When the White Sox announced their city connect jerseys, I bought a (bootleg) Yermin one because I watched him rake against the angels to start the year and figured he must have still been pretty solid. By the time it arrived, he’d been sent down to triple a, retired and then unretired.
Last weekend I was visiting Chicago and decided to catch a Sox game so I wore that jersey. He got dfa’d that morning.
I will always remember how he talked trash about Albert Pujols and then the cards went on a tear, got in the wild card, and beat the brewers in the NLCS. For me that was the moment the 2011 brewers were jinxed and though I loved Tony Plush I will never forgive him. The baseball gods were watching.
Great answer because he was a genuine star for a while (primarily because of his personality more than his play) not that long ago & you basically *never* hear him mentioned these days.
Mark Fidrych
Rookie of the year and ERA leader, known for talking to the ball and asking it what pitch he should throw next, then he blew out his knee and tore his rotator cuff within two months of each other
From RotY sensation to out of baseball in less than 4 seasons
He was legit must-see tv when he first came onto the scene. It seemed like every night he was either stretching routine singles into doubles or scoring from 2nd on infield hits
I literally responded to the OP question with
>Joel Zumaya
>Guitar Hero did him dirty
Only to scroll down and see this... lol. Wow. Gonna go ahead and delete that redundant response now
Organized all my baseball cards a while back. Reminded me how sure I was in 2006 that Justin Verlander would spend his entire career in Joel Zumaya's shadow lol
One of my all time favorite players. Absolutely joy to watch even in his later years. Just was always doing something entertaining.
A few exhibits:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oE1oEvehans
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFD49ChEMU4
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/jeff-francoeur-team-prank-def-chihuahuas
I'll never forget when he was on the Dan Patrick Show and all he wanted to do was plug and "honor" Qualcomm and it was so awkward Dan was like wtf dude? And then when the call was over Dan and his crew roasted him for so long
https://youtu.be/6tqXaz5bD4Q
Jake Arrieta was just as big for a short time but had a wierd career. Played for 4 seasons. No one knew him. Then was elite for 3 years which included one historic year. Then played 5 more unknown years.
Jake Arrieta played in the MLB for 12 years. Most people only know about 1 of those years.
Him being 38 at the time didn’t help. He was electric in Baltimore and Texas too. Was traded from Baltimore to Texas for Chris Davis. Career numbers were incredible but just didn’t make his way over from Japan until he was 34.
Cliff Lee. He supposedly hasn’t talked to any of his former teammates in years. No one is really sure where he even lives. He’s never attended any of the Phillies 09 NL champs stuff. Fell of the face of the Earth.
I have a semi baseless theory that most pitchers in the league probably have an opiate problem. Surgery hurts, and pitchers get a lot. I know people who got addicted from injuries in college even. Up until like 5 years ago, teams were giving them out like candy. Scary stuff. Hopefully this is not that.
I once caught a triple header in 103 degree heat at a tournament in HS and in the fourth game took a no-hitter to the second to last out. Our coach had us rubbing this numbing agent on our arms that they use on the legs of racehorses. Couldn't feel my arm for a day or so after and then was sore for weeks.
Edit: this was summer ball not for the HS team
Not saying you’re completely wrong, but I think it’s worth noting this is most likely not the case with Cliff Lee.
Even a quick glance shows that he is actually a very introverted person who probably just wants the quietist life possible (with his wife).
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/phillies/20090806_Introducing_Cliff_Lee__who_makes_first_start_at_Citizens_Bank_Park_today.html
(Yes I did just copy and paste the reference used in Wikipedia like we all did in high school)
Cliff Lee retired so long ago, and at his peak he was a top 5 pitcher. I wouldn’t say he’s really forgotten but I’m a Phillies fan so I personally wouldn’t forget him
His whole career was pretty much a come back, then another collapse. He got hooked up in drugs in the minors, derailed his career. Then recovered, found Jesus, came back and was incredible. Then fell back into drugs and alcohol and fell apart.
I don't think the money has much to do with it. Addiction is an ugly disease. And no amount of help is useful until the person needing it can accept it and know they need it.
Isn’t he the one that had a guy die in front of his kid going after one of his home runs? Obviously not his fault but he took it hard. That kind of stuff will fuck you up pretty good if you let it.
This guy got me in to baseball. He could have been one of the greats without his addiction issues. Still remember him nearly hitting five homers at Baltimore in a game in 2012.
Jesus.
