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Posted By: Mark McCleary

Speaker definitely had better numbers than Wagner. Higher lifetime batting avergage, slugging percentage, (slightly) higher lifetime home runs. In Wagner's best year, he hit .354 with 10 home runs. Speaker averaged about .354 either (8) different seasons.

But they played at different times and I wonder if the National League pitching was perhaps more difficult in Wagner's era than was American League pitching during Speaker's playing years. Wagner does have 8 batting crowns as compared to just one by Speaker. Then again, Speaker lost the AL crown to guys like Cobb, Sisler and Heilmann.

I guess when viewing Wagner's numbers, it should also be taken into consideration that he is the greatest player ever at his position.