OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>I know it's off topic, but I rarely post OT, so I'll push my luck. I'm a Diamondbacks fan from day one, & excited about this years team. Micah Owings in particular is very fun to watch, & has some comparing him to the Bambino (silly I think). However, from what I've seen, he's one heck of a hitter for a pitcher.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=28660&context=batting" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=28660&context=batting</a>

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Jim VB</b><p>I did hear on ESPN that when you look at Major League players with 75 or more AB's, the all time list for OPS (On Base % Plus Slugging %) is:<br /><br />1. Babe Ruth<br />2. Ted Williams<br />3. Lou Gehrig<br />4. Barry Bonds<br />5. Micah Owings<br /><br /><br />Lets see if he can hold it together for the next 20 years or so. <br /><br />(If he played in the AL, I'd be DH'ing him between starts though.)

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>Maybe they should play him in RF.

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>paulstratton</b><p>Maybe in the American League he could get some AB's at DH, but he's pitching too well and their outfield is full. He almost got hurt sliding into second last week and Melvin would be vilified if he got hurt playing the field. He sure can mash though...

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>fkw</b><p>Former Cardinals left handed pitcher turned OF Rick Ankiel has 16 HRs in last 272 ABs.<br /><br />He is more like a modern Babe Ruth than anyone since O'Doul.

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Paul</b><p>I believe Ankiel hit most or all of those homers since retiring from pitching, due to losing his ability to throw strikes. Micah is doing this while he is a pitcher. Also, didn't Ankiel get caught up in a roids scandal?

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Matt R</b><p>The only way to tell for sure is to trade him to the Yankees and see what happens.

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Josh</b><p>Ankiel was rumored using "HGH". I never heard of him hitting the hard stuff.

OT: The Next Babe Ruth ??
 

Posted By: <b>Matt R</b><p>Josh, human growth hormone is every bit as effective as any anabolic steroid. It's also more dangerous. It can lead to some permanent damage like acromegaly and an enlarged heart. Most of the damage done by anabolic steroids is reversable after use is stopped. Athletes frequently combine HGH with an anabolic steroid.