The Steroid Era's SHADOW: Underappreciated Hitters of the PED Age

[@timsinkovitz]

I absolutely love the Lofton pick. Juan Pierre was a guy that I had hoped to inch up towards the 3000 hit mark during that time. I love the lead off batter type.

[@mtoy42twin]

The lead off guy is consistently overlooked on a lot of teams, that's the guy the team trusts the most in getting on base too.

[@williamhermann6635]

I always liked to call players like that "sparkplugs"

[@MarvinMonroe]

Bret Butler is probably my favorite lead off hitter

[@Bradleytosh]

How in the world do you not realize the greatness of Carlos Delgado

[@Cam23]

Delgado belongs in the Hall!

[@ahogg5960]

@@Cam23 I think a lot of voters out there were personally pissed off for him publically not supporting the Iraq War. You all know what pathetic warhawks the US media can be, even when your President creates a reason to go to war out of thin air. Double that for any perceived slight towards deference to veterans. Which, for the record, I'm not bashing here. Those who go fight in wars have many reasons to do so, but the military top brass and politicians are gonna cop the brunt of my criticism here.

[@Chize41]

His numbers shoulda put him in, no problem…I always felt that guys like him that either didn’t make it at all or waited longer than seemed right might be assumed PED guys by the voters

[@camberweller]

Because sportswriters aren’t journalists they are writers. They are “peaks and valleys” people who like *stories*. Players who are consistently great over long periods of time, who are *steady*, don’t make for dramatic narratives; they don’t engage the interest of people who think in terms of drama. You will note that this underrated “steady” quality applies to most if not all of the players on this list.

[@1983metsfan]

As a met fan we got him in the later end of his career and we saw his greatness . When he went down with the hip injury the team was never the same

[@underhandcloud1414]

Lance Berkman really deserves some love. Was consistently putting up 150 wrc+ 6 fWAR seasons in his prime. Fell off the ballot after just one year, he’s been overlooked his whole career

[@brandan_k57]

I believe you mean Lance, but I 100% agree with you.

[@Cam23]

Berkman was a fantastic player! Underrated for sure, definitely have him on the list for his own video someday

[@axe2grind244]

Fat Elvis? LB was the man.

[@CSDonohue11]

As lifelong Reds Fan I can agree that Lance Berkman was Uh … DAWG❕

[@FloridaDreamz]

Lance was on the Roids with Beltran, Clemens and Pettite.

[@ArenaGuy1]

Gotta talk about Shawn Green! CRIMINALLY underrated player. Consistently had 30 to 40 home runs in a season, and hit 4 in one game in 2002!

[@DLokes0819]

Tustin High School Alumni 💯🤙🏽

[@nathanrobinson1099]

I was upset when the Jays let him go

[@ArenaGuy1]

@@nathanrobinson1099 I loved him when he was a Met!

[@ryanmorrison3699]

Yo, absolutely!

[@Extinguisher10]

It's such a shame that he didn't get the recognition he deserved until he left Toronto.

[@vidvad]

Growing up near Montreal, Jose Vidro's 1999 to 2003 years were so underrated. During that 5 years stretch, he averaged 143 games, he had a .316 BA, .869 OPS, 120 OPS+, 17.6 WAR, with 3 all-stars, 1 silver slugger and some MVP votes. Being on a weak team and being overshadowed by Vladimir Guerrero, nobody knew who he was but he was my favorite player growing up.

[@G_54-GMG]

I will forever love Luis Gonzalez and what he did for the Diamondbacks.

[@jbizz80]

Luis Gonzalez is generally suspected of being a roider.

[@CSDonohue11]

@@jbizz80 Oh He’s definitely a Roider Still a Baller But He was not HOF level until He started using So No Go for Him

[@FloridaDreamz]

Gonzalez was on Roids

[@edwardwood3622]

Juiced

[@malibu13203]

As a lifelong cardinals fan, Edmonds is criminally underrated. His defense in CF was majestic

[@kenw2225]

His angels catch was so so good

[@Cam23]

I don’t know why but I’ve always had a great appreciation for Edmonds despite never watching him play! Super underrated

[@R-TrainExpress]

Underrated as long as he stays away from the broadcast booth

[@iamza.]

As a Cubs fan. I begrudgingly agree. He's very overlooked.

