Who is the best baseball player ever?

Posted on: May 10, 2008 12:16 am

Edited on: May 10, 2008 4:43 pm

Ty Cobb? Babe Ruth? Ted Williams? Willie Mays? Lou Gerhig? Hank Aaron? Insert your player here...

Personally, I think it is Ty Cobb. "The Georgia Peach" was the best in the "dead ball" era and that holds water. He was a racist but he was the best. His spikes were up. He played to win. The Tigers were lucky to have him.

Insisted that he was not a super athlete, rather that he had a great
desire to win.

Was quoted as saying "I've got to be first all the time — in everything."

Best hitter of his era, if not of all time.

Has a career batting average of .367.

Won 12 batting titles, including 9 in a row from 1907 thru 1915.

Third all time in stolen bases with 892.

Second in runs scored with 2,245.

Second in career hits with 4,191.

Led the American League in slugging eight times.

Scored 100 runs 11 times in his career.

Drove in over 100 runs seven times in his career.

Led the American League in runs five times.

Led the American League in hits eight times.

Played for 24 years; 22 years with Detroit, two with Philadelphia.

Youngest AL player to reach 1,000 hit level (24-years old).

Batted under .320 only once in his career.

Batted over .400 three times.

Ted is a close second. If he didn't go and serve in WWII he would probably be the best. I want to see what everyone thinks on this topic.

If you want plug your current player that might be the best ever make your move here. I don't think they can beat the crew I put up...

