Ten Best First Basemen Not In Cooperstown

Honorable mentions: Jack Fournier, Hal Trosky, Frank McCormick, Ted Kluszewski 

10. Mark Teixeira (2003-2016)

Mark Teixeira was a top slugger during the 2000's, stringing together eight consecutive seasons with 30 or more homers (out of nine overall) and finishing with 409 in his career. The runner-up for AL MVP in 2009, Teixeira also won five Gold Glove awards. 

9. Andres Galarraga (1985-2004)

Despite recurring battles with cancer during his career, Galarraga nonetheless had an outstanding career, clubbing 399 homers and driving in 1,425 runs. More than just a slugger, Galarraga led the NL in hits (184) in 1988 and in batting (.370) in 1993. 

8. Mickey Vernon (1939-1960)

One of only 30 players whose careers spanned four decades, Mickey Vernon was one of the best defensive first basemen of all time. Despite missing two seasons to military service, he managed to turn 2,044 career double plays, more than anyone else in history at any position. No slouch with the bat, Vernon also won two Batting Titles and collected 2,495 career hits, including 490 doubles, 120 triples, and 172 home runs. 

7. Don Mattingly (1982-1995)

For a four-year stretch between 1984 and 1987, Don Mattingly was the best player in baseball, batting .337 during that span and averaging over 120 RBI's per season. He won the AL Batting Crown in 1984 and was the league MVP in 1985, when he led the Majors in doubles (48), RBI's (145), and total bases (370) while clubbing 35 homers. Mattingly was also a jaw-dropping fielder whose consistent highlight-reel plays earned him nine Gold Glove awards. Back issues forced him to retire at age 34, which is the only reason he doesn't rank higher. 

6. Keith Hernandez (1974-1990)

Keith Hernandez's claim to fame is his defense, which helped him win 11 Gold Gloves, more than any other first baseman. A five-time all-star and two-time World Champion, Hernandez was NL MVP in 1979 when he topped the Majors with a .344 average. 

5. Ed Konetchy (1907-1921)

Back when first base was a defensive position, "Big Ed" Konetchy was perhaps the best in the game, dominating fielding leaderboards throughout his career. He was also a respected power hitter for the dead-ball era, belting 182 career triples, the most of any player not in Cooperstown. Konetchy later played several years in the high minors, compiling over 3,000 hits across 23 professional seasons. 

4. Jake Daubert (1910-1924)

Whether it's due to the mediocre teams on which he played, or his untimely death during his final season, Jake Daubert is seldom remembered today, despite being one of the best first basemen of his era. He won consecutive Batting Titles in 1913-14 (taking home MVP honors in 1913) and had a career batting average of .303. Daubert also had power (165 career triples), was an outstanding bunter (second all-time with 392 sacrifice hits), and played strong defense (three fielding titles). He should be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame. 

3. John Olerud (1989-2005)

Best known for wearing a skullcap in the field after suffering a brain aneurysm in college, John Olerud was one of the finest pure hitters in the game, batting .295 with a .398 OBP over his 17-year career. He hit 255 home runs and 500 doubles in his career, including 54 in 1993, when he won the AL Batting Title and helped the Blue Jays win a second consecutive World Series. 

2. Will Clark (1986-2000) 

A superstar from the moment of his debut, "Will the Thrill" entered the league with a bang, homering against Nolan Ryan in his first at bat and batting .308 with 35 homers as a sophomore. Clark was a top-5 MVP contender in four out of five seasons between 1987 and 1991, a span in which he topped the Majors with a 153 OPS+. A .303 career hitter and stellar defensive first baseman, Clark went 13-for-20 with two homers in the 1989 NLCS, contributing to a .333 / .409 / .547 postseason slash line. His exclusion from Cooperstown is likely due to his early retirement at age 36, when he left the game after a .319 season to help his wife care for their special needs child instead of padding his career totals. 

