Baseball's Greatest Living Player...who is it?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Fred

Why not stir the pot.... Barry "Frigging" Bonds.

Makes more sense than Pete Rose.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

Its just a shame, totally not right, that Baseball and/or Football Hall of Fame does not put in Bo. think about it…hall of FAME. Nobody was ever as famous at one point as Bo, except perhaps Ruth or Satchell Paige or Jordan. Of all the two bit barely make it players the Hall has allowed in, come on folks, give Bo some love, respect and acknowledgement he is well deserved due.

Bo might have become a great baseball player, but (paraphrasing Bill James) you aren't a great player just because you could have been a great player.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Centauri

As to the question of Jeter - how about greatest living short stop. Would you take Ozzie Smith over Jeter? Jeter better at the plate, Ozzie in the field. Both were very successful in regular season and post season.

I would take Jeter over Ozzie, and Ripken over both of them.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by kengoldin

Name career hits HR RBI AVG OPS MVPS GGs top 3 MVPs World Series champ
MAYS 3283 660 1903 302 941 2 12 6 1
Aaron 3771 755 2297 302 928 1 3 7 1
XXXXX 2519 520 1603 317 991 3 2 8 1


Sorry for formatting.....
what a skewed audience though.

player xxxxx should have won 5 MVPs as he was 2nd twice to Barry Bonds. 8 time top 3 in MVP voting 8 times in 10 years.
Player xxxxx is still putting up numbers, and unquestionably without peer during a 10 year period was considered the best player in the game....and likely the most consistent player from his rookie year to 12th season ever to play the game.
Player xxxx hit 3 home runs in a world series game to boot.
of course its Albert Pujols.
BTW, not saying he is 'the greatest living ballplayer' but it is amazing some of the names that HAVE been mentioned, and he hasn't been mentioned once.

Ken I think we tend to think of the question as referring to retired not active players.

[Touch'EmAll]

Bo wasn't a could have been great player...he was a great player. Refresh yourself with a youtube tour of Bo highlights. Not great players don't get the media attention, mega endorsements, and a nations infatuation the way Bo did.

Now if you mean he wasn't a great player only because he didn't play long enough, you have a case. Apparently, both Halls of Fame side with this conclusion.

There are sometimes exceptions to the rule. In Bo's case, imho, he was an exception.

[Centauri]

Bo would definitely be in any Hall of Awesomeness. Unbelieveable to be an all-star in both sports.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Bo hit .250 lifetime. He had great potential but I wouldn't call him a great player. And for all his remarkable speed he didn't steal much.

[ejharrington]

Bonds hands down.

[brick]

Willie Mays

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

In Bench's defense his '71 season was significantly harmed by his lung surgery during the off-season.

Bench's lung surgery was 1st week of December '72.

On the original question, Mays.

[Bigdaddy]

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Pete Rose
4. Mike Schmidt
5. Randy Johnson
6. Ken Griffey, Jr
7. Johnny Bench
8. Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton - tie
9. Cal Ripken
10. Rickey Henderson

I'd put Bonds no lower than #3 if not for the steroids. And Clemens would make the top 10 also. The bad part is that Bonds could probably have cracked the top 10 without the 'roids.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Pete Rose
4. Mike Schmidt
5. Randy Johnson
6. Ken Griffey, Jr
7. Johnny Bench
8. Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton - tie
9. Cal Ripken
10. Rickey Henderson

I'd put Bonds no lower than #3 if not for the steroids. And Clemens would make the top 10 also. The bad part is that Bonds could probably have cracked the top 10 without the 'roids.

I'd put Frank Robinson at #3.

[midwaylandscaping]

1. Mays/Bonds
3. Aaron
4. Maddux
5. Griff Jr.

[drmondobueno]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

Deon would also be on the list for greatest athlete.

Deon couldn't tackle.

