5. Rogers Hornsby
Like Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby was only a Brave for one season. Hornsby, in his 23 major league seasons, established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball history.
Hornsby began his career in the Dead Ball Era. His talent with the bat earned him a spot among the top hitters of that era, but his career didn’t truly propel him into the history books until the Live Ball Era started in 1920. He then led the sport in most stats every year for several years.
In his career, Hornsby eclipsed a .300 batting average 14 times (with a qualifying amount of plate appearances), astoundingly topping .400 three times with a high of .424. His home run totals are less impressive, but still very admirable. Hornsby topped 30 home runs three times, hitting 39 twice and topping out at 42. In two of those instances, he led baseball in home runs.
Hornsby retired with 301 home runs, a .358 batting average, and a WAR of 127. He hit for the Triple Crown twice, won two MVPs, and seven batting titles. His career batting average is the fourth highest all-time.
6. Cy Young
Cy Young, without a doubt, has left an immense impact on the game as evidenced by the award that bears his name. His performance on the mound stands as the gold standard in pitching.
Young began his 22-year career in 1890 and retired just after the start of the Dead Ball Era in 1911. He posted 13 seasons of ERAs below 3.00, six of which were below 2.00 reaching as low as a minute 1.26 ERA in 1908. Throughout his career, he led pitchers in several stats numerous times.
Today, 113 years after his retirement, Cy Young still holds the records for wins, losses, starts, complete games, innings pitched, hits allowed, earned runs, and batters faced. Young retired with a 2.63 ERA and a 163.6 WAR value. He pitched for the Triple Crown once and garnered two ERA titles.
Cy Young’s Braves’ tenure was short, only pitching 11 games for the Boston Braves in the final year of his career after being released by the Cleveland Naps during the season.
Honorable mentions: George Sisler, Hoyt Wilhelm, Old Hoss Radbourn