John Mayberry

[Cowtipper]

John Mayberry spent 15 years in the big leagues, hitting .253 with 255 home runs, 879 RBI, 881 walks (to only 810 strikeouts) and a 123 OPS+. He was an All-Star twice, finished second in MVP voting in 1975 (and seventh in 1973) and eight times he eclipsed the 20 home run mark.

Mayberry led the league in OBP once, games played once, walks twice, OPS+ once, offensive winning percentage twice, sacrifice flies once, intentional walks once, putouts three times, games at first base twice and first base fielding percentage twice. He reached the 100 RBI mark three times and the 100 walk mark twice, though he never struck out more than 86 times in a season.

From 1972 to 1975, he averaged 27 home runs and 94 RBI a year, while hitting .277 with a .399 OBP and a 152 OPS+. From 1972 to 1980, he averaged 24 home runs and 86 RBI a year.

Statistically, Mayberry is similar to Andre Thornton, Jeff Burroughs, Jason Thompson, Deron Johnson, JT Snow, Bob Allison, Tony Clark, Cecil Fielder, Pat Burrell and Matt Stairs. He was on the Hall of Fame ballot in 1988, but he did not receive a single vote.

What do you think about John Mayberry? Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Did he have Hall of Fame potential?

[TomBodet]

Yeah he was Mo Vaughn or Boog, say: real good hitter who went south kinda early.

[PVNICK]

He was on track to have a case as of the winter of 1975 with his runner up in the MVP to Fred Lynn. He was 26 and had 100 RBI in 72, 73 and 75. Then pfft in what should have been his prime. His power dropped of slightly and the .270-.290 averages he had 3/4 years from 72-75 were replaced by .230-.250 averages. His last season as a regular was 1981. He was done by age 32. Any backstory? I guess the tall high walks medium average lefty 1B slugger has McCovey as a high water mark and Mayberry as a cautionary tale.

[dgarza]

He was done by age 32. Any backstory?

Most sources say substance abuse was a big part of the story.

Whitey Herzog didn't like his lackluster 1977 postseason attitude and performance, and supposedly pushed the Royals to get rid of him.

[Yankillaz]

There was talent there alright. And if he would've aged properly, the Royals could've had Brett, Mcrae, Wilson, White and him in the early 80s. That could've been a powerhouse. Sad story though.

[jjpm74]

Bob Horner lite in terms of career.

[Freakshow]

Born in Detroit and went to the same high school as Willie Horton, Alex Johnson and Willie Kirkland.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Most sources say substance abuse was a big part of the story.

Whitey Herzog didn't like his lackluster 1977 postseason attitude and performance, and supposedly pushed the Royals to get rid of him.

He looks like he got his act together a bit when he went to Toronto. Still, despite being in his prime years, he was never a great player after 1975.

Mayberry led the AL in OWP twice, posting numbers worthy of the upper half of the HOF. His OWP was .631 for his career, which is .001 better than Jim Rice. That doesn't make him a HOFer, but if he hadn't has outside issues (and there's no other way, really to explain a sudden decline at age 26-27) he'd have had a better case.

On the other hand, Mayberry was a classic "young-player-with-old-player-skills". His career ended because he lost the abiility to hit for any kind of average to the point where pitchers were more free to throw him strikes and take their chances. You can't boost your OBP with walks if every pitch is a strike, and that's what happens when you lose the ability to put the bat on the ball for a hit.

[PVNICK]

On the other hand, Mayberry was a classic "young-player-with-old-player-skills". His career ended because he lost the abiility to hit for any kind of average to the point where pitchers were more free to throw him strikes and take their chances. You can't boost your OBP with walks if every pitch is a strike, and that's what happens when you lose the ability to put the bat on the ball for a hit.

I can't disagree with your last sentences, but you do him a disservice to classify him as a "young player with old player skills." True he walked and homered, but in the day .270-.290 was well above league average (.277-.259). He was no Adam Dunn precursor. Nor was he a TTO player, as he was only striking out 70x per season.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I can't disagree with your last sentences, but you do him a disservice to classify him as a "young player with old player skills." True he walked and homered, but in the day .270-.290 was well above league average (.277-.259). He was no Adam Dunn precursor. Nor was he a TTO player, as he was only striking out 70x per season.

Mayberry was a LITTLE above average in BA prior to age 26. After that he never hit above .250.

[Freakshow]

20-year era centered on Mayberry's career.

Players with 20+ WAR, 800 G at 1b, 1966-1985

Rk            Player WAR/pos OPS+ Rfield    PA   Age
1          Rod Carew    76.6  131     16 10550 21-39 H
2          Pete Rose    69.4  121    -34 13607 25-44
3         Tony Perez    50.1  123     17 10298 24-43 H
4    Keith Hernandez    47.8  132    102  6452 20-31
5       Eddie Murray    42.7  144     37  5837 21-29 H
6         Dick Allen    41.0  157    -99  5874 24-35
7     Willie McCovey    40.7  148    -66  6830 28-42 H
8       Steve Garvey    36.7  119     13  8804 20-36
9       Cecil Cooper    34.3  126     17  7080 21-35
10      George Scott    32.0  114     84  8269 22-35
11     Mike Hargrove    27.4  121     -5  6694 24-35
12       Boog Powell    26.8  137    -13  5745 24-35
13        Bob Watson    25.8  129    -68  6962 20-38
14           Lee May    24.0  116    -25  8215 23-39
15   Chris Chambliss    23.2  109     33  8174 22-36
16    Jason Thompson    22.4  122      8  5617 21-30
17     John Mayberry    21.5  123    -24  6447 19-33
18         Norm Cash    21.1  132     -1  4341 31-39
19        Ron Fairly    20.9  119      4  5439 27-39

[1905 Giants]

I say potential

[Fuzzy Bear]

I say potential

Had he not gotten into drugs and hit 400 HRs, he'd have had a shot.