What do you think is the greatest year ever by a player way under the radar?

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by timn1

I have to agree with this. 1908 was a serious pitcher’s year and Wagner dominated completely. Wagner is known as a great player, sure, but I think he is still underappreciated. in this season he was Babe Ruth and ty Cobb combined. Greatest season of all time, imho.

Sorry guys, but anybody batting.390 in 1929 or 1930 is batting.305 in an average year. Those years were offensive explosions.

Tim

So how would you rate Lefty Grove's 1931 Season?
31 Wins... 4 Losses ... 2.06 ERA

1930 was an "off year"... 28-5 2.54 ERA

[Jason19th]

For truly under the radar season how about Max Bishop in 1930. He only hit 252 and only had 38 rbi but he walked 128 times leading to 117 runs scored and a .426 On Base Average. I bet few people realized how valuable he actual was because no one thought about walks

[philliesphan]

Charlie Ferguson, 1886.

30-9 pitching record, with a 1.98 ERA. WAR of 10.5

66 hits, including 12 for extra-bases, 25 RBIs, OBP of nearly .350


His 1887 was even more extraordinary at the plate, fetching nearly 90 RBIs and a .337 batting average, though he wasn't quite as dominant on the mound.

He unfortunately died that offseason.

[polakoff]

1993 Kevin Appier: 18-8, 2.56 ERA (led the league), with a 0.3 HR/9 (in 1993!)

1995 John Valentin: .298/.399/.533, 27 hr, 102 rbi, 20 sb, 148 ops+, .973 fielding pct at SS. Was 1st in WAR in 1995 -- 2nd in offensive WAR and 1st in defensive WAR.

[egri]

I saw all the Tip O'Neil mentions earlier, and for a second I thought this thread was about to get political.

Wilcy Moore with the 1927 Yankees. He went 19-7, had the lowest ERA and WHIP of any pitcher on their staff, but wasn't picked up by the sound mirror (what was used before radar) because Babe Ruth was hitting more home runs than every team in the American League.

[timn1]

I would say that Grove's 1931 was as dominant as any pitcher season ever- to me Grove, especially when you factor in his record when he was stuck with Baltimore for several years, is the only guy who has a legitimate claim to compete with WaJo for best pitcher ever.

Originally Posted by Robbie

So how would you rate Lefty Grove's 1931 Season?
31 Wins... 4 Losses ... 2.06 ERA

1930 was an "off year"... 28-5 2.54 ERA

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by timn1

I would say that Grove's 1931 was as dominant as any pitcher season ever- to me Grove, especially when you factor in his record when he was stuck with Baltimore for several years, is the only guy who has a legitimate claim to compete with WaJo for best pitcher ever.

Hi Tim... I agree. Grove's numbers are absolutely staggering, especially considering that era. When you look at his total career, he has to be right there with the best ever... No question. IMO

[howard38]

George Stone was dominant in 1906 & the last AL player to win a batting title before Cobb won nine straight.

Also, Dave Orr's entire career:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/p.../orrda01.shtml