gold star for USAHOF

37. George Case

George Case burst into the Washington lineup in 1937, a fleet-footed outfielder who utilized game-breaking speed to become the most disruptive force in the American League. While the era was defined by lumbering power, Case operated as a high-velocity throwback to the "dead ball" style of play, weaponizing his legs to ignite the Senators' offense.

From 1939 to 1943, there was no doubt who the game’s best stealer was. During this high-voltage five-year stretch, Case reached a historic plateau by leading the American League in stolen bases five years in a row. Peaking at 61 in 1943, Case was a master at putting pressure on opposing batteries. He was a professional mainstay at the top of the order who authored four campaigns with over 100 runs scored,

He was selected for the All-Star team three times (1943, 1944, 1946) and recorded three seasons with a batting average over .300. In 1945, his role as a key hitter in the lineup reached a historic level, batting .294 and leading the league in stolen bases for the sixth time. That year marked the height of his MVP consideration, finishing ninth in the voting, and demonstrated how his high-energy style was crucial to a team that narrowly missed the pennant by one game.  He was traded to Cleveland after the season, though he returned a year later for one final season.

Case collected 1,306 hits, 321 stolen bases, with a .288 batting average