1. Carlos Delgado (1993-2009)

One of the top sluggers of his era, Carlos Delgado hit 473 home runs in his career, including 12 seasons with at least 30. He was the runner-up for AL MVP in 2003 when he batted .302 with 42 homers and an MLB-best 145 RBI's. Despite impressive career totals, Delgado was often overshadowed by the steroid-fueled sluggers who defined the era. Nonetheless, he was a truly incredible player and the best first baseman outside of Cooperstown. 

Tony Conigliaro

The story of Tony Conigliaro is one of the most tragic in baseball, as a legitimate Hall of Fame talent was cut down in his prime by a brutal injury. The ultimate "what if?" player, Conigliaro's legacy should not be forgotten, but remembered with an appropriate mixture of both admiration and remorse. 
    Anthony Richard Conigliaro debuted for the Red Sox on April 16, 1964, barely 19 years old. He hit a home run in his first at bat at Fenway Park and ended the season with 24 homers, the all-time record for a teenager. The next year, 20-year-old Conigliaro led the AL with 32 home runs, and on July 23, 1967, at the age of 22 years, six months, and 18 days, he became the youngest player in league history to reach 100 career homers, belting numbers 100 and 101 against the Indians. A phenom through and through, Tony C was the face of the Red Sox and had a very bright future ahead of him. 

    On August 18, 1967, Conigliaro's career took an unexpected turn that ended up derailing his entire life. In a game against the Angels, Conigliaro was struck in the face by a fastball, knocking him to the ground. He was wearing a batting helmet, but it didn't have an earflap, so the pitch caused significant damage to his left eye and cheekbone. Unfortunately, the injury cost him the rest of the 1967 season and all of 1968. 

    As Conigliaro slowly healed, he discovered that the sight in his left eye was deteriorating. Determined to get back into baseball, he tried his hand at pitching, but to no avail. Despite the difficulties his vision caused, he worked hard to regain his batting stroke, and little by little began to make progress. 

    Conigliaro returned to the Red Sox in 1969 and made the club out of spring training. In his first game back, he hit a home run in extra-innings. He finished the 1969 season with 20 home runs and 82 RBI's, making him an easy choice for the Comeback Player of the Year award. However, his comeback was just getting started. 

    Conigliaro enjoyed his best season at the plate in 1970, slugging 36 homers and driving in 116 runs. He combined with brother Billy to hit 54 home runs, the most ever by a brother duo on the same team. However, despite his results, Conigliaro's vision continued to struggle, and he also suffered from splitting headaches. Playing baseball used to come naturally to him; now he had to strain even to see the ball. Aware of this fact, on October 11, 1970, the Red Sox traded their young star to none other than the Angels. 

    Conigliaro's 1971 season was a miserable one, as he suffered several injuries along with almost constant headaches. Away from the city he had called home his entire career, he simply wasn't the same. After batting .222 with four homers in 74 games, Tony C announced his retirement on July 9. 

    Despite taking three seasons off, during which his vision deteriorated further, Conigliaro made one last comeback attempt with the Red Sox in 1975. Still only 30 years old, he made the team out of spring training, and in his first at bat in nearly four years, he smacked a two-out single. Against all odds, Tony C was back, and his home crowd at Fenway gave him a standing ovation. Three days later, he hit his first home run of the season. However, all was not well. Conigliaro batted only .123 during his stint in Boston and was demoted in June. In August, he retired again, this time for good. He finished his MLB career with a .264 average and 166 home runs in 876 games. 

    Although Conigliaro didn't have the physical tools to continue playing, he still had a deep love for baseball. He got a couple of broadcasting jobs, and found a good opportunity as a Red Sox color commentator in 1982. He was offered an interview on January 7, his 37th birthday, which went very well. Conigliaro was all set to take on the role when he suffered a massive heart attack only two days later. Soon afterward, he suffered a stroke, which caused permanent brain damage. Instead of getting the job, Tony C was bedridden, and would be disabled for the rest of his life. He passed away on February 24, 1990, only 45 years old. That season, the Red Sox wore commemorative wristbands in his honor. 

