Forgotten Star

From 1975 - '81, there were few National League hitters more feared than George Foster. Playing alongside Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez and the hits-king Pete Rose, Foster was a five-time all star who hit for average and power. The pinnacle was 1977, when he was named National League MVP.
But things were never the same after a 1982 trade to the Mets. Maybe expectations were too high playing on a weak club as he aged into his mid 30s. It's clear he never connected with the New York fans. And as his caliber of play diminished, younger stars such as Daryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson and Lenny Dykstra found the affection of the Shea faithful in a way he never did. Released halfway through the 1986 season -- as Kevin Mitchell took his place in the lineup -- Foster wound up down his career playing a few games with the White Sox. He never drew much support for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, though he was named to the Reds Hall of Fame.
Given the distance of time, Foster's numbers look even better. How many teams would love to add someone like him in this offensively challenged era?
Since retiring, Foster continues to make his home in the New York area. I saw him at the 2013 BAT Dinner in Manhattan.

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