Baseball's Greatest Living Player...who is it?

[71buc]

Derek Jeter is special but Hank Aaron is in a league by himself. If you discount the Bonds embarrassment, Aaron owns 2/3 of the career triple crown. Even if you subtract his homeruns he still has 3000 hits. If he had been a Yankee we wouldn't even consider this question.

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Derek Jeter is special but Hank Aaron is in a league by himself. If you discount the Bonds embarrassment, Aaron owns 2/3 of the career triple crown. Even if you subtract his homeruns he still has 3000 hits. If he had been a Yankee we wouldn't even consider this question.

We are 100% on the same page on this. Sadly (?), an entire wall of my bedroom is dedicated to Hank Aaron baseball cards, bobbleheads, paintings, magazines, etc. My own top five votes would go to Aaron, Mays, Rose, Jackson, and Henderson. At the same time, just as Joe D. beat out Williams/Musial/Mays/Aaron in 1969, I suspect writers would choose Jeter over Aaron today.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Mays.
then Aaron.

Derek Jeter? Please. And I like Derek Jeter a lot.

On the pitching side one could make a case for Seaver.

[Exhibitman]

Aaron or Mays. Either answer works for me.

Greatest living pitcher I'd go with Koufax or Pedro or Big Unit.

Bonds Clemens etc.; sorry no cheaters allowed.

[sycks22]

Mays without a doubt. Can you be considered the best alive if you were never an MVP? (Jeter)

[1963Topps Set]

I was just about to say... What about pitchers? Sandy Koufax.. The real Mr. October!

Nolan Ryan... Who is going to catch his numbers?

How about Cal Ripkin? Remember the streak?

[RichardSimon]

Mays, no question.

[bnorth]

At no time was Joe DiMaggio the greatest living player.

My vote for now is Hank Aaron.

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by bnorth

At no time was Joe DiMaggio the greatest living player.

My vote for now is Hank Aaron.

At "peak value" Joe DiMaggio sure was the greatest living player. Anyone who bats .350+ and consistently strikes out LESS than his 30+ home run totals has my vote. The finest bat control for a power hitter in baseball history INCLUDING Ted Williams.

[pclpads]

No mention of Banks???

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by pclpads

No mention of Banks???

.271 hitter. No.

[BearBailey]

Willie Mays,
I agree Joe D was never the best living player. Jeter has never been the best current short stop let alone best living player.

Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt, Hank Aaron, and Pete Rose all get honorable mentions.

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by pclpads

No mention of Banks???

.271 hitter. No.

By this logic, Bench is out, .267

[icollectDCsports]

Mays then Aaron and would have to think some more to rank the next 5 or 10. In the mix would be Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, . . . .

[dabigyankeeman]

I gotta go with Willie Mays.

[Vintagevault13]

Hitters

1. Hank Aaron
2. Willie Mays
3. Frank Robinson
4. Reggie Jackson
5. Yogi Berra

Pitchers

1. Sandy Koufax
2. Greg Maddux
3. Tom Seaver
4. Randy Johnson
5. Nolan Ryan

[rjackson44]

reggie jackson

[obcbobd]

Aaron or Mays.

Koufax, Pedro maybe Johnson for pitcher.

Jeter top 25

Berra probably top 10

[ZenPop]

Easiest answer EVER...

WILLIE MAYS