Honus Wagner and Bobby Witt jr.
Darin
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in Sports Talk
If my research is correct, they are the only two shortstops in history to play at least 150 games and post an ops+ over 170.
So basically an exceptional player posts those numbers, then some 110-115 years go by until another player comes along who is good enough to do it. And Witt actually did it in 161 games while also being the best defensive shortstop.
I think Corey Seager and Arky Vaughan did it in 135-139 games but not a full season.
The future looks pretty bright for Bobby.
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That Is incredible! I think you guys really have a great player in Witt. Is he locked up for the long haul yet?
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Before this season they signed him to an 11 year contract. Then he went out and had I believe the second best season in Royals history behind Brett’s 1980 season when he hit .390
I guess that’s why I’m excited about his future, at age 24 he put up numbers that are comparable to or even better than George Brett at his peak.
Luke Appling never made to 170. Robin Yount achieved 166 in 1982- I just don’t recall if he was in CF or at SS at that time. I suspect some here will remember.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Yount was at SS in 1982, great year for him. Cal Ripken’s highest ops+
was 162 in 1991.
Gunnar Henderson definitely has a chance to hit 170 in the future as he was at 159 this year.
That is good to hear. I am glad he will be able to play the bulk of his career for the Royals. I wish we would have locked up Mookie...
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
He barely missed 170 OPS+ (though I am not quite sure how) but I would say that AROD had the most impressive years ever for a SS when he played with the Mariners and the Rangers. Just about every season he played SS from 96-03 were all time seasons. The most valuable SS of all time I would say. At least for peak.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Have you seen Honus Wagner’s peak years. I would put him #1
Witt had better not ever transfer to third base. Then he could never be the GOAT because of Mike Schmidt.
Yes, Honus was great. I have a hard time comparing pre integration players with post.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
No worries…. he’s a lot better fielder than Schmidt so he will stay put at shortstop. 😂
GEORGE BRETT
there, I said it. Or should I say shouted it
That is all, carry on.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Is this the point that the zealots post pictures of Witt striking out against the Yankees in the ALDS with one of the most dismal post season performances on record?
Or is he given a pass and excuses because he is a home town favorite?
Witt is excellent and I hope he does well going forward. Lets keep it consistent tho.
On the topic, the 170 OPS+ is historic for his position. The hard part is doing it again.
Wagner is an all time great and even before the game changed decades later, he ended up posting a 205 OPS+ one year too. Wagner gets so much press for his T206 card that people forgot how great he really was. There was a time many felt he was better than Ruth back then. Imagine Wagner with the live ball and a league with small right field fences(but instead were in LF for his benefit) that was normal in Ruth's time.
I actually remember an interview with Mike Schmidt several years ago…. this might have been when Arenado was still in Colorado and Mike said Nolan would end up as the best third basemen of all time. I was surprised he said it…. he did have some good years in Colorado but nowhere near as good as Mike’s best years. Anyway…. I thought Schmidt was pretty humble to say something like that, he was wrong but he does seem like a pretty classy guy.👍