[@ryanx2406]

He was over looked b/c of the era he played Edmonds I’m referring too. Andrew Jones torii Hunter Ken Griffey Jr young Carlos Beltran the mentioned Kenny lofton. He’s just not better than those guys..

[@Fishing_ninja420]

Steve Finely needs more recognition imo. 2 time all star, career ops .775, 5 gold gloves, 19 hits in and won the 2001 World Series, several seasons with 30+ HR.

[@LoowheezeBreeze]

I feel like Brian Giles' career has gone mostly unnoticed and underappreciated by most baseball fans, however, he produced at an all-star level for 13 seasons... From '96 through '08, his numbers per 162 games were: 100 runs, 26 HR, 96 RBI, 10 SB, .294 AVG, .404 OBP, 139 OPS+

[@EvanGunderman]

I was really hoping to see Garret Anderson profiled. From 1997 to 2003, he was second only to Derek Jeter in hits in all of MLB, averaging 191 hits a year. From 2000-2003, he averaged .299 BA, .519 SLG, .844 OPS, 30 HRs, 120 RBIs, 46 doubles, 337 total bases, and 194 hits a year. He twice led the AL in doubles during that span, won 2 Silver Sluggers, received MVP votes in three of those years (finishing 4th in 2002), and shined in the 2002 post-season. He finished his career with a .293 BA, 287 HRs, 1,365 RBIs, 522 Doubles, 2,529 hits, 3 All-star selections, 2 Silver Sluggers, and a World Series ring. He is still my favorite Halo!

[@adamexenvironmental4468]

2 words: Bernie Williams. He also dominated during the steroid era. Although there are some phenomenal players on this list, NOT ONE contributed to a DYNASTY like Bernie did for the Yankees during his career. They would never have won 4 World Series (6 WS appearances)titles or had the playoff success without him. He should be a HOFer and it’s a shame that he isn’t recognized for his contributions to the game.Great guy too.

[@aj132383s]

Mark Grace, career .300, 500+ doubles, rarely stuck out, amazing defense and the most hits in the ‘90s… just wasn’t a power hitting 1st baseman..

[@bconns39]

Todd Helton, one of 3 players with multiple 100xbh seasons and he did it back to back!

[@edwardwood3622]

Juiced

[@bconns39]

@@edwardwood3622 based on what

[@codenamelarry6518]

Great video dude, these guys deserve appreciation in an era where it was hard to tell who was actually good, and who was taking steroids.

[@Cam23]

Thank you!

[@zqrahll]

Lofton was really amazing-- especially when you consider he won those 4 Gold Gloves going up against people like Burks & Griffey.

[@HT-sm9dm]

Eric Davis at his peak was an absolute UNIT

[@fuktrumpanzeeskum]

It's such a shame he never played more than 135 games in a season. He could've had some historic seasons. Byron Buxton reminds me of a bit of Davis, an insanely talented centerfielder who just can never put it all together for a full season. Davis could've had multiple 40/80 seasons like Acuña did this season.

[@hellogoodbyeagain]

Dave Parker is another one. Gary Sheffield had an amazing career.

[@CSDonohue11]

Had He stayed healthy 44 Eric Davis was headed for The Hall

[@CSDonohue11]

@@hellogoodbyeagainDAVE PARKER For Sure❕ So underrated & Uber appreciated Dave Parker was A BALLER

[@davidroberts9854]

Love eric the red but injuries robbed him and us

[@chadharmon5252]

Thank you so much for highlighting andres galarraga!!! ❤

[@Cam23]

He deserved the spotlight!

[@vinnysclafani3468]

Would love to see a segment on Gary Sheffield. His career is greatly underrated imo. A career war of over 60 and a career ops+ of 140. He is one of only 10 players to hit over 500hr and walk more than he struck out. Every other player on that list is in the hall minus Palmero and Bonds

[@jbizz80]

Heavy steroid suspicion.

[@getschwifty9531]

Came to mention him!

[@edwardwood3622]

Super juiced

[@bossmanofitz]

Where is the love for Bobby Abreu? The dude was a hitting machine

[@MatthewTCCRS]

The Juan Soto of his day.

[@matthewrock4725]

Victim of the home run derby curse

[@PS4GamingGuy81]

Carlos Delgado deserves to be enshrined in the HOF. Shame he only got 3 percent of the vote.