[Steve D]

For me, it's:

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Ken Griffey Jr
4. Barry Bonds
5. Dave Winfield
6. Rickey Henderson

Pitchers:

1. Randy Johnson
2. Sandy Koufax
3. Steve Carlton (can't believe he hasn't gotten more votes)
4. Roger Clemens
5. Greg Maddux
6. Nolan Ryan
7. Tom Seaver
8. Pedro Martinez

Steve

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Centauri

As to the question of Jeter - how about greatest living short stop. Would you take Ozzie Smith over Jeter? Jeter better at the plate, Ozzie in the field. Both were very successful in regular season and post season.

ARod was better than both. And a lot better than Ripken.

[alaskapaul3]

Bonds 162.4
Mays 156.2
Aaron 142.6
Clemens 140.3...(note precipitous drop off after these 4)
Arod 116.0
Rickey Henderson 110.8
Seaver 110.5
Frank Robinson 107.2
Maddux 106.8
Schmidt 106.5
Randy Johnson 102.1
Joe Morgan 100.3

followed by Pujols, Niekro, Yaz, Ripken, Blyleven, Kaline, Boggs, Perry, Carlton who are all in the 90's...couple of surprises in there !!


-Paul

[talkinbaseball]

The Sey Hey Kid

[brookdodger55]

Sandy Koufax

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

430 HR, 3200 hits, 2 MVPs, about a zillion all star appearances and he was vastly overrated how?

In my opinion the only reason Ripke those milestones was because of the "iron man" streak. Regardless of what the record books say I will never view him as more durable than Gherig, not even close. Lowest BA in the 3000 hit club. Next closest was Rickey and he was a leadoff hitter. I don't give any weight to ASG appearances because it has turned into a popularity contest.

[bbcard1]

Would probably edge Aaron over Mays. Jim Brown as all time best living.

[Danny Smith]

I'll second this.

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

Hitters: Mays & Aaron
Pitchers: Koufax & Ryan

[brian1961]

Hank Aaron and Sandy Koufax. ---Brian Powell

[Sean]

Originally Posted by rats60

Mays and Koufax. I can't consider someone who was never the best player in the game to be the best living player (looking at you Aaron).

+1

[mark evans]

Willie Mays (although I may be partial to the heroes of my youth)

[Roofman4]

1. Mays
2. Aaron
3. Koufax
4. Brooks Robinson
5. Ryan

and 1 more for good luck...

6. Cal Ripken Jr

[vthobby]

"Say Hey" Willie Mays but I wanted so BAD to say Koufax because he was MONEY.

#1 Willie
#2 Sandy
#3 Hank
#4 Mike Trout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
#5 Berra
#6 Pete Rose

peace, mike

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by rats60

Mays and Koufax. I can't consider someone who was never the best player in the game to be the best living player (looking at you Aaron).

+infinity

[JustinD]

I will say that I am a bonds hater of immense magnitude, but I can't in good conscience leave him off an honest list. For all the hate for the steroids era, everyone had their crutch. From Cobbs sharpened cleats, to the vaseline balls, 15 inch mounds and Greenies like halloween candy, there was never a "clean" era in my mind. With the magnifing glass the current players live under, we may be seeing the cleanest it's even been. I know this will be controversial, but here goes -

My list is -
Aaron
Mays
Bonds
Rose
Clemens

and an honorable mention to Ryan and Koufax.

[packs]

Best players overall I gotta say Hank Aaron and Rickey Henderson.

[Bocabirdman]

Two Words.....

Sidd Finch

[Howe’s Hunter]

He set the standard by which all hitters are compared.

[DaveW]

How about Mike Trout? OK, maybe someday. For now it's got to be Mays or Aaron.

[ksabet]

I am with the Bonds crowd. Doesn't matter to me. He was light years better than the other 80% of players who also cheated during this era. We judge Ruth against his contemporaries why not Bonds as well considering they all cheated.

[GoldenAge50s]

Being an "old school" type guy who grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle & the players of the late '40's & '50's, I am beginning to think Mike Trout may turn out to be one of the greatest of all!

