Who is the greatest player of the Pre-War Era?

[the 'stache]

Ed Walsh could have received some consideration. The man threw nearly 3,000 innings and had a career 1.82 ERA.

I'm still trying to figure out how in 1910 Walsh threw 369 2/3 innings, struck out 258 batters, had a 0.820 WHIP and a 1.27 ERA, and went only 18-20!

But for the best player, after some careful consideration, I had to vote for Ruth. The guy could have gone down as one of the all-time greatest pitchers, and he was an even better hitter.

[2dueces]

Cobb was the greatest all around player of all time. Not just pre war. Babe Ruth was the most dominate player of all time. There is a difference.

[Fred]

Ruth

[Jason]

Ty Cobbs character prevents a lot of people from seeing just how great he was.He may not have been the best person but no doubt he is the best ball player I'm my mind.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Ed Walsh could have received some consideration. The man threw nearly 3,000 innings and had a career 1.82 ERA.

I'm still trying to figure out how in 1910 Walsh threw 369 2/3 innings, struck out 258 batters, had a 0.820 WHIP and a 1.27 ERA, and went only 18-20!

The pre-1917 Sox were known as the Hitless Wonders. He didn't have much run support to win games.

[sayheykid54]

Without question Ty Cobb..not even close.

He's the fiercest most complete player to ever play the game. He DOMINATED the era that he played in. His all-time highest batting average will never be matched.

COBB!

[Kenny Cole]

I suppose that if the question is limited to the majors, I'd go with Ruth very narrowly over Cobb. If the question is the best baseball player of that era, I think it is Oscar Charleston. He was a combination of Ruth, Cobb, Speaker and Mays as a player. IMO, he wins best ever, and he was certainly better than Gibson.

[aljurgela]

I have to agree with Kenny ... That Oscar would take it... If majors, would have to be Ruth.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sayheykid54

Without question Ty Cobb..not even close.

He's the fiercest most complete player to ever play the game. He DOMINATED the era that he played in. His all-time highest batting average will never be matched.

COBB!

According to your peers on this vintage board you are a multiple of 4x wrong . At approximately 16% for Cobb and 65% for Ruth, I would say without question it was Ruth.....again, according to our members.

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by Leon

According to your peers on this vintage board you are a multiple of 4x wrong . At approximately 16% for Cobb and 65% for Ruth, I would say without question it was Ruth.....again, according to our members.

Leon,

Aside from being a HOF PITCHER, I firmly believe Ruth's stand-alone greatness is confirmed by the FACT that he actually out-homered virtually all of the TEAMS in the league during the early 1920's!!! I will always look at that statistic as one of if not THE most unfathomable feats in Major League history. Babe Ruth will forever stand "above the game" itself!

Joe T.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Vintageclout

Leon,

Aside from being a HOF PITCHER, I firmly believe Ruth's stand-alone greatness is confirmed by the FACT that he actually out-homered virtually all of the TEAMS in the league during the early 1920's!!! I will always look at that statistic as one of if not THE most unfathomable feats in Major League history. Babe Ruth will forever stand "above the game" itself!

Joe T.

Joe- I always remember that same statistic. And I also remember that he was one of the very best pitchers while he was pitching early in his career.

[BeanTown]

Interesting results from this poll.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Leon

Joe- I always remember that same statistic. And I also remember that he was one of the very best pitchers while he was pitching early in his career.

+1 Agree that is an amazing Stat that Ruth himself hit more home runs that most entire teams in the league for several years early in the 1920's. No one has ever been that dominate compared to the rest of the League

PLus added his pitching acumen and no one is even close