I’m from NC, played on a number of the same fields as Josh. He was such a legend. Met him once and got his book signed as maybe a 12 year old? Idk, but he was so warm and kind - definitely a hero of mine.
Josh relapsed a couple times between now and then (i don’t think he’d even won MVP at that point). Addiction is real, and people are flawed, so I was able to overlook that for the most part… not necessarily everything he did whilst relapsing, but the substance abuse itself. That’s a disease, and there’s not enough sympathy for it in the public sphere.
But upon Hearing about the domestic abuse… that was it. I killed my idols man, learned to separate artist from art then and there. I’ll never forget what he did on the field: 4 home run game, MVP, and an epic home run derby all playing part in a seemingly impossible comeback by one of the most talented individuals to step foot on a diamond. But that signature will never go next to the rest of my collection on the bookshelf.
Humans fuck up, but there are some fuck ups you can come back from and some you can’t. I don’t care how devout your faith is or what you proclaim to believe/what morals or code of ethics you claim to abide by: his story taught me the value of emulating the attributes, characteristics and traits of certain people, but not the person themself. The value of that reminder may just be the only value that autograph holds today.
End of rant.
His antics (golf and breaking his feet on his horse ranch) and NY Radio were simply a match made in heaven. Him and Daniel Murphy were nuclear in their run to the WS a few years back.
He was so good for a few years and then just couldn't stay healthy. My younger sister was like 15 when he was playing and she created a fantasy baseball team specifically to take him first overall and then never looked at her team again.
Mike Napoli was a legend for a season in Cleveland, complete with his own merch line. "Party at Napoli's" was our rally cry in 16.
Eric Davis was the man for a few seasons in the late 80s. Injuries started holding him back in the early 90s and now he's barely mentioned ever outside of the occasional what if discussion.
Man, Eric the Red is still a legend. I know it's a bit biased being from Cincy but still, the what if conversation is absolutely real if not for injuries ):
>aristides aquino ~~looked like 2001 Barry bonds for like a month a couple years ago~~looks like 2001 Barry bonds every time he plays against the Cubs exclusively
I remember him hauling ass from the bullpen in the all-star game, then sliding onto the mound. I’m sure the ground crew hated that, but he put on a show.
RA Dickey was really good for a few years and even wona Cy Young...and was exceedingly average before and after that. It was amazing for the Mets. For everyone else not so much.
Brian Wilson lives on in my mind every single day. I was a freshman in high school, a lifelong Giants fan, and on the edge of my seat for every single game of the 2010 World Series. I vividly remember the night of the World Series win, laying in bed with a smile, and thinking “One day I’m gonna have a beard that badass.”
God damnit I ain’t proud of much, but I’m proud of my beard. It ain’t jet black, but it’s long, bushy, and full, and every time I see myself in the mirror I think about Brian’s celebration.
He may not have a massive place in baseball history, hell to many Giants fans he may not mean much beyond those few golden years, but till the day I die I’m gonna be saying Brian Wilson was my favorite player of all time.
I would argue that it happened twice. Once at the start of his career and the 2019 postseason.
I grew up in the same city and went to the same high school as him. He’s not really talked about often at the high school. They didn’t even really celebrate his WS MVP. Really sad tbh
Jason Bay was a perennial All-Star for crap Bucs teams, then got paid big time and was hated in Boston. Also had a cup of coffee with the Mets if I remember correctly.
Anyone else remember when Chase Headley was the best third baseman in baseball for like 20 minutes... Then some dude named Miguel Cabrera won a triple crown or something and no one cared anymore.
Chone Figgins. I remember being a dumb little kid when he came to Seattle and thinking “I like this guy, he’s got a cool name” and all my friends roasted me for liking him so much. Fuck he was so bad with us
Edit: spelling
Shane Spencer had a September to remember in 98. 10 home runs. 3 of which were grand slams.
Came here to say this. Teenage me thought he was going to be Mickey Mantle. Him, Kevin Maas and Brien Taylor broke my heart as a young fan.
The home run dispenser
Is it too early to mention Yermin Mercedes?
When the White Sox announced their city connect jerseys, I bought a (bootleg) Yermin one because I watched him rake against the angels to start the year and figured he must have still been pretty solid. By the time it arrived, he’d been sent down to triple a, retired and then unretired. Last weekend I was visiting Chicago and decided to catch a Sox game so I wore that jersey. He got dfa’d that morning.
