Who was the first West Virginian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Jesse Burkett, a prominent baseball player in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was the first West Virginian to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His career spanned from 1890 to 1905, during which he achieved significant success, including leading the National League in batting average and hits. Burkett was known for his exceptional hitting skills and was a standout center fielder, garnering respect and recognition for his contributions to the sport.

The other individuals listed—Jim Bunning, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle—while also remarkable players in their own rights, do not have West Virginia roots. Bunning was a star pitcher who later served as a politician, Gehrig is often celebrated as one of baseball's greatest first basemen, and Mantle is a legendary figure in the game known for his impressive power-hitting. However, none of them share the same direct connection to West Virginia in the context of being the first inductee into the Hall of Fame from the state.