Barely OT: ESPN Ranking Greatest Players

[GregMitch34]

They are counting down to the top 25, to be posted tomorrow, but there's already 26 to 100 to debate. Interesting that they rank Eddie Collins ahead of Nap Lajoie--while card prices DO NOT. Then there are the eternal then and now contrasts, e.g. Steve Carlton rated ahead of Matty. Enjoy:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/feature/video...st-mlb-players

[z28jd]

This list made my head hurt. I had a couple long posts on their facebook page about it. The list reeks of too many people like Mitch Williams and John Kruk adding their input, as opposed to people who have a grasp of baseball history before the 60's

[GregMitch34]

Well, presume they will name the Babe #1--since he would have likely made the Hall strictly as a pitcher if he'd never switched to OF.

Dennis Eckersley? Really?

[prewarsports]

Tim Raines ahead of Ed Delahanty, and by A LOT?

Fergie Jenkins WAY ahead of Rube Waddell?

I got from number 100 to number 60 and just quit, waste of everyones time.

Rhys

[bcbgcbrcb]

Obviously, they favor the modern day players over the old timers......

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Obviously, they favor the modern day players over the old timers......

Yeah but my sense is that most folks here do exactly the opposite and underrate modern players.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

They are counting down to the top 25, to be posted tomorrow, but there's already 26 to 100 to debate. Interesting that they rank Eddie Collins ahead of Nap Lajoie--while card prices DO NOT. Then there are the eternal then and now contrasts, e.g. Steve Carlton rated ahead of Matty. Enjoy:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/feature/video...st-mlb-players

From memory Bill James ranks Collins well ahead of Lajoie too.

[GregMitch34]

One big joke: Drysdale ranked so high. 209-156 pitching mainly with good teams, in pitcher's park.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

One big joke: Drysdale ranked so high. 209-156 pitching mainly with good teams, in pitcher's park.

He was only 32 when he retired though, so that's a little deceptive.

[RGold]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He was only 32 when he retired though, so that's a little deceptive.

And he was on Beverly Hillbillies.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I believe the reason for the modern players favoritism is so that they can show highlight footage of that player's career during the broadcast, how would they do that for Ed Delahanty or Cap Anson?

[travrosty]

drysdale on the brady bunch too.

[sycks22]

Still laughing at Shoeless Joe being an honorable mention, but Gwynn being over 30 spots higher than him. Jackson had the 3rd highest batting avg and gwynn was a 1 trick pony with batting avg too. Neither were fast or had great arms so having Gwynn noticably over Jackson is a joke.

[EvilKing00]

Im a bonds fan, but i never knew this stat:

In 2004, this guy reached base 376 times, walked 232 times and was intentionally walked 120 times. In one year. And here's my all-time favorite Bonds stat: Even if he'd gotten no hits that year, he still would have had a higher OBP than the player who led the league in hits. --Jayson Stark

[howard38]

.

[bigtrain]

Anyone who ranks Lefty Grove at 47 is no "expert".

[CMIZ5290]

Collins over lajoie?? Not even close.....forget collin's length of play, he can't compare to nap......

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Collins over lajoie?? Not even close.....forget collin's length of play, he can't compare to nap......

He does rate ahead of Lajoie according to the newest win share metric featured on baseball reference. And as mentioned Bill James rates Collins well ahead of Lajoie. It isn't crazy even if you disagree.

[drc]

Tops 100 list anything is an intellectually deficient idea from the start. With ESPN, it's strictly done as a ratings/page hits thing. That's how they make their money.

Seriously, ESPN and their ilk will make a few bad picks just for the controversy/eyeballs.

"Top 100 novelists"-- How you the Hell do objectively pick novelist #34?

Top 100 lists, Rock 'n Roll Museum-- you're getting an idea what offends my intellect.

P.s., I believe Don Drysdale appeared on Leave it to Beaver too. Steve Carleton hit Al Bundy in the head with a baseball on Married With Children. Don't know how that was factored into his ranking.

P.s.s. Why isn't Don Drysdale in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame? Discuss.

P.s.s.s. I just realized there was a Mr. Drysdale on Beverly Hillbillies. This is getting eerie. On 12/12/12 too. Discuss.

P.s.s.s.s. I know a woman who is of Mayan ancestry. Very cute. I rank her at least a #49.

[Matt]

I stopped looking through when I saw Pedro Martinez ahead of Lefty Grove & Grover Alexander.

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by Matt

I stopped looking through when I saw Pedro Martinez ahead of Lefty Grove & Grover Alexander.

I thought the same thing about Nolan Ryan ahead of those two.

[bosoxfan]

Originally Posted by Matt

I stopped looking through when I saw Pedro Martinez ahead of Lefty Grove & Grover Alexander.

If your talking about the greatest pitcher and longevity is not a BIG part of the equation, Pedro Martinez is the greatest pitcher of all time.

He had the best 5 year period of any pitcher ever and that includes Grove, Koufax, ect.........

These questions are not a waste of time. Discussing subjects like this is what make sports great. Not as great as Pedro but great just the same.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by Matt

I stopped looking through when I saw Pedro Martinez ahead of Lefty Grove & Grover Alexander.

Why because Pedro was more dominant?