Showing posts with label Matthew mcconkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew mcconkey. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

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

Monday, November 10, 2025

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 

Saturday, November 8, 2025

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



Friday, November 7, 2025

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

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

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

Monday, November 3, 2025

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

Monday, October 27, 2025

Closing Time 90s Edition: Bobby Thigpen

 

-Matthew McConkey

I remember back in 1990, there was no closer more dominant than the Chicago White Sox's own Bobby Thigpen. In that season, Thigpen set the MLB record for saves with 57, blowing by the old MLB save record in a single season by 11. Dave Righetti, of the New York Yankees, had set the new standard for saves in a single season with his 46 in 1986. Thigpen, four years later, would smash that one. 

He wasn't the best closer in the game before 1990, or even after. But whatever it was during that season, something clicked with him. He was able to catch lightning in a bottle, which very few closers can do. 

Thigpen's single-season MLB save record stood for eighteen years until Francisco Rodriguez set the new mark with 62 in 2008.

Bobby Thigpen's 1990 Season At A Glance

57 saves, led MLB and set a new single-season record

He was selected for his first All-Star Game 

Had a career low 1.84 ERA that season, the lowest of his career

Saved 30 games on the road, with a 1.70 ERA. Home teams only hit .144

In June of that season, he posted a 1-0 record, while saving 10 games with a 1.35 ERA

Dominated the New York Yankees. 1-0, 8 saves, 1.13 ERA. He allowed one ER in 8 games

Bobby Thigpen Stats


Monday, October 20, 2025

The 90s Power Company: Juan Gonzalez

 

-Matthew McConkey 

I remember Juan being one of the most feared home run hitters in all of MLB during the 1990s. He had some of the quickest hands and could swing the bat through the zone faster than I had ever seen. For a decade during the '90s, Juan was a home run-hitting machine, sending 339 HRs out into the cheap seats. I was always awestruck by how good he was at the plate, thanks to his exceptional hand-eye coordination. 

It doesn't escape me that Gonzalez's name sometimes gets lost in the home run-hitting shuffle that was the 1990s. How? I don't know. It could be all those years he spent playing with the Texas Rangers, and the team not being in a huge media market. Had he been in New York, Boston, or Los Angeles, he would've been more revered, more of a household name. 

During the 1990s, Gonzalez made life brutal for pitchers. Not only did he hit 339 home runs during the decade, but he also collected 1,068 RBIs. He averaged 33.9 HRs, 106.8 RBIs, and a staggering .920 OPS from 1990-1999. He was one of the toughest outs to get in all of baseball. 

His best power season came in 1996, the year he won his first AL MVP. That year, he clobbered 47 HRs and drove in 144 runs with an OPS of 1.001, the highest of his career. He did all that damage in just 134 games. When the 90s were over, Gonzalez ranked 5th in MLB in both HRs and RBIs during the decade. 

When I think of great home run hitters and RBI threats of the '90s, "Juan Gone" is on my list as one of the best to do it.  

Juan Gonzalez Stats




Monday, October 13, 2025

The 90s K Files: Roger Clemens, 1991

 

-Matthew McConkey  

In 1991, Roger Clemens was a force of nature in the American League. Not only did he lead the league in Ks that season with 241, he also paced MLB, leading all pitchers. Growing up, I didn't get to see Clemens pitch unless it was an NBC Game of the Week, ESPN, or the MLB All-Star game. But I watched highlights of him on the news and, of course, kept track of him through box scores in newspapers, and on the backs of baseball cards I'd pull. As a kid, I knew he was a great pitcher. 

That season in 1991, Clemens was masterful. Not only did he lead the game in strikeouts, but he also led MLB in innings pitched with 271.1, and he had an American League-leading ERA of 2.62. And, as a bonus for all his dominance on the mound, Clemens won his third AL Cy Young. 

Clemens Strikeouts At A Glance 1991

He struck out 241 out of the 1,077 total plate appearances. Giving him a 22.4% K rate of hitters faced

He had 7, 10+ strikeout games

He struck out 121 LHB and 120 RHB

Struck out 132 at home and 109 on the road

1st half struck out 123, 2nd half 118

In the 18 games Clemens won, he had 144 Ks, and in the 10 he lost, 59 Ks

He struck out more Yankees and Tigers than any team in the league, both with 29 Ks

Struck out 171 hitters during night games

Struck out 16 Detroit Tigers in Tiger Stadium in two starts, more than any ballpark he visited that 1991 season

Roger Clemens Stats

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Hitmen of the 1990s: Mark Grace

 

-Matthew McConkey


I had the pleasure of watching Mark Grace a lot back on TV during the good old WGN days on cable. God, how I miss those days. I could have actually been a Chicago Cubs fan had I not fallen in love with the Atlanta Braves first, back when I discovered them on TBS. At any rate, I'd watch both teams when they were on, and my favorite Cubs player was, and always will be, Mark Grace. 