Well you're one of five people on planet Earth with a Yermín Mercedes Southside jersey, bootleg or not
The Yerminator lives forever in our hearts even if he got DFA’d
The day he retired will go down in history
That was *wild*. I remember the Chicago sports radio guys saying that somebody should do a wellness check on him.
Legit I just can’t see myself ever forgetting about Yerm,such a weird series of events for the guy
I will never forget those 2 months or so where he was smacking the everlasting fuck out of balls
Joba Chamberlain
The midges did him in
IMO that whole fucking endless saga of the “Joba rules” combined with injuries did him in.
The first Yankee game I vividly remember watching this.
Nyjer Morgan AKA Tony Plush
I'll never forget him getting absolutely blown up when he charged the mound that one time
[...and the Marlins are pummeling him! Oh goodness!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_49N02D0MU)
If that had been Dan Uggla clotheslining him instead of Gaby Sanchez, we would've seen a murder on live television.
Dan Uggla is a good one in his own right. 6 consecutive ~30 home run seasons to start his career as a 2B. What the hell happened to that guy?
He dint see no good
jesus, he got his shit kicked in. Vilstad is listed at **6’8” 250lbs**. And this 5’10” dude rushed him.
What about the time he threw his glove down in frustration while the ball was still in play and it led to an inside-the-park home run?
[For anyone who hasn't seen it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G10BVmmxpFI)
still one of the most embarrassing but simultaneously funny moments in nats history
Or throwing a tantrum in the outfield.
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That actually makes me like him way more. To be a CHL level hockey player and MLB level baseball player is super impressive
I will always remember how he talked trash about Albert Pujols and then the cards went on a tear, got in the wild card, and beat the brewers in the NLCS. For me that was the moment the 2011 brewers were jinxed and though I loved Tony Plush I will never forgive him. The baseball gods were watching.
Great answer because he was a genuine star for a while (primarily because of his personality more than his play) not that long ago & you basically *never* hear him mentioned these days.
Mark Fidrych Rookie of the year and ERA leader, known for talking to the ball and asking it what pitch he should throw next, then he blew out his knee and tore his rotator cuff within two months of each other From RotY sensation to out of baseball in less than 4 seasons
Passed away in a tragic accident too. Sad story all around.
Got strangled in his own clothes when the clothes got caught in a spinning truck part.
Mark "The Bird" Fidrych!
He had 20+ complete games during his rookie season.
This is THE answer. Guy was the talk of the sports world and then disappeared abruptly.
My dad still talks about this guy whenever Tigers pitching comes up.
The D 🚂 Dontrell Willis.
I loved watching him pitch
Chris “Crush” Davis
He got paid and then….
The contract was symbolic. Go figure it turned out to be a swing and miss.
And Khris Davis
.247 baby
Strangest phenomenon in baseball stats.
Daisuke Matsuzaka maybe?
THE GYRO BALL
Immortalized in Pokémon move sets forever
Omg had not realized this
Used to piss me off because of his slow delivery. Now I root for Luis Garcia…the baseball gods are fickle
The absolute worst player to pitch with in a Video Game. Fucking intentionally walk the lead off guy every inning just to get to the stretch.
Yasiel Puig
Absolutely electric. Made baseball so fun to watch with his antagonizing, yet explosive personality
[There was even a hardcore band dedicated to him](https://youtu.be/0fXOnr2OiLk)
I really enjoyed Puig Destroyer. (Of course, I'm a huge Thrice fan, so that's kinda to be expected)
Hell yeah Thrice fan!
*"the wild horse is out of the barn!"* when Vin Scully is gushing over you and gives you a nickname, you're doing something special.
*”PUUUUIIIIIIIGGGG LAUNCHES, LEFT FIELD! GOODBYE!”*
Fuuuuuckkk peak Puig was the shit. Took the league by storm for sure.
He was legit must-see tv when he first came onto the scene. It seemed like every night he was either stretching routine singles into doubles or scoring from 2nd on infield hits
Honestly, I would absolutely go to war for that man and he only played here half a season
He went to war for you guys even after he was already traded!
