In a different era....

[Seven]

One of the hardest things to do is compare players from yesterday to players of today. However, I always like looking at players, especially of the 20th century, and examine how their skillset might have translated to a different time period or if they would've been much more successful had they played in a different time period/under different circumstances.

For an example, I think a guy like Dave Kingman would thrive in this era of baseball, where three true outcomes is very much emphasized. Luis Arraez, who was earlier flirting with .400 would've done incredibly well in the era of guys like Rod Carew.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I dunno, Kingman had a really wretched BA, maybe his Ks would not have been viewed so negatively but he still was not much of a hitter.

[packs]

I would have loved to have seen Tony Gwynn compete for batting titles with Ty Cobb in an alternate universe.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by packs

I would have loved to have seen Tony Gwynn compete for batting titles with Ty Cobb in an alternate universe.

+1
The other alternate universe that would be great to see is integrated baseball starting 40 years earlier.

[Mark17]

I'd like to see Cobb drop a bunt down against Brooks Robinson. Or Wagner try to steal on Johnny Bench. Or Mays hitting one over Tris Speaker's head, and Tris (maybe) catching up to it.

[mrreality68]

Interesting THread

and agree would love to see some matchups like some modern day hitters against vintage pitchers and vis a versa

AND as for Kingman I agree this would be his era hitting home runs and not caring about average or walks

[frankbmd]

Nolan Ryan could have struck out over 1000 batters in a 600 inning season in the 1880s.

How many batters could have hit Shohei’s stuff in 1919 in “The House That Ohtani Built”?

Today every ball that hits the dirt is immediately replaced with a new one. Do you think the spitball pitchers of yesteryear would be effective today, not to mention having their hands checked by the men in blue?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I dunno, Kingman had a really wretched BA, maybe his Ks would not have been viewed so negatively but he still was not much of a hitter.

The sad thing is, from a batting average perspective, Kyle Schwarber makes Kingman look like Cobb!

[D. Bergin]

Kingman is missing the Walk part of the 3 true outcomes formula. Outside of a couple of his best seasons his OBP was atrocious. Wouldn’t be any better today in a world of 100mph sinkerballs painting the corners, and specialized pitching.