One thing that always struck me about the Cubs was how good Grace was. Not only was he a great fielder, winning four Gold Gloves during the 1990s, but he was also quite impressive at the plate. During the 1990s, Mark Grace posted a .310 batting average and a .385 OBP. He was such a hard man to keep off base, and pitchers could never rest easy on the mound while he was up at the plate. 

Talking about hitting, Grace has the distinction of being the only player during the 1990s to have hit the most doubles in MLB, with 364, and the most hits in MLB, with 1,754 during the decade. 

Grace only struck out 448 times during the 90s in 6,467 plate appearances. He was exceptional at the plate when it came to limiting strikeouts; in eight seasons in the 90s, Grace was in the top 5 in AB per SO. 

When I think of hitters of the '90s, it's easy for me to think of the home run guys. But I think back to the guys who were just good hitters, not always power, but good hitters like Grace. I think outside of Chicago, Grace doesn't get a lot of play. He's undervalued and underappreciated. I think it's time for baseball fans outside the Windy City to see what this player was: A damn great hitter. 

Mark Grace Stats





Monday, September 29, 2025

Signature Season of the 1990s: David Cone 1992

 

-Matthew McConkey


When I was a kid, the first time I saw David Cone pitch was during a Mets game at my grandmother's house here in Tennessee. It was a network on her cable subscription called WWOR, channel 5, where I saw Cone pitch. On Sundays, I would go to Grandmother's house with my dad to visit her. I'd watch the Braves (my favorite team) on TBS, and during commercials, I'd flip over to the Mets. I would flip between the games like that until it was time to go. 

I remember seeing Cone pitch one Sunday. I liked his devilery, his toughness, his way of getting out of jams on the mound. Plus, I'd had a bunch of his baseball cards I'd pulled over the years and knew he was a good pitcher. But in late August of the 1992 season, the Mets traded Cone to the Toronto Blue Jays, who needed some pitching for their push to the postseason. I didn't get to see Cone pitch anymore on those Sunday visits with my grandmother. Little did I know, I was going to get to see a lot of David Cone during that 1992 postseason on national broadcasts on TV. 

The acquisition of Cone gave the Jays exactly what they needed. In the end, the Blue Jays not only made it to the World Series but they won it over the Atlanta Braves. I was once again devastated, but that's another story for another post. 

I consider the righty's 1992 MLB season his best overall in the 1990s, split between the Mets and Blue Jays. At the end of the season, Cone was 17-10. His 2.81 ERA was the second-lowest of his career and the lowest of his 1990s decade. 

He logged 249.1 innings pitched, his second-highest during his 90s decade. He started 34 games, producing 7 complete games and 5 shutouts. He also fanned 261 hitters, the most ever in his career. He led the National League in walks while with the Mets, with 82, before being traded, and was second in the National League in strikeouts with 214. 

When the Blue Jays played the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS in 1992, Cone went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

The Jays dispatched the A's 4 games to 2, advancing to the 1992 World Series. He was 0-0 in 2 game starts with a 3.48 ERA against the Braves in the fall classic, allowing 4 ER in 10.1 innings, which wasn't bad at all. Eventually, the Jays won the World Series over the Braves, 4-2, giving Cone his first World Series championship.

Cone's 1992 Season At A Glance

Went to his second career All-Star game

Cone was tough on righties, limiting them to a .207 batting average in 1992

Pitching on the road, Cone was a road warrior, allowing the home team a .212 batting average while posting a 9-4 record with a 2.33 ERA

On May 3rd, he was named the NL Player of the Week 

In July of 1992, Cone was stunning, going 5-0 with a 3.20 ERA 

When given 3-5 runs of support, Cone was dazzling, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.37 ERA

When it came to RISP with no outs, Cone was greedy, limiting teams to a .181 batting average, while RISP W/2 outs, he was even greedier, allowing a .175 batting average

The Giants, Astros, and Braves, Cone was a combined 6-1 in 7 starts with a 1.15 ERA, which included 2 complete game shutouts against the Giants

While with the Mets, Cone ranked first in the NL in strikeouts per 9 IP with 9.793 

David Cone Stats


Monday, September 22, 2025

Hardware Heroes of the 1990s: Cal Ripken, Jr.'s 1991 MVP

 


-Matthew McConkey

When I was a kid, one of the living icons of the game at that time was Cal Ripken, Jr. Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, I didn't get to see him play unless the Baltimore Orioles were playing on NBC on the Game of the Week, ESPN, or it was an All-Star game. That was it. There were also pictures of him on the covers of baseball magazines that I'd occasionally see. There were, of course, baseball cards of the man. It was how I tracked his success over the years. 

