Darryl Strawberry was at one time the most feared hitter in the National League, and a case could be made that he was also the most recognized.

Drafted first overall in 1980, Strawberry debuted with the Mets in 1983, winning the Rookie of the Year.  The electric Outfielder was an All-Star in 1984 and would be again the next six seasons in New York.  Strawberry was one of the reasons that Mets fans came to the park, hoping to see one of his Home Runs, and every year as a Met, he delivered at least 25 of them, including a league-leading 39 in 1988.  That season, he was second in MVP voting, losing to Kirk Gibson of the Dodgers, though Strawberry likely should have won.

The Mets won the 1986 World Series, and he was on top of the world, finishing in the top ten in MVP voting three other seasons.  The two-time Silver Slugger was exceptionally popular and well-known and was on top of the world, or so it seemed.

During this elite period as a Met, he was not exactly angelic.  He had fought openly with teammates, was abusing drugs, and was known to be selfish, often showing up late.  Needing a change of scenery, Strawberry signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a Free Agent in 1991, and he was again an All-Star with 28 Home Runs.  As it turned out, this was the end of his dominance.

Injuries and off-field issues reduced him to a shell of his former self, but despite this, he consistently found work throughout the 1990s, most notably winning three World Series Rings in a reduced role with the New York Yankees.  He retired with 335 Home Runs and 1,000 Runs Batted In, but it felt like he should have so much more.

Jim Fregosi’s Major League debut coincided with that of the Los Angeles Angels, and it would not take long for the Shortstop to establish himself as one of the premier players at his position.

Fregosi went to his first All-Star Game in 1964 and then had a five-year streak beginning in 1966.  Fregosi was not a power hitter, but he had six 10-home-run seasons, which was good for a Shortstop of his era.  Defensively, he was very good, winning a Gold Glove in 1967, which was also the season he was seventh in MVP voting, and led the American League in Triples (13).  Fregosi also had seven other seasons where he received MVP votes.

The six-time All-Star also played for the Mets, Texas, and Pittsburgh, and he retired in 1978 with 1,726 Hits and 151 Home Runs.

Fregosi would later become a successful Manager where over reigns helming California, Chicago (AL), Philadelphia, and Toronto, he compiled a record of 1,028-1,094. 

Frank “Noodles” Hahn may not have completed the necessary ten years in the Majors to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but that does not stop us from ranking him.

In 1899, Hahn made his Major League debut eleven days before his 20^th birthday and, in his first five seasons were among the best by any Cincinnati Red Pitcher.  Hahn didn't own a commanding fastball, but he did have excellent accuracy.  He led the National League in Strikeouts in his first three seasons, and while Cincinnati was not that good, he had four 20 Win seasons over that time frame.   

Hahn had arm trouble in 1905, and he was never the same, out of the Majors by age 27.  Despite his short career, Hahn remains one of the best hurlers in Reds history.

Mark Langston was one of the most underrated flamethrowers in baseball history, and let’s give him a bit of due here.

The San Diego native led the American League as a Seattle Mariner in Strikeouts (204) as a rookie in 1994, and he was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award.  Langston led the AL in Strikeouts in 1986 and 1987, going to the All-Star Game in the latter year.  

After a brief stint in Montreal, Langston came to the California Angels, where he was a three-time All-Star.  As an Angel, Langston has four 13-win seasons and four campaigns with over 174 Strikeouts.  He would finish his career with a brief run in San Diego and Cleveland with 2,464 career Strikeouts.