Unsung Heroes of 1999

Jason Michael Barker

Because of the sheer volume of press players like Mark McGwire, Derek Jeter and Randy Johnson receive, most casual fans (and some non-fans as well) know them by name -- the same is true of the majority of baseball's "stars." There were, however, quite a few players who had very good years in 1999, yet for the most part go unnoticed because they play on teams that don't get much coverage, or because they simply aren't well known.

With an eye to remedy the situation, here are a few players you might not be familiar with, or whose names you know but simply didn't realize the numbers they put up in 1999. I have a feeling that for many Strikthree.com readers, who strike me as a more intelligent lot than the average fan, these names won't come as much of a surprise.

Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox
It seems a bit strange to list Konerko here, since he was considered the top hitting prospect in baseball only two years ago. Two trades later and some struggles later, however, he seems to have fallen off the prospect radar despite being just 23 years of age. Konerko hit .294/.352/.511 with 24 homers this season after a slow start, the kind of numbers most people thought he'd put up a year or two ago, showing those who had fallen off the bandwagon that he's still a very good hitter. He's still better off at first base than at third, but his bat is good enough that playing him at third wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Mike Cameron, CF, Reds
Coincidentally, he was traded from the White Sox to the Reds in exchange for... Paul Konkero. Cameron didn't have a monster year by any stretch, but I think he had a better year than the general perception of him might indicate. He's the sort of player who gets dogged in the media because he only hit .256 and struck out 145 times, but he also walked 80 times (.357 OBP) and hit 34 doubles, 9 triples, and 21 homers (.469 SLG). Throw in 38 steals (in 50 attempts) and good defense in center, and you've got a nice little season. He shouldn't have been hitting leadoff as much as he did, but he did put up a .366 OBP in that role.

Randy Velarde, 2B, Athletics
It's unusual for a player to have his career year at 36, but that's exactly what Randy Velarde did in 1999. Not only that, but he was probably the second-best second baseman in the league behind Roberto Alomar. Velarde hit .317/.390/.455 with 16 homers, all career highs for a full season (he had a big 1989, but in only 100 at-bats). He was especially impressive after coming over to the A's in late July, hitting .401/.478 after the trade, and was a big reason Oakland was in the wild card race until the very end of the season.

Bobby Abreu, RF, Phillies
Abreu has been neglected twice in his career -- first, the Astros failed to protect him in the expansion draft, and he was taken by Tampa Bay (which may have been their only good selection that day). But instead of holding on to a promising young player, the D'Rays dealt Abreu to the Philadelphia for the SS Kevin Stocker, which needless to say, hasn't worked out all that well for the Rays. Abreu hit .409/.497 in 1998, then exploded last season to the tune of .446/.549 with 20 homers, 11 triples and 109 walks. He's only 25, so he still has some room for improvement.

Mike Leiberthal, C, Phillies
Another member of the Phillies, Leiberthal set new career highs in nearly every offensive category, including hitting .363/.551 with 31 home runs. It may have been a better season with the bat than that of American League MVP (and fellow catcher) Ivan Rodriguez, but despite winning the NL Gold Glove for catchers, Leiberthal did not receive a single National League MVP vote. I may have said too much already.

Jeff Cirillo, 3B, Brewers
Cirillo could make this list every year, because he's consistently very good but not very well known. He's never hit more than 15 home runs in a season, but he hits for average (.307 career), draws walks (.384 career OBP) and plays stellar defense at the hot corner (45 double plays in 1998, 34 more last season). Cirillo, who hit .401/.461 in 1999, has been involved in trade talks between the Brewers and Rockies, which leads me to believe that new Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd knows what he's doing (although getting something for Dante Bichette was the my first clue).

Todd Ritchie, P, Pirates
If I listed the top starting pitchers of 1999 listed by earned run average, you'd know the names at the top of the list -- Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Mike Hampton, and so on -- until I got to number eight on the list, who is none other than Todd Ritchie. Who? Ritchie made 57 uninspiring relief appearances over the past two seasons with the Minnesota Twins, posting a 4.88 ERA in close to 100 innings. Thrown into the Pirate rotation this season, he dazzled in 26 starts -- 15-9 record, 3.49 ERA, 172.2 innings. He allowed less than a hit an inning, and opponents had just a .308 OBP against him. Ritchie isn't a good bet for continued success, but he certainly put together a nice 1999 season.

Scott Sullivan, P, Reds
The Reds had a fabulous bullpen this season, and along with Scott Williamson and Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan was a big part of it. Not only did he appear in 79 games, but he also worked 113.2 innings, a number nearly unheard of for a pitcher working exclusively out of the bullpen. Sullivan allowed just 88 hits in those innings (which works out to a .217 batting average against) and put up a 3.01 ERA.

Keith Foulke, P, White Sox
Yet another unknown middle reliever, Foulke had an even better year than Sullivan -- a 2.22 ERA in 105.1 innings, 123 strikeouts, and just 72 hits and 21 walks allowed. Opposing batters posted a minuscule .235 OBP against him (not to mention a .320 SLG), and he had an ERA over 3.00 in just one month (May, 3.52).

about the author

Jason Michael Barker is curious about the nature of the phrase "Unsung heroes," and would like his heroes to be sung. Feel free to belt out a chorus or two at jmb@strikethree.com.

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