Careers of Goslin, Cuyler parallel each other all the way to Cooperstown

They were two of the best hitters of the 1920s and 30s, with two of the most well-known nicknames in the game.

On Jan. 28, 1968, Leon “Goose” Goslin and Hazen “Kiki” Cuyler were united again via the game’s ultimate honor when they were elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

“I didn’t even know they were holding an election,” Goslin told United Press International after learning he was elected. “I’m completely surprised. I think this is wonderful. I had no idea I would ever be elected.”

The election of Goslin and Cuyler brought the total number of Hall of Famers to 110. Joe Medwick’s selection by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Jan. 23 had added the first member of the Class of 1968 to the Hall of Fame, and the unanimous elections of Goslin and Cuyler completed the class.

Goslin played 18 seasons with the Senators, Browns and Tigers, compiling a .316 career batting average, 500 doubles and 1,612 RBI. One of the most prolific run producers of his era, Goslin totaled 11 seasons with at least 100 RBI, won the 1928 AL batting title with a .379 average and earned two World Series rings – including the first one in 1924 with the Senators when he led the AL with 129 RBI. Then in the 1935 Fall Classic for Detroit, Goslin singled home Mickey Cochrane with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of Game 6 to give the Tigers a 4-3 victory and the World Series title.

It marked just the fifth time in history to that date that the World Series had ended in walk-off fashion.

Cuyler played 18 years in the National League for the Pirates, Cubs, Reds and Dodgers, batting .321 with 1,305 runs scored, 394 doubles, 157 triples and 328 steals. Known as one of the fastest players in the game, Cuyler – whose nickname was pronounced “kai-kai” in a rhyme with his last name – won four stolen base crowns and is one of just 11 players in the Modern Era (post-1900) with at least two seasons with 140-or-more runs scored. Cuyler’s 155 runs scored in 1930 for the Cubs are the third-most by an NL player in the Modern Era.

Cuyler, a longtime coach after his playing career, passed away on Feb. 11, 1950, after suffering a heart attack and subsequent blood clot.

Both Goslin and Cuyler debuted in the big leagues in 1921 and played their last season in 1938.

“To be with so (many) great players is a tremendous thrill,” Goslin, who would pass away in 1971, told UPI. “I played with many of them and now I’ll die beside them.”

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum