Most overrated baseball superstar ever?

[Wrightfan85]

I was going to go with Ryan because of the walks but I completely forgot the insane lack of contact hitters got off him. He averaged 6.6 hits per nine innings for 27 YEARS! :O

For me it might be Jack Morris. 3.90 ERA, under 2500 K's, 200+ wild pitches among other things. He really only has the wins plus Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Sure, Maz is mostly remembered for his dramatic homer off the Yanks but he was an elite defender and more defensive guys need to be in (coughBOB GRICHcough)

[brewing]

Originally Posted by Wrightfan85

For me it might be Jack Morris. 3.90 ERA, under 2500 K's, 200+ wild pitches among other things. He really only has the wins plus Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Sure, Maz is mostly remembered for his dramatic homer off the Yanks but he was an elite defender and more defensive guys need to be in (coughBOB GRICHcough)

I'm a Tiger fan and I'd agree that his HoF credentials are questionable at best. I can't ever remember him being referred anywhere close to superstar status though.

[cardsagain74]

Nolan Ryan would easily be second on my list.

One thing I've never seen mentioned is how pitcher-friendly the Astrodome was in the '80s. The home/road splits are night and day. Look at Mike Scott's as well. Both of those guys had the numbers of a #3 or #4 in the rotation national league starter on the road.

Ryan/strikeouts and Rose/base hits. Shiny things that they hung around long enough to do more of than anyone else. Quantity well over quality.

As far as the hobby goes, Ryan is my clear cut #1 for overrated sportscard lore.

[Touch'EmAll]

The career overall stats may not be as impressive as other top pitchers, but Ryan could do things that nobody else could. Ryan had the most awe inspiring Wow factor of any pitcher ever - he still holds Guiness Book Records for fastest pitch, he threw more no-hitters than anyone...ever...in the entire history of the sport. You don't have a "nothing to average" pitcher come out and toss 7 no-hitters...and how many 1-hitters? Could you imaging Ryan pitching in Dodger Stadium in the mid-1960's with the higher pitchers mound like Koufax had?
Sorry some of you feel the way you do about Ryan.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

The career overall stats may not be as impressive as other top pitchers, but Ryan could do things that nobody else could. Ryan had the most awe inspiring Wow factor of any pitcher ever - he still holds Guiness Book Records for fastest pitch, he threw more no-hitters than anyone...ever...in the entire history of the sport. You don't have a "nothing to average" pitcher come out and toss 7 no-hitters...and how many 1-hitters? Could you imaging Ryan pitching in Dodger Stadium in the mid-1960's with the higher pitchers mound like Koufax had?
Sorry some of you feel the way you do about Ryan.

Yes he was all those things. Doesn't change the fact that he would've had around a league-average ERA overall for his career if he hadn't pitched in Houston throughout the '80s.

He was one of a kind, awe-inspiring, and insanely difficult to hit a baseball off of. But none of that translated into being highly effective throughout his career.

[Mike D.]

Nolan Ryan’s ERA+ was higher during his time with the Angels and Rangers than it was in his time with the Astros.

[Touch'EmAll]

Ryan was effective enough to notch well over 300 wins on poor/avg. teams. Put him on pennant winners and he could have come close to 400 wins. He has 51 MLB records (some of which will never be broken), earn 1st year ballot HOF with 98.8%. Yeah, his walks were the downfall which led to higher ERA, but when you pitch an astronomical amount of pitches kinda comes with the territory. Similar to blasting Cy Young for most losses, or hammering Pujols Ripken and Hank Aaron for tops on the list for most Double Plays hit into. Ryan was quite effective.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

Ryan was effective enough to notch well over 300 wins on poor/avg. teams. Put him on pennant winners and he could have come close to 400 wins. He has 51 MLB records (some of which will never be broken), earn 1st year ballot HOF with 98.8%. Yeah, his walks were the downfall which led to higher ERA, but when you pitch an astronomical amount of pitches kinda comes with the territory. Similar to blasting Cy Young for most losses, or hammering Pujols Ripken and Hank Aaron for tops on the list for most Double Plays hit into. Ryan was quite effective.

Ryan was great at what he did, strikeouts and having dominant enough stuff to produce 7 no hitters. I will never argue he wasn't good or shouldn't be in the HOF, but some fans think he's a Top 5 or 10 pitcher of all time and, IMO he's not close to that. Thats why I think he's overrated.