Meryl Streep: The Oscars’ Babe Ruth

Most actors dream of landing that one role that earns them an Oscar nomination. And then there’s Meryl Streep, who is so revered by her peers that merely starring in a movie makes her more likely than not to earn a best actress nod.

This year’s Academy Award nomination for her role as newspaper publisher Kay Graham in “The Post” raises Ms. Streep’s Oscar batting average to .607. With 17 best actress nominations in 28 qualifying years, she is quantifiably the most decorated actor in the history of the Oscars, now in its 90th...