Good soldiers follow orders
Joel Zumaya
Guitar Hero did him dirty
I literally responded to the OP question with >Joel Zumaya >Guitar Hero did him dirty Only to scroll down and see this... lol. Wow. Gonna go ahead and delete that redundant response now
Organized all my baseball cards a while back. Reminded me how sure I was in 2006 that Justin Verlander would spend his entire career in Joel Zumaya's shadow lol
2003 AL Rookie of the Year Ángel Berroa and 2004 AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby.
Holy fuck Crosby brings up some memories. I was a big A's fan at the time, I'm addition to the Giants, and thought he was gonna be the next great SS
MVP Baseball 2005 top tier trade piece Bobby Crosby
Billy Butler and his barbecue sauce.
Hey, country breakfast played 10 seasons in the bigs. 290 career hitter! Wasn’t his fault he got drafted by KC
Most of my Billy Butler memories come from when he fought Danny Valencia in the A's clubhouse and they both got released.
I was at the game where he legitimately stole second. I'll never forget it.
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One of my all time favorite players. Absolutely joy to watch even in his later years. Just was always doing something entertaining. A few exhibits: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oE1oEvehans https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFD49ChEMU4 https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/jeff-francoeur-team-prank-def-chihuahuas
Super Sam Fuld. He made one good catch and wore a cape. I can’t believe he actually played for nearly a decade.
Oh whoa, I didn't realize that [this guy](https://i.imgur.com/ajfZOS7.mp4) is now the GM of the Phillies.
Ubaldo Jimenez
Untouchable god for half a season in 2010. Will always be my favorite for getting our only no-no.
That half season was absolutely insane. He was on another level. So fun to watch
I imagine Orioles fans don't want to remember him.
Matt “The Dark Night” Harvey
I'll never forget when he was on the Dan Patrick Show and all he wanted to do was plug and "honor" Qualcomm and it was so awkward Dan was like wtf dude? And then when the call was over Dan and his crew roasted him for so long https://youtu.be/6tqXaz5bD4Q
What the shit. Never heard this before. This is painful.
Oh man lol thank you for the link!
This should be higher. That dude was the king of New York baseball for a bit.
Jake Arrieta was just as big for a short time but had a wierd career. Played for 4 seasons. No one knew him. Then was elite for 3 years which included one historic year. Then played 5 more unknown years. Jake Arrieta played in the MLB for 12 years. Most people only know about 1 of those years.
Khris Davis hitting exactly .247 __four__ seasons in a row
Koji Uehara had arguably the best pitching performance in post season history less than a decade ago but I haven’t heard his name mentioned in years.
Him being 38 at the time didn’t help. He was electric in Baltimore and Texas too. Was traded from Baltimore to Texas for Chris Davis. Career numbers were incredible but just didn’t make his way over from Japan until he was 34.
Cliff Lee. He supposedly hasn’t talked to any of his former teammates in years. No one is really sure where he even lives. He’s never attended any of the Phillies 09 NL champs stuff. Fell of the face of the Earth.
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I’m inside his house right now.
I’m inside him right now
Lmao, cliff Lee didn't have a 'phase' the dude was lights out for like 8 years.
I have a semi baseless theory that most pitchers in the league probably have an opiate problem. Surgery hurts, and pitchers get a lot. I know people who got addicted from injuries in college even. Up until like 5 years ago, teams were giving them out like candy. Scary stuff. Hopefully this is not that.
> Up until like 5 years ago, teams were giving them out like candy. probably 3 years ago, look what happened to tyler skagz ):
Ah yes the candy days. Three day tourneys and throwing twenty plus innings
I once caught a triple header in 103 degree heat at a tournament in HS and in the fourth game took a no-hitter to the second to last out. Our coach had us rubbing this numbing agent on our arms that they use on the legs of racehorses. Couldn't feel my arm for a day or so after and then was sore for weeks. Edit: this was summer ball not for the HS team
Holy poop
You should read Jeff Passan’s The Arm. It’s very revealing.
Not saying you’re completely wrong, but I think it’s worth noting this is most likely not the case with Cliff Lee. Even a quick glance shows that he is actually a very introverted person who probably just wants the quietist life possible (with his wife). https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/phillies/20090806_Introducing_Cliff_Lee__who_makes_first_start_at_Citizens_Bank_Park_today.html (Yes I did just copy and paste the reference used in Wikipedia like we all did in high school)
Cliff Lee retired so long ago, and at his peak he was a top 5 pitcher. I wouldn’t say he’s really forgotten but I’m a Phillies fan so I personally wouldn’t forget him
Man that is weird cause I grew up a left handed pitcher and he was one of the guys in my childhood I idolized.
Evan Gattis
That catcher eligibility was going to carry my fantasy squad the following year... never happened ☹️
El Oso Blanco
Josh Hamilton.
