Who's the greatest baseball player most baseball fans have never even heard of?

Question

I think it's Sadaharu. You can say all you want. That Japanese baseball is different, they see the same pitchers more often, smaller stadiums, etc. But this guy was a great player.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadaharu_Oh

Answer 1

I'd have to say Josh Gibson.

This guy was widely regarded as "The Black Babe Ruth" and yet nobody knows who he is. For his career he probably hit more home runs than Ruth.

And for the record, in 1972, he was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame... and people still have no clue who he is. His plaque credits him with "almost 800 homers".

He also won 9 home run titles, and 4 batting titles, and batted over .400 with a slugging percentage over 1.000 in consecutive seasons in the late 1930's.

One of the better Josh Gibson stories goes something like this: In the last of the ninth at Pittsburgh, down a run, with a runner on base and two outs, Gibson hits one high and deep, so far into the twilight sky that it disappears from sight, apparently winning the game. The next day, the same two teams are playing again, now in Washington. Just as the teams have positioned themselves on the field, a ball comes falling out of the sky and a Washington outfielder grabs it. The umpire yells to Gibson, "You're out! In Pittsburgh, yesterday!"

Answer 2

Tony Conigliaro was a great hitter who had his career cut short when he was beaned in the head by a Jack Hamilton pitch in 1967. Conigliaro had a 100+ HR's before age 20 and he was also a great defensive Right Fielder. I see people saying Honus Wagner and that makes me laugh because Honus Wagner is one of the most famous and well known players ever.

Answer 3

with the level of competition and technology in the present time, i don't think any of the hall of famers prior to the 80's would have put up those type of numbers they did if they were to play in today's times. there are many pitches such as the slider, slurve, knuckle curve that weren't even developed until the late 70's. if babe ruth had to face pitchers like a johan satana, roy halladay, even a carl pavano, his career numbers would most likely look similar to a richie sexson's. it's difficult to mention the greatest babeball player that fans never heard of because if a player had any talent, the media would've made sure he would of be recognized for it. i can't think of anyone who was an all time great that had a quiet career, maybe paul molitor, george brett, robin yount, all great players that played for below avg teams(except molitor, won a ring in toronto or minnessota late in his career), but i can think of some players who had a great promises than things went south. i guess the most recent busts were mark prior & kerry wood, who took their cubbies late into the playoffs early in their career than injuries have held them on the bench. but i think the biggest superstars gone south has to be dwight "doc" gooden and darryl "daaa - rryllllll" strawberry. doc had unbelievable stuff and strawberry was a stud w/ the bat. doc was a 20 game winner when he was younger than 20 yrs and both were considered to be all time greats. i can't imagine what career numbers they both would of had if they didnt ruin their lives. too bad they fell into the life style of rick james.

"cocaine is a helluva drug"

it sure was for them

Answer 4

Honus Wagner. If there had been an MVP award in his time, he'd have won half a dozen of 'em.

Granted, his baseball card makes the news whenever one sells, but that's not the same thing. Modern fans don't really know his name or what he did on the diamond. He really was THAT good.

Answer 5

specific, they have a suited. whether, in the event that they do it is basically jealousy for my section. they does not be complaining in the event that they have been interior an identical place. it is specific people who purchase tickets who think of because of the fact they offered a seat they are able to assert such issues. properly, they are able to stay at abode in the event that they do no longer elect to make a contribution to the insanity and supply up watching the video games on television besides. yet there's a reason those adult adult males gets a commission what they do, it is because is the going cost for entertainers of their calibur. in the event that they are not getting the money then who does? the owner? the money has to bypass someplace and that i think of it is going to the final human beings, people who get accessible and bust their butts on the sector.

Answer 6

Despite spending most of his career in Ty Cobb's considerable shadow, Tris Speaker's .345 lifetime batting average and revolutionary defensive play made him one of Cobb's few rivals as the greatest player of the 1910s. Speaker's specialty was hitting doubles - he led the league eight times and still holds the career mark with 793. His shallow play in center field enabled him to record 450 assists, placing him comfortably atop the all-time list. One of baseball's most successful player-managers, he guided Cleveland to a World Championship in 1920

Answer 7

I would have to say Honus Wagner. He played a long time ago but was a great player. Check out his stats sometime.

Answer 8

Bill Hall - Milwaukee Brewers

Answer 9

Vita Blue

Answer 10

Josh Gibson for sure, more career HRs than Aaron