Best Player You've Seen, Best Player You've Met.

[Seven]

We have many fans on the forum of all ages, as noted in our recent poll, conducted by Leon. We can also always appreciate our fond memories of watching America's Pastime, at some point in our lives, which is the inspiration for this thread.

The greatest player I've seen in person, is probably Barry Bonds. While this will undoubtedly be a bit controversial, due to his usage of PED's the man was Hall of Fame worthy before the stuff, and Ruthian while he was on it. Watching him take batting practice, and then play in a game was a treat. The Sound of the Ball off his bat was incredible. Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols also fit the bill for me, as both were incredible during their primes.

The greatest player I've personally met is a bit more tricky. Had a few conversations with Jim Kaat who was a very good player in his day. Pete Rose would also qualify, as Charlie Hustle would probably be the most legendary player I met.

Who was the best you've seen in person? Whose the best you've met? Please, I'd love to hear!

[clydepepper]

I saw Hank play several times so he's the best I've seen (I assume you meant 'in person') - My cousin Whitlow Wyatt was the best I ever met.

.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

I saw Hank play several times so he's the best I've seen (I assume you meant 'in person') - My cousin Whitlow Wyatt was the best I ever met.

.

I did mean in person! Thanks for clarification. I assume you've seen a lot of other greats as well! I did not know of your cousin, so I gave him a search, was pleasently surprised to see he played all throughout the 30s. I'm sure he had some fantastic stories about the Legends of our game. Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx etc. Also pretty incredible to remember that these ballplayers are just people, with their own lives and families.

I also found this old article, with some quotes and stories from your cousin. I'm sure you've seen it as well, but I linked it below.

https://greensboro.com/article_d0f68...88353f6b0.html

[earlywynnfan]

Saw Lebron once, hard to beat that.

For baseball, just to tie in on a main page discussion/argument, Albert Belle in 1995 was the absolute sh*t. Either going to the games or watching on TV, he was an unstoppable beast. Until he met the Braves and their expanded strike zone in the WS, that is.

[mikemb]

I've seen about 10 players that were greats of the game but if I had to choose one I would pick Roberto Clemente.

Greatest plyer I met was Brooks Robinson.

Mike

[Peter_Spaeth]

A few good players were in this game I saw.


https://www.baseball-reference.com/a...tar-game.shtml

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Seven

I did mean in person! Thanks for clarification. I assume you've seen a lot of other greats as well! I did not know of your cousin, so I gave him a search, was pleasently surprised to see he played all throughout the 30s. I'm sure he had some fantastic stories about the Legends of our game. Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx etc. Also pretty incredible to remember that these ballplayers are just people, with their own lives and families.

I also found this old article, with some quotes and stories from your cousin. I'm sure you've seen it as well, but I linked it below.

https://greensboro.com/article_d0f68...88353f6b0.html

I didn't meet him until he became the first pitching coach of the Braves when they moved down to Georgia.

Here's a Type 1 press photo of him jawing with DiMaggio in the '41 series:

1941 WS Photo - Whitlow v. JoeD a.jpg

1941 WS Photo - Whitlow v. JoeD Back.jpg

[MarcosCards]

Best ever that I saw play would be Al Kaline - my boyhood sports hero.
Nicest player I’ve met - Brooks Robinson.

[commishbob]

Just keeping to baseball, the best I've ever seen play in person was Willie Mays. The best player I've ever met, as in 'had a conversation with' would be either Frank Robinson or Roger Clemens.

[KCRfan1]

Best player I have seen play is George Brett.

Such a talent at the plate and the field.

IMO the best ever at 3rd base.

Best player I met and worked with was Steve Garvey.

Very kind and genuinely likeable.

On the flip side, the wife worked an event with Kareem and she has nothing good to say about him.

Self absorbed and a total jerk.

[SteveWhite]

Seen is tough, saw the Reds play in 1978 take your pick Rose or Bench.
Meet is Albert Belle.

[G1911]

Saw play: Barry Bonds.

Met: Barry Bonds or Willie Mays.

He cheated and he’s unpopular but Bonds truly was an amazing player.

[jiw98]

Best I ever saw live in baseball: Al Kaline, Miguel Cabrera, Alan Trammell
basketball: Kareem, Pete Marivich, Dr. J
football : Barry Sanders
Golf: Phil Mikkelson

Best players I've ever met: Al Kaline, and Gordie Howe.
But Bobby Richardson was the best player I ever talked with. He is a great guy and has some really good stories. He sure played with some characters during his days with the Yankees.

[riggs336]

Best I saw live: Koufax, Gibson

Best I met in person:
Ty Cobb at a sports banquet when I was a kid.
Dizzy Dean in an elevator at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis.
Satchel Paige at halftime of a Globetrotters game.

[SyrNy1960]

Harmon Killebrew. Great Player and a true honor to have met him.

[powderfinger]

The best I've seen in every sport:

Baseball: Best- Sandy Koufax Spent time with- Warren Spahn
Football: Best - Dick Butkus. Spent time with - Dick Butkus
Basketball: Best- Michael Jordan Spent time with - Lloyd Batts (went to the same high school, had one shop class together. Kind of "I knew him when...")
Hockey: Glenn Hall Spent time with - Eddie Giacomin
Soccer: George Best. Spent time with: Gordon Hill

When I was a kid, my dad or my uncle would take me to Wrigley Field and I saw the really great players of the late 50s and early 60s. Sitting behind home plate, watching Sandy Koufax throw breaking balls was mesmerizing. I saw Clemente, Mays, Banks, Musial, Drysdale and so many more. Butkus was the only reason to go to Bears games for a decade, Glenn Hall was an ironman who played in over 500 consecutive games, and Michael Jordan was, well, Michael Jordan. I saw many of the world's great soccer players in their twilight years, Pele, Beckenbauer, Chinaglia, Marinho, Cruyff, etc., but Best was something special. Too bad he wasted it.

[ChiefBeef]

Best Baseball Seen: Aaron, Mantle, Killebrew

Best Met: Jim Palmer

Best Basketball Seen: Julius Erving