Who is the greatest BB player you ever SAW?

[Mark]

I saw Mays play, but he was past his prime. The most impressive player whom I saw when he was at his best was Clemente.

[glynparson]

honorable mention to Mike Schmidt. The best pitchers were Clemens and Pedro honorable mention to Maddux and Carlton. Best closer was Mariano. Dave Parker was up there before he got too heavy into drugs and then later on just too heavy.

[David Atkatz]

Mickey Mantle

[barrysloate]

Mays and Clemente.

[4815162342]

I saw Cal Ripken, Jr. play (Yankees @ Orioles) on 4th of July week his last season (2001).

[David W]

Albert Pujols

[Kalineman]

Willie Mays. Five tools as a player. A tool as an autograph guest.

[scottglevy]

I saw Dwight Gooden pitch several times in 1985. While the guy's career got sunk by drug use, I've never seen a more consistently dominating player than Dwight during that season --- what a pity!

I suppose that if we're talking about the best career player I've seen though I'd have to vote for one of the following:
Griffey Jr.
Clemens
Maddux
Pete Rose
(sadly I never got to see Nolan Ryan)

[Mikehealer]

Easy one. George Brett.

[oldjudge]

Best players I ever saw: Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, Mariano Rivera

Most overrated players I ever saw: Mickey Mantle (and I'm a Yankee fan), Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith

[BIN at VCP]

I think OP got it right: Frank Thomas. I'm only 24, but I don't think there's been a better all-around hitter since Ted Williams. I won't comment on Pujols, as I rarely watch the National League.

Since its hard to compare pitchers and hitters, I'll mention Maddux, too. Not sure if he's necessarily the best pitcher I've ever seen, but he's the best pitcher I've ever seen considering his relative physical prowess and athletic ability. As a White Sox fan, Mark Buerhle reminds me of him, except about three levels below him.

[ethicsprof]

hank aaron, hands-down.

taught his daughter 30 years ago.

quite the gentleman; quite the lady.

best,
barry

[philliesphan]

Mike Schmidt, no question

[AndrewJerome]

1987 is about the earliest I can remember watching games. Living in WA this is an easy choice for me--Ken Griffey Jr.

What couldn't he do on a baseball field in his prime?

Andrew

[ElCabron]

I agree with Jay on Nolan Ryan being overrated. Best I ever saw in person:

Hitter: Barry Bonds
All-around 5-tool player: Larry Walker (believe it or not)
Pitcher: Pedro in his prime or Hershiser in 1988
Honorable mention: 1980s Don Mattingly

-Ryan

[Steve D]

In person - Dave Winfield
On TV - Rickey Henderson

Steve

[camlov2]

Being in my early 30's and not going to many games when I was little I don't have as large of a list to work from as some of you. It took me less then a second to figure out that the only possible answer for me would be Ken Griffey Jr. I was able to watch him during his first spring training when I was just entering my teenage years... I was even able to get an autograph. Hitting, fielding, and the sweetest swing in baseball.

[whycough]

Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Pedro Martinez. With my own luckey eyes. The rest pale.

[BBSD]

Easy Johnny LeMaster, whoops I mean The Sey Hey kid- Willie Mays.

[Idiottax]

For me, it was Greg Maddux, who I saw pitch against Tom Glavine at Shea Stadium in a game which John Smoltz closed. For a big Braves fan and a big fan of pitchers in general, it was quite the experience.

[BearBailey]

In Person: Hitter Barry Bonds, Pitcher Greg Maddux
On TV: Hitter Pete Rose, Pitcher Greg Maddux

[alanu]

I'll go with:

Aaron
Clemente
Nolan Ryan
Schmidt
Ripken

with the caveat that Clemente and Ripken are my favorite players

[dabigyankeeman]

I grew up watching Mantle roam the outfield in Yankee Stadium. Nobody like him when he was healthy.

I remember one game where he hit 3 balls over 440 feet and they were all caught by Albie Pearson for outs!!!

Another time, he hit a monster blast that bounced over the high wall at the 457-foot sign for a ground-rule double. By the time the ball got into the bleachers, Mantle had rounded third base and was headed home, and the umpires made him go back to second.

God, how i loved The Mick.

[Theoldprofessor]

"Saw" Jackie Robinson in '48, but was only 6 at the time. Remember nothing.

