Fansided

30 greatest MLB players to never make the playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Brian Roberts #1 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a grand slam home run in the second innning against the New York Yankees on September 12, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Brian Roberts #1 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a grand slam home run in the second innning against the New York Yankees on September 12, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

22. Brian Roberts

One of the best second basemen in baseball during his peak, Brian Roberts deserved to be a part of the Baltimore Orioles resurgence more than anyone else. Unfortunately, the final five seasons of his 13-year career were derailed by concussions and head injuries. In 2012, when the Orioles went back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, Roberts was only able to appear in 17 games due to lingering injuries.

During his peak from 2003 to 2009, Roberts was one of the most dynamic leadoff men in the game. He made the All-Star team twice and hit .288/.362/.430 with 300 doubles, 74 home runs, 415 RBI and 235 stolen bases. Roberts put together three seasons with 50 doubles and led the league with 50 stolen bases in 2007.

Roberts suffered his first concussion in 2010 when he hit himself on the head with his bat out of frustration. He had missed most of the season with a herniated disc in his back and injured himself on September 27 in a meaningless game. That was just the beginning for Roberts with head injuries. He suffered a second concussion in May of 2011 after sliding headfirst into first base. The post-concussion effects lingered for a long time.

One of the most exciting players in the American League was only able to play in 283 games over his final five seasons. In addition to the concussions, he also battled knee, hip, back and groin injuries. He hit only .237/.300/.360 in 2014 for the New York Yankees before retiring. The Orioles won the AL East that year.

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