0
0
Send a message to:
Add Friends
Since this past week was a short one in terms of normalcy, I thought I would devote the week's commentary to what I call "One Hit Wonders". On American Top 40 this week, we will look at those seasons that were truly an anomaly for players: One season for the ages. Players listed had once in a lifetime seasons which were never done before or never replicated.
1. Steve Stone, 1980. Really, a journeyman pitcher who finally broke through, albeit just once. The Cy Young Award winner with a 25-7 record.
2. Mark Fidrych, 1976. The Bird captivated fans in this magical year as he won 19 games, had a 2.34 ERA and won Rookie Of The Year in the AL. He was the never the same afterwards, battling arm injuries throughout the rest of his career.
3. Alex Johnson, 1970. Won the AL Batting title with a .329 BA. Johnson did hit over .300 in the two previous seasons, but really was a journeyman afterwards, hitting .288 for his career. His 1970 season really did stand out.
4. Mike Norris, 1980. Went 22-9 with a 2.53 ERA and 24 complete games. This was the era of "Billy Ball" in Oakland and while Norris had a decent 1981, he was never the same due to arm issues.
5. Mark Davis, 1989. 44 saves and the Cy Young Award; only 11 saves the last 8 years of his career.
6. Zoilo Versalles, 1965. AL MVP as he helped lead the Twins to the AL pennant. His stats were really not that impressive, especially after 1965.
7. Kevin Mitchell, 1989. MVP in 1989. Granted, Mitchell had a couple of decent seasons before and after, but nothing really matched his 1989 season. Mitchell had a penchant for getting in trouble on and off the field.
8. Willie Hernandez, 1984. Detroit was phenomenal in 1984, as Hernandez had the very rare feat of winning both the AL Cy Young award and MVP in the same year (as a relief pitcher no less. He never matched his 1984 season, although he was a solid, if not unspectacular, reliever.
9. Bobby Shantz, 1952. 24-7 for the Philadelphia A's, good enough to win the AL MVP (there was no Cy Young Award at that point). Although a good fielder (8 consecutive Gold Gloves won), Shantz never matched this season.
10. Jim Konstanty, 1950. In an age where relief pitching was much different than it is today, Konstanty stood out in 1950 as the Philadelphia Phillies won the NL pennant. Konstanty won the MVP that year and 1950 was really the only year that stood out. He was decent reliever, but nothing like 1950 (16-7, 22 saves)
I'm sure there are many many more "one hit wonders" in baseball history, but what made this list one the toughest I've ever done is that so many players had breakout years, but where solid before and after. Ken Caminiti, Jerome Walton, perhaps in some ways Fred Lynn, and Denny McLain were players I considered for my Top Ten. Please feel free to email me with your suggestions.
Share it
Comment!
Top comment earns 300 Points!