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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2006		Olerud was signed as insurance after Roberto Petagine got hurt in the spring, then spent much of the season out-hitting Millar. By the end of the season, Francona had finally seen the obvious, at which point Olerud stopped hitting. Now retired, Olerud finishes with a fine career line of .295/.398/.465 and 2239 career hits. There are first basemen in the Hall of Fame with lesser credentials than Olerud, including modern players like Orlando Cepeda and Tony Perez. In his prime, he hit for a high average with mid-range power and lots of walks, a devastating combination, but would have had a better reputation if his offensive skills were concentrated in just one area, like Tony Gwynn. Still, not bad for a player Cito Gaston said wouldn`t make it.
2005		Although his ALCS injury opened the door to Tony Clark throwing away some critical at-bats, Olerud's only advantage was his ability to make contact. If Clark was the flood and first base the dike, really anyone's little finger could have plugged that hole. Having hit like an underfed shortstop for two years, Olerud has little left to give. It will be a shame, though, if baseball loses its only player who can be seen emerging from the clubhouse shower wearing a towel and a batting helmet.
2004		Olerud's 2003 had to be horrifying for Mariners fans and front office execs alike. Having watched another patient first baseman without speed drop off the face of the earth in the late 80s, they've got to have the words "Alvin Davis" in the back of their minds. Olerud's power outage may be the scariest part of his 2003; it's hard to compete in a division like the AL West with a first baseman who can't mash. If Olerud can't bounce back, the Mariners will find it that much harder to take advantage of the vulnerability Oakland's chosen to take on at that particular position. Olerud's in the last year of his deal; his chances at the HoF and a big contract are highly dependent on his ability to rediscover about 20 extra-base hits.
2003		Olerud has one of the prettiest swings in baseball. It’s so effortless it doesn’t attract attention. Olerud seems to swing through pitches, even the ones he drives 400 feet over a fence in dead-center field. It’s a measure of his power stroke that Olerud, indisputably one of the slowest men in baseball, still manages to hit so many doubles every year. Like Cameron, Olerud is a huge guesser. He’s willing to watch a pitch he didn’t see coming all the way in for a strike so he can get another chance at it. Combined with his calm manner and easy swing, Olerud seems to be one of the most passive hitters in baseball, and idiots in the stands routinely yell for him to take the bat off his shoulders. Watch and learn: when the bat comes off the shoulder, the ball’s pretty likely to go three hundred feet, and if you’ve been good, it’ll keep going. You want to see your first baseman whiff at everything? Move to Pittsburgh.
2002		Olerud is part of a class of unheralded players who have control of the strike zone, some power, and who play good defense but are not regarded as team leaders despite being quite valuable to a championship drive. He's never been the best at his position, but he pushes his teams towards pennants year after year.
2001		John Olerud was the biggest name among the six free agents Gillick signed for the 2000 season, inking a three-year deal for the bargain price of $20 million. He wasn’t much above average offensively at his position, but the Gold Glove was legitimate. His 133 assists were 42 more than the next best AL first baseman, and nobody is better at turning the 3-6-3 double play. For some reason, I think Olerud has another .325 EqA performance lurking somewhere beneath that placid exterior.
2000		Olerud was again unable to sustain an MVP level of performance for consecutive years. 1999’s level, basically his career average, is fine. He might want to check out some contact lenses: he's hit much better in day games than at night for the last few years. He’s the Mariners’ first baseman now; if they keep Griffey, Olerud might be enough to get them back to the postseason.
1999		An excellent season for the man Cito Gaston’s venom can’t touch any more. The Mets are probably expecting him to stay at this level, so when he drops back to his normal ('97) level, they’ll wonder what went wrong.
1998		Still underrated. His defense still looks great, he’s got a good batting eye and a fluid stroke. Will probably hit like he did this year for a few more years; closest analog to him is probably a Harold Baines. At two years, $8 million, he’s a tremendous bargain when compared to the likes of Eric Karros and Andres Galarraga.
1997		The scapegoat. Because of the memory of ’93, the Blue Jays will forever be looking at him as a failure instead of a useful offensive player. He’s not much good against left-handed pitching, but he’s basically Wally Joyner: a good defensive first baseman who gets on base. Given the number of teams that will waste their time on Gregg Jefferies or J.R. Phillips, that should be more than enough.
1996		The Jays best player, now that Alomar has left. He is, sometimes, a great hitter. However, Olerud has typically gotten off to really slow starts (except in 1993, when he outhit Frank Thomas), which have really hurt his year end stats. Last year he was Alfredo Griffinesque for three months and George Brett in his prime for three months. He plays pretty good defense. The major concern about John is his lack of power. He really tailed off last year and hit very few homeruns at home. To be a premier player, Olerud is going to have to bang about 20 dingers a year and hit 40+ doubles. He is capable of doing it. For all of those fans who complain about loud mouthed egotistical ballplayers, take a look at John Olerud. You gotta love him!

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