Keltner List
The Keltner List, as introduced in Bill James' book The Politics of Glory, is a 15-question survey to be used as an aid in determining a baseball player's Hall of Fame credentials. It is named after Ken Keltner, the first player it was used for. James never intended it to be the final word on a (borderline) player's Hall worthiness, but he did intend it to be a starting point when thinking of that player's pros and cons for induction. The list goes like this:
- 1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?
- 2. Was he the best player on his team?
- 3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?
- 4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?
- 5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
- 6. Is he the very best baseball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
- 7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?
- 8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards? (see also: Black Ink Test)
- 9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
- 10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
- 11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
- 12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?
- 13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?
- 14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?
- 15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
Legitimate Hall of Famers generally elicit positive answers for 2/3 or more of the questions on the List.
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