Should Darrell Porter be on this list?  We think so, but a look at his overall statistics might make you feel otherwise.

Darrell Porter joined the Kansas City organization in December 1976 via a significant trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, a transaction that sent Jamie Quirk and Jim Wohlford to the Cream City in exchange for the left-handed-hitting backstop. After several seasons of unfulfilled potential in Milwaukee, he arrived in Kansas City and immediately evolved into one of the better offensive catchers in the American League.

After taking over the starting role in 1977, he demonstrated a specialized ability to drive the ball while maintaining an elite eye for the strike zone. He surged into the spotlight in 1978, recording 18 home runs and finishing tenth in the MVP voting, providing the steady-state production needed to secure back-to-back AL West titles. This period of rapid growth served as the essential lead-in to his historic 1979 campaign, showing the organization that he was a foundational superstar who could anchor the heart of the order alongside George Brett.

In the summer of 1979, he became a statistical titan, posting career highs of 20 home runs, 112 RBIs, and a league-leading 121 walks. He demonstrated a specialized ability to manufacture runs, becoming only the second catcher in American League history, joining the legendary Mickey Cochrane, to record 100 runs, 100 RBIs, and 100 walks in a single season. He showed the organization that he was a foundational winner by finishing ninth in the MVP voting and earning his second of three consecutive All-Star selections as a Royal.

He left the club following the 1980 season, signing a landmark contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, his story was also defined by immense personal courage; in early 1980, Porter became one of the first professional athletes to publicly address his struggles with substance abuse, checking himself into a rehabilitation facility during spring training. He passed away in 2002.

As a Royal, Porter compiled 492 hits, 290 runs scored, and three All-Star selections.

Darrell Porter is far more known for his work with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, but he would get his start in Milwaukee, where he was a former fourth overall pick. 

After minor league apprenticeship, Porter peaked in 1973 with 16 homers, 67 RBI, and a .363 OBP, finishing third in Rookie of the Year. He gained wider recognition in 1974 with 104 hits and his first All-Star selection. In 1975, he hit a career-high 18 homers and drew 89 walks, second in the American League.

Following the 1976 season, the Brewers reshaped their core with a five-player trade on December 6, sending Porter and Jim Colborn to the Royals. He reached new heights in Kansas City and St. Louis, famously returning to Milwaukee in the 1982 World Series as Series MVP to haunt his former club, but his foundation was built at County Stadium.

Porter compiled 391 hits, 54 home runs, and a .346 on-base percentage as a Brewer.