Among a number of meanings for the German word “heil” is safe. Thus, Tiger great Harry Heilmann is safe at home in the COG, after a first ballot election to the Circle of Greats. Heilmann debuted with Detroit in 1914 and established himself as a solid and consistent contributor. But, his true star caliber only became evident with the advent of the live ball era in the 1920s. Heilmann’s .380 BA over 7 seasons (1921-27) was the top figure in the AL, a full 16 points higher than teammate Ty Cobb and 21 points better than a certain Yankee outfielder who was last week’s COG honoree.

More on Heilmann after the jump.

The sudden change in Heilmann’s fortunes in the 1920s is rather unique. Heilmann’s 14.9 oWAR for 1916-20 puts him right in the middle of 11 players in their twenties with 10-20 WAR in 2000 PA for 1916-20. For the next 5 years, Heilmann upped his oWAR to 35.4, almost 75% more than the group’s next highest total of 20.7 by Max Carey (who, admittedly, was 5 years older than Heilmann). If we instead look at a group of 187 players with the same WAR at the same age (21-25), Heilmann ranks 2nd in that large group, trailing only slightly Duke Snider‘s leading 37.6 oWAR for the following 5 years aged 26-30.

Heilmann’s WAR total was built on his batting average coupled with extra-base power to the tune of at least 58 extra-base knocks every season from 1921 to 1930, with 8 of those 10 seasons at 60 or more, including 4 times over 70. Heilmann’s 542 doubles are the most in a career of fewer than 9000 PA, as are his 8 seasons with 40 doubles and 11 seasons with 30 two-baggers. Among that same group with fewer than 9000 PA, Heilmann’s 1540 RBI is the top figure, with his 11 seasons of 90 RBI trailing only Carlos Delgado‘s 12 such campaigns.

Heilmann’s age 26-32 peak is one of the best at those ages with his 815 RBI the 3rd most, and his 1417 hits and 290 doubles the 5th and 6th highest totals, respectively. Heilmann’s performance dropped only slightly after that, with his 253 doubles the 3rd highest total and his 539 RBI ranked fourth among players aged 31-35. Not known as a home run threat, Heilmann still reached double figures 9 times for a career total of 183 bombs, good for 7th place on the career list after his last homer in 1930.

Heilmann’s 4 AL batting crowns were then the second most in a career, trailing only teammate Ty Cobb’s 11 titles. Heilmann batted over .390 in each of those four seasons, tied with Cobb and Rogers Hornsby for the most such seasons in a career. Since then, only Rod Carew (7), Ted Williams (6) and Wade Boggs (5) have moved past Heilmann on that AL batting champion list. For his career, Heilmann’s .342 BA is the 7th highest among players with 5000 PA since 1901.

Heilmann retired before the 1931 season, though he got into a handful of games as a player/coach in 1932. His 4.6 WAR/3.0 WAA season at age 35 in 1930 is one of only 8 to reach those marks at that age in the last or 2nd to last season of career. At his (second) retirement, Heilmann’s 72.1 WAR was the 5th highest total among outfielders, and still ranks in the top 25 today.