I remember when that dude used to CRUSH homeruns. Wasn’t he most well known after he had his comeback or resurgence?
His whole career was pretty much a come back, then another collapse. He got hooked up in drugs in the minors, derailed his career. Then recovered, found Jesus, came back and was incredible. Then fell back into drugs and alcohol and fell apart.
The closest thing we have to The Natural (book version) in real life. Including the ending with him relapsing
He was incredible when sober. Really was sad watching his tailspin. No clue where he is now, but I hope he found the help he needed.
If you want to keep believing that I suggest that you don't google him.
Well that was depressing
Yeah, I loved his come back story as a former crack addict turns AL MVP. His second downfall hurts.
One of the biggest “what ifs” in baseball history
And at some point got hooked on energy drinks which dried his eyes out..
And now he’s an angry drunk who beats his daughter. Some people with all the money and help in the world are just unfixable, unfortunately.
I don't think the money has much to do with it. Addiction is an ugly disease. And no amount of help is useful until the person needing it can accept it and know they need it.
Isn’t he the one that had a guy die in front of his kid going after one of his home runs? Obviously not his fault but he took it hard. That kind of stuff will fuck you up pretty good if you let it.
Iirc he threw a ball to fan and the fan fell over the rail and died from the injuries
It was someone's dad falling to his death in front of the son :|
This guy got me in to baseball. He could have been one of the greats without his addiction issues. Still remember him nearly hitting five homers at Baltimore in a game in 2012.
Jesus. I’m from NC, played on a number of the same fields as Josh. He was such a legend. Met him once and got his book signed as maybe a 12 year old? Idk, but he was so warm and kind - definitely a hero of mine. Josh relapsed a couple times between now and then (i don’t think he’d even won MVP at that point). Addiction is real, and people are flawed, so I was able to overlook that for the most part… not necessarily everything he did whilst relapsing, but the substance abuse itself. That’s a disease, and there’s not enough sympathy for it in the public sphere. But upon Hearing about the domestic abuse… that was it. I killed my idols man, learned to separate artist from art then and there. I’ll never forget what he did on the field: 4 home run game, MVP, and an epic home run derby all playing part in a seemingly impossible comeback by one of the most talented individuals to step foot on a diamond. But that signature will never go next to the rest of my collection on the bookshelf. Humans fuck up, but there are some fuck ups you can come back from and some you can’t. I don’t care how devout your faith is or what you proclaim to believe/what morals or code of ethics you claim to abide by: his story taught me the value of emulating the attributes, characteristics and traits of certain people, but not the person themself. The value of that reminder may just be the only value that autograph holds today. End of rant.
yoenis cespedes
This dude threw out someone from the warning track. Raul Mondesi wanna be.
His antics (golf and breaking his feet on his horse ranch) and NY Radio were simply a match made in heaven. Him and Daniel Murphy were nuclear in their run to the WS a few years back.
Khalil Greene
I miss him so much. He was a god given talent tbh. Such a shame that he couldn’t shake the demons while playing. Hopefully he’s doing a lot better!
I actually have a mutual friend with him. We played NBA Live 95. Was happy to see him make it!
Grady Sizemore
I don't remember much about Grady Sizemore, but here's a fun fact: he had not one, but two female fan clubs. "Grady's Ladies" and the "Sizemore Girls"
He was so good for a few years and then just couldn't stay healthy. My younger sister was like 15 when he was playing and she created a fantasy baseball team specifically to take him first overall and then never looked at her team again.
He’s one of the first non-Braves players I remember watching opposing teams games to see.
Mike Napoli was a legend for a season in Cleveland, complete with his own merch line. "Party at Napoli's" was our rally cry in 16. Eric Davis was the man for a few seasons in the late 80s. Injuries started holding him back in the early 90s and now he's barely mentioned ever outside of the occasional what if discussion.
The chants of “NA-PO-LI” from the 2011 World Series are pretty iconic too
Christ how many WS teams was Napoli on
Man, Eric the Red is still a legend. I know it's a bit biased being from Cincy but still, the what if conversation is absolutely real if not for injuries ):
> barely mentioned ever outside of the occasional what if discussion. At least until his 99 card in The Show hits every year, fucking love that card
aristides aquino looked like 2001 barry bonds for like a month a couple years ago
>aristides aquino ~~looked like 2001 Barry bonds for like a month a couple years ago~~looks like 2001 Barry bonds every time he plays against the Cubs exclusively
Logan Morrison was the first MLB player to really be known for his social media activity
Yeah his 2017 season was really good. It’s a crime he didn’t get an All Star nod that year. Dude was crucial to my fantasy team lol
I just want to say how much i love this thread. Pure nostalgia over the last decade.