[@tupacalypse88]

yea that's crazy 3% smh😞

[@tupacalypse88]

I just looked that year hof ballet was stacked. Randy Johnson Pedro Martinez John Smoltz Craig Biggio Barry Bonds Mark McGuire Sammy Sosa Roger Clemens Gary Sheffield Jeff Kent Mike Piazza Jeff Bagwell Curt Schilling Larry Walker Edgar Martinez Don Mattingly and more the 3% makes more sense to me know.

[@Hatbilly]

Huge fan of the Shadow series! Groundbreaking content, Cam.

[@Cam23]

Thank you Hatbilly! 🙌🏼

[@ZWeinstein15]

Even though you mentioned him a couple times overshadowing his teammates, Albert Belle does not get talked about a lot as one of the most feared power hitters in the 90s. His career was cut way too short due to his hip problems but his ten year peak he hit 373 homers, 1,199 RBIs, .933 OPS and 144 OPS+. Not to mention his 50/50 season in a STRIKE SHORTENED season. Comparing his OPS+ to current players, Joey Votto (144) Paul Goldschmidt (143) Freddie Freeman (142) Miguel Cabrera (140). All four are either going to be in the hall of fame or borderline.

[@ericcraig3875]

He juiced himself into insanity.

[@ahogg5960]

@@ericcraig3875 And the corked bat incident. And the fact he was just an asshole to the media (including literally screaming at Hannah Storm) and many of his own teammates

[@ericcraig3875]

@@ahogg5960 forgot about that.

[@HT-sm9dm]

@@ahogg5960so what? Other than the cork the rest takes nothing away from his baseball skills.

[@DrBeef216]

Thome's 95' season is most certainly part of his prime. He had an OPS of nearly 1.000 that year, with a .314 average.

[@FloridaDreamz]

Thome was on Roids too

[@EclecticBuddha]

Yeah it's hard to believe he wasn't juicy.

[@jasonmorrison4733]

Thank you for this list. I was shocked to see my three childhood faves as the first 3 on your list (Thome, Delgado, and Edmonds) and wish they were given more credit by mainstream baseball. Some of the best lefties who were quiet and clean professionals

[@Cam23]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! That's a neat coincidence that the first 3 happened to be your favorites. They stuck out to me for their outstanding baseball ability and like you mentioned, they were professional.

[@EclecticBuddha]

I have strong suspicions about Thome. He was surrounded by steroids in Cleveland and transformed quite a bit when he was moved to first base. Idk. Paul Byrd was on growth for crying out loud. Thome had that pear shaped sleeper build but he was an ox. Don't let his child bearing hips fool you.

[@ericcraig3875]

*Steroid Abuse Era. The Steroid era has been from the 1950s until today.

[@allanbrito4645]

They not ready for that convo

[@Cgz888]

@@allanbrito4645Performance enhancing drugs have been used to improve concentration since the 50’s. They are totally different than steroids. Steroids are a lot worse, morally and for your physical long term health

[@SconnerStudios]

I absolutely agree with the entire premise of this video. Jim Edmonds definitely belongs in the hall at some point, while not as good as Pujols or Rolen, he was evidently on another level than the average player. And Kenny Lofton should have gotten elected on his second ballot, let alone not falling off as a one-and-done candidate. Kenny Lofton probably is the greatest baserunner since Rickey Henderson, and nobody has come close until this year with Acuna since Lofton, but we'll see how many seasons Acuna can maintain his current speed. Either way, Lofton being shunned is the worst of the rejections because Kenny didn't cheat, he was mostly friendly, had a great glove, bat, and played in important postseason teams in addition to being a first ballot level quality speedster.

[@Cam23]

You definitely made some great points! I'll be curious to see if the Hall will eventually come through and elect Lofton at the very least. Makes no sense how Edmonds and Lofton fell off the ballot so quick.

[@joehelwig3791]

Mark Grace was a very underated player in the 90's as he lead MLB in hits in the 90's

[@Cam23]

Grace is definitely going to be in part 2

[@kenyontucker6469]

We the Braves appreciated "The Crime Dog"! Big Cat set a Braves record for home runs in a season he held for one year until Chipper broke it a year later if I'm not mistaken.

[@chrisholden615]

Another great video bud!!!

[@Cam23]

Thank you Chris! 🙌🏼

[@chrisholden615]

@@Cam23 you're very welcome.. this was an amazing trip down memory lane! I was popping for every name

[@Extinguisher10]

The Carlos Delgado vs Papi comparison is a great example of what's wrong with the HoF voting. Their career offensive numbers are that close, AND Delgado actually played in the field. Yet somehow Delgado is the one who didn't make it in. Craziness!!!

