Nettles played in the shadow of Brooks Robinson. Like Brooks but with more power, a lower average and just slightly less defense, Nettles was appreciated somewhat less for following Brooksy. Nettles' 1977 defensive heroics in the World Series were dimmed somewhat after Robinson's 1970 show. He just didn't look as special.
Nettles was a 4th round pick of the Twins in 1965. He got to play some in 1969, but batted just .222 as a part-time left fielder. In retrospect, the Twins should have moved out Rich Reese and put Nettles at 3B with Killebrew at 1B, but instead Nettles was traded to Cleveland. He played three years with Cleveland, showing power and a great glove, and then was traded to the Yankees.
The southern California native would have his greatest success in New York. He solidified the hot corner in the Bronx, and provided power low in the order. Nettles would bat in the .250s and have 25 or 30 HR while drawing a healthy number of walks. Nettles won two Gold Gloves but deserved more. He was 5th in MVP voting in 1977 and 6th in 1978. He was the ALCS MVP in 1981. The Yankees won four pennants and two World Series with Nettles at 3B.
Just before the start of the 1984 season Nettles was traded home to San Diego for Dennis Rasmussen. He was 39 but helped the Padres win the pennant that year. He played three seasons in SD, then a year each in Atlanta and Montreal as a backup. It was a long and distinguished career.
Nettles earned 155.61 ratings points.
Nettles' stats: .248 average, 390 HR, 1314 RBI, 2225 hits, 110 OPS+. posted by Shawn Weaver at 6:20 PM
Number 136: Manny Ramirez.
He is likely the best right-handed hitter of the past decade. He didn't win an MVP, although he finished 3rd twice. On defense he has ability, but often seems indifferent. But this is a guy who has hit .300 in 11 times as a regular, and hits with terrific power, reaching 40 home runs five times. He also drove in 100 runs in nine consecutive seasons.
Ramirez was a first-round pick of the Indians, and began his career there in the same lineup with Albert Belle and Jim Thome, a very scary trio. He spent more than seven years with the Red Sox, and won two World Series rings. 29 postseason home runs in 111 games attest to his clutch abilities.
Ramirez earned 155.69 ratings points.
Ramirez' stats: .312 average, 555 HR, 1831 RBI, .411 on-base, .585 slugging. posted by Shawn Weaver at 5:55 PM
