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18 Jan 2010 |
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Since today is Martin Luther King Day, I would like to dedicate this week’s issue of the Top 10 to the greatest fantasy seasons by African Americans in MLB history. But before we get to the list, I want to point out one of my favorite baseball factoids. MLB integrated in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke in with the Dodgers. Meanwhile, it took the U.S. Supreme Court until 1954 to pass the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling which struck down the “separate but equal” clause and which ultimately led to integration. Baseball led the way and society followed. May it be that way again sometime in the near future. For this list, I decided to use only one season per player in order to get recognition for 10 different outstanding baseball players. I also tried to be fair to different decades and different positions, so that we didn’t load up on outfielders from the 1990s. Unlike previous Top 10 lists, this one goes simply in reverse chronological order.
It’s debatable if this is even Bonds’ best fantasy year. Perhaps it’s 1996 when he went 40-40 or maybe it’s 2002 when he hit .370. Regardless, no list of this kind is complete without Bonds and recognizing his record-breaking HR season seems appropriate. Regardless of where you stand on PEDs, it’s hard to look at 73 HRs in a season and not be a little awed.
The easiest thing to do is dismiss this as a “Coors Field before it was neutered” season. And it certainly was to some extent. But it all counted the same in fantasy and besides Burks had a .903 OPS on the road that season so it would have been a great year regardless of which park he called home. Burks never came close to these numbers again but his lifetime mark of .291/.363/.510 are pretty impressive for a guy who spent most of his career in center field.  8. Rickey Henderson 1985 - .314-24-72-146-80Okay, I know Henderson set the all-time stolen base mark in 1982 not 1985. But he was really an all-around tour de force in 1985 for the Yankees. Henderson’s average was 46 points higher, he hit 14 more HRs, he drove in 21 more runs and he scored 27 more runs that year than he did in 1982. And it’s not like 80 SB are anything to sneeze at, either. Now I’m just looking forward to his Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Would anyone be surprised if he announced he was signing on with an Independent League team in an effort to make it back to the majors?
Between 1920, when Babe Ruth became the first player in history to hit 50 home runs to 1965, when Willie Mays hit 52 homers, the longest stretch without a 50-HR season was nine years. But between 1966 and 1989 the only person to top 50 was George Foster. The fact that he finished fourth in the NL with a .320 batting average was pretty sweet, too. He looked like one mean dude with those sideburns and that power but if you ever heard him talk you would have directed him to Christopher Street.
There’s something about a little guy, whether it’s Spud Webb in basketball or Fran Tarkenton in football or Joe Morgan in baseball. The plain fact is that the 5-foot-7 Morgan was one of the most terrifying sights for opposing pitchers in the early and mid-1970s. He could beat you on the field every way imaginable and he did it with flair, whether it was his arm flapping in the batter’s box or standing with his hands on his hips when you tried a pitch out with him on base or with that unmistakable running motion as he was flying around the basepaths. Morgan was a joy to watch on the field.
I fear that the modern baseball fan just thinks of Hank Aaron as a home run hitter. He did a lot more than just hit homers. Willie Mays was a better all-around player because he was such a star in center field. But when the two were in the batter’s box, I believe Aaron was better. And Mays may have been faster but the 31 SB Aaron posted in 1963 was good for second in the National League.
Frank Robinson won the MVP in 1961 but he was a better fantasy player the following season. Overshadowed by Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Mays, Robinson ranks with Stan Musial as the most underappreciated superstars in MLB history. Since this piece is celebrating firsts for blacks, it should be noted that Robinson went on to become the first black manager in MLB. He also held filled several positions under Bud Selig in the Commissioner’s Office.
If not for missing time in the military early in his career, Aaron would have broken Willie Mays’ all-time home run mark, not Ruth’s. He won MVP Awards in 1954 and 1965. He should have won it in 1962 and you could probably make a strong case for him in 1958 and 1966, too. I’m thrilled that I got to see Mays play the end of his career with the Mets. I know everyone talks about how it sullied his reputation to be falling down in the OF in the 1973 World Series. But my most vivid memory is Mays pleading with the umpire after he blew the call on the Harrelson play at the plate.
Johnny Bench never hit over .300 in a full season. Mike Piazza’s career high in RBIs was 124. Yogi Berra never hit more than 30 homers while Mickey Cochrane never hit more than 23. Bill Dickey never topped 100 runs scored. Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Lombardi and Carlton Fisk never came close to this year. Piazza’s 1997 is the best fantasy year ever for a catcher but this one probably ranks second.
The man who broke the color barrier won the MVP in his third year in the league, as he set career highs in AVG, RBIs and SB and was just three off his all-time best in runs scored and HRs. And he did all this playing under a type of pressure that we can only begin to imagine. *****
The hardest thing about making a list like this is leaving off tremendous seasons by Hall of Famers. I started out only listing those seasons which I was sure would make the cut and I ended up with 23 different years to consider. Anyway, here is a list of other players who I considered for this list: Ernie Banks, Albert Belle, Bobby Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Ryan Howard, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Willie McCovey, Tim Raines, Jim Rice, Gary Sheffield, Willie Stargell, Frank Thomas and Billy Williams. What is your favorite fantasy season by a U.S. born black player?