[@Cam23]

Hall of Fame voting is weird!

[@jimmypop4539]

Moises Alou, Lance Berkman, Jimmy Rollins, Tim Lincecum... are my guys who should be in

[@raddastronaut]

Omg the thumbnail. Bonds swinging the needle. I’m dyin. 😂

[@Cam23]

😂

[@frankanderson4113]

Kenny Lofton is easily a Hall of Famer. Easily. It’s shameful that he isn’t in already. Carlos Delgado would already be inducted if he had played anywhere but Toronto. Put him in already. Honestly, I’m not sure on Edmonds or Kent, but they were certainly greats who were far better than the majority of their peers.

[@Focuspending]

Not upset with any of the names on this list, but I think someone like Eric Karros should be on here as well. I think that Galarraga is a similar player, but Karros may be the best player to never make an all-star team because of juicing at 1B.

[@fuktrumpanzeeskum]

Tim Salmon is another one who never made an all-star, if I'm not mistaken.

[@kenw2225]

I'm going to say Moises alou. And aramis ramirez. They were both rbi machines with almost no hall consideration. Not saying they should be in , just overshadowed. Also huge props to frank Thomas for fun. Larry Walker was a top player with low fanfare. Miss 90s and early 2000s ball

[@carlpacquing2575]

Great video! Love reviewing this era of hitters, as there were so many great ones. Also, I just realized your logo is orange & black. Go Birds!

[@Cam23]

Thank you! And it's great to have a fellow O's fan in the comments. Go Birds!

[@big8dog887]

Ironically, the most publicized team of the era has a lot of individual players who could fit in this category. Aside from Derek Jeter, how many of the 1996-2000 Yankees do we talk about? And there were a lot of good ones: Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill.

[@hoysebebetv4406]

Mariano Rivera

[@big8dog887]

@@hoysebebetv4406 We're talking hitters, but that's my bad, I should have clarified. Of course we talk about Mariano.

[@adamexenvironmental4468]

Well said and I agree 100%.Especially Bernie. I think the Powers That Be excluded Yankee phenoms from their decision making.

[@uberboomer8670]

That lineup still has me suffering PTSD all these years later. sox fan, we were just starting to be competitive at that time, until we eventually hit that Yankee wall

[@adamexenvironmental4468]

@@uberboomer8670 Those Sawx gave us fits and sleepless nights as well.Never a dull moment.

[@anthonysimeone365]

MAKE. THIS. A. SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Cam23]

It very well could be, lots of guys that could fit into this conversation!

[@Extinguisher10]

I know he wasn't overlooked, but it needs to be said that Griffey was arguably the greatest player in the steriod era and didn't eat the ballanced breakfast that anyone else in the conversation did. It was an honor to watch the greatest clean player in the history of the game. And yes, he was better than pre-balanced breakfast Bonds.

[@thomasramirez718]

Delgado not being the hall of fame is an absolute joke especially when you see some of the guys that are in there. They have to find a way to get this man in. His career numbers speak volumes.

[@richardbrancazio813]

The veterans committee should be putting all these guys in,it's about time.

[@lazywallstreetnews7234]

Love Delgado, great choice and he should be in the HOF... Thome on top of playing with Manny Ramirez also played with Kenny Lofton, Roberto Alomar and Juan Gonzalez for a few years so it was hard to get attention on that team for sure, but real fans know he's a real one. One of the more underachieving teams in baseball history IMO, got to the World Series twice and lost both times in 1995 and 1997 I believe and were always in the playoffs almost every year back then.

[@beardedbaldbaritone]

I'd definitely add Bobby Abreu to this list. His numbers were amazing and if he played today he'd be a top 10 guy.

[@Cam23]

He’s coming in Part 2!

[@xtlm]

Thome is great. As a Phillies fan it was so fun to have him on our team. Though you will hear the knock against him though with, he held Howard back from coming up sooner. Which. IDK how to feel about. All I know is that if the NL had a DH back then....both Thome and Howard on a team? That would be insane.

[@marcelmoreau2733]

notice the reoccuring theme here? half the names spent time as blue jays. delgado, mcgriff, olerud, kent, all former blue jays.

