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john/z28jdIm probably the last person you'd expect to defend a Yankees player but saying Mantle only drove in 100 runs 4 times means he was overrated is a ridiculous statement.The reason for that is simple,he drove in 92 runs or more 9 times in his career.Those 5 seasons he finished between 92-99 were all seasons with the 154 game schedule so right there he's losing 8 games as compared to todays players.Four of the seasons he walked over 100 times and the one season he didnt he only played 121 games and had 92 rbi's and 79 walks.Four of the seasons the Yankees ran away with the division so he wasnt in there all the time near th end of the year,the one year they didnt win by alot,he had 99 rbi's and 113 walks in 147 games
I wouldnt have him higher than 4th all-time outfield either.Thats because theres people named Ruth,Mays,Williams on my first teams and Bonds,Cobb,Musial on my 2nd and Aaron/Speaker/Dimaggio on my 3rd team.Its not because he wasnt a great player.
My most overrated player has to be Reggie Jackson who hit for a low average,struck out more times than anyone by a large margin when he retired,and he wasnt a good fielder.
Hes followed closely by Mark McGwire(steroid issues aside) who had more bad years than good years.High strikeouts,low average,average fielder until the end of his career when he was below average(he was a failed 3rdbaseman),he was slow before he had foot problems,then became the ultimate base clog.He had a high home run per at-bat ratio and that was his hall of fame ticket.I never understood how he could be a definite no question first time ballot hall of famer and Fred McGriff wont get enough support to make it.Theres a huge difference in a 1st time ballot HOFer and a guy who doesnt make it,but i dont see a difference between McGriff and McGwire that warrants that.McGwire was great for a spurt and all McGriff did was put up 15 straight seasons where he had 81 or more rbi's(8 100 rbi seasons) and his lowest total(81) came when he was with a very weak Devil Rays team
Most overrated pitcher is Koufax.Im not getting into why,ive discussed it way too many times and i wont anymore.Its no fun to get into the same discussion constantly when my views havent changed.Thats just my opinion