Koufax, Berra, and Wynn Enter the Hall of Fame Together

On January 19, 1972, the Baseball Writers' Association of America elected Sandy Koufax, Yogi Berra, and Early Wynn to the Hall of Fame. Koufax, just 36 years old, became the youngest player ever elected.

Koufax had retired after the 1966 season at the peak of his powers, walking away from a career that included four no-hitters, three Cy Young Awards, and an ERA of 0.95 in World Series play. Arthritis in his pitching elbow forced the decision. He received 86.9 percent of the vote in his first year on the ballot.

Berra finished just behind Koufax with 85.6 percent in his second year of eligibility. Over 19 seasons behind the plate for the Yankees, Berra appeared in 14 World Series, winning 10 of them. He won three AL MVP awards and caught Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. His reputation for malapropisms often overshadowed the fact that he was one of the most productive catchers in baseball history, finishing with 358 home runs and a career .285 average.

Wynn earned his place with 300 wins accumulated across 23 seasons with the Senators, Indians, and White Sox. He won the Cy Young Award in 1959 at age 39 and pitched in four decades.

This date also brought Hall of Fame elections on other years. On January 19, 1977, the BBWAA elected Ernie Banks, the beloved "Mr. Cub," in his first year of eligibility. Banks hit 512 home runs while playing his entire 19-year career with the Cubs, winning back-to-back NL MVP awards in 1958 and 1959 despite playing for a team that never reached the postseason during his tenure.