Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

Al Oliver. His cards have hits all over them but he doesn't hit for power much and can't play defense. That being said, he is a hitting machine.

Well, Al "Scoop" Oliver is back on the Hall of Fame ballot -

Perhaps he'll get some love from the veterans' committee.

Since he played in small markets (Pittsburgh, Texas, Montreal) during his career, he may have lacked exposure to potential voters. Al had a .303 batting average over his career with 1,326 RBIs, 2,743 hits and 529 doubles. According to my baseball reference, he won three (3) Silver Slugger Awards, a batting title, owns a World Series Ring (with Pittsburgh 1971) and made seven (7) All Star teams.

What is even more remarkable, Al outhit MLB except for Pete Rose and Rod Carew and there were only three (3) players who had more RBIs (Reggie Jackson, Tony Perez, and Johnny Bench) during Al's playing career.

Oliver is a great pick for that distinction. My personal favorite "Best hitter that is almost never used" is Dusty Baker.

1) My second 80's team when I didn't "know" Dusty was overpriced and couldn't hit:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=24386

(also check out perennial FA Ellis Valentine on that team).

2) Here's a team where I traded Raines (are you kiddin me your asking?) for Dusty:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=58859

3) Here's Dusty on a current team quite possibly turning them into the "Wild-Card Team from Hell":

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=77640

(Just never let Dusty manage your team...)

Oliver is great in a pitcher's part--lots of hits, positive clutch in all years. Don't think I'd want him in a hitter's park, though.

Bo Jackson can be quite a bargain. Put aside the ks and the relatively low obp, he quietly hits 40+ homers every year. As long as you can stay away from his first and last cards, and the injury bug (he never amassed 600ABs), then you have a DH/LF that should be able to crank 'em out with the best of them for 3.12MM. :wink:

A pair of Mariners fit the bill here - Bochte & Alvin Davis can both be productive sticks. I love both of them at Royals Stadium, in particular. Also, don't under estimate "Wimpy" Tom Paciorek. He had a stellar year at the Kingdome for me one season.

I hardly see him.

Kevin Seitzer, good hitter and plays multiple positions. Hardly ever used. I have had very good success with him as a DH filling in occasionally at 3rd, 2nd, 1st and left field.

Keith Moreland

I don't know if he qualifies as "never used" but Luzinski can be awfully good--and he rarely starts the season on any team--including mine. But he's been a great mid-season pickup for me on several occasions.

Hal McRae can be devastating, though he's less consistent than Luzinski.

Ron Cey can be really good in a HR park. Like Dusty he played in Dodger and I find these guys and other Dodger Stadium players often out-perform their cards. This holds for Scoscia as well. Any Garvey fans out there?? I've never used him.

By the same token, I think Luzinksi does so well in part because three of his years were in Comiskey. Also, put Fisk in a HR park and he's gonna hammer th ball. HR hitters who played in pitchers' parks are generally worth a second look.