Who is the greatest baseball player of all time?

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Rad_Hazard

I would tend to agree with what most people are saying here. Ruth is #1, Mays is definitely #2, and in my opinion, Williams is #3.

Third on the list is where the debate comes in, since we are mostly in agreement with Ruth and Mays at 1 and 2.

I like Williams at 3, but Gehrig, Musial, Bonds, Aaron, and Cobb all have an argument here.

Pitchers would be a fun 1,2,3 debate as well.

Mine would likely be:

1. Cy Young
2. Walter Johnson
3. (I'm going to get opposition here, but...) Nolan Ryan. Wild and unpredictable, but dominant on a level that is almost alien to us mere humans.

I would tend to agree with #1 and #2. 3 is harder I agree. And you have a good discussion list at #3. Of those I would lean towards Aaron.

On the Pitchers I would have to think more on it but I would not put Nolan Ryan in the top 5. And you said the Reason why Wild and Unpredictable.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Mark17

I can. Ruth.

I agree, but it's just my opinion. And yours.

And that is all it is. Crunch numbers, data, stats, yada yada yada. That's all these highly subjective questions can generate...opinion.

No human being can divine himself and declare with finality who the best of all-time is. And that isn't opinion, that's hard, cold, stiff, decomposing, putrefying, tag on the big toe fact.

[Lorewalker]

The game has been played over so many decades with different levels of athleticism, conditioning, rules, methods of management to name a few factors that make comparing certain players to one another almost seem unfair.

A large element to sheer offense production is determined not just by the player's talent but the line up he is part of and overall talent (or lack of) of the opposing teams he faced during his career. And when you think of greatest, you have to consider what they did for the game not just how great they were at the plate and at their position.

Ruth is the obvious answer but not sure it is the one that I am able to justify given the era in which he played and the line up he was in. Need to give this more thought.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

The game has been played over so many decades with different levels of athleticism, conditioning, rules, methods of management to name a few factors that make comparing certain players to one another almost seem unfair.

A large element to sheer offense production is determined not just by the player's talent but the line up he is part of and overall talent (or lack of) of the opposing teams he faced during his career. And when you think of greatest, you have to consider what they did for the game not just how great they were at the plate and at their position.

Ruth is the obvious answer but not sure it is the one that I am able to justify given the era in which he played and the line up he was in. Need to give this more thought.

That is the beauty of all sports that have long histories is exploring the history, comparing players, agreeing and Disagreeing who is the GOAT who is the best by position etc

[campyfan39]

Not even a close second IMO

Originally Posted by Mark17

Nobody has ever changed the game, and been famous worldwide, like Ruth.

The answer is Babe Ruth, period. The fact he was universally loved is a bonus.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

That is the beauty of all sports that have long histories is exploring the history, comparing players, agreeing and Disagreeing who is the GOAT who is the best by position etc

No doubt. When I cannot even come up with an answer that sits well with me then I know it is a great topic for discussion.

[BCauley]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I agree, but it's just my opinion. And yours.

And that is all it is. Crunch numbers, data, stats, yada yada yada. That's all these highly subjective questions can generate...opinion.

No human being can divine himself and declare with finality who the best of all-time is. And that isn't opinion, that's hard, cold, stiff, decomposing, putrefying, tag on the big toe fact.

I’m pretty sure nobody is looking for a definitive answer for any of these types of questions. It’s all opinion. That should be common sense. The discussions that result are what makes it fun. Chill out a bit.