Who is the greatest baseball player of all time?

[Mark17]

Nobody has ever changed the game, and been famous worldwide, like Ruth.

The answer is Babe Ruth, period. The fact he was universally loved is a bonus.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ruth. Period. Paragraph.

[Seven]

I like the idea that there isn't a consensus because of just how long our game has been around, and how different things were and are in comparison to now.


In terms of global impact, I would say Ruth, however. No one did for the sport what he was able to do. Talent? Ruth might still be number one, but it'd be hard to discount someone like Oscar Charleston.

[mrreality68]

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

[G1911]

Nobody has ever dominated their time like Ruth. That he was a star pitcher as well is the cherry on the top. I think the gap between Ruth and everyone else is pretty large. Who was #2 is, I think, the competitive question.

[bigfanNY]

Babe Ruth.
Maybe one day the answer to who is the greatest Baseball player of all time changes...but today is not that day.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

You put Mays twice. Unless you meant Carl.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

You put Mays twice. Unless you meant Carl.

Willie was that good.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

You put Mays twice. Unless you meant Carl.

Ooops my bad or twice for his time with Giants and Mets lol

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

Personally, I would NEVER have Anson in the discussion.


.

[commishbob]

I don't know the answer. All I can say for sure is that the best player I've ever watched play was Willie Mays.

[mark evans]

Originally Posted by commishbob

I don't know the answer. All I can say for sure is that the best player I've ever watched play was Willie Mays.

My sentiments exactly.

[robw1959]

Don't forget how far away the fences were in Ruth's era, and he still managed to get to 714 even with all of the 450+ foot fences and essentially losing five years of hitting due to being a Hall-of-Fame worthy pitcher! There were years when he out-homered most or all other teams! Ruth was also a crack fielder and decent runner, at least according to the Babe Ruth candy cards that were produced.

It isn't close enough for me to go with anyone else, but I like the case for Willie Mays being second place.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Personally, I would NEVER have Anson in the discussion.


.

I am not disagreeing and his political views were bad and he did a lot to cause and continue segregation in the sport but many consider him the greatest pre 1900 era ball player and the first player with over 3000 hits and he was popular and help transform the game.
And since that era of ball is slightly different from others era So I was just trying to include the time.

[campyfan39]

Not even a close second IMO

Originally Posted by Mark17

Nobody has ever changed the game, and been famous worldwide, like Ruth.

The answer is Babe Ruth, period. The fact he was universally loved is a bonus.