three players: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Eddie Collins, and Willie Keeler. Each of these players had a significant impact on the game of baseball and left a lasting legacy.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, known as "Pete," was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He won three National League pitching titles and three World Series championships. Eddie Collins, known as "Cocky," played second base for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. He was an excellent hitter and fielder and won six American League stolen base titles. Willie Keeler, known as "Wee Willie," played outfield for the Brooklyn Grooms, the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Giants, and the New York Yankees. He was an excellent hitter and is famous for his quote, "Hit 'em where they ain't."
Class of 1939
The fourth class of inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame was enshrined in 1939. This class consisted of 11 players and executives, including the first woman to be enshrined, executive Effa Manley.
The players in this class were Cap Anson, Mordecai Brown, Morgan Bulkeley, Jesse Burkett, Alexander Cartwright, Henry Chadwick, Candy Cummings, Buck Ewing, Clark Griffith, and Tommy McCarthy. Each of these players had a significant impact on the game of baseball and left a lasting legacy.
Cap Anson, known as "Pop," played first base for the Chicago White Stockings and was one of the most prominent players of his era. Mordecai Brown, known as "Three Finger," was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and had a unique throwing style that made him one of the game's most dominant pitchers. Morgan Bulkeley was a baseball executive and the first president of the National League. Jesse Burkett played outfield for the Worcester Ruby Legs, the Cleveland Spiders, and the St. Louis Cardinals and was one of the game's best hitters during his career. Alexander Cartwright was a pioneer of the game of baseball and is credited with helping to develop the modern rules of the game. Henry Chadwick was a sportswriter and statistician who helped to develop the modern box score. Candy Cummings was a pitcher and is credited with inventing the curveball. Buck Ewing was a catcher and played for the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Reds. Clark Griffith was a pitcher and executive and was one of the most influential figures in the game's history. Tommy McCarthy played outfield for the Boston Red Sox and was one of the game's best hitters during his career.
The first class of inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame set the standard for the players, coaches, umpires, and executives who would follow. Each subsequent class has been filled with legends of the game who have left an indelible mark on baseball history. Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the greatness of America's pastime and the men and women who have helped to shape it over the years.