Quick frivolous Friday poll
 

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.

Cobb

Ruth

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.

Moe Berg

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.

Joe Jackson

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.

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.

Joe Jackson

Jackie Robinson

Cobb.

Marichal and Roseboro

Bill Veeck

Vin Scully

Well I would say Ruth but it might be hard to talk about stuff considering he won't know any current events . Well he might not know any events since his death let alone current. But he seems like a guy that a few beers would be fun to have with. Maybe ty Cobb just to see if he was a jerk or not .

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.

Ruth

Fleetwood Walker

I think Christy Mathewson would be my pick.

Moe Berg

Casey Stengel. I have a feeling I wouldn't get in two words...

Barry Bonds. I'll get drunk and trash-talk him and then he'll stab me with a syringe.

Bob Costas

Yogi Berra :D

Ruth

Babe Ruth

Mathewson

Grantland Rice

Hank Aaron


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

DiMaggio. All class, super stardom. Find out a few things about Marilyn. I think that would be an interesting conversation.

Rube Waddell.

Known to occasionally miss a scheduled start because he was off fishing or playing marbles with street urchins, Waddell might disappear for days during spring training, only to be found leading a parade down the main street of Jacksonville, Florida, or wrestling an alligator in a nearby lagoon.

That is a guy to drink with...

John Ward. He was a great pitcher (threw second perfect game in mlb history), a great shortstop, and the man who organized the Players' League formation. Ward was one of the most influential people in 19th century baseball. If John was busy I would go with Albert Spaulding, Harry Wright or Henry Chadwick.
As for the people who said Mantle--I spent an evening with him in 1992, he was not that interesting.

Surprised no one said Satchell Paige. That guy would have some stories.

Have a good weekend all.

I'm go with Matty / Josh Gibson

Dizzy Dean

Mark Fidrych

As a high school ballplayer and Tiger fan of the mid / late 70s I, and much of the nation, was captivated by him. By all accounts he was a real down to earth guy. I would love to pound a few and shoot the shit with him.

Ty cobb

Cobb

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

Jim Thorpe

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.

First thought ... Bill Lee.

Pete Rose...he doesn't drink and I bet he would say some good stuff.

Stan Musial

My first thought was Walter Johnson, but Veeck would be a lot of fun!

Or Leo Durocher!

Ty Cobb!!!

Joe Jackson and some truth serum

I have been looking at this thread since it appeared and there are too many choices so I will categorize... Forgive me in advance.
Negro League ... Buck O'Neill
Pioneer .... Cap Anson
Manager.... Casey Stengel
Pre WW 2 player ....Ty Cobb
Post WW 2 player ...Stan Musial
Modern post 1980 ... Ichiro
Umpire ....Doug Harvey

Each era reflects not just baseball but also America , and most players and umpires are good storytellers. One of my favorites was Warren Spahn , but I did not include him since I spent a lot of time with him . Mickey Mantle could tell great stories but would really only open up around people he was comfortable with , he was very guarded .

Babe Ruth would be my 1st choice.


Anyway, I had a really great conversation with Ted Williams 33 years ago up in Cooperstown. We talked for about an hour on a variety of topics, including BB cards of his.

Also, I had a tremendous conversation with Phil Rizzuto while flying in 1st class with Phil to Chicago in April 1984. For 2 hours, we covered about everything and everyone
in BB during the timeline from 1947 to 1964. Plus we talked about our neighborhood. Phil lived only 2 blocks away from me when I was a kid growing up in Hillside, NJ.


TED Z
.

Elmer Miller. He is my great great uncle and also a teammate of Ruth and Carl Mays. I am sure there would be some crazy stories playing in the outfield with Ruth.

Hmm....hard choice. It would ether be Fred Clarke, Edd Roush or Cobb.

Hoss Radbourn

Now THAT would be fun!

I started doing shows as a dealer when I was 14. Rizzuto was the guest at a mall show I was doing at age 15. I didn't have anything to get signed, but I grew up watching him in Money Store commercials. I took a piece of poster board and a Sharpie, and whipped up a portrait which I then got signed. He loved it and the story, and even though I am a die-hard Dodger fan it may be the only untouchable item that I own. If I remember I'll bring it to Philly and share!

Thinking the same thing.

Satchell Paige and Dizzy Dean. Talk about two different perspectives.

When it comes to players I can't decide between Stan Musial or Jackie Robinson.

Non player would be Jack Buck.

Babe Ruth. I would love to see if he really is as outrageous as he seems, and I would love to pick his brain about all the players from his era.

I think Jack Buck was probably a character....

Bill 'Spaceman' Lee


When asked, 'Which person in history, living or dead, would you most want to have a conversation with?", the Beauty Contestant pondered it for a second, then replied, "Living."

Thank You very much...I'll be here all week.

