Which pre-war stars could play today?

[uffda51]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

In the 50s they asked Ty Cobb what he would hit if he was playing then. He said, around .270. Surprised by the answer, they said, is that all? Are today's players that much better? He allegedly replied, well, I am in my 60s.

My favorite Cobb story. I've heard this identical story except with the average being .290 instead of .270.

I wonder what kind of salary would Cobb, Ruth, Williams, Musial, etc. command?

[Fred]

Reverse it. I'm not trying to take the topic off course but could you imagine if Pujols (in his physical condition now) were hitting in the pre war days? He'd be able to face the starting pitcher later in the game. He wouldn't have to worry about hitting against some fireballing relief pitcher or closer. Just a thought...

[FrankWakefield]

DanP, I think you might have transposed what someone was saying about the asterisk and pitchers.

In 1961 the American League expanded, added 2 teams, ie from 8 (as when Ruth played) to 10. If a team has 5 starters, then when there were 8 teams in the AL there were 40 ML calibre starters. In 1961 2 teams are added, 10 new starting pitchers who hadn't made the majors the year before (so the argument goes). In 1960 Maris would have faced 35 starting pitchers over 154 games (7 other teams X 5 starters). In 1961 he faces 45 starting pitchers over 162 games, 10 of which would not have been in the majors the prior year (9 other teams X 5 starters).

If he faces a pitcher 3.6 times in the season ( 162 games divided by 45 pitchers); then he'd face the 10 "minor league" pitchers in 36 games over the season.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

DanP, I think you might have transposed what someone was saying about the asterisk and pitchers.

In 1961 the American League expanded, added 2 teams, ie from 8 (as when Ruth played) to 10. If a team has 5 starters, then when there were 8 teams in the AL there were 40 ML calibre starters. In 1961 2 teams are added, 10 new starting pitchers who hadn't made the majors the year before (so the argument goes). In 1960 Maris would have faced 35 starting pitchers over 154 games (7 other teams X 5 starters). In 1961 he faces 45 starting pitchers over 162 games, 10 of which would not have been in the majors the prior year (9 other teams X 5 starters).

If he faces a pitcher 3.6 times in the season ( 162 games divided by 45 pitchers); then he'd face the 10 "minor league" pitchers in 36 games over the season.

Frank, you could be right it was a long time since I read the article (actually more like 30 years ago). I tried looking through the Baseball Digest archives to find it. Either way, I agree with Rhys, it didn't make sense. I'll keep checking for it if I have time today.

Dan

[pitchernut]

If you all are talking about time warping a player from one era to another... I would think that a player from 1910 could handle not only the warp but playing the game better than a player from 2010. Just imagine for a player from 1910 everything relating to baseball would be such an improvement trainers, showers, clean facilities even food in the club house, (did they even have club houses back then?) way better equipment etc etc. Now drop in a player from 2010 into 1910... maybe after five days huddled in the corner crying for mom they may snap out of it maybe, but after that the stench, hygiene wasn't even known, no trainers, food was way blander and the equipment sucks, I'm not certain but wonder if they even called games due to weather. This would make a great movie.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by pitchernut

This would make a great movie.

Barry Bonds time warps back to the 1905 New York Giants. Demands his own clubhouse. McGraw rips his head off, literally. Movie over in 11 seconds. Rated R for coarse language and scenes of extreme violence.

[pitchernut]

Originally Posted by kawika

barry bonds time warps back to the 1905 new york giants. Demands his own clubhouse. Mcgraw rips his head off, literally. Movie over in 11 seconds. Rated r for coarse language and scenes of extreme violence.

thats too funny

[pitchernut]

just a scenario but imagine warping a 1910 Cobb to lets say the 2010 Yomiuri Giants (Japanese MLB).. that could be interesting