Who was better, who would you take, Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams?

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

I attended a lot of old-timers games in the sixties and seventies and it always annoyed me that Joe D insisted on being announced as "the greatest living ballplayer. When was he ever that? Babe Ruth died in 1948 but Cobb lived to 1961 and certainly by the late

In 1969 he was voted the greatest living player.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

In 1969 he was voted the greatest living player.

And he insisted on being described that way during introductions.

[Ladder7]

Ted. And he's coming back too, you'll see.

[mr2686]

If Ted came back today he'd only be a .280 hitter...of course, he'd be 95.

[D. Bergin]

Another Yankee fan here, with a little bit more respect for Williams.

Sure, Ted was surly with the media during the time he was playing ball, but I believe a good lot of Boston athletes had a tough time with the media up there. When you're not winning and you have an inferiority complex with New York, I think it breeds contempt towards their own when you're not bringing home titles.

Just think of all the athletes they've alienated over the years since Ted retired. Jim Rice, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs..........they completely picked apart the historic seasons Wes Welker had for them, because anointed god, Tom Brady overthrew a pass to him once, they never really forgave Ray Bourque for never winning a Stanley Cup for them and winning one in Colorado instead.............and look what they've done to Bill Buckner and even Tito Francona, who they ran out of town after winning two longed for World Series titles for them.

Please be aware, this is not a slam on Boston fans either, just what I've observed with their media over the years.

Joe D. was fawned over by the New York media, because of the titles, and the 56 game hit streak, and the obliging team-mates who put up with him and his superiority complex. They over-looked a lot of flaws in him, I don't think the Boston media would have been so kindly about, if the situations had been reversed.

I think Ted redeemed himself quite well, once the spotlight of playing on the field was not a factor in his life. Joe D. was quite happy with just being an icon, and not feeling as if he had to give anything back to anyone, including respect. I think Ted lived his life in quite a different and more respectful way then Joe D..