<< <i>On pure baseball talent it is definitely Willie Mays right now, though as an all-around person he isn't even close.
If you want the complete package then its either Hank Aaron or Nolan Ryan. >>
When Dimaggio was considered to have the title his treatment of others, his respect for the game, the way he conducted himself, and the universal regard that other ballplayers held for him-- Hall of Famers included--- signified his "title",,,, sportswriters as well considered him to have all the qualities an "ambassador" of teh game of baseball should have,,,,
So-- out the guys you just named-- which would you think would carry themselves appropriately -- bring fans closer to the game while serving as a historical record of greatness??
While my hobby experience may cloud my thoughts and sway me against Mays for Aaron, it is hard just too hard to pick one over the other. I don't think anybody can go wrong with either pick.
Well, because Willie Mays is one of the top three baseball players of all time, and Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb are both dead, I'd say that title belongs solely to Willie Mays.
I'll go with Hank Aaron. The man just gets no respect.
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I agree with Mays and Aaron, but I also think Rose should be mentioned. Now if you want just "Nice" guys and not just talent, then I would go with Aaron.
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When I think of Aaron, Mays and Rose; Aaron is the only one that offers the "whole" package!
Edited to add: I was lucky enough to have seen them all play in the early 70s (and to have met them during those games)... of the three, Aaron was the most impressive in person followed by Rose then Mays. I met Aaron in April, 1974, so he may have been on a high when I met him (it was just prior to him breaking Ruth's record, so he was probably equally under a lot of stress too).
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a la DiMaggio, doesn't Willie require people to announce him with this title at his personal appearances? At least Joe D was voted into this back in the day, I believe by the Sporting News. I'd go with Aaron all the way.
DiMaggio was well known for his surliness, and Ruth was even worse. Not sure why character is considered when judging a player's talent? Jordan is known to be a jerk, Bill Russell, etc.
I agree on Aaron. I can't even imagine the crap he had to go through when he was getting closer to Ruth's record...yet he handled the pressure probably better than anyone could have. If I'm building a team and I want a fan base and a guy who is perfect for that team, Hank Aaron is on the very very short all time list of guys who I am starting with
I will say that theres a number of HOF'er who are very good people out there...Koufax and Ripken are the ones that instantly leap out at me, but I'm quite postitive you could say that about most of those guys.
And one thing about Rose....for a guy to even be considered in the same sentence as greatest at anything sports related, Rose might have the absolutel least physical talent of any of them in any sport. To earn the name Charlie Hustle, in a game where the guy who plays hardest sometimes overcomes much more talent(see the 69 Mets or the 88 Dodgers), it means a heck of a lot. And Pete Rose is the hardest playing baseball player I've ever seen. Sure he can be an $@##@. And yeah, he did lots of things he should not have. But when it came to baseball, the guy got every little ounce he could out of his body, and he left everything he had out on the field. AFAIK, he treats his fans very well. So I can say in some senses that Pete Rose was a very good person. Maybe not in the way we typically define a good person, but he has off the chart abilities in some of the areas we value most in society.
I just looked it up. The oldest living player is Connie Marrero at 101. He'll be 102 if he makes it to April. The second oldest is 100. There are only two living ex-big leaguers who made it to 100.
I actually saw both Mays and Aaron play late in their careers but to be quite honest, I believe at his best Ken Griffey Jr was better than both of them.
Well, it's good to see that the new rules are being followed. :eyeroll: This thread is in violation of rule #6.
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If you want the complete package then its either Hank Aaron or Nolan Ryan.
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<< <i>
<< <i>On pure baseball talent it is definitely Willie Mays right now, though as an all-around person he isn't even close.
If you want the complete package then its either Hank Aaron or Nolan Ryan. >>
When Dimaggio was considered to have the title his treatment of others, his respect for the game, the way he conducted himself, and the universal regard that other ballplayers held for him-- Hall of Famers included--- signified his "title",,,, sportswriters as well considered him to have all the qualities an "ambassador" of teh game of baseball should have,,,,
So-- out the guys you just named-- which would you think would carry themselves appropriately -- bring fans closer to the game while serving as a historical record of greatness??
Sorry to make people think about the question
With this said, it is not Mays
It would be Aaron
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Edited to add: I was lucky enough to have seen them all play in the early 70s (and to have met them during those games)... of the three, Aaron was the most impressive in person followed by Rose then Mays. I met Aaron in April, 1974, so he may have been on a high when I met him (it was just prior to him breaking Ruth's record, so he was probably equally under a lot of stress too).
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With that said, I have to say Mays.
<< <i>Whose the oldest player still alive? Yogi? I'm sure he's the oldest living HOFer. >>
Bobby Doerr at 94 is the oldest
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Dave
I will say that theres a number of HOF'er who are very good people out there...Koufax and Ripken are the ones that instantly leap out at me, but I'm quite postitive you could say that about most of those guys.
And one thing about Rose....for a guy to even be considered in the same sentence as greatest at anything sports related, Rose might have the absolutel least physical talent of any of them in any sport. To earn the name Charlie Hustle, in a game where the guy who plays hardest sometimes overcomes much more talent(see the 69 Mets or the 88 Dodgers), it means a heck of a lot. And Pete Rose is the hardest playing baseball player I've ever seen. Sure he can be an $@##@. And yeah, he did lots of things he should not have. But when it came to baseball, the guy got every little ounce he could out of his body, and he left everything he had out on the field. AFAIK, he treats his fans very well. So I can say in some senses that Pete Rose was a very good person. Maybe not in the way we typically define a good person, but he has off the chart abilities in some of the areas we value most in society.
<< <i>Whose the oldest player still alive? Yogi? I'm sure he's the oldest living HOFer. >>
I think Bobby Doerr is the oldest hall of famer at this point.
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Mays is out due to attitude.
at some point in thier lives mike schmidt and ernie banks will take that title.
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<< <i>Mike Schmidt >>
I like this!
<< <i>Mays, but the greatest living Hall of Famer is Henry Aaron & it's not close. >>
Huh, then why choose Mays?
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<< <i>Stats should play just a small part in the discussion >>
Why? That's what defines a great ballplayer. The answer to me is fairly easy - Bonds.
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Bonds, Mays, Aaron, Clemens, Pujols are the top five in order. Then Rodriguez, Maddux, Henderson. . .
but very few guys seem to be able to define WHY they think their guy is the greatest living ballplayer,,,,,,
Actually I think we all easily and accurately define what makes a great baseball player: How much did he help his team win
Are there really people who use a much different definition?
<< <i>Cal Ripken Jr. >>
this
<< <i>I'll go with Hank Aaron. The man just gets no respect. >>
+1
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<< <i>Kevin McReynolds >>
Willie Mays was spectacular!
Even being a Dodger fan, I think it has to be Willie "Say Hey" Mays!