When I collected baseball cards, I'd pull one of his from a pack and was ecstatic because I knew how good he was, even though I didn't get to see him play often. Sometimes, I'd make card trades for Ripken, Jr. to add more of his cards to my ever-growing baseball card collection. 

During the 1990s, Ripken, Jr. was a giant among men in baseball. He was the best shortstop in the game, both in the field and at the plate. His consecutive games played streak was going strong in the 1990s. All of us kids back then wondered if he was ever going to break it, the immortal Lou Gehrig's 2,130. He would in 1995. 

Ripken, Jr. had arguably the best season of his career that '91 season. When it came time for the MVP voting, he received 15 first-place votes to runner-up Cecil Fielder's 9. It would be his final MVP trophy.

Ripken's 1991 Season: At a Glance

In 1991, Cal won his second MVP. He had 34 home runs and 114 RBIs, both of which were career highs. 

Cal also hit .323, his career high, when he registered 600+ plate appearances

His OPS was .940, a career high when he registered 600+ plate appearances

Posted the second-most hits of his career with 210

He also won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger that year and didn't miss a game, of course

Cal was a road warrior, hitting .358 away with 18 HRs and 62 RBIs with a 1.027 OPS

He crushed lefties with a .348 BA and a 1.088 OPS

In his first 80 games, Ripken collected 18 HRs and 54 RBIs with a .348 BA and a 1.001 OPS

He hit .371 in June, the highest of any month during the 1991 season

During a 1-1 count, Ripken was deadly, hitting .453 with a 1.188 OPS

With RISP, Cal tallied 70 of his 114 RBIs with a .315 BA. 

Two outs w/RISP, Ripken hit .290 and had 20 RBIs and 2 HRs

He destroyed the Rangers in 12 games, hitting .409 with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs, 1.140 OPS while hitting .476 in 6 games at Texas' Arlington Stadium. 

Cal Ripken, Jr.'s Stats

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ripkeca01.shtml



Monday, September 15, 2025

Forgotten All Star: Orel Hershiser

 

-Matthew McConkey

My first memory of Orel Hershiser came in the 1988 World Series. I remember watching him pitch and noticing right away how determined he was to go after the hitters in the box. His aggressiveness earned him the nickname "Bulldog". He was one of the more determined pitchers I watched as a kid on the mound. I could see that "Bulldog" mentality in the games he pitched. 

I learned more about Hershiser from one of my childhood friends who grew up in the era in which Hershiser pitched. Justin was the biggest fan (still is) of the decorated righty from the L.A. Dodgers. He taught me a lot about the pitcher back then, way before the internet was even a thing. He also taught me a lot about baseball. 

When I selected Orel for this week's feature, I learned more about how good he was back in the day. To say the least, I'm now a fan of #55. He doesn't get a lot of play outside of L.A., but he should. His number should be retired at Dodger Stadium, if you ask me. 

In the late 1980s, Hershiser was one of the league's elite pitchers, having been selected as an all-star three consecutive seasons (1987, 1988, 1989). His durability was among the National League's best as he led the league in Innings Pitched during those three all-star seasons (264.2, 267, 256.2, respectively).

During the 1980s (1983-1989), Hershiser was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He was 98-64 with a 2.64 ERA, 1,457 innings, 1.149 WHIP, started 191 games, had 58 complete games, and 23 shutouts while striking out 1,011 hitters. 

The crown jewel in Hersisher's career was the 1988 season. He was the National League's Cy Young Award winner, NLCS MVP, and World Series champion with series MVP honors. He also won his only Gold Glove. 

Hershiser never recaptured that kind of magic after the 1988 season. He was never an all-star after 1989, but he was able to notch out an excellent playing career. Orel pitched another 11 seasons after 1989 with the Dodgers, Indians, Giants, and Mets, starting 275 games and logging 1,673.1 innings. He was 105-81 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.344 WHIP during those last 11 seasons. 

