The "What If" Players

[marl1220]

There are so many players that played the game that we say "man, what if....?" about. I got to wondering who the top "what if" players of all time are. For the purposes of this thread it doesn't matter how they lost playing time. Injury, segregation, military service. Whatever. Or maybe they didn't lose time. Their skills were diminished due to injury but they kept on playing. Anyways, who are your top 3 "what if " players?

In no particular order: Joe Jackson, Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax

Two honorable mentions because I'm a Yankee fan: Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly

[no10pin]

Bo Jackson is always the first name that comes to mind.

[ThoseBackPages]

Josh Gibson

[Stech36]

Josh Hamilton. Insane couple of years. Hall of fame talent

[DioBrando]

Oscar Taveras

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Josh Gibson
Satchel Paige
Shoeless Joe Jackson

[marl1220]

It's too early to tell but I wonder if a player we're watching now that might fit this category is Ronald Acuna.

And I loved the Bo Jackson mention. He should be both a baseball and football mention.

[marl1220]

Originally Posted by DioBrando

Oscar Taveras

Jose Fernandez as well.

[awz50]

Whenever this type of thread pops up each year, these are the names mentioned

Doc Gooden
Strawberry
Hamilton
Bo Jackson
Sholesss Joe
Herb Score
Jose Fernandez
A lot of Nergo League players

[TrickyNick]

Tony Conigliaro, for most.

I, however, went on the first date with my wife at one of his restaurants so he'll always be a legend to me.

[NYRE2PECT]

Mike Trout

[rms13]

Bo Jackson and Josh Hamilton

[Aug06]

Mark Prior

[Rbradleigh]

Jose Fernandez
Jeffrey Allison
Mark Prior

[rats60]

The Pirates integrating their team in 1939 with Satchel Paige, Ray Brown, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Cool Papa Bell.

Sandy Koufax not developing arthritis and an undiagnosed UCL injury causing him to retire in 1966. If Frank Jobe had discovered his surgery earlier, Koufax may have been able to pitch for many more years.

Roberto Clemente not dying in a plane crash in 1972.

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by marl1220

There are so many players that played the game that we say "man, what if....?" about. I got to wondering who the top "what if" players of all time are. For the purposes of this thread it doesn't matter how they lost playing time. Injury, segregation, military service. Whatever. Or maybe they didn't lose time. Their skills were diminished due to injury but they kept on playing. Anyways, who are your top 3 "what if " players?

In no particular order: Joe Jackson, Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax

Two honorable mentions because I'm a Yankee fan: Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly

Ted Williams came to mind right away, then I started to think back to when I was a kid and remembered Munson and Lyman Bostock dying before their time.

[Big35Hurt]

Griffey Jr is another. Seems like he was fighting injuries often during his career.

[Drew3000]

Eric Davis

[livealoha]

Yankees #1 draft pick LHP Brien Taylor!

[Twalk1975]

One Cy Young and two second place finishes, 30 WAR before he was 30. Then he hurts his shoulder on opening day and would only pitch one more game before retiring.



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[base set]

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

Mike Trout

I just came across a 2023 card which informed me that Trout was 2nd in the AL in hitting dingers, with 40, in 2022. Really illuminates how this decade could have been much different for him.

But with Trout, I think more of a different What If? than injury, which is - What if he had played on a much better roster, and actually had Post-Season stats worth considering.

[csmtampa]

Wander Franco……..smh

[ATLOTP]

Originally Posted by csmtampa

Wander Franco……..smh

this one. Wandermania was a fever dream

[hairysasquatch]

I always liked Marvel's "What If" comics...

[r0yals2012]

Yordano Ventura