Search By First Name of the HOFers
Alexander Cartwright
Inducted:
1938
Player Stats
Born:
Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr.
April 17, 1820
New York City, U.S.
Died:
July 12, 1892
Honolulu, O'ahu, Kingdom of Hawai'i
Position:
Pioneer contributors
Alexander Cartwright is widely recognized as one of the founding figures of modern baseball. A New York City bookseller and volunteer firefighter, Cartwright helped formalize the rules that transitioned baseball from a playground pastime into a structured, competitive sport. In 1845, he organized the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and authored a set of rules that established bases set 90 feet apart, nine-player teams, and three outs per inning—core principles still used today.
Cartwright also introduced the idea of tagging runners out and eliminated practices like “soaking” (throwing the ball at runners). In 1849, he moved west during the Gold Rush and is credited with spreading the game across the country, including to Hawaii, where he helped establish local teams.
Though others contributed to baseball’s evolution, Cartwright’s role in standardizing the game earned him a rightful place in Cooperstown. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938 as a pioneer of the sport.
Cartwright's Awards and Records
- Credited with formalizing the first modern baseball rules (1845)
- Founder of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club
- Introduced 90-foot base paths, 9-player teams, and innings-based outs
- Helped spread baseball westward during the Gold Rush
- Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938 (Pioneer Category)
- Honored as one of the "Fathers of Baseball"
Team Served as secretary:
Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (1846)
Member of:
Knicks club’s rules committee (1848)
Advisor :
King David Kalākaua, Queen Emma
Babe Ruth
Inducted:
1936
Player Stats
Born:
February 6, 1895
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died:
August 16, 1948
New York City, U.S.
Position:
Right fielder
Babe Ruth is one of the most legendary figures in baseball history. Beginning his career as a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Ruth revolutionized the game when he transitioned to a full-time hitter with the New York Yankees.
His power-hitting changed baseball forever, making the home run a key part of the sport. Over his 22-year career (1914–1935), Ruth smashed 714 home runs, a record that stood for nearly 40 years, and posted an astonishing .690 career slugging percentage, still the highest in MLB history.
Ruth won seven World Series titles and was a two-time All-Star. He led the league in home runs 12 times and remains one of the most celebrated athletes in American sports history.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its first five members, Ruth’s impact on baseball and popular culture remains unmatched.
Ruth's Awards and Records
- 2× All-Star (1933, 1934)
- 7× World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
- AL MVP (1923)
- AL batting champion (1924)
- 12× AL home run leader (1918–1921, 1923, 1924, 1926–1931)
- 5× AL RBI leader (1919–1921, 1923, 1926)
- AL ERA leader (1916)
- Pitched a combined no-hitter on June 23, 1917
- New York Yankees No. 3 retired
- Monument Park honoree
- Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
- Major League Baseball All-Century Team
- Major League Baseball All-Time Team
- Other career achievements and records
MLB Teams
Boston Red Sox (1914–1919)
New York Yankees (1920–1934)
Boston Braves (1935)
Number Worn:
3
MLB Stats
Seasons:
22
Games Played:
2,503
Earned Run Average (ERA):
2.28
Strikeouts:
488
Batting Average:
.342
Hits:
2873
Home Runs:
714
Runs Scored:
2,174
RBIs:
2,214
Slugging Percentage:
.690
Ban Johnson
Inducted:
1937
Personal Details
Born:
January 5, 1864
Norwalk, Ohio, U.S.
Died:
March 28, 1931 (aged 67)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Position:
Executive (American League president)
Ban Johnson was a visionary baseball executive who played a crucial role in shaping Major League Baseball. As the founder and first president of the American League (AL) in 1901, he transformed it from a minor league into a major league, challenging the established National League (NL) and leading to the formation of modern MLB.
His leadership helped introduce stability, fair play, and credibility to professional baseball.
Under Johnson’s guidance, the AL gained respect by promoting cleaner, more disciplined play, enforcing strict rules against rowdy behavior that plagued early baseball. His efforts led to the 1903 National Agreement, which established the framework for the World Series and ensured cooperation between the AL and NL.
