John Olerud on Baseball-Reference
Obviously, John Olerud will fall far short of the Hall of Fame, but he is perhaps one of the most underrated players in baseball history. Just look at his top two comparables: Will Clark and Edgar Martinez, two players who are very underrated themselves and will probably get a small pocket of Hall support.
Olerud was a star from the beginning, skipping the minors and going 3 for 8 with Toronto in his professional debut in 1989. Olerud’s teams made the playoffs eight times. Though he hit in the middle of the lineup, Olerud was terrible underrated because of his perfomance was higher in off-the-beaten-path statistical measures. Though he hit only 255 home runs, Olerud hit 500 doubles, lifting his slugging percentage to a more respectable .465. And though he hit only .295, Olerud placed in the top ten in walks nine times, leading to a superb on-base percentage. Olerud did hit .350 or better twice.
The most underrated aspect of Olerud’s game might be his defense. Though he won only three gold gloves, Olerud was the first baseman for three of the best defensive teams of all-time, the 1993 Blue Jays, the 1999 Mets, and the 2001 Mariners. Quite simply, Olerud made his infield-mates better, to the point where Bret Boone was considered a Gold Glover, and Roberto Alomar went from being a great fielder to a sensational one. As first basemen go, there aren’t many who can match Olerud’s resume.
Olerud will never be considered for the Hall of Famer and probably doesn’t deserve it. But he did play 17 years with great defense and a higher on-base percentage than Tony Gwynn. It’s a great career, even it doesn’t get as much recognition as it should.
March 10, 2007 at 10:03 am |
And, as a side note, Olerud was the first baseman on my first ever fantasy baseball team. The year was 1993, and boy was I glad to have him.
April 13, 2007 at 6:49 pm |
I think he should be a hall of famer he is one of the most consistant fielder and hitter for his whole career since willie mays.
June 7, 2008 at 6:54 am |
I agree that olerud may fall short of the hall of fame but he does deserve some recognition. He is top 50 all time in doubles, walks and on base percentage. To say that he is obviously not a hall of famer is stupid.
June 9, 2008 at 3:11 pm |
I don’t think it’s “stupid.” I mean, he’s in this discussion to begin with, which means something. But he definitely didn’t have enough power, and for all his defense, he was a first baseman. And he played just about all of his career in a hitting era. He was great, but so are all of these guys. I just don’t think he was great enough.