    Tony Conigliaro's story is one of tragedy and unrealized potential. A Hall of Famer in the making, he was on track for many years of stardom in the American League and could have challenged the 500-homer milestone. Instead, one pitch caused his career to spiral, and he ended up passing away far too early. Despite all the hardships he endured, Conigliaro accomplished many great things, and was truly inspirational when he returned to baseball after his frightening injury. Although gone and often forgotten, Tony Conigliaro, the young Boston superstar, should be remembered positively by every baseball fan. 

A Tribute to Tommy John

Tommy John, who won 288 games between 1963 and 1989, passed away on Saturday. He was 83 years old. 

Nicknamed "The Bionic Man," John was best known as the first to undergo an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, now forever known as Tommy John Surgery, on September 25, 1974. Despite the uncertainty of the procedure, John returned to the mound in 1976 and pitched another 14 seasons, finally hanging up his spikes at age 46. His 26 MLB seasons are the second-most of all time, and his 288 wins rank 26th. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Ten Best Catchers Not In Cooperstown

Catchers have historically been underrated both by the common fan and the Hall of Fame. Due to the physical and mental demands of catching a nine-inning game nearly every day, catchers tend to hit less than other fielders, making it harder for people to realize their true value. As it stands, there are only 18 catchers in Cooperstown, fewer than any other position except third base. However, due to the importance of a good catcher and the numerous demands of the position, more catchers should be considered by the Hall of Fame. 

Honorable mentions: Deacon McGuire, Elston Howard, Tim McCarver, Bob Boone, Tony Pena 

10. Jack Clements (1884-1900)

The greatest lefthanded catcher of all time, Jack Clements had a career batting average of .287 in an era when many backstops hit under .200. A strong defender behind the plate, Clements was also a convincing power hitter who clubbed 77 home runs in his career (at the time eleventh on the all-time list) and topped the NL in home run percentage in 1893 and 1895. 

9. Johnny Kling (1900-1913)

Also a renowned billiards player in his day, Johnny Kling was a key player on the Cubs' pennant winners of 1906-08 and 1910. The premier defensive catcher of his time, Kling dominated NL catching leaderboards throughout his career and had a lifetime caught stealing percentage of 48.5. He also batted .272 over his career and set a record in 1902 with a hit in 12 straight plate appearances. 

8. Gene Tenace (1969-1983)

Despite a low .241 batting average and only 1,060 hits, Tenace was nonetheless a strong contributor with the bat, slapping 201 home runs and drawing 984 walks for a career OPS of .817. A four-time World Champion, he earned the World Series MVP Award in 1972 with four homers and nine RBI's. 

7. Wally Schang (1913-1931)

A long-tenured catcher whose career spanned the dead-ball and live-ball eras, Schang batted .284 across 19 seasons with a .393 OBP and 121 stolen bases. A solid defender known for his strong arm, Schang led his teams to six World Series, winning three of them. 

6. Jason Kendall (1996-2010)

A five-time .300 hitter despite playing in the steroid era, Jason Kendall ranks third among all catchers with 2,195 hits and first with 189 steals (since the modern stolen base rule was implemented in 1898). Although not a premier defender, Kendall led his league in games caught eight times, double plays six times, and assists and caught stealing five times apiece. 

5. Thurman Munson (1969-1979)

Rifle-armed Thurman Munson was one of the most exciting players of the 1970's, earning a Rookie of the Year Award, an MVP, three Gold Gloves, and seven all-star selections during the decade. A .292 career hitter, he batted over .300 five times and knocked in 100 or more runs in three consecutive seasons. Sadly, he passed away partway through the 1979 season in a private plane crash. 

4. Jorge Posada (1995-2011)

The anchor of the last true Yankee dynasty, Posada was also an outstanding hitter, belting 275 homers and winning five Silver Slugger awards. He hit a career-high 30 homers with 101 RBI's in 2003 and batted .338 in 2007 at age 36. Posada only misses out on a higher rating due to so-so defense. 

3. Sherm Lollar (1946-1963)

Despite being largely forgotten today, Sherm Lollar was an elite defender in the 1950's and early 1960's, throwing out an impressive 46.8% of stolen base attempts. A five-time fielding champion and three-time leader in double plays, he won the Gold Glove award in its first three years of existence. No slouch with the bat, Lollar hit 155 home runs and had a career OBP of .357. 

