Best baseball players who are not famous

royalbrett · January 23, 2013 12:55PM

Lefty Grove.

orioles93 · January 23, 2013 12:57PM

Luke Appling

Brick · January 23, 2013 1:02PM

Joe Shlabotnik

Stone193 · January 23, 2013 1:27PM

In all of baseball, only around 200 people with over 1000 games under their ML belt have hit 300.

One of my favorite Dodger players is Pedro Guerrero.

He played 15 ML seasons - a quality utility player - 215 HR's - not shabby - so a power hitter IMO.

He played in 5 All-star games, was the 1981 WS MVP, 1982 Silver Slugger...

NVbaseball · January 23, 2013 1:52PM

If Lefty Grove isn't famous, why was he so readily accepted into a museum with the word Fame in the name

Johnny Mize is easily the best player who the Baseball Writers decided wasn't Famous enough for it

Best players who are least well known are all Negro League players

Among Major League players:
C Bill Freehan
1B Phil Cavarretta
2B Dick McAuliffe
SS Cecil Travis
3B Bob Elliott
LF Bob Johnson
CF Amos Otis
RF Johnny Callison
P Dave Stieb

royalbrett · January 23, 2013 2:36PM

<< <i>If Lefty Grove isn't famous, why was he so readily accepted into a museum with the word Fame in the name >>

Yes, he is a HOFer, but he never, ever shows up on any of the "best of all time" discussions.

Leading the league in strikeouts 7 years in a row, and winning the ERA title 9 times, all during a hitters' era. I'll go as far as saying there has never been a pitcher so dominant in a 15 year stretch as Grove. Sure, he made the '76 Topps All-Time Team, but his greatness is rarely brought up nowadays.

Also, I like the Amos Otis mention.

LochNESS · January 23, 2013 2:46PM

Hank Greenberg

1932 Texas League Player of the Year
1935 Most Valuable Player Award
1935 Sporting News Most Valuable Player Award
1940 Most Valuable Player Award
1940 Sporting News Most Valuable Player Award
1956 National Baseball Hall of Fame

NVbaseball · January 23, 2013 3:38PM

It's rare to see Jackie Robinson mentioned as a choice for being among the very best second basemen in history, yet a reasonable argument could be made. Doesn't mean he isn't famous (it's actually the rare case of fame overshadowing his ability). (Grove is the fourth best pitcher in history)

sportscardtheory · January 23, 2013 3:46PM

Most great pitchers.

fiveniner · January 23, 2013 6:58PM

Enos Country Slaughter
Vern Sterphens

NickM · January 23, 2013 7:54PM

Bill Dahlen

Nick

msassin · January 23, 2013 8:16PM

what a thread.....only 5 HOFers listed already? 2 of which are considered by many to be among the top couple dozen greatest to ever play (Grove and Greenberg)

LochNESS · January 24, 2013 3:02PM

Fame, to me, means you have transcended your profession. I know very few non-baseball folks who are familiar with Greenberg. Conversely, there are millions worldwide who know Yogi, Ruth and even Barry Bonds, yet they have never seen a single game. That to me is the difference between "great players" and "famous players"

VitoCo1972 · January 24, 2013 3:12PM

fiveniner mentions a GREAT one. Vern Stephens! I defy anyone who doesn't collect 48 Leaf to tell me much about him.

Vern led his league in RBI 3 times at shortstop! His .815 career OPS was great out of a defensive position the 40's and 50's. He finished Top 5 MVP 3 times on some terrible Red Sox and Browns teams. Yes, he had some RBI totals because he hit behind Ted Williams. But he should get some credit for coming through when Williams was always on. Also, his 1949 season .290/.391/.539 w/ 39 HR and 159 RBI at shortstop is absolutely crazy.

CocoaBeachDodgers · January 24, 2013 6:37PM

George Wright

While touring with the Cincinnati Red Stockings, he hit .633 with 49 homers in 57 games.

RAWcardDAWG · January 25, 2013 1:22AM

fairly recent players, off the top of my head: Larry Walker, Vlad Guerrero, Garrett Anderson

calgarycollector · January 25, 2013 1:25AM

Tough to define famous

Kenny Lofton
Juan Gonzalez (unless PED users are excluded)

paleocards · January 25, 2013 3:19AM

Most Negro League HOFers, such as Bullet Rogan, Smoky Joe Williams, Turkey Stearnes, Devil Wells (and they also had the best nicknames!)

Best baseball players who are not famous

Comments