Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth
I wouldn't put Ichiro on that list, myself. I think the idea on Soto is that he is a generational talent, not that he has achieved enough yet.
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I see the challenge on Ichiro, but the guy had 10 consecutive years of 200 base hits, which beats the next guy (Wade Boggs at 7 consecutive) by a lot. The only other guy with 10 seasons (non-consecutive) of 200 base hits is Pete Rose. So Ichiro, who came over without the benefit of his early prime years, has a case for being the best contact hitter of two generations of players. Him, Tony Gwynn, and Wade Boggs.
As for the distinction between a generational talent and a generational player, I'll just say that Dwight Gooden was a generational talent and Hank Aaron wasn't. But one was a generational player, while the other wasn't. For me, the generational talent label is a bit meaningless.