Years Members Added to 3 Exclusive Clubs

Want to punch your ticket for Cooperstown? Join one of these three exclusive clubs: 3000 hits, 500 home runs, or 300 wins. While each now has between 23 and 27 members, they've grown at different rates; some consistent, some in spurts.

Years members were added to the 500 HR club: 1929, '40, '45, '60, '65, '67, '67, '68, '70, '71, '71, '78, '84, '87, '96, '99, 2001, '03, '03, '04, '07, '07, '07, '08.

One big spurt from 1965-71 (post-WWII infusion of black stars), in the midst of another (unfortunately, steroid-fueled) spurt, starting with McGwire's inclusion in 1999. By the way, starting with Willie Mays joining as the first black member in 1965, the club has admitted 13 blacks (including 3 black Hispanics) and seven whites (including one white Hispanic). While none of the first 17 were Hispanic, 4 of the last 7 have been.

Years members were added to the 3000 hit club: 1897, 1914, '14, '21, '25, '25, '42, '58, '70, '70, '72, '74, '78, '79, '85, '92, '92, '93, '95, '96, '99, '99, '00, '01, '05, '07.

Five early members added between 1914-1925, then only two added over the next 44 years; 6 added in 1970's, but only one in the 1980's. Nine added (almost one a year!) in the 10 years from 1992-2001, a pace which has slowed recently. Since Aaron became the first black in this club in 1970, the club has admitted nine blacks (including two black Hispanics) and ten whites (including one white Hispanic).

Years members were added to the 300 win club: 1888, 1890, '90, '91, '92, 1900, '01, '12, '15, '20, '24, '41, '61, '63, '82, '83, '85, '85, '86, '90, 2003, 2004, '07.

Five very early members whose credentials are sometimes questioned because they compiled the total in 10 or 12 years of 50+ starts each year. Only one added between 1925-1960, only three between 1925-1980. One big wave added an average of one a year between 1982-1986 (including many who wore down 300 through mere longevity, not great winning percentages), three added this decade (with much higher win percentages, achieved through mostly 5-man rotations, not 4-man rotations as in previous wave, and with far fewer complete games, which means fewer decisions). And this club has not yet admitted any black of Hispanic members (even though Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal and Luis Tiant dominated the 1960's and '70's, they all fell short).