7. Stan Coveleski

Stan Coveleski joined Cleveland in 1916, bringing a quiet, workmanlike intensity and a devastating "wet" delivery that moved on its own mind. He secured a permanent spot in the rotation with a 15-win rookie campaign, but it was the following season that he truly established himself as the tactical leader of the staff. He matured into a model of earning the W, putting together a staggering stretch from 1918 to 1921 in which he won at least 22 games in four consecutive seasons. During this window, his ERA dipped below 2.00 twice, proving that his control and movement were nearly impossible to solve.

The pinnacle of his career arrived in the 1920 World Series, a performance that remains etched in postseason lore. Coveleski was the undisputed architect of the championship, starting and winning three games while allowing only two runs over 27 innings. In an era before individual postseason awards, he was the consensus hero, navigating the pressure of the Fall Classic with a stoic calm that defined his Northern Ohio run. He wasn't just a volume producer; he was a big-game specialist who thrived when the margin for error was nonexistent.

His value was further validated by his advanced metrics, as he led the American League in Win Probability Added (WPA) four different times. This highlighted his ability to deliver in the most critical moments of a game. In 1923, he captured the ERA title with a 2.76 mark, showing that even as the league transitioned out of the Deadball Era, his tactical approach remained elite. He was a master of efficiency, often finishing games in under two hours by inducing weak contact and letting his defense do the work.

As the organization shifted into a rebuilding phase following the 1924 season, Coveleski was traded to the Washington Senators. He concluded his Cleveland tenure with 172 wins and a reputation as one of the most reliable right-handers to ever toe the rubber in the city. While he found immediate success in Washington, capturing another ERA title, his legacy was forged in the dirt of Dunn Field and League Park.

Stan Coveleski was ushered into Cooperstown in 1969 by the Veterans Committee, a long-overdue recognition of his status as one of the premier hurlers of his generation. Cleveland rightfully honored him by inducting him into the team Hall of Fame in 1966.