Most underated multiple times batting champs?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Not really trivia but interesting to think about.

To me three jump to mind.

Mickey Vernon, who between his accomplishments and his service time interrupting his prime is a borderline HOF'er that gets no love.

Pete Runnels - interestingly part of one of the most even trades of all time that benefited nobody. Sox and Angels, Runnels for Roman Mejias, both of whom never produced again. Runnels coming off a batting title and Mejias coming off a very solid 24 HR season.

Bill Madlock - 4 Batting titles, 0 respect.

Who else?

[Jim65]

Willie McGee

[Cliff Bowman]

First guy that popped into my head was Ferris Fain, other than his two batting titles he only hit .300 one other year. ETA, oops, I guess he would fall under most overrated .

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

First guy that popped into my head was Ferris Fain, other than his two batting titles he only hit .300 one other year.

Good call, almost a Pete Runnels clone except he took NO walks if I recall correctly.

[Seven]

While not necessarily underrated, I feel Wade Boggs does not get a whole lot of respect nowadays. Maybe it was due to his lack of power, I'm not quite sure but I feel like he's not talked about enough.

A more recent pick would be Nomar. Guy was an absolute terror at the plate.

[Rad_Hazard]

Paul Hines - 2 Batting Titles - 0 Respect

First triple crown winner and first to ever pull off an unassisted triple play (allegedly). Legend.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Seven

While not necessarily underrated, I feel Wade Boggs does not get a whole lot of respect nowadays. Maybe it was due to his lack of power, I'm not quite sure but I feel like he's not talked about enough.

A more recent pick would be Nomar. Guy was an absolute terror at the plate.

It does seem Gwyyn gets a lot more love, even though if I was drafting a team today and I could have either of them for the careers they put up I take Boggs. I've also always wondered why the Red Sox delayed his development so long. Two full seasons at AA and Two more full seasons at AAA even though he produced right away at each level. Accounts for his relatively late start at age 24.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Seven

While not necessarily underrated, I feel Wade Boggs does not get a whole lot of respect nowadays. Maybe it was due to his lack of power, I'm not quite sure but I feel like he's not talked about enough.

A more recent pick would be Nomar. Guy was an absolute terror at the plate.

Hell yeah, Boggs was under-rated. Check out his 1987 season and then explain to me how he came in 9th in the MVP race.

He's a modern statisticians dream player.

Boggs was also much better defensively, then he ever got credit for. Even in his earlier years when he was getting charged with a lot of errors, his range factor was always excellent.

[howard38]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Good call, almost a Pete Runnels clone except he took NO walks if I recall correctly.

Fain had one of the highest walk rates of all time. Runnels’ was above average but probably 50% lower. As such Id say Fain is the most underrated.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by howard38

Fain had one of the highest walk rates of all time. Runnels’ was above average but probably 50% lower. As such Id say Fain is the most underrated.

Thinking of Don Mueller. Another guy who ALMOST won two batting titles but came up a little short 2x and NEVER walked.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Jim65

Willie McGee

Willie only gets there with an asterisk though. Eddie Murray actually led the majors in hitting the year of McGee's 2nd title but Willie won the batting title in the NL due to a timely trade to the A's. He had enough at bats to be official in the NL where he hit .332 but his batting average with the A's was enough to drop him to .324 for the season. Murray hit .331 for the Dodgers and Brett hit .329, so Eddie Murray led the majors in batting without winning a batting title. Numbers are from memory, so they may not be perfect, but they demonstrate the phenomenon.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Willie only gets there with an asterisk though. Eddie Murray actually led the majors in hitting the year of McGee's 2nd title but Willie won the batting title in the NL due to a timely trade to the A's. He had enough at bats to be official in the NL where he hit .332 but his batting average with the A's was enough to drop him to .324 for the season. Murray hit .331 for the Dodgers and Brett hit .329, so Eddie Murray led the majors in batting without winning a batting title. Numbers are from memory, so they may not be perfect, but they demonstrate the phenomenon.

Very good one Scott I forgot about Eddie Murray and the trade. Great story that one

[GaryPassamonte]

Ross Barnes- 3 titles

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Ross Barnes- 3 titles

Yes! And finished top three in two other years, if I'm not mistaken.

[Snapolit1]

Bill Madlock

.... ah, somehow overlooked him on your list . . . .