2. Bill Freehan (1961-1976)

Famously described as "the thinking man's catcher" by Sports Magazine, Freehan was an eleven-time all-star and five-time Gold Glove winner. The holder of numerous fielding records, he was also a strong hitter who smacked an even 200 home runs, including 25 in 1968. Freehan finished third in the AL MVP voting in 1967 and second in 1968 behind teammate Denny McLain, whom he helped become the last man ever to win 30 games in a season. 

1. Lance Parrish (1977-1995)

Lance Parrish did just about everything in his Big League career. He was a World Champion (1984), eight-time all-star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and six-time Silver Slugger. Parrish hit 324 career homers, fifth among catchers behind four Hall of Famers, and turned 133 double plays. His combination of offense and defense was truly remarkable, and he should be in the Hall of Fame today. 

Amazing Baseball Quote #16

"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." - Rogers Hornsby 

Honestly a great point. 

Johnny Vander Meer

Johnny Vander Meer is best known as the only man in history to toss back-to-back no-hitters, a feat he achieved with the Reds in 1938. While this achievement is little more than a footnote today, it was the biggest story in baseball at the time. In addition to his consecutive no-hitters, Vander Meer had a long and successful career which should be remembered in its entirety. 

    John Samuel Vander Meer was born on November 2, 1914, in Prospect Park, New Jersey. Tall but skinny as a youngster, he eventually filled out to 190 pounds during his Major League career. A lefthanded first baseman and pitcher, he converted to the mound full-time with his local semipro team and tossed five no-hitters in 1932. He signed his first professional contract in 1933, pitching to an 11-10 record at age 18. 

    Vander Meer established himself as a top pitching prospect in 1936, going 19-7 with a 3.08 ERA and 313 strikeouts in the Reds' system. However, he also walked 141 batters in 236 1/3 innings. Control would be an issue for Vander Meer throughout his career, but he could usually keep runs off the board with a low opponents' batting average and a high strikeout percentage. He finished the season as The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year, catapulting him to the Majors in 1937. 

    Splitting time between the bullpen, the rotation, and the minors, Vander Meer pitched to a 3.84 ERA for the Reds but walked 17 more batters than he struck out. Working primarily on his control, he decreased his walk rate considerably in 1938, resulting in a breakout season (15-10 record, 3.12 ERA). On June 11, he no-hit the Boston Bees at home, and tossed a second no-hitter in as many starts against the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 15. 

    With his historic performance, Vander Meer became only the fourth pitcher in history to throw two no-hitters in an entire career. The feat was well-known and publicized, as he was honored in local celebrations, given a salary raise, selected to the NL all-star team, and named honorary mayor of Tampa, Florida (where the Reds played spring training games). He missed nearly a month later in the season with an illness requiring hospitalization, but was nevertheless named The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year, making him the first man ever to be Minor League and Major League Player of the Year. 

    Despite his success, Vander Meer could not replicate his performance in 1939, as injuries and illness limited him to 129 innings, in which he posted a mediocre 4.67 ERA. He spent most of 1940 in the minors but returned late in the season to help the Reds clinch the NL pennant. He pitched three scoreless innings in Game 5 of the World Series en route to a World Championship. 

    His late-season performance seemed to spark new life in Vander Meer, as he won 16, 18, and 15 games from 1941 through 1943 and led the NL in strikeouts each season. During those three seasons, he had a composite 2.71 ERA. However, his run of success was put to an abrupt halt by the escalation of World War II, and he missed the next two seasons to military service. 

    When he returned to the mound, Vander Meer was not quite the same, pitching to a 10-12 record and 3.17 ERA in 1946. He won 17 games in 1948 in what proved to be his final good season, and hung around through 1951 in various part-time roles. Vander Meer finished his MLB career with a 119-121 record and a 3.44 ERA, but pitched in the minors through 1955, tossing a no-hitter for the Tulsa Oilers in 1952. He appeared on 14 Hall of Fame ballots, earning as much as 29.8% of the BBWAA vote in 1967. 