For his contributions, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
Johnson's Awards and Records
- Founder & First President of the American League (1901–1927)
- Key architect of the National Agreement (1903), leading to the first World Series
- Transformed the AL into a major league, securing its place in MLB
- Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee (1937, Pioneer Category)
Career:
President Western League
(1894-1899)
President American League
(1900-1927)
Christy Mathewson
Inducted:
1936
Player Stats
Born:
August 12, 1880
Factoryville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:
October 7, 1925
Saranac Lake, New York, U.S.
Position:
Pitcher
Christy Mathewson was one of baseball’s greatest pitchers and a true sportsman of his era. Playing 17 seasons (1900–1916), mostly with the New York Giants, he dominated the game with his precision, control, and signature "fadeaway" pitch, now known as a screwball. Mathewson won 373 games, tying for third-most in MLB history, and posted a career 2.13 ERA, one of the lowest ever among elite pitchers.
A two-time World Series champion, Mathewson's legendary 1905 postseason performance—three complete-game shutouts—remains one of the greatest in baseball history. He led the National League in ERA five times and in wins four times, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s first true superstars.
As one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, Mathewson's legacy endures as both a dominant pitcher and a role model for fair play.
Mathewson's Awards and Records
- 2× World Series champion (1905, 1921)
- 2× Triple Crown (1905, 1908)
- 4× NL wins leader (1905, 1907, 1908, 1910)
- 5× NL ERA leader (1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1913)
- 5× NL strikeout leader (1903–1905, 1907, 1908)
- Pitched two no-hitters
- Name honored by the Giants
- Major League Baseball All-Century Team
MLB Teams
New York Giants (1900–1916)
Cincinnati Reds (1916)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
17
Games Played:
636
Wins:
373
Losses:
188
Earned Run Average (ERA):
2.13
Strikeouts:
2,507
Shutouts:
79
Connie Mack
Inducted:
1937
Managerial Stats
Born:
December 22, 1862
East Brookfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died:
February 8, 1956
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Manager
Connie Mack was one of the most influential figures in baseball history, serving as a manager for 50 seasons and owning the Philadelphia Athletics for decades. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor and tactical brilliance, he managed the Athletics from 1901 to 1950, winning five World Series titles and nine American League pennants.
His leadership helped shape modern baseball strategy and player development.
Before his legendary managerial career, Mack played as a catcher from 1886 to 1896, but his true legacy lies in coaching and team building. He was instrumental in developing stars like Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove, guiding the Athletics through eras of both dominance and financial struggles.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, he remains the winningest manager in MLB history.
Mack's Awards and Records
- 5× World Series champion (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930)
- Most managerial wins, losses and games managed in major league history
- Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame
- Athletics Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1894–1896)
Philadelphia Athletics (1901–1950)
MLB Stats
Seasons Managed:
50
Games Managed:
7,755
Wins:
3,731
Losses:
3,948
Winning Percentage:
.486
World Series Titles:
5
AL Pennants:
9
Cy Young
Inducted:
1937
Player Stats
6-2, 210lb (188cm, 95kg)
Born:
March 29, 1867
Gilmore, Ohio, U.S.
Died:
November 4, 1955
Newcomerstown, Ohio, U.S.
Position:
Pitcher
Cy Young stands as one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. Over a 22-season career (1890–1911), Young dominated the mound with incredible durability, control, and consistency. He pitched for teams like the Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, Boston Americans (now Red Sox), and the Cleveland Naps. Young set records that still stand over a century later, including most career wins—a staggering 511.
Young’s impact extended beyond the stat sheet. He was the winning pitcher in the first-ever World Series game in 1903 and threw the first perfect game under modern rules in 1904. Revered for his sportsmanship and endurance, Young became the gold standard for pitchers, which is why MLB named its top pitching award—the Cy Young Award—in his honor.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, among the first class of inductees.
