Best 2-Way Players of All-Time

[ghostmarcelle]

Without a doubt

[xdrx]

Darren Dreifort. Ah hell, after $50 million he never even turned in to a one-way player. Apologies to any fellow Dodger fans out there, but for some reason this thread made me think of DD.

[BleedinBlue]

Originally Posted by xdrx

Darren Dreifort. Ah hell, after $50 million he never even turned in to a one-way player. Apologies to any fellow Dodger fans out there, but for some reason this thread made me think of DD.

Not to take this thread too far off track but as a Dodger fan, the worst thing about the whole Dreifort situation was the Dodgers drafted him #2 overall after AROD. The Dodgers actually had a worse record than the Mariners in 1992 and by the current rules would have picked #1 but back in those days, MLB alternated leagues for the #1 overall selection. 1993 was the AL's turn.

[quinnsryche]

Smoky Joe Wood, #1, no doubt. Should be a HOF'er.

[BleedinBlue]

Gil Patterson. Right handed fireballer blew out his arm and tried come back as a lefty junk baller. Never made it back to the bigs though.

A different spin on the two way player, kinda like Pat Venditte in the Yankees organization.

Jimmy Claxton (1892 - 1970) more than 400 wins, less than 200 losses, more than 4,000 K's with a lifetime BA of nearly .400. Three problems; (1) only played as high as the PCL, (2) began his career as a left handed catcher, (3) HMMM?

[murcerfan]

Phil....I think the HOF needs to consider him.

meanwhile you can steal another wicked hot card of his for just $450

[murcerfan]

but I'd still vote for Ankiel, based on the modern era factor.

[gavvy]

Bucky Walters-198 wins-started as a third baseman for the Phillies.

[oldjudge]

Phil-If you compare Foutz to his teammate Parisian Bob Caruthers you'll see that they are very similar pitchers and hitters. Caruthers was a career 218-99 with a 2.83 ERA. Foutz was 147-66 with a 2.84 ERA. They batted almost exactly the same with Foutz knocking in more runs and Caruthers hitting more homers. However, my pick for best two way 19th century player is John Ward. Ward was 164-102 as a pitcher, including throwing the second perfect game in major league baseball history. After his arm went he became argueably the best shortstop of the 19th century and, unlike Foutz, is a HOFer.

[U240robert]

Bob Lemon was also signed as an outfielder.
Babe Ruth is still the best.

[TexasLeaguer]

Lifetime .289 batting average (highest for a pitcher). Hit .344 in 1920, .361 in 1923, .343 in 1929 and .381 in 1936. Led the league in pinch-hit batting average in 1924.

[barrysloate]

Agree with Jay, John Ward has to be on top of the list. And after he retired he became a successful attorney.