Clemente. Never did anyone run the bases like Roberto. Saw him throw out a runner at third from deep right-center in Forbes, on the fly. By about 6 feet.

Maddux. "Mad Dog?" STUPID name for the most cerebral pitcher of our generation. Knew, like maybe a half dozen players in the history of the game, how to pitch. A privilege to watch.

[gfgcom]

Koufax
Clemente
Mays
Mantle
Aaron
B Robinson (fielding)

[jboosted92]

Originally Posted by gfgcom

Koufax
Clemente
Mays
Mantle
Aaron
B Robinson (fielding)

Nice Convo:

Here is my evaluation:

1. Pitcher - PEDRO ...His intimidation and domination, especially for his size was something that I will enjoy telling generations to come.....When he would come out of the bullpen, it was probably what it was like when Satchel Paige would walk out to a Negro League game in the 30;s and 40s....

2. Hitter - Bonds - Im sorry, i know the steriods, but i saw him hit (i think #710) in Washington...i was third base line, and i swear that ball was at 500 feet in about 3 seconds. I was actually sitting behind Tim Russert (RIP) both were left speechless....

3. Field - Kenny Lofton - The dude had Jets....thats it, pure jets...

4. Arm - Tied Dwight Evans/Vlad - both dont need explanations

Notables:

1. Ken Griffey
2. Juan Gonzalez
3. Frank Thomas
4. Pujols....cant wait to see the next 10 years

[curch]

Does Yankee Old Timers day count?

[Kawika]

Mantle for me. He was a thrill to watch back in the fifties.

Originally Posted by curch

Does Yankee Old Timers day count?

In that case, take your pick.
Roster for Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, 1959

[Teamsets4u]

I was always amazed with the skill of Eric Davis.

Best pitcher I ever saw would have to be Greg Maddux or Pedro Martinez

[Mark70Z]

The best I've seen growing up was Brooks Robinson. You guys may have seen the '70 WS, or highlights, but that was normal play for him. He just had the opportunity w/in that series to display his glovework, but that's the way he played day in...day out. I haven't seen a better thirdbaseman than Brooks or any fielder for that matter. He was definitely a clutch hitter as well along w/hitting behind the runner...etc.

I thought Bench was a great catcher and one of the best ever!

Gotta love Roberto in the outfield!

Really there are so many GREAT players it's hard to name just one!!

[Northviewcats]

My dad only took me to Tiger games, but I'll never forget the day I saw Mantle it a homer in Detroit. He was the best I ever saw in person.

Second best Mariano Rivera.

Joe

[ethicsprof]

hank aaron---saw him play a number of time.
interestingly, i was fortunate to teach his daughter when she was in prep school in atlanta. She brought me a signed baseball, addressed to me personally and an autographed picture of Hank's homerun which surpassed
ruth's lifetime record.
man, i loved that job.
best,
barry

[rc4157]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

The best I've seen growing up was Brooks Robinson. You guys may have seen the '70 WS, or highlights, but that was normal play for him. He just had the opportunity w/in that series to display his glovework, but that's the way he played day in...day out. I haven't seen a better thirdbaseman than Brooks or any fielder for that matter. He was definitely a clutch hitter as well along w/hitting behind the runner...etc.

I thought Bench was a great catcher and one of the best ever!

Gotta love Roberto in the outfield!

Really there are so many GREAT players it's hard to name just one!!

Being a Reds fan, I definitely remember Brooks Robinson's exploits in the '70 World Series, it seemed that everything down the 3rd base line was an out for the Redlegs. It was a great series for him and I'm sure those that had the opportunity to watch him every day came to expect those types of performances.

He didn't disappoint!

RC

[powderfinger]

Grew up in the Chicago area and spent a lot of time at Wrigley from the late 50s to the mid 80s (still get back to Chicago for a game or two every year). I will never forget sitting behind home plate and watching Sandy Koufax pitch. He was amazing from that vantage point.

[talkinbaseball]

These are the best I saw live, the Sey Hey Kid (Mays),Mantle & Seaver.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by mark

i saw mays play, but he was past his prime. The most impressive player whom i saw when he was at his best was clemente.

mark- might have to agree with you there. When i was a kid at atlanta fulton county stadium, i saw clemente catch a fly ball on the track, and gun down ralph garr coming home from third. The baseball never hit the ground! At the time, garr was thought by many to be the fastest player in the national league. He was out by 10 feet.