Young's Awards and Records
- World Series champion (1903)
- Triple Crown (1901)
- 5× Wins leader (1892, 1895, 1901–1903)
- 2× ERA leader (1892, 1901)
- 2× Strikeout leader (1896, 1901)
- Pitched a perfect game on May 5, 1904
- Pitched three no-hitters (1897, 1904, 1908)
- Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
- Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame
- Major League Baseball All-Century Team
MLB records
- 511 career wins
- 7,356 career innings pitched
- 815 career games started
- 749 career complete games
- 251⁄3 consecutive hitless innings pitched
MLB Teams
Cleveland Spiders (1890–1898)
St. Louis Perfectos / Cardinals (1899–1900)
Boston Americans / Red Sox (1901–1908)
Cleveland Naps (1909–1911)
Boston Rustlers (1911)
MLB Stats
Seasons Played:
22 (1890–1911)
Games Played:
906
Games Started:
815
Complete Games:
749
Shutouts:
76
Wins:
511
Losses:
315
Earned Run Average (ERA):
2.63
Strikeouts:
2,803
Walks:
1,217
Innings Pitched:
7,356
WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched):
~1.13
Earl Weaver
Inducted:
1996
Coach Stats
Born:
August 14, 1930
St. Louis, Missouri
Position:
Coach
Weaver's Awards and Records
- World Series champion (1970)
- Baltimore Orioles No. 4 retired
- Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Baltimore Orioles (1968–1982, 1985–1986)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
17
Games Managed:
2,540
Managerial Record:
1,480–1,060
Winning %:
.583
World Series Appearances:
4
Ferguson Jenkins
Inducted:
1991
Player Stats
Stats:
6-5, 205lb
Born:
December 13, 1942
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Position:
Starting Pitcher
College:
NA
Jenkins's Awards and Records
- 3× All-Star (1967, 1971, 1972)
- NL Cy Young Award (1971)
- 2× Wins leader (1971, 1974)
- NL strikeout leader (1969)
- Chicago Cubs No. 31 retired
- Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame
- Texas Rangers Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1965–1966)
Chicago Cubs (1966–1973)
Texas Rangers (1974–1975)
Boston Red Sox (1976–1977)
Texas Rangers (1978–1981)
Chicago Cubs (1982–1983)
MLB draft:
NA
Numbers Worn:
31, 46, 30, 19
MLB Stats
Seasons:
19
Games Played:
664
Win–Loss Record:
284–226
Earned Run Average:
3.34
Strikeouts:
3,192
Innings Pitched:
4500.2
George Brett
Inducted:
1999
Player Stats
Stats:
6-0, 200lb
Born:
May 15, 1953
Glen Dale, West Virginia
Position:
Third baseman / Designated hitter / First baseman
College:
NA
Brett's Awards and Records
- 13× All-Star (1976–1988)
- World Series champion (1985)
- AL MVP (1980)
- ALCS MVP (1985)
- Gold Glove Award (1985)
- 3× Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1985, 1988)
- 3× AL batting champion (1976, 1980, 1990)
- Kansas City Royals No. 5 retired
- Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Kansas City Royals (1973–1993)
MLB draft:
NA
Numbers Worn:
5
MLB Stats
Seasons:
21
Games Played:
2,707
At Bats:
10,349
Batting Average:
.305
Hits:
3,154
Home Runs:
317
Runs:
1583
Runs Batted In:
1,596
Stolen Bases
201
On Base Percentage:
.369
George Wright
Inducted:
1937
Player Stats
Born:
January 28, 1847
Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Died:
August 21, 1937
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Position:
Executive/Pioneer contributors
George Wright was one of baseball’s earliest stars and a central figure in the sport’s formative years. A shortstop by trade, Wright gained fame playing for the undefeated 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, considered the first fully professional baseball team. Known for his powerful bat and fielding prowess, he helped revolutionize the shortstop position with his athletic range and instincts.
Wright played for several teams in the National Association and later the National League, including the Boston Red Stockings, where he won multiple championships. A skilled leader and respected competitor, Wright was part of six league championship teams during his career. After retiring, he remained active in sports, promoting tennis and continuing to shape the legacy of baseball’s early days.
Wright was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 by the Veterans Committee, honoring his crucial role in shaping the game during its pioneering era.
Wright's Awards and Records
- 6× National Association/League champion
- Member of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings
- Baseball Hall of Fame inductee (1937)
- Pioneering shortstop of the 19th century
- Instrumental in the spread of professional baseball
MLB Teams
Providence Grays (As Manager-1879)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
1
Games Managed:
85
Wins:
59
Losses:
25
Tied:
1
Winning Percentage:
.702
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Inducted:
1938
Player Stats
6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born:
February 26, 1887
Elba, Nebraska, U.S.
