Twist on a theme - all time biggest crowd drawing starting 9

[SAllen2556]

Drawing power:

P - Mark Fidrych
C - Yogi Berra
1b - Cap Anson
2b - Jackie Robinson
ss - Cal Ripken
3b - Pete Rose
LF - Babe Ruth
CF - Ty Cobb
RF - Reggie Jackson
DH - Barry Bonds

No one drew more people to a ball game than "The Bird".

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Thinking outside the box of guys who were "must see" even if only for a time. None of these guys were draws their entire career like Ruth or Mantle, but for a significant time you couldn't get tickets to their games.

LHP - Fernando Valenzuela
1b - Mark McGwire
OF - Sammy Sosa
SS - Cal Ripken
OF - Ichiro

Anyone else you can think of?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Thinking outside the box of guys who were "must see" even if only for a time. None of these guys were draws their entire career like Ruth or Mantle, but for a significant time you couldn't get tickets to their games.

LHP - Fernando Valenzuela
1b - Mark McGwire
OF - Sammy Sosa
SS - Cal Ripken
OF - Ichiro

Anyone else you can think of?

Ozzie Smith. I was going back and forth between having Banks at 1B and Ozzie at SS or Musial at 1B and Banks at SS. Maybe it is the mid-west bias, but Ozzie was always must see. Ripken was popular, but not as popular as Ozzie in my opinion. Also, Ken Griffey Jr and Mike Trout were the other two guys I wanted to make room for, just not over the three I chose.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Did Ozzie sell tickets at away stadiums? Musial? Banks? I mean don't get me wrong, they were great, but I'm talking about people who brought crowds wherever they went for a period of time. After Ripken broke the record every game he played was a new record. Griffey had a stretch where people were likely coming just to see him, I think that's a good add, and while I love Trout he can't even fill the Angel's ballpark.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Did Ozzie sell tickets at away stadiums? Musial? Banks? I mean don't get me wrong, they were great, but I'm talking about people who brought crowds wherever they went for a period of time. After Ripken broke the record every game he played was a new record. Griffey had a stretch where people were likely coming just to see him, I think that's a good add, and while I love Trout he can't even fill the Angel's ballpark.

Yes, how often have you gone to a Cubs or Cardinals road game? Especially in the mid-west, Cubs fans heavily attend away games. I am sure that Ripken brought out fans when he was approaching and breaking Gehrig's record, but what about his whole career? Cubs and Cardinals are two of the most popular teams in baseball. Banks is Mr. Cub. He would bring a huge crowd. The Cardinals are consistently among MLB leaders in attendance. I'm not sure I picked the right Cardinal and as time goes by Ozzie will be the pick, but my age leans me towards the Man. I certainly understand why someone would pick Ripken, but I wouldn't if limited to 9.