Any old timers out there, Mays vs Aaron

Cakes

Back in the 50's and 60's who was the better all around player? I am about to make a Mays purchase and I was curious.

I brought up this same topic with a couple of old timers and they both choose Mays. Later that night in discussing my collection I mentioned I had a Jin Brown rookie and they said comparing Aaron to Brown wasn't even close, it was Brown via a landslide. Thoughts?

Stone193

I'm from NYC.



So, in the late 50s the choice was Mantle, Mays or Snider.



I was a Brooklyn fan. My first mitt was a "Duke" - so the choice for me is easy.



I am impressed with what has happened to the Aaron and Clemente RCs.



Quite exciting.



And I have to say - I saw a Clemente 8 go for 94K.



I would definitely sell if I could get that kind of money - and I can always get a nice 6 or 7 to boot.



edit: I apologize, I didn't answer your specific question.



Have no idea - what's the Mays RC doing?



If I were to guess? I would say that Aaron is more popular as a player.

travis t

Although my preference as a collector is for Aaron, I believe Mays was a better defensive player than him, which would be the difference if the discussion was specifically about athletic talent. Otherwise, hard to distinguish between them statistically.

KendallCat

Aaron was a player who year in and year out would hit 38 or 44 HR's it never more than 50. Had a great year in 1957 where he was MVP and won the World Series, and consistently hit 30-40 HR's and a .300 average. Mays had similar stats overall in regards to HR and average, had a couple of 50+ HR seasons, and was arguably the greatest CF of all time. Unfortunately both became bitter as they got older which has taken away a little from their legacy.

Stingray

Linky

SidePocket

Mays was a one of a kind, exciting player. Basket catches, swinging out of his shoes, helmet flying off as he ran the bases. There was nothing less than 110% from him on the field. Not to diminish Aaron, but Mays flat out played the game like no one else.

dennis07

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firstbase23

I will admit that I only saw them play at the tail end of their careers. I believe Mays was a flashier, more exciting player but I would take Aaron. Just one persons opinion.



Matt

wilkiebaby11

Mays was a more exciting player, adding speed and an excellent glove. Aaron hit more dingers, but from a pure baseball aspect, I'd rather build my team around a pure 5-tool player like Mays than Aaron (Though Aaron would be too shabby of a choice either).



If you google for any list of best 5-tool player in MLB history, Willie Mays is almost always #1 on anyone's list.

Cakes

I appreciate the replies. I guess what startled me was how easily they both choose Mays over Aaron and how neither would even put Aaron in the same category as Jim Brown. To the old timers (70+) Jim Brown seems like the king of all sports but that's for another Topic I will start later.

Stone, they did say they thought Mantle was better then Aaron and had a tough time choosing between Mantle and Mays but I kept it specific to Mays vs. Aaron.

Stingray's link does suggest Aaron was the better player in the playoffs.

travis t

Aaron was clutch. He knocked more guys in than anyone else. Even when his team was competitively inferior.

Cakes

Originally posted by: travis t
Aaron was clutch. He knocked more guys in than anyone else. Even when his team was competitively inferior.

travis, I have asked this question to about 10 old timers and you are the first one to choose Aaron over Mays.

travis t

Originally posted by: Cakes

Originally posted by: travis t

Aaron was clutch. He knocked more guys in than anyone else. Even when his team was competitively inferior.

travis, I have asked this question to about 10 old timers and you are the first one to choose Aaron over Mays.

Again, my fondness for Henry Aaron far exceeds that of any other HOF baseball player. However, my perception of the 2 vs. each other would make for a very difficult choice.



If I were required to choose, and simply used the reasoning that complete dominance would tip the scale, then Mays without a doubt. I'd build my team around such a player and expect the best of everyone who plays with him. I think he exemplified that aspect of the game.

cubfan89

I think Mays is one of the Top 3 players in history

BLUEJAYWAY

Tough call/choice. I would say Mays if I had to choose. But again as has been already stated couldn't go wrong with either one. I did get to see both play in the 60's and saw Aaron hit his Ruth record breaking HR, albeit live on TV. Mays missed almost 2 years of his prime and if he had not probably would of hit the 700 HR plateau.

arex

If you take a look at the stats and especially the advanced metrics like war ops+ runs created Mays is better than Aaron.
Personally I enjoy collecting Aaron more but I believe Willie was better. Willie was probably the best all around offense/defense player in history. As great as the seasons Mantle had from mid 50s-mid 60s if you look at Mays his run was as good or better.

Dialj

I saw both Mays and Aaron play, and it always provides me with great memories just watching them. Mays was more flashy than Aaron, but Aaron could hold his own. Their career numbers a really close, but Aaron performed far better than Mays in the playoffs. In the end I would want Aaron on my team first and the ability to trade the entire bench for Mays.

fleet47

As an old timer and having watched both of the HOF players on tv in the 50's and 60's, it was generally regarded that Mays was the best position player during that time. Aaron, of course, was great, but number 21 was as good if not better. Imagine an outfield of Aaron, Mays and Clemente. That's what the NL all star team looked like.