Died:
November 4, 1950
St. Paul, Nebraska, U.S.
Position:
Pitcher
Grover Cleveland Alexander, known as “Old Pete,” was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history. Debuting in 1911, he quickly made his mark with pinpoint control, a sharp curveball, and unmatched mound presence. Over a 20-year career, Alexander played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals, finishing with 373 wins, tied for third-most in MLB history.
He won the pitching Triple Crown three times and led the league in ERA five times. Alexander’s most legendary moment came during the 1926 World Series, when he came out of the bullpen in Game 7 for the Cardinals and struck out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded—securing the title.
Despite battling personal hardships and health issues, Alexander’s career was filled with brilliance and consistency. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938, honoring his place among the game’s all-time greats.
Alexander's Awards and Records
- World Series champion (1926)
- 3× Triple Crown (1915, 1916, 1920)
- 6× NL wins leader (1911, 1914–1917, 1920)
- 4× NL ERA leader (1915, 1916, 1919, 1920)
- 6× NL strikeout leader (1912, 1914–1917, 1920)
- Philadelphia Phillies jersey retired
- Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame
- Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1911–1917)
Chicago Cubs (1918–1926)
St. Louis Cardinals (1926–1929)
Philadelphia Phillies (1930)
MLB Stats
Seasons Played:
20 (1911–1930)
Games:
696
Games Started:
600
Wins:
373
Losses:
208
ERA:
2.56
Strikeouts:
2,198
Shutouts:
90
Complete Games:
437
Innings Pitched:
5,190
WHIP:
~1.12
Henry Chadwick
Inducted:
1938
Player Stats
Born:
October 5, 1824
Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom
Died:
April 20, 1908
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Position:
Pioneer contributors
Henry Chadwick is widely regarded as the “Father of Baseball Writing.” Though not a player, his contributions as a journalist and statistician in the 19th century shaped how baseball is understood and followed today. Born in England in 1824, Chadwick was passionate about sports and applied his knowledge of cricket to baseball, introducing structure and statistics to a growing game.
He pioneered the box score, introduced batting average and ERA, and was among the first to provide in-depth written coverage of baseball games in newspapers. His influence helped standardize rules and records, giving the sport a sense of legitimacy and consistency.
Chadwick’s work laid the foundation for modern baseball analytics and reporting. His dedication to the integrity and growth of the sport earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. His legacy still lives on every time fans refer to stats or read a game recap.
Chadwick's Awards and Records
- Created the baseball box score
- Introduced batting average and ERA
- Pioneered baseball journalism and game coverage
- Advocated for rule standardization in baseball
- One of the first statistical historians of the sport
- Inducted into the Hall of Fame (1938) as a pioneer/executive
Occupation:
Sportswriter
Notable works:
Beadle's Dime Base-Ball Player (1860–1881)
DeWitt's Base-Ball Guide (1869–1885)
Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide
Honus Wagner
Inducted:
1936
Player Stats
Born:
February 24, 1874
Chartiers Borough, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:
December 6, 1955
Carnegie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Shortstop
Honus Wagner was one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, known for his exceptional hitting, speed, and defensive skills. Playing 21 seasons (1897–1917), mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wagner won eight National League batting titles, a record that still stands today. He was a complete player, excelling in all aspects of the game, from power and contact hitting to base running and fielding.
Wagner helped lead the Pirates to their first World Series championship in 1909, batting .333 in the series.
He was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
His legendary status is further cemented by the rarity of his T206 baseball card, one of the most valuable sports collectibles ever.
Wagner's Awards and Records
- World Series champion (1909)
- 8× NL batting champion (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906–1909, 1911)
- 4× NL RBI leader (1901, 1902, 1908, 1909)
- 5× NL stolen base leader (1901, 1902, 1904, 1907, 1908)
- Pittsburgh Pirates No. 33 retired
- Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
- Major League Baseball All-Century Team
- Major League Baseball All-Time Team
MLB Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1900–1917)
Number Worn:
33
MLB Stats
Seasons:
21
Games Played:
2,794
Earned Run Average (ERA):
2.18
Batting Average:
.328
Hits:
3,420
Home Runs:
101
Runs Scored:
1,739
RBIs:
1,732
Morgan Bulkeley
Inducted:
1937
Personal Details
Born:
December 26, 1837
East Haddam, Connecticut, U.S.
