In a different era....
 

One of the hardest things to do is compare players from yesterday to players of today. However, I always like looking at players, especially of the 20th century, and examine how their skillset might have translated to a different time period or if they would've been much more successful had they played in a different time period/under different circumstances.

For an example, I think a guy like Dave Kingman would thrive in this era of baseball, where three true outcomes is very much emphasized. Luis Arraez, who was earlier flirting with .400 would've done incredibly well in the era of guys like Rod Carew.

I dunno, Kingman had a really wretched BA, maybe his Ks would not have been viewed so negatively but he still was not much of a hitter.

I would have loved to have seen Tony Gwynn compete for batting titles with Ty Cobb in an alternate universe.

The sad thing is, from a batting average perspective, Kyle Schwarber makes Kingman look like Cobb!

Kingman is missing the Walk part of the 3 true outcomes formula. Outside of a couple of his best seasons his OBP was atrocious. Wouldn’t be any better today in a world of 100mph sinkerballs painting the corners, and specialized pitching.

+1
The other alternate universe that would be great to see is integrated baseball starting 40 years earlier.

I'd like to see Cobb drop a bunt down against Brooks Robinson. Or Wagner try to steal on Johnny Bench. Or Mays hitting one over Tris Speaker's head, and Tris (maybe) catching up to it.

Interesting THread

and agree would love to see some matchups like some modern day hitters against vintage pitchers and vis a versa

AND as for Kingman I agree this would be his era hitting home runs and not caring about average or walks

Nolan Ryan could have struck out over 1000 batters in a 600 inning season in the 1880s.

How many batters could have hit Shohei’s stuff in 1919 in “The House That Ohtani Built”?

Today every ball that hits the dirt is immediately replaced with a new one. Do you think the spitball pitchers of yesteryear would be effective today, not to mention having their hands checked by the men in blue?

Some great discussion so far. I'll add a few.

I'd love to see Mantle in the modern day. His knees would be fixed, his shoulder too. And with more access to resources, I'm sure his alcoholism wouldn't be as much of a problem.

A Koufax Vs. Bonds matchup at the height of their powers would've been a sight to see.

Or watch Greg Maddux work the zone, in the 1940's and 1950's. I wonder what that higher mound would've done for a pitcher like him!

It was said of Lefty Grove that he could throw a lambchop past a wolf.

It was said of Hank Aaron that it would be easier to get a sunrise by a rooster than to get a fastball by him.

Something would have to give.

It was said of Bob Uecker...that man used to play baseball???

Nolan Ryan could strike out 1000 batters or more in this era. Where they swing away and strikeouts are near all time highs

The last pitcher to face more than 1000 batters in a season was David Price who faced 1009 in 2014 so 1000 strikeouts in a season is unlikely. The most batters Ryan ever faced in a season was 1392 so he would have needed to strikeout almost 72% of the batters he faced to get to 1000.

Maybe he could throw enough innings still to face 1000 batters but I don't think he would be able to get to anywhere near 1000 strikeouts. Maybe 400-500 would be possible.

Sorry Jay, but in the 1880s 11 pitchers pitched more than 600 innings in a single season. For example Carlson in 1885 and pitched 623 innings and faced 2487 batters. You really think that Nolan Ryan would not be able to strike out 1000 hitters in 70 games in 1885. Granted that's 14.3 strikeout outs per game, but I would make that bet.;)

Frank, I was replying to Jeff's post saying that Ryan could strike out 1000 in this era. I wasn't commenting on your post about the 1880s. However, 1000 strikeouts back then still seems like a stretch since strikeouts were not as common back then and striking out a lot was not acceptable like it is now.

You’re confused about the premise I think.

Had the 1975 Ryan or the 1965 Koufax pitched in 1885, I truly the record for strikeouts in a nine inning game would be 27.

I understand the premise. I just don't think Ryan would have been able to throw as hard over 600+ innings as he did over 300 innings so while his total for the season would probably be well beyond current records, I think 1000 would still not be reachable.