Most underappreciated/undercollected players

[KCRfan1]

rats, that's a great observation about Seaver. Aside from his rookie card, Seaver is affordable and almost never mentioned among greats of the game.

[oldjudge]

From my perspective it is John Ward. If you ask me to name the most important people in 19th century baseball I would say Al Spalding, John Ward, Harry Wright and Henry Chadwick, in that order. Ward was a great pitcher who threw the second perfect game in NL history. After he threw out his arm he became an all star shortstop, batting third for the power laden N Y Giant lineup that also had Ewing, Connor and O’Rourke. He married Helen Dauvray who donated the trophy, The Dauvray Cup, that was awarded to the champion of baseball from 1887-1893. He organized and was President of the player’s union, and orchestrated the formation of the Player’s League. While a player with the Giants he received his law degree at Columbia. After his baseball career was over he provided legal advice to players and, in his spare time, managed to become a champion golfer.

[Tao_Moko]

Eddie Collins pre-war and Rickey Henderson post war.

[mrvster]

Maris and Duffy

[skil55voy]

Hank Greenberg and Curt Flood

[Marchillo]

My first thought was Frank Robinson but how about Hank Aaron.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

rats, that's a great observation about Seaver. Aside from his rookie card, Seaver is affordable and almost never mentioned among greats of the game.

I agree. One could call him the greatest pitcher of all time and while one would certainly get arguments, it would not be an indefensible claim. To me it's absurd that Ryan has so much more glamour among collectors. Ryan did not hold a candle to Seaver as a pitcher.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by skil55voy

Hank Greenberg and Curt Flood

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Lots of good candidates on the Negro League side but I'll go with Oscar Charleston, great 5 tool player.

and Tom Seaver - I modeled my 'drop-n-drive' delivery on his. Enjoyed watching Huddy do it too.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I agree. One could call him the greatest pitcher of all time and while one would certainly get arguments, it would not be an indefensible claim. To me it's absurd that Ryan has so much more glamour among collectors. Ryan did not hold a candle to Seaver as a pitcher.

Agreed. But he did hold a great headlock to Ventura

[Prince Hal]

Allie Reynolds - Lifetime 182/107 and 48 saves. He was even better in the post season at 7/2 with a 2.79 ERA. His first 5 years were with the Indians too. He was a 6 time all-star. He threw two no hitters in one year.

[Buythatcard]

Roger Maris and Willie Mays

[Touch'EmAll]

I respectfully disagree about Ryan "not being able to hold a candle to Tom Seaver." Yes, Seaver was great. But c'mon folks, we're not talking Ted Williams vs. Harold Baines here. Seaver garnered 98.84 HOF voting percentage (#2 all time), Ryan was at 98.79% (#3 all time) - pretty close. I won't get into any records. Jeesh.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

I respectfully disagree about Ryan "not being able to hold a candle to Tom Seaver." Yes, Seaver was great. But c'mon folks, we're not talking Ted Williams vs. Harold Baines here. Seaver garnered 98.84 HOF voting percentage (#2 all time), Ryan was at 98.79% (#3 all time) - pretty close. I won't get into any records. Jeesh.

I will

Career WAR
Seaver 110.1
Ryan 81.8

162 game averages
Seaver. Ryan
W/L 16-11. 14-13
% .603. .526
ERA. 2.86. 3.19
K. 190. 246
WHIP 1.121. 1.247
FIP. 3.04. 2.97
ERA+ 127. 112

Ryan has the advantage in strike outs and no hitters. Seaver has the advantage in everything else, most importantly in run prevention and value that leads to team wins. The idea that the Seaver RC PSA pop 2456 sells for less than the Ryan RC PSA pop 8531 is a joke.