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by **NEILKAHN** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:01 pm

The character from the musical Damn Yankees, for one year transformed into a God of baseball by the Devil, got me to thinking about such players, who had one great, even HOF caliber season, only to sink thereafter into obscurity, or at least, relative mediocrity. Some nominees....C-Earl Williams 1B-I am tempted to say Norm Cash, who never duplicated his rookie season, but he was a functional player for several years, including one World Champion. How about Tony Horton? 2B Bret Boone, Dave Johnson, and Tommy Herr had one season which dwarfed all others, but all had reasonable careers around them...shall we say Bobby Avila? SS Lou Boudreau...yes, he was a starter for years, but he never had anything remotely like 1948 before or after.Zoilo Versailles, if you prefer.... 3B Ken Caminitti... LF I should say Yaz, but he was too good for the rest of his career...likewise Billy Williams and his 1970 season. He won a batting title later, methinks. How about Alex Johnson? CF Clarence Gaston RF Jim Hickman...Pitchers Mark Fidrych, Wayne Simpson, Gene Beardon, Wayne Garland, Dick Radatz, and who was that Reds pitcher in 1990 that was unhittable, then on the DL for about 10 years?

by **The Last Druid** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:38 pm

That would be Jose Rijo. Didn't he marry into the Mays family, makes him a spiritual kin of Bonds.

Fydrich is the most striking example I can think of although Brady Anderson's 50 hr season might get some votes. Jim Hickman's 70 season comes close: 33 hrs and .315 if I recall correctly. Randy Jones of the Padres might be a thought. Jones of the 69 Mets might be worth a look.

by **NEILKAHN** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:14 am

I am tempted to nominate Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, although the book is not yet closed on them. I would have said Jaret Wright, but the Braves straightened him out by convincing him to stop overthrowing. Derek Lowe was great one year, and rotten the next, but did he not have at least one good season as a reliever for the Pale Hose? Julian Tavarez was awful for years after a great rookie season, but he seems to have found it again for the Cards. I think we are going to have to rule out the guys that only have good half seasons, just too damn many of them. Petrosian mentioned Randy Jones, but did he not win 20 at least 2 seasons for the Padres? Two seasons would exclude him. I am not sure John Rocker ever put together an entire season. Steve Blass tanked but had at least 4 seasons before that when he was above average. Strange story, though. I swear he must have had some sort of small stroke, or something neurological to explain his complete loss of his control. I wonder if he went on to develop Parkinson's disease?

by **doctrcpa** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:38 am

Joe Charbaneau could be your DH. After winning ROY for the Indians (1979?), he never did much again. Maybe it came from opening too many beer bottles with his eye sockett.

Re: Norm Cash - didn't he admit to using a corked bat in his one huge season?

by **doctrcpa** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:40 am

When I saw the subject for this thread, my first thought was that you were talking about one of the characters from The Hardy Boys mystery novels. :D

by **NEILKAHN** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:14 am

I thought about Charboneau, but I am not be sure how to spell his name, and I am too lazy to look it up.

by **doctrcpa** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:23 am

Obviously I love this topic....

SP - Wayne Garland 1976 Orioles. Wins 20 games. Signs big free agent contract with Indians. Tears rotator cuff. Career over.

SP - Steve Stone 1979 Orioles. Won 25 games by throwing curve after curve after curve.

RP - Joe Borowski had a huge year for the Cubs I think just a couple of years ago.

C - Rick Wilkins, Cubs, around 1993. He came out of nowhere and hit 30 HR.

Being a Yankee fan, I am sure that George signed some free agents in the 1980s that would fall into this category too. I cannot remember any of them at the moment.

by **NEILKAHN** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:25 am

Ray Fosse was never the same after the Rose collision in his rookie season, but he started for the World Champion A's, so that suggests some measure of success. Len Barker. Brook Jacoby. The Indians of the 70's and 80's specialized in such players. Cory Snyder. Charlie Spikes. Alex Cole.... Karim Garcia? Still active, however. Greg Kittle. Jeff Burroughs.

by **NEILKAHN** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:27 am

Free agent busts should be a seperate thread!

by **doctrcpa** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:41 am

I know noe of the guys I mentioned are in ATG, I am just enjoying a trip down memory lane.

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