Perception of pre war baseball players vs other sports

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

It’s certainly difficult to compare eras…. I can’t imagine Trout being all that good in 1923. Once the injuries started stacking up the bus rides on dusty gravel roads without A/C and eating a roadside diners wouldn’t help alleviate the swelling and discomfort. Ol’ Earl Smith spitting tobacco juice on him at the plate wouldn’t have gone well either. Once the headhunters had him on their radar his melon better be on a swivel to compensate for the lack of batting helmets. No medications, no 5 star hotels, no AC, longer travel schedules…. Most modern day guys would fold up so fast their names would never have been known.



Modern players are better in the modern day not because they are “better” but because their era is better equipped to maximize their performance.

It's interesting how people think. My take is completely opposite. 90 years ago, hitters most days got 4 at bats against a sore arm pitcher. Starters were not throwing smoke back then, for most of them 4-5 k's per game was standard. Relievers were just the guys who were not good enough to be starters.

When Feller threw one 98 mph, it was incredible. Now, a team has several pitchers who can break 100. Batters have to face 2 or 3 different pitchers a game, and many of the relievers are better than the starters.

On top of that, every pitch a batter swings at is now recorded and studied. Any weak spots are identified and exploited. Batters used to be able to wait for their pitch. Now, they need to be able to hit a lot of different pitches to be successful.

If Trout went back in time to play, it would be like batting practice for him. And on the other side of the coin, I think a lot of the top old time hitters would not be able to adjust to the speed and intensity of today's game.

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[nwobhm]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

It's interesting how people think. My take is completely opposite. 90 years ago, hitters most days got 4 at bats against a sore arm pitcher. Starters were not throwing smoke back then, for most of them 4-5 k's per game was standard. Relievers were just the guys who were not good enough to be starters.

When Feller threw one 98 mph, it was incredible. Now, a team has several pitchers who can break 100. Batters have to face 2 or 3 different pitchers a game, and many of the relievers are better than the starters.

On top of that, every pitch a batter swings at is now recorded and studied. Any weak spots are identified and exploited. Batters used to be able to wait for their pitch. Now, they need to be able to hit a lot of different pitches to be successful.

If Trout went back in time to play, it would be like batting practice for him. And on the other side of the coin, I think a lot of the top old time hitters would not be able to adjust to the speed and intensity of today's game.

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Interesting points. Would Trout be taking his shoes, gloves and bats with him? Will his Chiropractor be going too?

MLB is becoming a sterile vacuum where the key skill is hitting a 100mph fastball deep.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

Interesting points. Would Trout be taking his shoes, gloves and bats with him? Will his Chiropractor be going too?

MLB is becoming a sterile vacuum where the key skill is hitting a 100mph fastball deep.

Let's see all those 100 mph guys go back in time and chop cotton or bail hay to help the family out instead of playing on traveling All-Star teams as teenagers.
Zinc mines were a lot of fun to. Here's your pick Verlander now go get your ton an hour.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Let's not forget today's strength & conditioning coaches and numerous medical staff vs. yesteryear's lone old guy with a bottle of worthless liniment, replete with stogie and undershirt.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

Interesting points. Would Trout be taking his shoes, gloves and bats with him? Will his Chiropractor be going too?

MLB is becoming a sterile vacuum where the key skill is hitting a 100mph fastball deep.

When I was a kid we played baseball all day all summer. We found scrap wood and built our own backstop. One time while I was on deck the kid at the plate threw his bat and I caught the barrel square in the mouth, breaking both my front teeth.

My boys played ball too, with professional coaches in travel leagues, and they had classes with video feedback to teach them mechanics and swing speed.

I loved my life growing up and it was a bit tougher then, and more independent. It taught me a lot and I am better for it, but it didn't make me a better ballplayer than my children.

If you have a gripe about how the game has evolved, join the club. If you wish life could be simpler again, I hear you. But if you think that Trout is somehow lesser for that, you're wrong.

[Snapolit1]

Stan Coveleski worked in a coal mine when he was 12. Over 70 hours a week. Don't think anyone is hankering to get back to those good old days.

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

When I was a kid we played baseball all day all summer. We found scrap wood and built our own backstop. One time while I was on deck the kid at the plate threw his bat and I caught the barrel square in the mouth, breaking both my front teeth.

My boys played ball too, with professional coaches in travel leagues, and they had classes with video feedback to teach them mechanics and swing speed.

I loved my life growing up and it was a bit tougher then, and more independent. It taught me a lot and I am better for it, but it didn't make me a better ballplayer than my children.

If you have a gripe about how the game has evolved, join the club. If you wish life could be simpler again, I hear you. But if you think that Trout is somehow lesser for that, you're wrong.