[@scotttill3847]

Great vid...man, could you do a vid on Harry Carey, the legendary voice of the ChiCubs? I was a teen in the 80-90's and watched the Cubs (with cable, I could only legit watch the Cubs or the Braves, since this was before the MLB had broadcasting on ESPN or the other networks)...I loved listening to him call games.

[@marcelmoreau2733]

JOe Carter also deserves being here. There was one stretch about 8yrs were NO ONE hit more RBI's then Carter during this period.

[@thisguy8106]

I love the "Shadow" idea.. can go much deeper in other videos for sure.

[@Cam23]

Thanks! Yeah sky's the limit with this series in terms of possibilities

[@CSDonohue11]

1B John Olerud & CF Jenny Lofton Were both always on Winning Teams and Should Be HOF’s

[@sawyerbates2032]

John Valentin from the Red Sox was great, for as short of a productive career he may have had. Mike Hampton was also deadly, for a pitcher; hit seven home runs one year. Mark Grace had a similar, though lesser, career than Olerud.

[@HT-sm9dm]

John Valentin come on man you’re reaching. Never hit 30 bombs and had 100 RBI once.

[@broadwaynicky]

As an Angels fan I would say any Angel in the 90s was pretty slept on. Especially Chili Davis (early 90s on Angels, spent his 90s traveling around in MLB) and Garrett Anderson. Jim Edmunds, Tim Salmon, Darin Erstad, Troy Glaus, and Mo Vaughn were all slept on compared to their contemporaries.

[@marcosmercedesn]

Nostalgia hits strong with this video

[@Nick_Valentine2702]

Kenny Lofton is my favorite player and he should be in the hall of fame. All time leader in stolen bases in the postseason.

[@Cam23]

I’m there with ya! Lofton is HOFer no doubt, hopefully they vote him in soon

[@frankxaoz1286]

Nice work on this video.

[@Cam23]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@dwaynehoward240]

I subbed hell of a video and I seen most of these players live...

[@Cam23]

I appreciate the support! These players must have been something to watch

[@dwaynehoward240]

@@Cam23 it was fun time Jim thome and lofton were great to watch Cleveland guy

[@TapirBaseball]

Great video. Not to mention Bobby Bonds was great in his own right and got overshadowed by his own son.

[@Cam23]

Thank you! Crazy to think about a 57.9 career WAR player barely getting talked about because of how great his son was.

[@CSDonohue11]

1:22 Good Old Cashmen Field Las Vegas Replaced a few years ago with The Las Vegas Ball Park Beautiful AAA Ball Park & playing field

[@Cam23]

Possibly the best AAA park out there!

[@monkeymagee2008]

Love the content!👍

[@Cam23]

Thank you Sergio!

[@JT_WARCRIME]

Kenny Lofton is the biggest HOF snub of the past 20 years

[@joel8692]

Hes definitely a snub but Andrew Jones is the biggest snub

[@JT_WARCRIME]

@@joel8692 They were snubbed for the same reasons, but Jones is still on the ballot and he'll get in before it's over now that the steroid class is mostly over. Lofton and Carlos Delgado weren't that lucky

[@monkeymagee2008]

You should do a video about the 2001 season

[@sammylogic1313]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6rLZ4qqfq1ja6Msi=hf6lkcaZKfowEGsM

[@LeviGleichenhaus]

Carlos Delgado is the single most underrated athlete in history

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Great video, Thank You ⚾ !!!

[@Cam23]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@thisguy8106]

I loved Edmonds. I wanted him on the Red Sox sooooo badly. He would've been even better playing at Fenway half of the time.

[@inviolateseven3658]

Frank Thomas is the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons of a . 300 average and at least 100 walks, 100 runs, 100 runs batted in, and 20 home runs (1991-1997)

[@Philkoehler4]

Fred mcgriffs whirlwind follow through is beautiful

[@PaladinCecil]

One thing that's important not to overlook about Fred McGriff is the amount of different ballparks he homered in during his career. Regardless what you said about Sammy Sosa, there's been suspicion of him using performance enhancements, but although it's possible that he has, he's denied it. And although I don't know all the details on it, Kenny Lofton has seen himself as a cheater who doesn't belong in Cooperstown.

[@mattb121395]

How was Lofton a cheater?

[@PaladinCecil]

I'm surprised he said that about himself, too. For a long time, I saw him as a deserving Hall of Famer and he was one of my favorite players in his days with the Indians.@@mattb121395

[@cubieblu]

Another guy I felt was under appreciated was Tim Salmon...not sure on how his advanced stats hold up but i was aways a big fan.

