Sam Thompson Marquee Hall of Fame 1974

He was a carpenter in Indiana who did not reach the majors until he was 25, and he made up the time quickly. Detroit won the 1887 pennant with Thompson driving in 166 runs, which stood as the highest total in a season until Babe Ruth in 1921. He led the National League in runs batted in three times and in hits three times.

Philadelphia acquired him in 1889 and he stayed for the next ten seasons. In 1894 he drove in 149 runs in 102 games and batted .415, one of four Phillies above .400 that year. In 1895 he hit 18 home runs and drove in 165, both league highs. His 126 career home runs were a large number for the 1890s.

Injuries ended his career in 1898, but Detroit called him back for eight games in 1906, at the age of 46. He died in Detroit in 1922. The Hall of Fame elected him in 1974, fifty-two years later, by which time nobody voting had seen him bat.