In the Shadows

Far too often the great batters on a team – think Babe Ruth or Tip O’Neil - overshadow key contributors up and down the rest of the lineup, and we’re talking “in the press” either. Below is some shine for six players who are unappreciated, toiling in the shadows for their superstar teammates.

Bobby Murcer, Redlegs
In the Shadow Of: Lou Gehrig’s name, but perhaps not his bat

If you asked our 24 owners which Redleg was better, Murcer or Gehrig, odds are all of us would choose Gehrig in an instant. But, the stats bear a different story:


Murcer plays a more difficult position and arguably has had a better season regardless. He’s trailing in HR’s 18 to 12 and for the most part, has been the Redlegs best hitter over their last 45 games, batting .345 / .429 / .520.

Roger Maris, Caber Tossers
In the Shadow of: Tip O’Neill

O’Neill is certifiably one of the games greatest hitters combining a high batting average with ‘plus’ gap power. He’s missing a key aspect to his game though – a true lack of pop. On pace for 12 home runs, a team spending a top pick on O’Neil will usually have to follow up in Round 2 with a power hitter.

Enter Roger Maris. Second in the league in home runs, Maris is on pace to smack 48 on the season with a healthy dose of clutch – 107 RBI as well. Unlike years past, Maris has elevated his on base percentage beyond respectability and is a key contributor to the Caber Tossers, who still have an outside shot at making the playoffs.

Maris’ line: .264 / .357 / .521, 27 HR, 63 R, 61 RBI

Stan Musial, Handbasket
In the Shadow of: Albert Pujols

A perennial Top-25 pick Musial is undoubtedly unaccustomed to taking the back seat to anyone. In this years draft, Helena took a new player-year in 2008 Albert Pujols, and came back and drafted Musial with the 32nd pick overall. It was the right decision as Pujols has emerged as an upper class ATB citizen.

Musial is more than holding his own batting .305 / .356 / .487 with 61 RBI.

For the record, Pujols is at .344 / .418 / .522 with 63 RBI.

Al Kaline, Fanclub
In the Shadow of: Honus Wagner

Wagner, a slick fielding middle infielder who can almost hit with the big guns of the league, takes precedent on any team. This year however, Al Kaline may be just as valuable, if not more so:


Travis Hafner, Neanderthals
In the Shadow of: Ted Williams and Josh Gibson

Despite spending a large portion of La Chapelle’s games riding the pine when a lefty is on the mound, Hafner has been so good he has contributed more than most regulars in just 246 plate appearances. Over the course of a typical 650 plate appearance season, Hafner’s line would look something like - .305 / .419 / .547, with 40 HR, 116 R, and 116 RBI. Of course, hitting against left handers would cut into his success, but I wanted to put his season in perspective.

One of the reasons the Neanderthals have a .621 winning percentage is that Hafner is actually lost in the shadows. Williams has a 1.034 OPS and 117 AOPSAP while Gibson, their stud catcher, has a .952 OPS and 90 AOPSAP.

John McGraw, Beau Brummels
In the Shadow of: Babe Ruth

The entire league is in the shadow of Ruth, but unlike the other players we’ve mentioned – this star owes the lesser player a great deal.

Ruth is the best hitter in the game with a 1.142 OPS, 31 HR, 73 R and 71 RBI. He bats third for Rochester, and leading off for the team is McGraw and his league leading .495 OBP. I have no means to confirm this, but it is more than likely McGraw has been driven in by Ruth more times than any other runner has been driven in by a teammate.

Stat of the Day - McGraw is the only regular in ATB to have a sub-0.375 on base percentage and an OPS over .750. In truth, his OPS is well over .750 and currently stands at .865. He may be the most unique player we’ve ever come across.