At ages 36-40, showing that he still had gas left in the tank, Hershiser established himself as one of the game's most reliable pitchers despite his age. In that stretch, he was 69-43, started 157 games, and logged 949.2 innings with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.372 WHIP.   

He also started 11 postseason games during the ages of 36-40 with the Indians and Mets, going 4-3 with a 3.28 ERA, pitching 74 innings with a 1.149 WHIP.

*3 X All-Star 
*WS Champion in 1988
*WS MVP in 1988
*NLCS MVP in 1988
*1988 National League Cy Young Award winner 
*Led the National League in Innings Pitched three consecutive seasons (1987, 1988, 1989)
*Led the National League in Wins in 1988 with 23
*Won his only Gold Glove in 1988
*Won his only Silver Slugger award in 1993
*Led MLB in 1988 with 15 Complete Games and 8 Shutouts
*Had a career-low 2.03 ERA (min 230 IP) in 1985 with a career-low 1.031 WHIP
*Holds the MLB record for consecutive scoreless innings by a pitcher with 59 (August 20, 1988, and ended on September 28, 1989)

Orel Hershiser Stats

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

My Case for the HOF: Dale Murphy

 

-Matthew McConkey

Dale Murphy is one of the most enduring players to have worn a Braves uniform. I'll be honest, he was my gateway into baseball as a kid of ten years old. His #3 has been retired and is on full display at Truist Park in Atlanta. It is baffling that this man has not been enshrined in the hallowed halls of baseball's Hall of Fame. What's the hold up here?  

Well, who knows really. One factor that may have contributed to Murphy not being elected was that during his time with the Atlanta Braves, the team was not based in a major market like Los Angeles, New York, or Boston. That truly hindered his status as one of the nationally known elites in MLB and caused him to fail at getting into the HOF...for now, as of 2025. 

Critics often point out that he experienced a decline in production during his final six seasons. During this span from 1988-1993, Murphy's numbers paled in comparison to his prime years. He posted a .234 BA, 88 HRs, and 339 RBIs in this stretch, which hampered any sort of consideration for the Hall. Very few players in MLB don't have a drop-off in production in their later years. This raises the question: Should outstanding players who experience a drop-off in performance after ten or twelve seasons of their careers be penalized? My answer is NO. 

However, I would like to make the case for Murphy, who never received more than 23.2% of the vote while on the HOF ballot from 1999-2013. A player should not be judged on their final years of play since nearly every player (save for the rare ones who leave on top) has a cavernous drop-off in numbers. Time catches up with everyone, and skills do diminish. It happens to the best of them. 

It's advantageous to review these types of players. I always have two questions when discussing players such as Murphy: One, how popular were they in the era they played in? Two, how good were they in that era (an era can mean 10-12 seasons).

Murphy was extremely popular during the 1980s as he was the franchise face of the Atlanta Braves, who had gained a nationwide following thanks to Ted Turner's TBS Superstation. Baseball fans all over the country who had cable could sit down and watch a Braves game and see how good Murphy was. In the 1980s, he was one of the most popular players in baseball and was an absolute dynamo who could run, play defense and hit.

How good was Murphy during the ten seasons from 1980-1989?

* 7 AS Game selections in the 1980s 
* Was twice named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1982 and 1983
* Had 929 RBIs during the 1980s, second to Eddie Murray's 996
* Had 308 HRs during the 1980s, second to Mike Schmidt's 313 
* 100+ RBIs in 5 different seasons in the 1980s
* 30+ HRs in 6 different seasons in the 1980s
* 5-time Gold Glove winner in the 1980s
* 4-time Silver Slugger in the 1980s
* Had .852 OPS during the 1980s
* Played in 1,537 games during the 1980s
* Had 1,553 hits in the 1980s, the 5th most in the decade

Murphy's resume speaks for itself, and had he played in a much larger market, we would not be having this discussion. Would he have been a first-ballot HOFer? No, but he should have secured the votes (75%) to get in before his name was taken off. And what a travesty that the Veterans committee didn't elect him...yet.

The game has undergone significant changes over the years. Gone are the old standard benchmarks of 500 HRs, 3,000 hits, and 1,500 RBIs that would grant you entry into Cooperstown. As for this writer, a player should be judged not on their first two seasons and last three, but rather on the ten years in between, because that is where the accurate metric of how good a player is lies. 

In Murphy's case, from the 1980s, when he was 24-33, he was a powerhouse and is a forgotten great of the decade who should be in the Hall of Fame.

Dale Murphy Stats


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...