Baseball Toaster: The Griddle : The Greatest?

Rank	Team	W	L	PCT	Division
1	Chicago Cubs	97	64	.602	C1
2	Philadelphia	92	70	.568	E1
3	Los Angeles Dodgers	84	78	.519	W1
4	Milwaukee	90	72	.556	C2
5	New York Mets	89	73	.549	E2
6	Houston	86	75	.534	C3
7	St. Louis	86	76	.531	C4
8	Florida	84	77	.522	E3
9	Arizona	82	80	.506	W2
10T	Colorado	74	88	.457	W3
10T	Cincinnati	74	88	.457	C5
12T	Atlanta	72	90	.444	E4
12T	San Francisco	72	90	.444	W4
14	Pittsburgh	67	95	.414	C6
15	San Diego	63	99	.389	W5
16	Washington	59	102	.366	E5

American League

Rank	Team	W	L	PCT	Division
1	Los Angeles Angels	100	62	.617	W1
2	Tampa Bay	97	65	.599	E1
3	Chicago White Sox	89	74	.546	C1
4	Boston	95	67	.586	E2
5	New York Yankees	89	73	.549	E3
6	Minnesota	88	75	.540	C2
7	Toronto	86	76	.531	E4
8	Cleveland	81	81	.500	C3
9	Texas	79	83	.488	W2
10	Oakland	75	86	.466	W3
11	Kansas City	75	87	.463	C4
12	Detroit	74	88	.457	C5
13	Baltimore	68	93	.422	E5
14	Seattle	61	101	.377	W4

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New York

W L GB

Yankees 89 73

Mets 89 73

Baltimore/DC

W L GB

X - Orioles 68 93

Nationals 59 102 9

Chicago

W L GB

X - Cubs 97 64

White Sox 89 74 9

LA/Orange County

W L GB

X - Angels 100 62

Dodgers 84 78 16

SF/Oakland

W L GB

X - Athletics 76 85

Giants 72 90 4.5

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So long and thanks for playing this year

1. Washington (8/31)
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Seth McClung of Milwaukee by Koyie Hill of the Cubs on September 26, 2008.

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The Greatest?

2005-06-16 05:35

by Alex Belth

Bill James once labled Rickey Henderson as the most underappreciated great player of his time. A few days ago, Joe Sheehan wrote that "Frank Robinson is one of the most underrated managers in history, a guy who has consistently posted records above his team's talent--the anti-Baker, if you will." The same day I was reading through Sports Illustrated's new collection of "Great Baseball Writing" and stumbled across a piece on Roberto Clemente. It must have been written in the late sixties. The writer mentioned that Clemente was very good but not yet in the Mays-Mantle-Aaron class. My first thought was, "What about Frank Robinson?" So let me put it out there: Is Frank Robinson the most underappreciated great baseball figure since World War II, or what?

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Comments

2005-06-16 07:26:40

1. graciebarn

If I remember correctly, Allen Barra's "Brushbacks and Knockdowns" argues for Mike Schmidt as the best or the most something. I'm not sure if it was underappreciated though.

2005-06-16 07:52:31

2. Bob Timmermann

Barra also thinks that Juan Marichal is the most unappreciated pitcher.

Still, Robinson's teams have never won anything and I will be surprised if the Nats are playing in the postseason.

2005-06-16 08:01:48

3. Murray

Aside from the statistical greatness, Frank Robinson also has all the intangible things people love to talk about: he was a team leader, a hustling, hard-nosed player and he even had a sense of humor. Frank doesn't always come across as likeable, however.

2005-06-16 10:26:51

4. NetShrine

Robby's in the HOF - plus, he's the first black MGR. His name will never be forgotten.

How about Edgar Martinez?
Outside of Seattle, in 20 years, he may be totally forgotten - and, that would be a shame.

2005-06-16 11:46:47

5. Cliff Corcoran

Bob, as a player, Robinson played in the 1961, 1966, 1969, 1970 & 1971 World Series, winning in '66 and '70. That said, I think we'll all be surprised if the Nats are in the postseason, but not because Frank Robinson is there mananger.

2005-06-16 11:53:32

6. Cliff Corcoran

Also, I would argue for Frank Thomas and Dick Allen in the list of must underappreciated hitters since WWII argument. Maybe Jeff Bagwell too. Thomas and Allen have had extracurricular issues cloud their greatness (Thomas's being injuries), and it may be my AL East perspective, but I don't think Bagwell's gotten his due either.

Schmidt is the greatest third baseman to ever play the game, and is generally regarded as such, I don't think he's underapprecaited any more than the position is as a whole. Marichal is a great catch by Barra.

2005-06-16 13:12:06

7. Alex Belth

It's funny about Maricial. His stock really dropped by the time he was elected to the Hall. I know he didn't make it on the first go round. But according to a piece that Roger Angell wrote on Bob Gibson in the late 70s/early 80s called "Distance," Gibson's reputation had taken a big hit by that time as well. Now, Gibson and Koufax are regarded as the giants of that era, but I guess that wasn't always the case. If you ever get a chance, that article is really good. Gibson has a good quote on Maricial too. If I can find it, I'll post it. I know that Pete Rose said that Maricial was the best of all three because he could throw so many different pitches for strikes.

2005-06-16 18:57:25

8. Alex Belth

From that article, regarding Marichal. Angell writes:

"The talk shifted to pitchers, and Gibson (echoing Pete Rose) siad he thought that Juan Marichal had been the best hurler of their time, because of his absolute control. "I had a better fastball and a better slider, but he was a better pitcher than me or Koufax," he said.

2005-06-17 14:07:54

9. Borchard504

Love the 'anti-Baker' line. I too have been very impressed with how Robbie's teams have over achieved. Give the man some props I say.

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