[@Cam23]

This is a prescient comment. He’s coming in part 2 tomorrow! 🙌🏼

[@Bradleytosh]

Oh awesome video by the way

[@Cam23]

Thank you Bradley! 🙌🏼

[@NoName-qs6ei]

Ron Gant. Chipper Jones. Nerdy ass Chris Sabo. Not sure on their numbers at all. Just brought back memories.

[@ロッテファン-j2g]

It’s unfair how the players get penalized for taking roids when the people who turned a blind eye so they can increase revenue get treated like they revitalized baseball

[@dagenmoreland3777]

Especially when it wasn't illegal till 03

[@getschwifty9531]

You beat me to it. Really turned me off baseball as I got older. Especially the way they treated Sosa. That man helped make it popular again.

[@dvon1097]

Shawn Green was AMAZING

[@Cam23]

Definitely!

[@charlestonbleuu6469]

Lets see Albert Belle, Dave Parker, Deion Sanders, Keep Up The Good Work

[@Cam23]

Great suggestions, and thank you!

[@johndye3122]

Will Clark

[@SmoothCriminal12]

Lance Berkman continues to get snubbed.

[@Cam23]

He deserves his own separate video 😉

[@CharlesDavis-k2h]

The homerun race between McQuire & Sosa was epic... If you didn't stay up to see the late Sportscenter, you damn sure checked it before you went to school to see who hit what.... Baseball was amazing back then. Now that we know it was steroid induced drama, it belongs in our past & nowhere near the hall of fame. They tainted the game & deserve NO recognition.... 3 best homerun hitters to ever do it are Hammering Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth & the unknown Josh Gibson, who hit between 950 - 1000 dingers in the negro leagues.

[@alejandrosantillan97]

I would include Mark Grace on this list he was definitely overshadowed for years by Sammy Sosa and Ryan Sandberg but the man was a multi-time Gold glove winner a doubles machine who like John olerud was overshadowed at first base because he never hit more than like 20 home runs in a season but the man could hit and he's a gold Glover at first base the hits leader of the 1990s more hits than Tony Gwinn but highly over considered because of all of the roidy Magoo's that were at first base 2000 career hits and close to 300 batting average several gold gloves and a couple All-Star game selections he should be a Hall of famer

[@jordanahr6594]

Tim Salmon, Derek Bell, Raul Mondesi, Moises Aluo, Carl Everett, Richard Hildago, Paul Konerko, Carlos Lee....I could keep going if you'd like

[@big8dog887]

Poor Tim Salmon. Nowadays he doesn't even get remembered as the best player of his own franchise named after a fish.

[@kenw2225]

Alou hit like 370 with 30hr and 100 rbi. Ridiculous good at hitting. Lee and konerko good too

[@bucklamb2062]

Back then lead of hitters job was to just get on base they weren't suppose to hit home runs unless your name was Rickey Henderson who could do both get on base and hit home runs

[@Lovetheducks]

Barry bonds may be the worst human to ever play baseball but that being said he is by far the best baseball player I will ever see in my lifetime. First ballot hall of famer. It’s disgusting he isn’t in yet. Even pre steroid era he was first ballot HOF.

[@patrickkirkham]

100% agree. As much as I don’t like Bonds, there’s plenty of assholes that are in the hall

[@Extinguisher10]

As a Mariners fan, i loved John Olerud!

[@JeremyWaldrop-ls2pn]

Andrew Jones gold glove outfielder with power and Will the thrill Clark he had a great swing? ⚾️

[@mandospence]

John Olerud was overlooked because of the fielding helmet. Let’s be honest.

[@vivalavivarium]

ive been saying berkman and edmonds should eb hof for awhile, sad they get sooooo overlooked

[@SlXkxmx]

The steroid era saved baseball after the ‘94 strike. Without it, the game wouldn’t be what it is today.

[@jsd795]

BS. The steroid Era along with the juiced ball Era turned baseball into the shit show that it is today. I would also throw sabermetrics in as well

[@pjbuma13]

@@jsd795Sanermetrics has allowed low revenue teams to be at least mildly competitive. If that didn’t happen you would have the same 8-10 teams just pulverizing everyone else until they were completely non-competitive and MLB would dwindle down to 12 teams

[@jsd795]

@@pjbuma13 the 70's were a little top heavy with only 5 different WS winners but the 80's had a different winner every year so that is just another myth about old school baseball

[@uberboomer8670]

I agree, fans completely turned on the game after the strike. But everyone and their brother tuned in for the HR race

[@adamexenvironmental4468]

AND: MLB owners and administrators absolutely knew and condoned steroid use. They picked a handful of superstars and made them supermen. (Where the hell did Sammy Sosa come from?)

