MLB stars whose careers were cut short

Whether it was injuries or tragic accidents, the careers of these five major league players were unfairly cut short. Here are the five greatest MLB players who were forced out of the game all too soon.

5. Albert Belle

It’s easy to forget just how good Albert Belle was, as his career was overshadowed by steroid users producing unheard of home run numbers (and further marred by accounts of his loathsome personality). But Belle played clean over his 12-year career with the Indians, White Sox and Orioles, leading the AL in RBIs three times and the majors in home runs once, with 50 in 1995.

Unfortunately for Belle, he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his hip after the 2000 season, and his career came to an sudden end at age 33.

4. Roy Campanella

A three-time NL MVP, Roy Campanella rivaled the great Yogi Berra in his prime. The Brooklyn Dodgers backstop averaged 32 home runs and 114 RBIs per 162 game season and was an All-Star eight times over his 10-year career.

Sadly, a car accident in 1958 permanently confined Campanella to a wheelchair, ending his career at age 36.

3. Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente amassed numerous accolades in his playing days. He was four-time NL batting champ, a winner of 12 Gold Gloves (tied for the most by any outfielder with Willie Mays) and was an All-Star in 12 of his 18 big league seasons. He was also the 1966 NL MVP and the 1971 World Series MVP.

Tragically, Clemente’s life was taken in an plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1972, while he was trying to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was only 37 years old.

2. Thurman Munson

Thurman Munson accomplished just about everything a major leaguer can do in 11 seasons. The Yankee backstop won two World Series, an MVP Award, a Rookie of the Year Award, and three Gold Gloves while being named to seven All-Star games.

On August 2, 1979, Munson was killed in a plane crash at just 32, ending his career far too soon. 

1. Sandy Koufax

Despite playing just 12 seasons, Sandy Koufax is widely considered the greatest left-handed pitcher ever.

Koufax broke into the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but his career really took off in Los Angeles. In 1963, "The Left Arm Of God" won both the Cy Young Award and MVP honors by going 25-5 with an MLB-leading 1.88 ERA, and 306 strikeouts. Koufax would lead the majors in wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched in 1965 and 1966, winning the NL Cy Young in both instances.

Unfortunately, arthritis in his pitching elbow forced Koufax into early retirement at age 30. 

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