Dummy Hoy

Charlie Bennett

. . . with close 2nd going to Deacon White and Sam Thompson (although Deacon might not join in drink). All three of them would live well into the 20th century.

Charlie enjoyed a long catching career before losing his legs but remained a fixture in Detroit. Tiger's ballpark was named in his honor and he caught the first pitch of every home opener until his death in 1927 (more than covering Cobb's time in Detroit). I'd enjoy discussing the Wolverines, 19th century catching, and his thoughts on 19th century vs early 20th century baseball.

Curt Flood.

DiMaggio
 

Ages ago I was with United Airlines. At this point down at Miami International – counter, gates, ramp, etc. Long story short – I got a call to escort a genteman over to the Red Carpet Club. Didn't realize until I walked up that it was DiMaggio. Nice gentleman, quiet/reserved. I had a myriad of questions going through my mind but did not ask. I guess I wanted to respect his time and privacy .. part of me was also worried I'd say something stupid like about Marilyn or Mr. Coffee ads, etc. Funny, of all things, those dopey thoughts came into my mind in the moment. So, I escorted him to the club, asked him if he needed anything else ("no, thank you" .. you could tell he wanted a quiet place to sit, read the paper and not be bothered), thanked him for his business and that was it.

If I could go back and do it all over again and I knew he would be open to the conversation – I would ask him about the game in his day. His thoughts on how it has changed/evolved over time - what he likes/doesn't like ( .. I would imagine the DH would come up as a dislike) Which game stands out to him as most memorable and why? Toughest pitcher he ever faced and why? What would he do if he were commissioner? Things like that.

DiMaggio was one of those guys who I always thought was a sour puss and anti social. Kind of a pompous ass. But who knows. Maybe just an introvert who liked to be left alone. That's what he sounds like. Doesn't make him a bad guy at all.

That was my take (quiet, wanted his privacy) and I can understand/respect that. I try to imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes - the fame and notoriety may seem great on the surface, but can't imagine what it does to their personal lives and privacy over time. I guess that's the overriding feeling I have when I meet known sports or entertainment personalities - respect their space as I might expect them to do if the roles were reversed.

Sat next to Berman (Chris) one time on a flight to Buffalo (which isn't that easy as I'm 6' 4' and he's 6' 6"/7" and larger frame) - The Bisons (AAA team) were having a "Chris Berman Day" thing going on, guest of honor, throwing out first pitch, etc. You can see why he loves the city/people – I guess that's why he keeps predicting the Bills to win a Super Bowl :-)

BTW - to your original question, I guess I would choose Buck Weaver

Great Question. I am not sure But it may be nice to speak to Honus Wagner and get the whole story behind the T206.........................
Robert

lol

How was DiMaggio anti-social? Anti-social behavior is when your actions harm society. So for example, getting piss drunk in public is one of them. Stealing is anti-social behavior and so is lying.

DiMaggio was just a really quiet person, that's all. Monroe's death also really destroyed him.

I didn't mean anti social like a terrible guy, just what you said .... wanted to be left alone. That's what I meant by anti social. I am sure many people tried to converse with him over the years about baseball and got a cold shoulder. That's all I was implying. Again, his prerogative. Sounds like he was polite but not very social.

There are 2 distinct versions of being anti-social. Snapolit wasn't wrong saying he was antisocial.

not sociable; not wanting the company of others.
synonyms: unsociable, unfriendly, uncommunicative, reclusive, withdrawn, avoidant; informalstandoffish
"I'm feeling a bit antisocial"

antisocial
A term used to describe people exibiting any sort of behavior in which the intent is to violate the rights of others and otherwise going against society. Examples include murder, bullying, robbery, conning, and rape.

Often confused with asocial which is used to describe people who are shy, introverted, or otherwise avoid socializing or social situations.
Antisocial: Against society

Asocial: Avoid society

I guess it all depends on what dictionary one uses, or the true meaning, or the meaning as I understood it, has changed?
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/antisocial
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisocial

Either way, Snapolit was referring to Dimaggio as someone who avoided social situations or interactions with others, he was not referring to him as someone the way you are understanding what antisocial is. :)

Yes!

I've thought many times of a Lazy Sunday Brunch Fill'd mid~day
At the Mathewson/McGraw home.
Sitting at the Kitchen Table wit them all, Wive's present of course!
After a fun fill'd Saturday Nite & in between games...

I'm certain the conversation would be a wonderful arena :)

Learn something new every day.

I understand about Joe D having dealt with him several times in the 1980s and 1990s and I agree with you. He was like that his whole life and didn't develop that characteristic as he got older , but I think it became more intense after he married MM and her death .

So where would Barry Bonds be ?
Does he fit the definition ?
Not that he would be my choice to spend with and talk to .

As a Marine it would be my a pleasure to hang with Ted Williams. I think I would prefer a drink, a pole and a river bank and not talk war.or baseball.