Quote:
Originally Posted by sycks22
Teddy ballgame. Fun fact: during his '41 campaign he obviously hit .406 in 606 plate appearances, nobody talks about how he only struck out only 27 times.
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Since you are on the topic of strikeouts, additional facts: in 1941 when Joe D. hit in 56 straight games he only struck out an incredible 13 times! Over his career, Joe D. struck out only 369 times in 6,821 official at bats (AB) for an amazing "1 strikeout per 18 AB" (unheard of for a power hitter!). Ted Williams struck out 709 times in 7,706 lifetime AB for an average of "1 strikeout per 11 AB" (also very impressive). Willie Mays always said he never saw a player swing the bat so consistently hard as Joltin Joe without missing many pitches.
Regarding Joe D. vs. Teddy Ballgame it just may be too close to call. While Ted was certainly the premier hitter, Joe D. was the classic "5 tool" player, and also a great hitter during his peak years. You also have to remember how many balls DiMaggio hit into "Death Valley" between the 407 and 457 sign that were simple fly ball outs. My dad told me a story about a doubleheader he attended at Yankee Stadium where DiMaggio hit 4 home runs and flied out 3 other times on or near the warning track in left-center field. He would have hit 7 home runs in any other ballpark! At peak value I would take DiMaggio because of his additional skillsets, but I honestly feel it's a coin toss.
Great Debate!
Joe T.
04-26-2013, 08:40 PM
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