MLB: Forgotten Stars of 1990s Baseball

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LF – Greg Vaughn – Brewers/Padres/Reds

Lost among the ranks of 1990s sluggers is Greg Vaughn, who quietly hit 287 home runs in the decade. From 1996-99, Vaughn had three 40-homer seasons, including 50 in 1998. He was, of course, completely overshadowed by the McGwire/Sosa home run chase, but managed consecutive fourth-place finishes in the MVP voting in 1998 and 1999. Vaughn was unable to carry this momentum into the new century, however, as Tampa Bay’s attempt to contend with a lineup of aging sluggers such as Fred McGriff, Vinny Castilla, Jose Canseco and Vaughn failed miserably.

CF – Ray Lankford – Cardinals

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The 1990s had several underappreciated center fielders, including Devon White and Marquis Grissom. Ray Lankford earns the spot here, though, with his combination of power, speed, plate discipline and defense. Lankford took over center field in St. Louis for Willie McGee late in the 1990 season and patrolled the middle of the Busch Stadium outfield for much of the rest of the decade. He turned in five seasons of 20 home runs and 20 steals, including each year from 1995-98. Lankford quietly posted a .847 OPS (126 OPS+) for the 1990s. A signature moment came in 1994, as Lankford led off the season with a home run on a full count pitch from Jose Rijo. Lankford only made one all-star team, in 1997, but was a consistent force throughout his career.

RF – Jay Buhner – Mariners

Jay Buhner is one of the most popular Seattle Mariners in franchise history, and from 1995-97 averaged better than 40 home runs and 120 RBI. He was traded to the Mariners from the New York Yankees in 1988 for Ken Phelps, and his greatest claim to fame may be an episode of Seinfeld where Frank Costanza berates George Steinbrenner for trading Buhner. Phelps played just parts of two seasons for the Yankees, while Buhner went on to hit 307 home runs for the Mariners, behind only Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edgar Martinez in franchise history.

DH – Chili Davis – Angels/Twins/Royals/Yankees

Chili Davis was a steady producer as an outfielder in the 1980s and as a designated hitter in the 1990s. The native of Jamaica hit .281 with a sparkling .380 OBP in the 90s, averaging 27 home runs and 101 RBI per 162 games in the decade. He reached 30 homers just once, and 100 RBI once, never reaching 90 runs scored despite his on-base ability. Davis ended his career with 350 home runs and three World Series rings.

LHP – Chuck Finley – Angels

Mike Trout will overtake him during the 2017 season, but Chuck Finley is the Angels’ career leader in wins above replacement. Only Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine started more games than Finley in the 1990s, and Finley recorded the fifth-most strikeouts in the decade while issuing the second-most walks. He was a workhorse, averaging 214 innings pitched. Finley received only one Cy Young vote in his career, in 1990, but he was named to five all-star teams.

RHP – Kevin Appier – Royals/Athletics

Kevin Appier was a mainstay in the Kansas City Royals rotation for most of the 1990s. He began the decade finishing third in the Rookie of the Year race behind a 12-8 record and 2.76 ERA. He led the American League in ERA and fielding independent pitching in 1993, finishing third in the Cy Young race while picking up an MVP vote. He was named to just one all-star team, in 1995, but from 1990-97, Appier paced the Royals with a 103-74 record, 3.22 ERA and 1.215 WHIP while averaging 205 innings pitched per season. He went on to find post-peak success with the Angels, serving as a key cog in the rotation during the team’s 2002 championship run.

Next: Mariners to retire Edgar's number

Some positions were deeper than others in the 1990s, so if your favorite player from the decade was left out, let us know in the comments.

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MLB: Forgotten Stars of the 1990s

By Adam Tabakin | Jan 25, 2017