Which of OUR BROOKLYN DODGERS were the most Underrated?

[DODGER DEB]

From time to time, WE have had discussions as to which players, who wore OUR BROOKLYN DODGER uniform through 1957, were the most underrated in the eyes of OUR fans?

WE had so many incredible players in OUR regular line-up that there were those who felt, and said, that OUR "utility" players were some of the best in baseball during that time, and several that could have been regulars on any other team.

Do you agree? If you do, name the players that you believe fall into this category.....and why.

c.

[musial6]

Gene Hermanski from '48 through '50 was a solid hitter and run producer. I always wanted him for the Cardinals.

[jaykay]

For as long as I have been watching baseball (a long time), I have had particular admiration for left-handed pitchers with stunning velocity, intimidating stuff, and everything else needed to be exceptional for years to come. That sounds like Koufax, but to me it describes Chris Van Cuyk, whose lack of success I could never quite fathom. Among a great many others, he seemed to lack one particular quality that would have tied everything else together and turned him into a .....well, into a Koufax. Who can explain it, who can tell you why, fools give you reasons, wise men never try.
Among the hitters, I waited, and waited, for the emergence of another gifted left-hander, the almost/should have been classic slugger Wayne Belardi.
I tell you, those two were vastly underrated. So what if their records don't amount to much? That's why they're underrated.

[VIBaseball]

So what if their records don't amount to much? That's why they're underrated.

I think that makes them underachievers rather than underrated. Underrated means achievements that aren't recognized.

In retrospect, given the amount of attention this team has received, history has probably assessed them all fairly -- or perhaps even overrated some.

At the time, though I wasn't there, I venture to say that Cox and Labine weren't given enough credit broadly.

One other man in many ways still remains overlooked beyond his great catch in the '55 Series: Sandy Amorós.

[DODGER DEB]

I think that makes them underachievers rather than underrated. Underrated means achievements that aren't recognized.

In retrospect, given the amount of attention this team has received, history has probably assessed them all fairly -- or perhaps even overrated some.

At the time, though I wasn't there, I venture to say that Cox and Labine weren't given enough credit broadly.

One other man in many ways still remains overlooked beyond his great catch in the '55 Series: Sandy Amorós.

Boy, did you ever say a mouthful, VIBaseball, when it came to BILLY COX and CLEM LABINE.

c.

[metfan13]

Hermanski was my Dad's favorite non-star, so another vote for Gene!

[dodger dynamo]

Al Gionfriddo, Billy Cox and Clem Labine. I thought Al never got a good chance in the majors. Some guys who are so so in the minors, for whatever reason are pretty good in the majors. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo