Most underappreciated/undercollected players

[The Nasty Nati]

Jimmie Foxx.

You could argue he was the greatest player of the 1930s. And yes, possibly better than Lou Gehrig during that era.

[riggs336]

Kid Nichols.

[Bigdaddy]

Post-War - Joe Morgan

[BearBailey]

Jim Palmer

[kdixon]

Lefty O’Doul 4th highest batting average all time.

[Rare Stuff]

King Kelly

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Rare Stuff

King Kelly

I love King Kelly stuff. Is he really underappreciated? I would this with 19th century collectors he's pretty popular.

[bigred1]

Jimmie Foxx has my vote

[GregZakwin]

Zack Wheat

[rats60]

Originally Posted by The Nasty Nati

Jimmie Foxx.

You could argue he was the greatest player of the 1930s. And yes, possibly better than Lou Gehrig during that era.

Not really WAR from 1930-1938

Gehrig 73.3
Foxx 65.9
Ott 63.0
Gehringer 56.2
Arky Vaughan 48.0

Now if you want to add in Foxx's 39 season, it looks closer because Gehrig was fighting ASK, but it is Gehrig and it isn't close.

I will throw out Arky Vaughan. He comes in at #5 and he wasn't in the majors in 1930 & 1931 (age 18-19). Bill James has him as the #2 SS all time with a 136 OPS + which is unreal for the position. However, he is collected as a low level Hofer.

Eddie Collins and GC Alexander for the pre- Goudey era. For Post WAR Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver and Johnny Bench are underappreciated to me.

[KCRfan1]

rats, that's a great observation about Seaver. Aside from his rookie card, Seaver is affordable and almost never mentioned among greats of the game.

[oldjudge]

From my perspective it is John Ward. If you ask me to name the most important people in 19th century baseball I would say Al Spalding, John Ward, Harry Wright and Henry Chadwick, in that order. Ward was a great pitcher who threw the second perfect game in NL history. After he threw out his arm he became an all star shortstop, batting third for the power laden N Y Giant lineup that also had Ewing, Connor and O’Rourke. He married Helen Dauvray who donated the trophy, The Dauvray Cup, that was awarded to the champion of baseball from 1887-1893. He organized and was President of the player’s union, and orchestrated the formation of the Player’s League. While a player with the Giants he received his law degree at Columbia. After his baseball career was over he provided legal advice to players and, in his spare time, managed to become a champion golfer.

[Tao_Moko]

Eddie Collins pre-war and Rickey Henderson post war.

[mrvster]

Maris and Duffy

[skil55voy]

Hank Greenberg and Curt Flood

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

rats, that's a great observation about Seaver. Aside from his rookie card, Seaver is affordable and almost never mentioned among greats of the game.

I agree. One could call him the greatest pitcher of all time and while one would certainly get arguments, it would not be an indefensible claim. To me it's absurd that Ryan has so much more glamour among collectors. Ryan did not hold a candle to Seaver as a pitcher.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by skil55voy

Hank Greenberg and Curt Flood

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Lots of good candidates on the Negro League side but I'll go with Oscar Charleston, great 5 tool player.

and Tom Seaver - I modeled my 'drop-n-drive' delivery on his. Enjoyed watching Huddy do it too.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I agree. One could call him the greatest pitcher of all time and while one would certainly get arguments, it would not be an indefensible claim. To me it's absurd that Ryan has so much more glamour among collectors. Ryan did not hold a candle to Seaver as a pitcher.

Agreed. But he did hold a great headlock to Ventura

[Prince Hal]

Allie Reynolds - Lifetime 182/107 and 48 saves. He was even better in the post season at 7/2 with a 2.79 ERA. His first 5 years were with the Indians too. He was a 6 time all-star. He threw two no hitters in one year.

[Buythatcard]

Roger Maris and Willie Mays