We are so lucky to be living in the age of the internet. I routinely utilize youtube to watch players I could only view in pictures and read about. I LOVE the pre-war footage and am still amazed that our beloved game really hasn't changed a whole lot. Before I was able to watch these clips, I would not have thought a stud from 1909 could compete with the players now...after watching hours of footage I disagree with that statement. A stud is a stud. In fact, it is clear to me the players today have lost some of the talents the past players perfected. Bunting mostly...that fine art is almost DEAD. Ever seen Phil Rizzuto lay down a bunt??? Bunting and the threat of the bunt changes the game...entirely. Can you imagine if Ty Cobb batted today and they put a shift on him??
I stumbled across this game the other night, Game 7 of the 1952 WS (Yankees vs. Dodgers), playing in such an amazing pressure packed event and for all the marbles. I knew who won being a Post War stat geek, and I knew Billy Martin made the amazing catch to save the game, but that was all I knew. Watching such iconic HOFers play in the entirety, not just news clips, was unreal. The bunting...there were attempts by Mantle, Robinson, Rizzuto, and yes, even Duke Snider tried to lay one down! Watching Mantle at 20 years old was something else, pure poetry. Pee Wee Reese was a master at SS, what hands. Anyway...here is a link if anyone is interested...what a game. Nothing better than watching in it's entirety like this...not just clips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqZnPQnxO9U