most underrated player ever?

[Pogotheostrich]

I definitely agree with the Lefty Grove argument.

But, I gotta go with Ron Santo on this one. Third baseman are the most under represented group in the HOF and Santo was one of the best. Played in the 60's mostly, a time when offence was depressed (Bob Gibson's 1.12 ERA in '68???) and he still hit 342 career home runs. Had an very good OBP (led the league in walks a number of times, a value that doesn't get recognized), a solid glove with 5 straight gold gloves to his credit (defence not recognized by HOF enough either), and he played on a horrible team that was never in a pennant race or World Series. It's true he benefitted from hitting at Wrigley, but Bill James noted that he is sixth in win shares for the 1960s behind only Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Robinson and Killebrew.

Not to mention I've never heard a broadcaster that lives and dies with the team more than Santo. Every time they lose he sounds like someone kicked him in the gut and every time they win you're afraid he's going to fall over dead from sheer joy.

I'm not sure that is such a good thing. Either way Santo should be in HOF.

[The Loveable Losers]

I definitely agree with the Lefty Grove argument.

But, I gotta go with Ron Santo on this one. Third baseman are the most under represented group in the HOF and Santo was one of the best. Played in the 60's mostly, a time when offence was depressed (Bob Gibson's 1.12 ERA in '68???) and he still hit 342 career home runs. Had an very good OBP (led the league in walks a number of times, a value that doesn't get recognized), a solid glove with 5 straight gold gloves to his credit (defence not recognized by HOF enough either), and he played on a horrible team that was never in a pennant race or World Series. It's true he benefitted from hitting at Wrigley, but Bill James noted that he is sixth in win shares for the 1960s behind only Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Robinson and Killebrew.

Not to mention I've never heard a broadcaster that lives and dies with the team more than Santo. Every time they lose he sounds like someone kicked him in the gut and every time they win you're afraid he's going to fall over dead from sheer joy.

I'm not sure that is such a good thing. Either way Santo should be in HOF.

It's a good thing...he makes Cubs games worth listening to even when you've already gone into 'there's always next year' mode. And you can tell he feels the same way you do about what's going on out there on the field.

[Stejay]

Hoffman and Everett