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I’m going to start a thread of some of the “one-hit wonders” in MLB history.
First up, Bill James (no, not that Bill James).
Went 26-7 in 1915 for the Braves. 1.90 ERA, 332.1 IP, 30 CG, 150 ERA+, 7.8 WAR. He went on to throw just 73.2 more innings in his career.
First up, Bill James (no, not that Bill James).
Went 26-7 in 1915 for the Braves. 1.90 ERA, 332.1 IP, 30 CG, 150 ERA+, 7.8 WAR. He went on to throw just 73.2 more innings in his career.
Denny McLain:
Two hit wonder? Denny has 2 Cy Young Awards (1968 & 1969) and an MVP (1968). 20.5 career WAR, and 15.5 of that came during those two seasons. Unfortunately for Denny, he wasn’t really great outside of those two seasons, and was out of baseball at the age of 28.
Two hit wonder? Denny has 2 Cy Young Awards (1968 & 1969) and an MVP (1968). 20.5 career WAR, and 15.5 of that came during those two seasons. Unfortunately for Denny, he wasn’t really great outside of those two seasons, and was out of baseball at the age of 28.
Joe Charboneau:
1980 ROY winner at the age of 25. Slashed .289/.358/.488. 76 runs, 131 hits, 23 home runs, 129 OPS+ in 131 games. Played 48 games in 1981 and 22 games in 1982. He never played again after that.
1980 ROY winner at the age of 25. Slashed .289/.358/.488. 76 runs, 131 hits, 23 home runs, 129 OPS+ in 131 games. Played 48 games in 1981 and 22 games in 1982. He never played again after that.
Dontrelle Willis:
We all know him, but he really only had one really good season, and everything else was okay to bad. Went 22-10 in 2005 with a 2.63 ERA, 152 ERA+, and 7.3 WAR. He sprinkled a couple good years outside of this, but he couldn’t stay healthy and was done by 29.
We all know him, but he really only had one really good season, and everything else was okay to bad. Went 22-10 in 2005 with a 2.63 ERA, 152 ERA+, and 7.3 WAR. He sprinkled a couple good years outside of this, but he couldn’t stay healthy and was done by 29.
Daisuke Matsuzaka:
Another well known, promising name. Dice-K had a good 2008 season where he posted a 5.4 WAR, went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 160 ERA+. After 2008, he would hardly be play at replacement level, leaving him as a true one-hit wonder.
Another well known, promising name. Dice-K had a good 2008 season where he posted a 5.4 WAR, went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 160 ERA+. After 2008, he would hardly be play at replacement level, leaving him as a true one-hit wonder.
Mark Prior:
One of the greatest one-hit wonders of all-time. His 2003 season was unbelievable. He went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA, 50 walks, and 245 K. Put up a 179 ERA+ and 7.4 WAR. Prior threw just 329 more innings after 2003 before he was done at the age of 25 due to arm problems.
One of the greatest one-hit wonders of all-time. His 2003 season was unbelievable. He went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA, 50 walks, and 245 K. Put up a 179 ERA+ and 7.4 WAR. Prior threw just 329 more innings after 2003 before he was done at the age of 25 due to arm problems.
Morgan Ensberg:
Broke out in 2005 with 36 HR, 101 RBI, .945 OPS, 144 OPS+, and 6.3 WAR. He had a pretty good 2003 and 2006 season, but nothing like what he did on 2005. He struggled after that and his last season came in 2008.
Broke out in 2005 with 36 HR, 101 RBI, .945 OPS, 144 OPS+, and 6.3 WAR. He had a pretty good 2003 and 2006 season, but nothing like what he did on 2005. He struggled after that and his last season came in 2008.
Lou Klein:
Rookie in 1943 and had a good season, slashing .287/.342/.410 with 180 hits and posted a 6.4 WAR in 154 games. He would go on to play in just 151 more career games, not playing more than 58 in any season. He was out of baseball at age 32.
Rookie in 1943 and had a good season, slashing .287/.342/.410 with 180 hits and posted a 6.4 WAR in 154 games. He would go on to play in just 151 more career games, not playing more than 58 in any season. He was out of baseball at age 32.
Rich Aurilia:
Popular name, mainly for playing along side Bonds. Career 18.2 WAR, but put up 6.7 of that in 2001 when he had 206 hits and 37 home runs. He would never come close to that production again.
Popular name, mainly for playing along side Bonds. Career 18.2 WAR, but put up 6.7 of that in 2001 when he had 206 hits and 37 home runs. He would never come close to that production again.
Denny McLain:
Two hit wonder? Denny has 2 Cy Young Awards (1968 & 1969) and an MVP (1968). 20.5 career WAR, and 15.5 of that came during those two seasons. Unfortunately for Denny, he wasn’t really great outside of those two seasons, and was out of baseball at the age of 28.
Two hit wonder? Denny has 2 Cy Young Awards (1968 & 1969) and an MVP (1968). 20.5 career WAR, and 15.5 of that came during those two seasons. Unfortunately for Denny, he wasn’t really great outside of those two seasons, and was out of baseball at the age of 28.
Ryan Ludwick:
Worth 11.2 WAR in his career, nearly half of that came in 2008 when he recorded a 5.5 WAR with 161 hits, 37 HR, 113 RBI, 151 OPS+ and a 16th place finish in MVP. He didn’t come close to a season like this again.
Worth 11.2 WAR in his career, nearly half of that came in 2008 when he recorded a 5.5 WAR with 161 hits, 37 HR, 113 RBI, 151 OPS+ and a 16th place finish in MVP. He didn’t come close to a season like this again.
