Since 1903, Major League Baseball has been a household name. For 24 years, baseball fans couldn’t watch their favorite team on television, because it hadn’t been invented yet. 23 more years later, CBS produced the first color television program in 1951, so fans could watch the Golden Age of Baseball, highlighted by Micky Mantle and Jackie Robinson just to name a few.
As time progressed, so did the game. MLB became more accessible to fans across the country, those that were miles from the nearest stadium or wanted to watch their favorite team every single game.
Baseball itself progressed along with it. Players got flashier and showed more personality, and the fans love it. However, as time advanced, we left some of the legends of past generations behind. Players that have proven to be generational or even immortal talents get left in the dust.
This list is a compilation of the 3 most underrated MLB players of the Golden Age of Baseball. However, with baseball being such an intensely mainstream sport with a major skill gap, underrated players are a bit harder to come across. This list shows that as time passes, amazing players are left in the shadows of their highly athletic counterparts.
3. Carl Hubbel, 1928-1943
King Carl is one of the best MLB lefty pitchers of all time, and his 16-year career only proves that. Not only is he a 2x MVP, but he has a career ERA of 2.98, making him a consistent superstar.
In the 1933 season during his first MVP campaign, he threw a 1.66 ERA with 10 shutouts and 156 strikeouts. He ended his career with a 253-154 record and 1677 strikeouts.
He threw for over a 4.0 ERA once in his baseball career, and he was 40 years old. “The Meal Ticket” owned the mound in his 15-year stretch, and was inducted to the baseball hall of fame 4 years after retirement.
2. Frank Robinson, 1956-1976
I am personally a massive Frank Robinson fan. He was still earning MVP votes at 37 years old. 37 years of age! The guy was an absolute freak of nature.
His MLB career stats are up there with the best. A 107.2 WAR, almost 3000 hits, 586 homers, and a .294 batting average.
Robinson is one of the best hitters of all time without a doubt. His 1966 MVP season, he led the league in HRs, RBIs, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Clearly, he deserves some sort of recognition.
1. Stan Musial, 1941-1944, 1946-1963
Musial, without a doubt, is one of the best to ever do it. He has the stats, the longevity, and the accolades to carry his name.
In his 22 year career, he amassed 3x MLB MVP, 3x MLB World Series Champion, 7x MLB batting champ, a 20x MLB all-star, and is 3rd all time in career doubles.
His MLB career stats are unbelievable as well. In 22 years, he had a .331 batting average, 475 homers, 1951 RBIs, and had a .976 OPS.
In the best years of baseball as America’s game, these players showed their ability deserves respect in stadium rafters. However, the more I meet baseball fans, the less they understand the impact of these three guys. Baseball is not a game of pure athleticism, it is a game of skill, and these guys showed that in an era of fundamentals, success is just as impressive.