He reminds me of a young Mickey w/ all the tools, BUT, none of the frailties that beset Mantle.

This kid may break ALL the records before he's done.

[tbob]

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Bob Gibson
4. Yogi Berra (and not Johnny Bench who gets all the hype but Yogi was CLUTCH).

[obcbobd]

Mays
Aaron
Frank Robinson

Can't see that Jeter is in the top 20

[Jewish-collector]

I agree with Mays/Aaron/Frank

A side question between Mays, Aaron, and Frank Robinson. Who was better defensively in the outfield ? Who had the better throwing arm ? Who was faster in the outfield ? Who was the better clutch hitter ? Power ? Better Base runner ? More speed on the basepaths ? etc,...

Pete Rose

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I would agree re Koufax. I would take at least Seaver, Gibson, Maddux and Johnson over him, if I can't take Clemens.

While we all concur he hung on too long, Steve Carlton would round that rotation out nicely.

[brewing]

Originally Posted by rats60

Mays and Koufax. I can't consider someone who was never the best player in the game to be the best living player (looking at you Aaron).

Playing in Milwaukee and Atlanta has that effect. OPS+ of 140+ for 19 straight years, WAR of 6+ for 16 of those seasons. He belongs in the discussion. My vote goes to Mays for his superior defense.

I can't consider some who was great for 4 yrs, good for another 2 to be in the discussion for greatest ever (looking at you Koufax).

[poorlydrawncat]

Originally Posted by ksabet

I am with the Bonds crowd. Doesn't matter to me. He was light years better than the other 80% of players who also cheated during this era. We judge Ruth against his contemporaries why not Bonds as well considering they all cheated.

I feel similarly Lance Armstrong. They're both scumbags and I can't root for them, but you can't deny that they were once-in-a-generation athletes with or without the cheating, for the reason you mentioned.

Although I'm more impressed by Ruth because his contemporaries probably took better care of themselves than he did (I know everyone smoke and drank, but Ruth took it to another level and gorged himself on food to boot). I'll never understand how he was so much better than everyone else around him.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

1. Mays
2. Aaron
3. Berra
4. Seaver
5. Koufax
6. Schmidt
7. F. Robinson
8. Maddux
9. B. Robinson
10. Ryan

[jerrys]

1. Mays
2. Rose
3. Berra
4. Aaron
5. Seaver

[tjb1952tjb]

Willie could do it all, albiet he hung on a year or two too long (Mets).

[pokerplyr80]

1. Mays
2. Bonds
3. Aaron
4. Rose
5. Griffey, JR

I'm a little biased with the Griffey selection as he was my favorite as a kid, but he sure had a beautiful swing. It seemed almost effortless. He wasn't bad in the field either.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by poorlydrawncat

Although I'm more impressed by Ruth because his contemporaries probably took better care of themselves than he did (I know everyone smoke and drank, but Ruth took it to another level and gorged himself on food to boot). I'll never understand how he was so much better than everyone else around him.

Ruth, of course, was great, almost certainly the greatest of all time. But he also played in an era of few minorities and no black players at all. "Everyone else around him" excludes a significant segment of the population.

[prewarsports]

Ruth also played in the pre-expansion era so he faced the best pitchers in baseball regularly. Considering how few teams there were he missed facing a handful of great black pitchers, no doubt, but he faced great pitchers all the time. Now the best pitchers are spread out over 32 teams and only pitch every fifth day. How many times a year does Mike Trout have to face a teams ace?

Best living player, my vote:

Ken Griffey Jr. By far the biggest casualty of the steroids era and ranked the number one player of all time during much of his career ahead of Aaron and Mays.

[poorlydrawncat]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Ruth, of course, was great, almost certainly the greatest of all time. But he also played in an era of few minorities and no black players at all. "Everyone else around him" excludes a significant segment of the population.

True! Very good point. And very depressing.

[Jdoggs]

Mays is the best.