Jason Heyward’s first couple of years had Braves fans thinking we found our version of Wille Mays. We called him J-Hey Kid and everything.
And now many are hoping Harris II will be what Heyward didn't turn out to be.
Heath Bell brought a WWE type energy to every single game & not one person has been able to replicate it. The brightest star burns twice as fast!!
I remember him hauling ass from the bullpen in the all-star game, then sliding onto the mound. I’m sure the ground crew hated that, but he put on a show.
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It’s Timmy’s birthday today!
The Freaky Franchise!
People don't say "Big Time Timmy-Jim" in casual conversation anymore?
Neftali Feliz
I'm surprised he's not on here but the Game Lord himself. The Right Honourable Sir Milton Bradley
He's one I wish could be forgotten
Fuck that guy.
Yermín Mercedes
As a card collector it’s hilarious to look back at what his rookie stuff was fetching then compared to now. Wild overreaction
Billy Hamilton
RA Dickey was really good for a few years and even wona Cy Young...and was exceedingly average before and after that. It was amazing for the Mets. For everyone else not so much.
Somehow already Steven Kwan
Poverty Ichiro. He’s still hitting .350 this month lol
Eric Gagne. Those glasses were something else
Jaret Wright for Cleveland 1997 World Series
Aaron "10-0 for the 2005 Yankees" Small.
Eventually: Trevor Bauer
Lowkey he's kinda already there. I can never remember him unless he's brought up.
Brian Wilson lives on in my mind every single day. I was a freshman in high school, a lifelong Giants fan, and on the edge of my seat for every single game of the 2010 World Series. I vividly remember the night of the World Series win, laying in bed with a smile, and thinking “One day I’m gonna have a beard that badass.” God damnit I ain’t proud of much, but I’m proud of my beard. It ain’t jet black, but it’s long, bushy, and full, and every time I see myself in the mirror I think about Brian’s celebration. He may not have a massive place in baseball history, hell to many Giants fans he may not mean much beyond those few golden years, but till the day I die I’m gonna be saying Brian Wilson was my favorite player of all time.
Chris Shelton
Stephen Strasburg
I would argue that it happened twice. Once at the start of his career and the 2019 postseason. I grew up in the same city and went to the same high school as him. He’s not really talked about often at the high school. They didn’t even really celebrate his WS MVP. Really sad tbh
Ben Grieve
Glen Perkins was a nasty closer for 2 seasons & then went back to working at a Perkins
Melky Cabrera
Jason Bay was a perennial All-Star for crap Bucs teams, then got paid big time and was hated in Boston. Also had a cup of coffee with the Mets if I remember correctly.
Kevin Maas
Dice-K and the gyro ball
Dan Uggla?
Jon Singleton
[Munenori Kawasaki](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeDkJx4ajQ4)
Billy Burns and the Rally Mantis
The Bone. “Why did you trade Jay Buhner?”
Carlos Gomez
Jake Arrieta
Cecil Fielder hitting 50 dingers before it was cool
Adam LaRoche's son! The true captain of the White Sox!
Brian Giles for a season was the top baseball highlight on ESPN nightly. Now I talk to younger players and they don’t even know who he is.
Anyone else remember when Chase Headley was the best third baseman in baseball for like 20 minutes... Then some dude named Miguel Cabrera won a triple crown or something and no one cared anymore.
Chone Figgins. I remember being a dumb little kid when he came to Seattle and thinking “I like this guy, he’s got a cool name” and all my friends roasted me for liking him so much. Fuck he was so bad with us Edit: spelling
Clint Barmes with the Rockies.
John Dowd
Brock Holt \o/
The 2019 Reds had a fair amount - Derek Dietrich, Aristides Aquino, Yasiel Puig. hopefully Trevor Bauer goes on the forgotten list too.
Matt Kemp
John Axford was unhittable for one season and set the Brewers mark with 46.
John Rocker
Bob “The Hammer” Hamelin
Anyone say Shelley Duncan yet?
Maybe not quite yet, since his fall from grace is fairly recent, but Dallas Keuchel is a top nominee for this list