Greatest Living Player...

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The stats are sketchy but Ruth had a shotgun of an arm in right.

Since he was initially a pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me if he had a good throwing arm in the outfield. However, I don't remember him ever being talked about as a great fielder. Maybe it's just because of all the focus on his hitting and because the fielding stats aren't as plentiful from that time.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Since he was initially a pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me if he had a good throwing arm in the outfield. However, I don't remember him ever being talked about as a great fielder. Maybe it's just because of all the focus on his hitting and because the fielding stats aren't as plentiful from that time.

Discussions of great fielding are rarely focused on stats.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Discussions of great fielding are rarely focused on stats.

True. Fielding is definitely harder to quantify than hitting or pitching, especially for older players when all of the things being measured today that go into calculating dWAR aren't available.

[Leon]

This thread was moved to the front page to get some more resopnses and continue the discussion. And the other was locked. Carry on....

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Nolan for me, all the way. (Just glad the title wasn't "Greatest Living All-Around Player". That would require much more consideration.)

Can this thread be edited to include a poll? That would be great!

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Nolan for me, all the way. (Just glad the title wasn't "Greatest Living All-Around Player". That would require much more consideration.)

Can this thread be edited to include a poll? That would be great!

I created a poll earlier today in a separate thread that's still in the Watercooler section. Leon, can you please move that as well to the main page?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

For all the Koufax adherents, I get the love, devotion and passion. He obviously dominated his all-too-brief era. I just require a little longevity. This doesn't make me wrong or right; just my personal rule for answering such a question.

Heck, for hockey, my favourite was Mike Bossy, whose career so uncannily reminds of Koufax'. They both would have been the undisputed kings if not for injury. Each of their numbers are beyond staggering. Bossy would have easily out-Gretzkyed Gretzky if given a longer career. Likely in less time that it took Wayne to put up his numbers! 573 goals in 10 seasons?! Are you kidding me?!

[71buc]

I love Griffey and Rickey. Call me crazy but when it’s all said and done they are all just keeping the title warm Ohtani.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Since he was initially a pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me if he had a good throwing arm in the outfield. However, I don't remember him ever being talked about as a great fielder. Maybe it's just because of all the focus on his hitting and because the fielding stats aren't as plentiful from that time.

On the "Glory of Their Times" audio set, Rube Bressler says "Ruth played the outfield like an animal. They know when it's going to rain...I don't. He never threw to the wrong base. He played by instinct. He was like an animal out there."

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

On the "Glory of Their Times" audio set, Rube Bressler says "Ruth played the outfield like an animal. They know when it's going to rain...I don't. He never threw to the wrong base. He played by instinct. He was like an animal out there."

My dad, born in 1918, thought Ruth was the greatest baseball player ever... great pitcher, outfielder, hitter, you name it. Most people forget he pitched and won several complete games when he was with the Yankees. I look up to and respect my dad more than any other man I have known in this life. If he thought Babe Ruth was the greatest, that's more than good enough for me.

[Mike D.]

Just the fact that this thread has had about 20 names, pretty much all with compelling arguments for the title....yet just about nobody would have argued the answer was Mays a week ago is a real testament to just how great great Mays was.

[Mozzie22]

Pujols, Henderson, Maddux, Bench are all good choices. Bonds can suck it!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Amphetamines are chemically synthesized, controlled substances that can be used to treat conditions such as narcolepsy and ADHD because they increase alertness and sharpen reflexes. They also increase strength, muscular power, and endurance.

[JollyElm]

Is there a way to automatically add every member who pathetically votes for that cheating, statistic-ruining (add your own personal synonym for "scumbag" here) Barry Bonds to your ignore list??
Asking for a friend.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Is there a way to automatically add every member who pathetically votes for that cheating, statistic-ruining (add your own personal synonym for "scumbag" here) Barry Bonds to your ignore list??
Asking for a friend.

In reality Mr Bonds probably cheated way less than many on this list.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Is there a way to automatically add every member who pathetically votes for that cheating, statistic-ruining (add your own personal synonym for "scumbag" here) Barry Bonds to your ignore list??
Asking for a friend.

It won’t take you long to do it manually.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Mozzie22

Pujols, Henderson, Maddux, Bench are all good choices. Bonds can suck it!

This is the kind of reasoned, logical argument I was hoping for. I’d like to change my vote now after this compelling analysis.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by G1911

This is the kind of reasoned, logical argument I was hoping for. I’d like to change my vote now after this compelling analysis.

Bonds was/is an asshole and a narcissist of the highest order, I know for stat guys that makes no difference, but to some folks character is included in "greatest".

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Bonds was/is an asshole and a narcissist of the highest order, I know for stat guys that makes no difference, but to some folks character is included in "greatest".

The assessment of his character has undergone some revisionism in recent years for the better, but the common conception that he was not such a great guy never seemed to hurt Cobb.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Bonds was/is an asshole and a narcissist of the highest order, I know for stat guys that makes no difference, but to some folks character is included in "greatest".

There is a pretty big difference between trying to use a character clause and "suck it".

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Bonds was/is an asshole and a narcissist of the highest order, I know for stat guys that makes no difference, but to some folks character is included in "greatest".

The list of negative stories about the personality of Willie Mays is also quite long.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Since he was initially a pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me if he had a good throwing arm in the outfield. However, I don't remember him ever being talked about as a great fielder. Maybe it's just because of all the focus on his hitting and because the fielding stats aren't as plentiful from that time.

I read that his contemporaries said that Ruth was an excellent defensive player who never threw to the wrong base. And he was a right fielder, where the better defensive guys played (as opposed to left field, that is.) Clemente, Furillo, Kaline had the cannons, as opposed to their left field counterparts.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Mark17

I read that his contemporaries said that Ruth was an excellent defensive player who never threw to the wrong base. And he was a right fielder, where the better defensive guys played (as opposed to left field, that is.) Clemente, Furillo, Kaline had the cannons, as opposed to their left field counterparts.

Ruth played about as many games in left field as in right. At least, if this is right.

Ruth played in 1128 games in right field, another 1047 in left field, 163 as a pitcher, 74 in center field, and 32 at first base.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Ruth played about as many games in left field as in right. At least, if this is right.

Ruth played in 1128 games in right field, another 1047 in left field, 163 as a pitcher, 74 in center field, and 32 at first base.

I wonder when they would decide to play him at first

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Carter08

I wonder when they would decide to play him at first

Looks like 18 of the games at first were during 2 seasons with Boston. The rest are scattered throughout the years with the Yankees. I never knew he played so many games in left. I only remember ever hear him talked about as a right fielder.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Carter08

I wonder when they would decide to play him at first

Oh, you know. Whenever Gehrig needed a rest day.

[jingram058]

Babe Ruth pitched 5 games for the Yankees, 4 as the starting pitcher and 1 in relief, and he won all 5.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Babe Ruth pitched 5 games for the Yankees, 4 as the starting pitcher and 1 in relief, and he won all 5.

His ERA for rhe Yankees was 5.52.