Died:
November 6, 1922
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Position:
Executive (Governor/Mayor)
Morgan Bulkeley was a pivotal figure in baseball history, serving as the first president of the National League (1876). A businessman and politician, Bulkeley played a crucial role in establishing professional baseball as an organized and respected sport.
His leadership helped solidify the league’s structure, setting the foundation for Major League Baseball.
Although his tenure as league president lasted only one year, Bulkeley’s impact was lasting. He later became the Governor of Connecticut and a U.S. Senator, showcasing his influence beyond the baseball world.
In recognition of his contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 as a pioneer of the sport.
Bulkeley's Awards and Records
- Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee (1937, Pioneer Category)
- First President of the National League (1876)
- Helped establish baseball as a structured professional league
- Served as Governor of Connecticut (1889–1893)
- S. Senator from Connecticut (1905–1911)
Career
United States Senator from Connecticut
(March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1911)
54th Governor of Connecticut
(January 10, 1889 – January 4, 1893)
25th Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
(April 5, 1880 – April 2, 1888)
1st President of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs
(February 2, 1876 – December 7, 1876)
Nap Lajoie
Inducted:
1937
Player Stats
Born:
September 5, 1874
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died:
February 7, 1959
Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Position:
Second baseman
Nap Lajoie was one of baseball’s greatest hitters and a dominant second baseman of the early 20th century. Playing from 1896 to 1916, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Naps, he was known for his exceptional batting skill and defensive prowess.
Lajoie was the first player in MLB history to record 3,000 hits in the American League and won the Triple Crown in 1901, cementing his place among the all-time greats.
A five-time AL batting champion, Lajoie was so revered that the Cleveland team was renamed the “Naps” in his honor. His career .338 batting average ranks among the highest in history.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, he remains a symbol of excellence in baseball.
Lajoie's Awards and Records
- Triple Crown (1901)
- 5× AL batting champion (1901–1904, 1910)
- AL home run leader (1901)
- 3× RBI leader (1898, 1901, 1904)
- Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame
MLB Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1896–1900)
Philadelphia Athletics (1901–1902)
Cleveland Bronchos / Naps (1902–1914)
Philadelphia Athletics (1915–1916)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
21
Games Played:
2,480
Hits:
3,252
Home Runs:
82
Runs batted in:
1,599
Batting Average:
.339
Stolen Bases:
380
Sports Fan Products
MLB Hall of Fame
The MLB Hall of Fame is a revered institution dedicated to honoring the greatest contributions to baseball. Located in Cooperstown, New York, it serves as a shrine to the game's rich history and the legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the field. Each year, the Hall of Fame holds an induction ceremony that celebrates the newest members of its prestigious ranks, commonly referred to as the Hall of Fame class.
These ceremonies are significant events in the baseball calendar, drawing fans, players, and media worldwide to witness the acknowledgment of baseball's finest. The inductees are celebrated for their remarkable career achievements, which include outstanding statistics, memorable performances, and contributions that have shaped the game. The Hall recognizes players, managers, umpires, and contributors who have significantly impacted the sport.
Among the many iconic moments celebrated within the Hall are record-breaking home runs, historic games, and unforgettable plays that have become a part of baseball lore. Each inductee's journey to the Hall is a testament to their skill, perseverance, and dedication to the sport. The Hall of Fame also outlines the eligibility criteria, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
Visitors to the Hall can explore exhibits featuring historical contributions from various eras of baseball, showcasing memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts that tell the game's story. From famous inductees like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson to the more recent stars, the Hall preserves the legacy of these athletes, allowing future generations to appreciate their greatness.
In addition to the exhibits, the Hall of Fame hosts numerous events throughout the year, including educational programs and community outreach initiatives, to foster a love for baseball among young fans. The memorable speeches during induction ceremonies often reflect on the inductees' journeys, the challenges they faced, and their impact on their teams and the sport.
Ultimately, the MLB Hall of Fame celebrates excellence in baseball, a place where the past is remembered and the future is inspired. It is a vital part of baseball culture, ensuring that the stories of its greatest players are never forgotten and continue to resonate with fans worldwide.