    Johnny Vander Meer was a very fine pitcher in his day. Although best known for his consecutive no-hitters, his career was much longer and more notable than one accomplishment. He deserves to be remembered for nearly two decades of success on the mound, not just one incredible feat. 

Ten Best Relief Pitchers Not In Cooperstown (Active Players Included)

Honorable mentions: Mike Marshall, Dan Quisenberry, Troy Percival, David Robertson 

10. Robb Nen (1993-2002)

In only ten MLB seasons, Robb Nen compiled 314 saves, making him one of 31 pitchers to reach 300 in a career. A three-time all-star, Nen had a career ERA of 2.98 and topped the NL with 45 saves in 2001. 

9. John Wetteland (1989-2000)

Perhaps best known as the predecessor to Mariano Rivera, John Wetteland was a top closer in his own right, collecting 330 saves with a 2.93 ERA from 1989 through 2000. He earned 150 saves for the Rangers and 105 for the Montreal Expos, making him one of a handful of pitchers to save 100 games for multiple teams. 

8. Joe Nathan (1999-2016)

Although not a full-time closer until age 29, Joe Nathan collected 377 career saves, ranking 11th on the all-time list. Originally a starter, his ERA sits at 2.87 for his career, but was 2.50 as a relief pitcher, better than every reliever in the Hall of Fame except Mariano Rivera and Hoyt Wilhelm. Nathan made six all-star teams and twice finished in the top 5 in the Cy Young Award voting. 

7. John Franco (1984-2005)

One of only eight men to save 400 or more games, Franco compiled 424 of them over 21 seasons (the most of any lefthander) and also tallied 90 wins. A three-time leader in saves, he pitched in the Majors until age 44, appearing in a total of 1,119 games. 

6. Francisco Rodriguez (2002-2017)

A September call-up turned instant phenom, Rodriguez struck out 13 of 21 batters in the 2002 regular season and won five games in the playoffs, helping the Angels capture their only World Series Championship. Stuck behind all-star closer Troy Percival, "K-Rod" finally became the stopper in 2005 and led the league in saves three of the next four years, setting the current single-season record with 62 in 2008. Rodriguez finished up in 2017 with six all-star selections, 437 saves, and 1,142 strikeouts. 

5. Jonathan Papelbon (2005-2016)

A six-time all-star, Papelbon had a career ERA of 2.44, lower than any Hall of Fame reliever except Rivera, despite pitching much of his career in Fenway Park. The owner of 368 saves, the highlight of Papelbon's career was the 2007 World Series, when he posted a 0.00 ERA and saved three games, including the clincher. 

4. Tom Henke (1982-1995)

A 6'5" fireballer known as The Terminator, Tom Henke was the most feared reliever of his day, blowing hitters away with his fastball or folding them with his forkball. He had a 2.67 career ERA and 311 saves, topping the AL with 34 in 1987. In 1995, he enjoyed the best season of his career, pitching to a 1.82 ERA and saving 36 games before retiring to spend time with his family. 

3. Craig Kimbrel (2010-present)

A nine-time all-star and 2011 Rookie of the Year, Kimbrel topped the NL in saves every year from 2011 through 2014, and has 440 in his career. Although no longer a dominant closer, he was nearly untouchable in his prime, sporting a 1.91 ERA and 41.6% strikeout rate between 2010 and 2018. 

2. Aroldis Chapman (2010-present)

Much could be said about the amazing career of Aroldis Chapman, from throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history as a rookie, to his incredible performance in the 2016 stretch run with the Cubs, to reestablishing himself as an elite closer in his age-37 and -38 seasons. The all-time leader in strikeouts by a relief pitcher, Chapman could take over the #1 spot on this list if he continues his superb pitching. 

1. Kenley Jansen (2010-present)

Jansen's 489 saves lead active pitchers and are the third most of all time behind Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. The owner of a 2.61 ERA and over 1,300 strikeouts, Jansen is well within reach of 1,000 appearances and 500 saves, making him a slam-dunk Hall of Fame candidate.