Top 5 - Baseball Players from Missouri

Here are who I consider the top 5 baseball players from Missouri.

1. Yogi Berra - either the top or second best catcher in baseball history
2. Pud Galvin - Hall of Fame pitcher with 364 career wins
3. Carl Hubbell - Hall of Fame pitcher and 2-time National League MVP
4. Zack Wheat - Hall of Fame outfielder
5. Jake Beckley - Hall of Fame 1st baseman

Just missing the list is Clark Griffith - a Hall of Fame Pitcher with just 237 wins and an ERA+ of just 121. He did have 7 seasons of 20 or more wins but I have to wonder if he got into the Hall of Fame more because he was a popular owner than what he did on the field. Griffith went from player, to manager and then to owner - he owned the Washington Senators from 1920 to 1955. Griffith was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946 - 32 years after his playing days ended but also 16 years into his ownership of the Senators.

I also have to give honorable mention to Smokey Joe Wood who would have been remembered as one of the best pitchers of all-time if he didn't have a fluke injury which basically ended his career.

Missouri also happens to be a breeding ground for managers. Here are who I consider the top 5 managers from Missouri

1. Casey Stengel
2. Earl Weaver
3. Dick Williams
4. Charlie Grimm (1287 wins)
5. Clark Griffith