True about Taveras. In spring training / minors George Kissell worked with him and expected a long Cardinal career... word was that when Tavaras' bat met a pitched ball that there was that rifle crack sound that rarely we hear and associate with other players. It reminded me of the sound of a ball off of the bat of Jack Clark, with that long level swing instead of the upper cut crack. When McGwire hit batting practice, players of both teams stopped and watched.
McCovey had that aura, at times, he could swing the bat hard. Eric Davis hit a ball hard like that. George Foster did. I saw Mays, Aaron, Bench, Yaz, Mantle... they had the attention of those present because of who they were, and not just because of the sound of the ball off the bat. Mentioning Mantle reminds me of Maris, he could hit a ball hard. Anyway, the sound of the ball off of Oscar Tavares' bat was different from others...
But what really needs to be said is that I think it's time this thread was put to rest.
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