Most Underrated Hitting Season of All Time?

[lampertb]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Reminds me of the story when Ty Cobb decided to hit home runs:

His five homers in two consecutive games was something that had never been done before, not even by the Bambino. It is a mark that has not been eclipsed to this day, although it has been equaled by 28 players.

One of which I actually saw... summer of '91 at Riverfront, Barry Larkin hit 2 the day before, and I saw the next day's game when he hit 3 more against the Astros... still have the ticket stub in my wallet, actually.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by lampertb

One of which I actually saw... summer of '91 at Riverfront, Barry Larkin hit 2 the day before, and I saw the next day's game when he hit 3 more against the Astros... still have the ticket stub in my wallet, actually.

Larkin was fun to watch, even better when you get to see history in person.

[cgjackson222]

Okay, so this one is from a LONG time ago.

In 1884, Fred Dunlap, Second Basemen for the St. Louis Maroons (which played in the short lived Union Association League) had a monster year. In 449 at bats, he led the league in hits (185), runs (160), HRs (13), batting average (.412), OBP (.448), Slugging (.621), OPS (1.069), an absurd OPS+ (256) and total bases (279).

Dunlap's batting average was 52 points higher than the next best and the highest ever at that time, and he outslugged Dan Brouthers who came in 2nd in the Major Leagues by 58 points.

Dunlap's 125 Runs Created was 27 higher than King Kelly, who came in 2nd, and 29 higher than Cap Anson, who came in 3rd in the Majors.

Dunlap's OPS+ of 256 is even higher than Babe Ruth's best of 255.

Dunlap is so forgotten to time that I couldn't even find a SABR biography for him. But I did see that some baseball historians have suggested that Dunlap's accomplishments during the 1884 season should be discounted due to the lesser talent pool in the Union Association, which only existed in 1884. So maybe its just more obscure than underrated.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Al Rosen had possibly the greatest offensive season by a third baseman ever.