[@G-FORTY7]

Brian Giles. The most underrated player ever.

[@HT-sm9dm]

And also juiced to the gills

[@uberboomer8670]

My man Mo Vaughn had some great years in his prime and speaking of Vaughn's, how about Greg?

[@chrisallen2954]

The balls have been wound progressively tighter over the last few decades. They're much harder and somewhat smaller, too. Makes it easier to hit homers than the balls from previous eras.

[@Cam23]

It’s an interesting thought you bring up! The evolution of a baseball is fascinating when you compare different eras.

[@fuktrumpanzeeskum]

MLB has pretty much never stopped messing with the baseballs since the dead ball era. I saw a KZbin video recently about the history of mlb changing the balls (sorry, can't remember who made the video), basically MLB hasn't gone more than 10-15 years without changing the balls in some way since the early 1910's. Usually it's to add more offensive production but sometimes it's to benefit pitchers.

[@randallross420]

Steroids should be a requirement of pro sports.

[@Gnar_Dogg]

They snubbed Delgado. I've been upset about that for a long time.

[@steveisgood2go]

Jeff Kent was so juiced up you could squeeze him to make lemonade

[@dontatme1290]

I’ve been saying this for years. Let me be clear, I think the roofs guys should be in. The Hall is a museum about the history of the game. You can’t tell the story of the game without them. Put it on there plaques, give them there own area, whatever. BUT, if you’re not gonna put them in, that should give a bump to a lot of guys who were clean and did not get in. The fact Fred McGriff had to wait all the way until a committee vote(in which he was elected unanimously) is a crime…… see that I did there?….. seriously though, guys like that should be held in a higher esteem, especially if you’re going to completely disregard the “cheaters”

[@dougsimmons2344]

If u think pudge, poppy piazza Bagwell were clean. Than u are crazy

[@Extinguisher10]

Kent might have had the range of a firstbaseman, he did have a quick turn at second

[@kenyontucker6469]

Bonds, Sosa and McGuire were all going to be first ballot Hall of famers regardless. They were all excellent ball players before the steroid era, the MLB wanted to make the game more exciting and they got what they asked for at the expense of many professional baseball players that went down that road. Although I don't condone the use of steroids, one thing that I think really needs to be considered is that baseball at the root is the game that is heavily based on hand and eye coordination. No matter how pumped up and strong they got, none of that shit would have mattered at all if they weren't able to hit the ball. I say that with all due respect to every traditional player that has ever been a part of the game. From Babe Ruth to Hank Aaron, every player in between and afterwards, hard work and hustle should never be disrespected. Every player that earned their place naturally is especially appreciated. Personally I feel like they could just place an asterisk next to the names of the players that have been proven in participating is steroid use and just let everyone enjoy the game.

[@hectorsanchezz8696]

this was dope!!!!

[@Cam23]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@bretcheesman-wf4sz]

Great list but Imho it could've been longer. The league was full of offensive studs during this era that were overshadowed by the big names!!

[@Cam23]

I'm already planning on making a part 2 to this. Had to stop the list somewhere otherwise it'd have been a 10 hour long video 😂

[@bretcheesman-wf4sz]

@@Cam23 😂 sweet!! Looking forward 2it, love your vids!! Edit: just subbed, thought I already was.

[@Cam23]

@@bretcheesman-wf4sz thank you, I appreciate the support! It goes a long way 🙌🏼

[@colinwalter9381]

A lot of these dudes were on the juice too. Jeff Kent I’m looking at you

[@adamexenvironmental4468]

I was actually trying to make a point with that question.Sosa was and still is an enigma Steroids and corked bats didn’t hurt his reputation as much as it boosted his career and fame

[@dougsimmons2344]

How do u know the guys ur talking about were clean?

[@Cam23]

I don’t, it wasn’t important since I was talking about underappreciated players from the era.

[@Extinguisher10]

RIP Ellis Burks' knees

[@camberweller]

“Why are these players overlooked?” Halfway in, 3 Blue Jays. Sportswriters think “not an American team” = “not good enough”.