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Comments (24)
  written by Alan Daggett, January 19, 2009
One more remark. I saw Gibson pitch throughout his career. Admittedly I saw him on TV, but from what I saw Bob is who I would have wanted on the mound when the stakes were the highest. He never gave in to anybody & he firmly believed Home Plate was his. God help the hitter who crowded the plate. Gibson was super competitive & was totally focused when he pitched. He was also an outstanding hitter. And I do not mean he was a good hitter for a pitcher, he was a good hitter period!
written by Alan Daggett, January 18, 2009
To add a little levity to Dwight Gooden's 1985 season. Lenny Dykstra jokingly told Gooden in the clubhouse after the end of the season that it was Dwight's fault the Mets did not win their division. The Mets finished in 2nd Place, 4 games out. Dykstra said that if Gooden had not lost those 4 games they would have tied the division leader. Gooden's record was 24 - 4.
written by Fake Teams, January 18, 2009
Eric Davis 1987:
37 HR 100 RBI 50 SB .293 AVG 120 Runs
written by BrianJoura, January 18, 2009
Thanks Christopher. I'm a big fan of the Hawk but I don't think he ever had the killer roto season that these other guys did. If only he would have played his entire career with the Cubs and avoided that artificial turn in Montreal - that would have been something!
written by ChristopherMulligan, January 18, 2009
Personal favorite:
Andre Dawson - Cubs - 1987 .287 BA 49 HR 137 RBI MVP on a last place team. Great stuff Brian!
written by Patrick DiCaprio, January 18, 2009
brian hit it on the head. it was a great season but probably not one of the ten or twenty best seasons of all time if you include hitters.
written by BrianJoura, January 18, 2009
Gibson's 1968 was fantastic but people forget the context that it was achieved in. The average pitcher had a 2.90 ERA that year.
In 2000, the average pitcher had an ERA of 5.07 and Pedro Martinez had a 1.74 ERA. In context, Pedro's ERA was more impressive.
written by big o, January 18, 2009
richie weeks would have hit .700 against bob gibson .... tell 'em , patrick
written by JoeLano, January 18, 2009
I don't know if you just say things to get people talking or if you actually believe what you say.
In what way was Gibsons season overrated? That comment sould be used in the "am I crazy" part of your BTR show.
written by Ken, January 18, 2009 At the risk of heresy, Gibson and his 1968 season are both vastly overrated. Why? If you're going to say something like that shouldn't you back it up with a reason?
written by Patrick DiCaprio, January 18, 2009
At the risk of heresy, Gibson and his 1968 season are both vastly overrated.
written by Ken, January 18, 2009
Representing Canada
Ferguson Jenkins born in Chatham Ontario 1971 Chicago Cubs Season 24-13, 263K, 2.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
written by Ken, January 18, 2009
Gibson's '68 season is one of the best seasons in any sport IMO. One question though, how do you loose 9 games with a 1.12 ERA?
written by BrianJoura, January 18, 2009
Foster's 1977 was better in every category except steals, where Rice beat him by one.
And I liked Morgan's lead of 53 SB better. I thought two guys from the 1970s was enough.
written by sean, January 18, 2009
Great list and topic!
Was surprised you considered him didnt use Jim Rice in 1978. I thinl he should have been a top 10. Rice 1978 - .315-46-139-121-7 Rice won the Most Valuable Player award, led the league in home runs, RBI, hits (213), triples (15) and slugging average (.600). 3rd in Batting average. Only player to ever lead the major leagues in triples, home runs and RBIs in the same season. 406 total bases that year were the most in the AL since Joe DiMaggio had 418 in 1937, and it made Rice the first major leaguer with 400 or more total bases since Hank Aaron's 400 in 1959.
written by BrianJoura, January 18, 2009
Yeah, I thought about doing pitchers but I thought it would just get too complicated. It was hard enough knowing how to do batters alone. Dwight Gooden in 1985 deserves mention, too.
24 wins, 1.53 ERA, 268 Ks and 0.965 WHIP
written by BrianJoura, January 18, 2009
For those of you who don't know the Lyman Bostock story or those who want to read an outstanding piece, go to http://sports.espn.go.com/espn...ge=bostock
written by Lenny Melnick, January 18, 2009
The 1978 season started off poorly for Bostock; he batted .150 for the month of April. Bostock went the team's management and attempted to return his April salary, saying he had not earned it. The team refused, so Bostock announced he would donate his April salary to charity. Thousands of requests came in for the money, and Bostock reviewed each one of them, trying to determine who needed it the most.
written by a guest, January 18, 2009
redit Black American Lyman Bostock for orffering to return a portion of his contract due to what he believed was a poor performance during the month of April
written by RhettOldham, January 18, 2009
Great list, saw both Flood and Gibson play and were both amazing~!!!
written by big o, January 18, 2009
Satchel Paige ...
1965 Kansas City Athletics 1934 season ..... stats ?? "The only change is that baseball has turned Paige from a second class citizen to a second class immortal."
written by big o, January 18, 2009
December 24, 1969
Dear Mr. Kuhn: After twelve years in the major leagues, I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States and of the several States. It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any decisions. I, therefore, request that you make known to all Major League clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season. Sincerely, Curt Flood
written by JoeLano, January 18, 2009
While this list is about hitters, there is one pitcher who had an unreal season.
In 1968 Bob Gibson had one of the greatest seasons a pitcher can have, winning both the Cy Young and MVP awards. He started 34 games and completed 28! 22-9, 268 K, 1.12 ERA and 0.853 WHIP. That is my favorite season.
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Tags: Barry Bonds Ellis Burks Rickey Henderson George Foster Joe Morgan Hank Aaron Frank Robinson Willie Mays Roy Campanella Jackie Robinson top fantasy seasons African Americans
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5. Hank Aaron 1963 - .319-44-130-121-31
3. Willie Mays 1955 - .319-51-127-123-24
1. Jackie Robinson - .342-16-124-122-37
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