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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thigpbo01.shtml

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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzaju03.shtml

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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero02.shtml

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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gracema01.shtml

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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/coneda01.shtml

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

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

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hershor01.shtml