90s Player of the Month: Bernie Williams, Aug 1997

 

-Matthew McConkey

In August of 1997, Bernie Williams of the New York Yankees was awarded the American League Player of the Month. And what a month he had. He was the most outstanding player that hot August, posting a .375 (47-119) BA, 8 HR, 23 RBI, with a 1.145 OPS. Williams was white hot.

He had a 7-game hitting streak to start the month, where he hit .577 (15-26), 4 HR, 8 RBI, and a 1.722 OPS.

He only struck out 15 times out of 119 ABs

Bernie's best game that month was vs the Twins: 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBIs

Bernie Williams 1997 Regular Season Batting

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=willibe02&t=b&year=1997

Postseason MVPs of the 90s: Curt Schilling 1993 NLCS

 

-Matthew McConkey 

When I think of dominating postseason pitchers in MLB history, Curt Schilling's name is on the short list. Full of grit, determination, and a blazing fastball, Curt first made it to the postseason as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. It was in the '93 playoffs that he would show fans outside of Philly how good he was in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. 

In Game 1 of the NLCS in Philadelphia, against a 104-win Braves team, Schilling allowed 2 ER in 8 innings, fanning 10. He would get a no-decision for his performance. Curt's 135 pitch effort gave the Phillies exactly what they needed as they took the first game of the NLCS.

With the series tied at 2-2 going into Game 5 in Atlanta, Curt Schilling got the start again on the mound for the Phillies. In a 131 pitch masterpiece, Schilling struck out 9, allowed 1 ER, in 8 innings. But once again, he was saddled with a no-decision. The Phillies would win the game in 10 Innings, and take a 3-2 lead heading back to Philadelphia, where they would win Game 6 and go to the World Series.

This series was the beginning of the Schilling postseason legacy for years to come. He was named NLCS MVP in 1993: 0-0 (2 games), 1.69 ERA, 16 Innings, 3 ER, 1.000 WHIP.

Curt Schilling Stats 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schilcu01.shtml

90s Forgotten All-Star: Mo Vaughn

 

-Matthew McConkey

When I think of forgotten MLB All-Stars, I think of several players who come to mind. One of the biggest sluggers of the 1990s, Mo Vaughn, came to mind quickly as being one of the best power hitters of the game during that decade. Looking back on his career, I had completely forgotten that he played for the Angels and the Mets after leaving the Sox. How did I miss those two? I guess I always associated Mo with the Red Sox. 

During his 12-year career in the majors, Vaughn spent the bulk of his playing time with the Boston Red Sox, eight seasons, becoming a fan favorite and a feared hitter in the batter's box. His three All-Star selections came during those Red Sox years, and there was also an American League MVP award given to him in 1995. 

Of all three All-Star selections he was given (1995, 1996, and 1998), Vaughn's best All-Star year came in 1996. There, he clubbed 44 HRs and drove in 143 runs while producing a whopping 1.003 OPS. There was no doubt that Vaughn was a power threat in that Red Sox lineup day in and day out and a standout in Major League Baseball during the mid to late 90s. 

He is this week's Forgotten All-Star.

Mo Vaughn Stats

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vaughmo01.shtml

Silver Sluggers of the 90s: Rafael Palmeiro

 

-Matthew McConkey

In 1998, Rafael Palmeiro won his first Silver Slugger award as a member of the Baltimore Orioles at first base. He would go on to win another Silver Slugger in 1999. Which surprised me because I thought that Palmeiro, who's in the 3,000 hit club, had won more than two. Go figure, right? However, this is why I enjoy researching baseball. I always find something interesting that I didn't know concerning players I didn't follow closely in the '90s. 

In looking at his two Silver Sluggers Awards, 1999 was clearly far and away his best of the two. It could be being back with the Texas Rangers that put the swagger in his bat. That season, he set a personal career best of 47 HRs and a career high in RBIs and OPS, 148 and 1.050, respectively, in 158 games. 

Silver Moments 1999

Demolished RHP with a .341 (143-419) BA, 1.100 OPS, 36 HR, 108 RBI

Loved his home Ballpark: .325 (88-271) BA, 1.136 OPS, 28 HR, 83 RBI

Had a sensational August that season: .318 (35-110) 1.165 OPS, 15 HR, 39 RBI

Punished his former team, the Orioles: 12 games .372 (16-43) BA, 1.261 OPS, 5 HR, 10 RBI

Loved playing at the Metrodome: 6 Games, .304 (7-23) BA, 1.110 OPS, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Had 3, 4-hit games: 4/18 @ Athletics, 5/18 vs Rays, 6/30 @Angels

Best Game: 6/30 @ Angels, 4-4, 4 RBIs, 1 double

 

Rafael Palmeiro Stats

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/palmera01.shtml

90s Pitcher of the Month: Dwight Gooden, Sept 1990

 

-Matthew McConkey

In September of 1990, the doctor was in. Gooden received Pitcher of the Month honors for his outstanding and dominating performance for the last month of the '90 MLB season. 

He went 5-0 (6 games) with the Mets, had an ERA of 1.93, a 1.136 WHIP, and posted 44 strikeouts in 46.2 Innings. Twice during the six-game stretch, Gooden punched out 10, once against the Phillies and then later against the Cubs. 

Dwight Gooden Stats

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goodedw01.shtml

90s Rookies of the Year: David Justice

 

-Matthew McConkey 

I couldn't wait to do this post. Justice was one of my favorite Braves players growing up. There was something about the way he handled himself in the outfield and at the plate. He possessed a calm, self-assured demeanor in any situation. Not once did I ever see him get nervous. I'm sure that he was at times. As a kid, I wanted to be this guy. I wanted to have that swagger he had. For a time, he was the face of the Atlanta Braves.

In 1990, David Justice won the National League Rookie of the Year award. It was well deserved. In that season, playing for a dismal Braves club, Justice hit 28 HRs, drove in 78 RBIs, and his OPS was .908. All significant numbers for a rookie. Winning the ROY was a sign of things to come for the left-handed hitter. He would have 12 more productive seasons with the Indians, Yankees, and finish his career with the Athletics. Justice was one of the coolest players of the 1990s. 

Justice's 1990 ROY Numbers At A Glance

10 of 28 Justice's HRs were off left-handed pitching

Had an OPS of 1.099 off of lefties

In the second half of the 1990s season, Justice smashed 23 HRS and drove in 58 RBIs, with a .985 OPS

Had a scorching August with 11 HRs, 29 RBIs, and a 1.007 OPS

Was locked in with RISP: 7 HRS, 50 RBIs, and a 1.001 OPS

RISP with 2/outs: 2 HR, 17 RBIs, .708 OPS

Clobbered the Padres that season with 6 HRs, 12 RBIs, and a .925 OPS in 17 games

Had a 1.173 OPS vs the Pirates in 10 games, the most against any team

19 of Justice's 28 HRs came at his home ballpark, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium

Had a whopping 1.500 OPS at Three Rivers Stadium (Pirates former home) in 4 games

David Justice Stats

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/justida01.shtml