Category: MLB

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YankeeLuvnGator Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 17, 2008	Posted on: May 10, 2008 12:33 pm Score: 95 Who is the best baseball player ever? The proper question is who is the second best ever. Babe Ruth is the best ever. You can cite all the statistics you want to about BA HR's RBI etc. and Ruth is right there with everyone ever but then add in the fact that he was the best lefty pitcher of his time too that ends the discussion. So even if you think others were better hitters no one ever was a better player. [ Reply to Comment ]
PastorGJK Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 4, 2006	Posted on: May 10, 2008 1:29 pm Score: 94 Who is the best baseball player ever? My vote also goes to Babe Ruth. But I don't think mere statistics can prove who the baseball player of all time is. Baseball was played differently during different eras, focusing on different aspects of the game. Like you said, Ty Cobb played during the dead ball and was the best player within that era, and better than just about everybody who played during any era. The reason I think Babe Ruth was the best is because he singlehanded changed baseball by taking it out of that era. He was that good. He hit more home runs than every other team in many years. He rewrote the record books for just about every power category, as well as being near the top in batting average and other non-power and even pitching categories. I think that Willie Mays needs to be considered for 2nd best. I'd put Cobb closely behind him. Mays was the epitome of the complete player. If he had played in the same ballpark that Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds played in, the home run record would now be his. I know that's just an opinion, but Candlestick was a home run graveyard during his years with the Giants. His average compares favorably with the other players of his era and his speed and defense were both great as well. If I had the time I'd give the numbers, but I don't. Maybe another time, or perhaps somebody else would have the time to look up and report those numbers. If he pitched I might put him above Ruth, but he didn't. [ Reply to Comment ]
Shermboat19 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 14, 2007	Posted on: May 10, 2008 1:51 pm Score: 95 Who is the best baseball player ever? YankeeLuvn, Great point. The bueaty of this question is there is no right or wrong answer. Now if you ask me who I like more as a person not even a contest, it's Babe. [ Reply to Comment ]
Shermboat19 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 14, 2007	Posted on: May 10, 2008 2:09 pm Score: 95 Who is the best baseball player ever? I think that Willie Mays needs to be considered for 2nd best. I'd put Cobb closely behind him. Pastor, I hear your arguement here and point taken. 3 com-del-stick was a terrible hitters park. Can you imagine if Mays played in AT&T Park? Those numbers would be rediculious. Also look how Mays batting average rose.013 when he moved to SF, and how power numbers dropped(triples and home runs). Willie Mays Thanks for stopping by... [ Reply to Comment ]
Baseball Jones Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 23, 2008	Posted on: May 10, 2008 2:47 pm Score: 89 Who is the best baseball player ever? Can you imagine if Mays played in AT&T Park? I haven't looked at the splits, but I've heard many times that AT&T Park is actually not a hitter's park. If that is true, then that makes what Bonds did (with or without 'roids) even more impressive. As for the best ever, it's Ted Williams. As we have talked about before, if the guy didn't give up his prime years to fight in WWII, he would probably have his own candy bar too. And whether people want to hear it or not, you have to put Bonds in the top 5. Even if he was juiced up, as far as I know it doesn't help you make contact. The year after he hit 73 homers, he batted .370 while being walked an ungodly 200 times! I'm not a Bonds fan, but he's got to be in the conversation. Baseball Jones ~~ Hustling since 1980 Sherm-nasty, [ Reply to Comment ]
Baseball Jones Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 23, 2008	Posted on: May 10, 2008 2:52 pm Score: 89 Who is the best baseball player ever? Let's try that again.... Can you imagine if Mays played in AT&T Park? Sherm-nasty, I haven't looked at the splits, but I've heard many times that AT&T Park is actually not a hitter's park. If that is true, then that makes what Bonds did (with or without 'roids) even more impressive. As for the best ever, it's Ted Williams. As we have talked about before, if the guy didn't give up his prime years to fight in WWII, he would probably have his own candy bar too. And whether people want to hear it or not, you have to put Bonds in the top 5. Even if he was juiced up, as far as I know it doesn't help you make contact. The year after he hit 73 homers, he batted .370 while being walked an ungodly 200 times! I'm not a Bonds fan, but he's got to be in the conversation. Baseball Jones ~~ Hustling since 1980 [ Reply to Comment ]
ihateorange1 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 6, 2008	Posted on: May 10, 2008 3:07 pm Score: 91 Who is the best baseball player ever? obviously it's............Gerald Laird..... [ Reply to Comment ]
Shermboat19 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 14, 2007	Posted on: May 10, 2008 3:38 pm Score: 94 Who is the best baseball player ever? I haven't looked at the splits, but I've heard many times that AT&T Park is actually not a hitter's park. If that is true, then that makes what Bonds did (with or without 'roids) even more impressive. It was ranked 28th last year in the "Sporting News Power Index". They used HR's, Runs Scored, and Slugging Percentage to calculate this. I still think it was harder to hit it out at Candlestick. Also the Giants have good pitching and that can drive these numbers down. Actually the NL West has good pitching that could be a factor... OK I looked it up here are the rankings of the other NL West parks: #3 Coors Field (Rockies) #11 Chase Field (Diamondbacks) #25 Dodger Stadium #28 AT&T Park (Giants) #30 PETCO Park (Padres) So maybe there is something to that arguement. And whether people want to hear it or not, you have to put Bonds in the top 5. Even if he was juiced up, as far as I know it doesn't help you make contact. The year after he hit 73 homers, he batted .370 while being walked an ungodly 200 times! I'm not a Bonds fan, but he's got to be in the conversation. Fair enough. All opinions are welcome. He is/was a terrible outfielder though. No speed. No hustling. I know you hate the no hustling part. [ Reply to Comment ]
Smorgie @ the Y Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 20, 2008	Posted on: May 10, 2008 3:43 pm Score: 80 Who is the best baseball player ever? Roberto Clemente- Great hitter. Great fielder. Great humanitarian and ambassador for baseball. His untimely tragic death flying relief supplies back home is a model of great citizenship, benevolence, and all around great guy status. Smorgie [ Reply to Comment ]
Shermboat19 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 14, 2007	Posted on: May 10, 2008 3:51 pm Score: 95 Who is the best baseball player ever? Hi Smorgie, All right Clemente is in the conversation. I guess a .414 BA and a .759 SLG in the 1971 World Series gets you in. [ Reply to Comment ]