MLB: Forgotten Stars of the 1990s
By Adam Tabakin
C – Terry Steinbach – Athletics/Twins
Aside from Ivan Rodriguez, Terry Steinbach caught more games than anyone in the 1990s. Only one of his three all-star appearances with the Oakland Athletics came in this decade, but he was a steady force throughout. From 1991-96, Steinbach’s batting average stayed within a range of .272-.285, and he played solid defense throughout. His best season came in 1996, when he hit 35 home runs with 100 RBI, far surpassing his previous career high marks. Steinbach received his only MVP vote that season, and he was out of baseball following three seasons with the Twins from 1997-99. He received one Hall of Fame vote in 2005.
1B – Andres Galarraga – Expos/Cardinals/Rockies/Braves
Andres Galarraga had a fascinating career. He came up with the Montreal Expos in the mid-80s and quickly became a solid first baseman. After a rough start to the 1990s, Galarraga flourished in the thin Denver air as he became one of the original Colorado Rockies in 1993. He led all of baseball with a .370 batting average that season, and averaged 44 home runs and 145 RBI between 1996-97. The Big Cat proved that he was not just a product of Coors Field, turning in perhaps his best environment-adjusted offensive season in 1998 with the Atlanta Braves at age 37, hitting for a .305 batting average and .991 OPS to go with 44 home runs and 121 RBI.
The decade ended on a tragic note for Galarraga, as he had developed a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and missed the 1999 season receiving treatment. Galarraga made a triumphant return in 2000, starting in the all-star game and winning comeback player of the year. He ended his career with 399 home runs and a story of perseverance that should not be forgotten.
2B – Carlos Baerga – Indians/Mets/Padres
Carlos Baerga seemed destined to become a superstar. He came up with the Cleveland Indians in 1990 at the age of 21, and made the all-star team three times by the age of 26. He had a pair of silver slugger awards by that time to go along with two 200-hit seasons. Baerga made the final out of the 1995 World Series as the Indians lost to the Braves, and he would essentially never be the same player again. In his first six seasons Baerga had a .305 batting average and 115 OPS+ for a 20.9 bWAR total. For the rest of his career, Baerga struggled to the tune of an 80 OPS+ and -1.3 bWAR. From 1996-2005, including two years out of the majors altogether, Baerga was below replacement level. He had a great start to his career, but Baerga just didn’t end up having the career Indians fans may have hoped for.
3B – Ken Caminiti – Astros/Padres
Ken Caminiti has seemingly disappeared into the baseball annals, but he should serve as a cautionary tale to all up and coming major leaguers. Caminiti came up with the Houston Astros in 1987 and made his name with his glove and massive throwing arm. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in a monster 12-player deal following the 1994 season. In the following four seasons, Caminiti would win three gold gloves and the 1996 MVP award on the heels of a campaign in which he hit .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBI.
After his career, Caminiti admitted to Sports Illustrated that he used steroids during his MVP campaign and in subsequent seasons. He struggled with alcohol and substance abuse throughout his career. Tragically, Caminiti died on October 10, 2004 of a cocaine and heroine overdose at the age of 41.
SS – Jay Bell – Pirates/Royals/Diamondbacks
The player who made the most appearances, started the most games, and played the most innings at shortstop in the 1990s wasn’t Barry Larkin or Omar Vizquel. It was Jay Bell.
Bell came up with the Indians at 20 in 1986 and was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 1989 season as an infamous player to be named later. For the entirety of his career, Bell was fairly unremarkable – he had a career 101 OPS+, and his defensive metrics scored close to average. In the 1990s, however, he received MVP votes three times, made two all-star teams, and won a gold glove and silver slugger award. His best offensive season came in 1999 with the Arizona Diamondbacks after shifting to second base, posting career highs in slugging percentage (.557), OPS (.931), home runs (38), RBI (112) and runs scored (132).