Quick frivolous Friday poll

[Snapolit1]

Who is the one person in baseball history you would pick to sit down and have a few beers with to what they were really like.

Mine is obviously Gehrig.

[darwinbulldog]

Cobb

[Leon]

Ruth

[KCRfan1]

Mantle.

Much has been written, but to spend time with him would be priceless. Especially the stories that might be shared. Add Whitey Ford to the mix talking about he and Mantle out on the town, the girls, a drink.... In between the stories, probably get a nice glimpse of who Mantle was as a person.

That would be more meaningful to me than what is in print.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Mantle.

Much has been written, but to spend time with him would be priceless. Especially the stories that might be shared. Add Whitey Ford to the mix talking about he and Mantle out on the town, the girls, a drink.... In between the stories, probably get a nice glimpse of who Mantle was as a person.

That would be more meaningful to me than what is in print.

I am sure the printed word does a lot of these guys a serious injustice. Not everyone is cut out to be Steve Garvey or Curtis Granderson with the media. Particularly decades ago, a lot of these guys came off farms and talking to big city writers in a confident way was just way beyond their comfort zone. Doesn't make them bad guys at all, but if you don't play the game the right way with sports reporters you will not come off well at all. Saw this with many players who channeled through the Mets over the years. Give the media what they want and you are a great guy. Be aloof with the press and you will get cooked. Kevin McReynolds is a good example.

[dlfallen]

Moe Berg

[bn2cardz]

It would be hard to pick just one to meet (not necessarily drink with), but the first to come to mind was King Kelly. Yet the next one was Billy Sunday.

[John V]

Joe Jackson

[bnorth]

Ted Williams for deceased players and Wade Boggs living. It would be amazing to listen to Ted explain hitting in person and Wade is may all-time favorite player.

[KMayUSA6060]

Bob Feller.

With one of the longer lifespans for a ball player from his era, what didn't he see? He saw '20s and early '30s baseball, played in the mid-late '30s, fought in WWII, then played through the mid '50s. He died in 2010 at the age of 92, which means he saw and can probably share stories from 80+ years of baseball/American history.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Bob Feller.

With one of the longer lifespans for a ball player from his era, what didn't he see? He saw '20s and early '30s baseball, played in the mid-late '30s, fought in WWII, then played through the mid '50s. He died in 2010 at the age of 92, which means he saw and can probably share stories from 80+ years of baseball/American history.

When I was a kid I got to sit with him for an inning or two of a game while he explained what the pitchers were doing or trying to do. I didn't realize until much later just how cool that really was.

Lots of other interesting choices. It's also interesting how nobody seems to choose the less amazing players. I'd probably choose either someone I grew up watching, Rice, or maybe Evans. But as others have said, maybe one of the bigger names Cobb I think would be interesting, Ruth maybe more fun although I doubt I could keep up with him even if it was my mid 20's self.

Yeah, I know, I'm indecisive and didn't really answer the question.

Steve B

[Jantz]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Bob Feller.

With one of the longer lifespans for a ball player from his era, what didn't he see? He saw '20s and early '30s baseball, played in the mid-late '30s, fought in WWII, then played through the mid '50s. He died in 2010 at the age of 92, which means he saw and can probably share stories from 80+ years of baseball/American history.

I sat with Bob Feller on two separate occasions and talked baseball with him. Feller was sharp and shared some very interesting stories with me while we had the time.

As for the poll, I would want to talk with Cobb.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Who is the one person in baseball history you would pick to sit down and have a few beers with to what they were really like.

Mine is obviously Gehrig.

Great question/thread, Steve.

Personally, I'd pick Cobb.
So much negative press about the guy being a racist, miserable, and a SOB that I'd like, despite it mostly being a known fact now he wasn't like that, to be able to sit down and find out who the guy really was.

There are others of course, but that is my choice, despite not owning any of his cards or memorabilia.

[EvilKing00]

Ruth

[judsonhamlin]

Fleetwood Walker

[bbcard1]

I think Christy Mathewson would be my pick.

[BeanTown]

Moe Berg

[DHogan]

Cobb

[Vintagevault13]

Hank Aaron


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[Yoda]

Rogers Hornsby, both as a superb player and savvy manager.