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Andrew ParksIn 1999, the world voted for Jackie Robinson as the second-baseman on baseball's All-Century Team. Robinson received over 788,000 votes and Hornsby received over 630,000. Therefore, not only has Robisnon been called the greatest second-baseman of all-time, but he was also voted on by over 788,000 people!
Now the question is how great was he? Bill James calls him one of the greatest percentage players in history. Part of his player formula includes how great of a percentage guy a player was - caught-stealing percentage, fielding percentage, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and batting average among other things goes into this formula. James said Jackie was one of the greatest if not the greatest percentage player ever.
Jackie had speed, a little pop, a great glove, guts and talent. Others put up greater numbers, but when it comes to instincts, talent and being a baseball player, I think of Mays and Jackie.
Had Jackie started at age 19 and played to 41, who knows what we'd be saying about him?