Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

We do not yet have an off-topic forum, though many of us would like to discuss off-topic subjects. So, I'm starting this poll/commentary thread on both a baseball and a non-baseball topic. For the first part, feel free to name 1-5 of the MLB players you most consider underrated or unheralded. For the second part name up to 9 of what you consider the greatest TV shows ever. Considering we have a substantial spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and trainings, we should have an interesting array. I'll start:

Most Underrated Players
1. Anthony Rendon, 2b-3b, Washington. Best college hitter of his era has finally arrived.
2. Henderson Alvarez, SP, Miami. The Marlins definitely won their "Salary-Dump" trade with Toronto
3. Adam Eaton, Cf, Chicago (AL). Has become the prototypical Cf-leadoff man...worth more than Trumbo alone.
4. Matt Shoemaker, SP, Los Angeles. Lost in Garrett Richards' breakout year, Shoemaker has become a 2-3 starter.
5. J.D. Martinez, Lf, Detroit. The worst teams often misread their own talent. Houston would love his bat back.

Greatest TV Shows
1. Breaking Bad
2. The Sopranos
3. The Wire
4. Lost
5. Seinfeld
6. Battlestar Galactica
7. The X-files
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm
9. True Detective.

1.Breaking Bad
2.Dexter
3.Sopranos
4.Shameless
5.Weeds
6.This Week in Baseball (Mel Allen era)
7.Dream On
8.Six Feet Under
9.M.A.S.H.
10. All the great sporting events over the years (real reality TV)

Pitchers:
1. Tyson Ross
2. Lance Lynn
3. Doug Fister
4. Henderson Alverez
5. Andrew Cashner

Hitters:
1. Michael Brantly
2. Will Ramos
3. Nolan Arenado
4. Carlos Gomez
5. Freddie Freeman

define underrated?

That's a great question. It's partly why I added "unheralded" to the mix. Obviously, most major league players know who the good players are, even if many fans and sports writers do not. So, underrated can refer to those players who have done solid-to-excellent work for years, but have yet to receive proper recognition. Players like Todd Frazier could meet this definition. It could also refer to those newly arriving players whose work is not receiving national notice. Jake Arrieta and Neil Ramirez (another Theo coup) are such players.

However, everyone on this thread is free to define "underrated" as they please...and free to choose their players under that definition.

Obviously there is no definition for great television shows. Blansky's Beauties, Joanie Loves Chachi, The Ropers, The Art of Being Nick, Joey, My Mother the Car, Small Wonder, and Cop Rock are all eligible.

TV Shows

To go along with your choices of Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, LOST, Seinfeld and the X-Files...

Arrested Development
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The League
Six Feet Under
Quantum Leap
Star Trek
Twin Peaks
Family Guy

Japanese TV shows

I don't have cable, and live on the side of a hill, so I have to download anything to watch.

For those who like Japanese Anime here is a good list to watch

Boku no Pico
Aki Sora
Kodomo no Jikan
Yosuga no Sora
Pupa

Enjoy!

There are some great shows listed above but here are some I loved as a kid:

Rockford Files. (R.I.P.)
M*A*S*H*
All in the Family

Jorge De La Rosa - success @ Coors, actually wants to be here in Denver!
Huston Street - consistant!, Angels scored big!

TV: (not mentioned yet)
Deadwood (gone too soon!)
The Simpsons
News Radio (loved Phil Hartman)
1st couple of seasons of 24 (lost interest after awhile)
King of the Hill

l.strether wrote:7. The X-files

Wasn't this a show about conspiracy theories? Hmmmm

Players
1. Dick Dietz - A valuable OBP catcher with some power that would be much more appreciated today. His career OBP was .390.
2. Brett Butler - One of the great leadoff hitters and bunters of the 1980s and early 1990s, Brett Butler somehow only made one All-Star game over his 17-year career. He led the National League in hits with 192 in 1990 as a member of the Giants, led the National League in runs scored twice and triples four times while consistently placing near the top of the league in stolen bases.
3. Dave Stieb - When it comes to the great pitchers of the 1980s, much is made of Tigers great Jack Morris and whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame, but nobody ever brings up the Blue Jays' Dave Stieb. From 1980 through 1990, Stieb's averaged a record of 14-10 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.22 WHIP and nine complete games.


Favorite TV Shows in no particular order:
Honeymoners
The League
American Pickers
All in the Family
Mad Men
Andy Griffith
Ice Road Truckers