I prefer the interview Willie, Mickey, and the Duke gave. When asked which was the best, Mickey stepped up and answered, we don’t mind coming second, do we Duke? On the other hand…I love Willie, Mickey, and the Duke, but Babe Ruth is by far the greatest player ever.
When Babe Ruth came along he changed the way baseball was played for all time. He was also the better pitcher than Willie, but Willie was the better fielder and Ruth was no match for him on the base paths.
Back in the day (1950s), my two favorite players were Ted Williams (American League) and Stan Musial (National League). Both tremendous players, but to me, Willie’s the overall best.
I find the idea that Mays being better on defense and base running outweighs Ruth being a better hitter and pitcher to be ridiculous. The only other argument I have seen is that, since Ruth played before the color barrier was broken and didn’t have to compete against black players, his accomplishments don’t count. Of course, the same people are thrilled that the new all time leaders in batting and slugging averages didn’t have to compete against white people. Hilarious.
I have my own thoughts on moving Negro League stats into the official Major League record book, one way or the other, but if I’d been asked, I guess I’d have said it’s OK with me. Everybody knows what players did what and for who, and if more players are recognized for what they did, the better.
As for the GOAT of all time in baseball, there are too many apples competing against the same number of oranges. What it comes down to I think is this: If you were Fantasy League owner and you could choose first, from among all players from all eras, who would you choose? I’d go with Willie Mays. You and Barry would (I assume) go with Babe Ruth. And even if I’m outvoted, even on my own blog, I can certainly live with that!
Thanks for the link, Tony. He sure makes a case for Mays, doesn’t he? With lots of stats to back him up, including a good number of new-fangled ones that I only begin to understand. I’ll have to take his word for them. (Maybe that’s because I agree with him without them from the get-go.)
June 19th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
I prefer the interview Willie, Mickey, and the Duke gave. When asked which was the best, Mickey stepped up and answered, we don’t mind coming second, do we Duke? On the other hand…I love Willie, Mickey, and the Duke, but Babe Ruth is by far the greatest player ever.
June 19th, 2024 at 11:27 pm
When Babe Ruth came along he changed the way baseball was played for all time. He was also the better pitcher than Willie, but Willie was the better fielder and Ruth was no match for him on the base paths.
Back in the day (1950s), my two favorite players were Ted Williams (American League) and Stan Musial (National League). Both tremendous players, but to me, Willie’s the overall best.
June 23rd, 2024 at 8:46 am
I find the idea that Mays being better on defense and base running outweighs Ruth being a better hitter and pitcher to be ridiculous. The only other argument I have seen is that, since Ruth played before the color barrier was broken and didn’t have to compete against black players, his accomplishments don’t count. Of course, the same people are thrilled that the new all time leaders in batting and slugging averages didn’t have to compete against white people. Hilarious.
June 23rd, 2024 at 4:30 pm
I have my own thoughts on moving Negro League stats into the official Major League record book, one way or the other, but if I’d been asked, I guess I’d have said it’s OK with me. Everybody knows what players did what and for who, and if more players are recognized for what they did, the better.
As for the GOAT of all time in baseball, there are too many apples competing against the same number of oranges. What it comes down to I think is this: If you were Fantasy League owner and you could choose first, from among all players from all eras, who would you choose? I’d go with Willie Mays. You and Barry would (I assume) go with Babe Ruth. And even if I’m outvoted, even on my own blog, I can certainly live with that!
June 24th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Recent article on the topic: https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2024/6/19/24181679/willie-mays-obituary-life-legacy-statistics
June 24th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
Thanks for the link, Tony. He sure makes a case for Mays, doesn’t he? With lots of stats to back him up, including a good number of new-fangled ones that I only begin to understand. I’ll have to take his word for them. (Maybe that’s because I agree with him without them from the get-go.)