Best you've ever seen (1 Viewer)

[Doctor Detroit]

Pure hitter: Rod Carew-Just a sweet swing and then a guy who just got it done later in his career. He's was my favorite player when I was a kid and I never liked the Angels. I got to see him every year he came to Detroit from 1978 on.

Pure Power hitter: Mark McGuire

-He just added a different trajectory to the ball when it came off his bat. The guy was a beast from his first AB to his last.

Fielder:

-Probably Ken Griffey Jr but I liked Ken Caminiti, Frank White, Bo Jackson, Chet Lemon, and a whole bunch of others.

Arm: Bo Jackson. Just wow.

Best pitcher (starting): Clemens

-one of the greatest ever with a mix of power, finesse, control, and attitude. He did it all in the steroid era making his accomplishments that much more special.

Best Pitcher (talent): Nolan Ryan

He and Walter Johnson are probably the two most powerful and unique pitchers in baseball history and I got to watch Ryan in the second half of his career. What a pleasure.

Best Closer: Goose Goosage

-in the early 80s. He was the first closer that people truly feared.

Most talented player: Bo Jackson.

-I think Bo Jackson was one of the best athletes in the history of sports. Seeing him throw out a guy tagging from third on a ball hit to the wall that he had to make an incredible play just to catch, is one of the greatest baseball memories I have. If he would have just played baseball, he would have been one of the greatest to ever play. Guy was just a freak.

Best player: Barry Bonds.

-Say what you want but go back and look at his stats in the 90s. He was great at hitting for average, hitting for power, base stealing, fielding, and his bat speed and eye are among the best ever. Most people hate him, I think he's the best player in my lifetime and one of the five best players ever.

 

[Knightro]

Pure hitter: Paul Molitor-dude got over 3000 hits even though he seemingly spent 3000 days on the DL. It wasn't a pretty swing but it got great results. Some of the quickest hands I've ever seen

Pure Power hitter: Cecil Fielder

He hit legendary moonshots

Fielder: Omar Vizquel

He was a little nothing guy coming up in Seattle but he's been stellar as a shortstop his entire career and is still doing it at 40

Arm: Jesse Barfield. Barfield is the best outfield arm of the last 25 years

Best pitcher (starting): Maddux

A surgeon with the baseball

Best Pitcher (talent): Johan Santana

He has dominated his league like no pitcher has in years.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera

I hate the Yankees but I hate them more with Rivera on the mound because I know the game is over. He has all of these saves by throwing the same damn pitch everytime - exactly where he wants it.

Most talented player: Ken Griffey Jr.

Had he not been hurt so much in his career, he would be passing Mays this year

Best player: Alex Rodriguez

It is a shame he has to waste away in the Bronx right now. Send him somewhere where he can play w/o having to be booed everytime he fails.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I saw Cecil Fielder hit what I consider the hardest ball I've ever seen hit. Don't remember the year but it was against Texas and it hit the railing just below the roof in LF at Tiger stadium and arrived to that point in about 3 seconds.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

Pure hitter: Paul Molitor-dude got over 3000 hits even though he seemingly spent 3000 days on the DL. It wasn't a pretty swing but it got great results. Some of the quickest hands I've ever seen

Damn Molitor was a thing of beauty to watch hit. He didn't have a "pretty swing" because nobody came close to perfecting what he did! He had one of the quickest and most compact swings ever. My son is now wearing #4 as a tribute to Molitor. Just one more reason to hate Selig and his family and Sal Bando for letting Molitor go.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Best Pure Hitter: I like the Carew & Molitor calls, but I'd have to go with Wade Boggs. Runners up: Tony Gwynn & Edgar Martinez. Edit to add a sleeper: Kevin Mitchell. That dough boy could roll out of bed Christmas morning and hit a line drive.

Best Power Hitter: Barry Bonds. Roids or not, he's been in a league of his own as a power hitter.

Fielder: Andruw Jones in the outfield, Ozzie Smith in the infield.

Arm: Barfield & Bo Jackson are two of the best I've seen. I never got to see Roberto Clemente. Dave Parker could throw with anyone. But I'm going with Shawon Dunston. Question didn't specify outfielder, and a young Dunston had the strongest arm I've seen anywhere but the mound.

Best Pitcher: I'm going with peak over longevity, and it's Pedro Martinez. Pedro in his prime was the most dominant pitcher I've seen. Though I would have liked to have seen what Doc Gooden could have done off drugs the rest of his career.

Best Pitcher (talent): Randy Johnson. 6'10" with a 99 mph fastball and a 92 mph slider.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera. I don't see how it could be anybody else. He's been a 1st ballot HOFer just based on regular season alone. When you throw in his ludicrous post-season efforts, everyone else pales in comparison.

Most Talented: 1A. Eric Davis. The most exciting player I've ever seen. He could do anything on the baseball field. First full season: 80 stolen bases, 27 bombs and gold glove defense in center field. Next season: 37 bombs, 50 steals and gold glove defense in center field. 1B. Ken Griffey Jr.

Best Winner: Pete Rose

 

[jwb]

my "70's bias" (when I was a kid) should be evident.

Best Pure Hitter: Rod Carew was the best pure hitter I ever saw. Just a great, great hitter.

Best Power Hitter: I'm throwing out the steroid era, so the best I ever saw was Reggie Jackson. His numbers aren't much now, but he was truly feared.

Fielder: Ozzie Smith. Nods to Paul Blair and Graig Nettles.

Arm: Dave Parker

Best Pitcher: I think Clemens was overall the best I ever saw, but if I had to pick one pitcher from one season to win one game, it'd be Guidry in 78.

Best Pitcher (talent): Doc Gooden. Too bad he wasted it.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera. It's not even close.

Most Talented: Bo Jackson was amazing for a short time. The guy just ooozed talent. Strawberry had the nicest looking swing ever. Should have done a lot more with it.

Best Player: Pete Rose. He was a joy to watch play.

 

[MrPhoenix]

Pure hitter: Tony Gwynn- He put the ball wherever he wanted at will, he never struck out, and always mobile on the basepaths for most of his career. The only season he had with a sub-.300 BA was his rookie year. That's good.

Pure Power hitter: Mark McGwire- In 1998, I was 14 years old and to me, McGwire was a God on earth. Steroids or not, it was a joy watching him play.

Fielder: Jim Edmonds- A virtual kamikaze in CF. In his first days in St. Louis, it seemed there wasn't a ball he couldn't get to. Injuries have really slowed him down the past couple years, but he'll still dive for it when necessary.

Arm: Probably Ichiro, but I was deprived from the Bo Jacksons and Roberto Clementes.

Best pitcher (starting): Roger Clemens- He's great. That's all.

Best Pitcher (talent): Mariano Rivera- His stuff is just filthy and he's almost guaranteed money to close the game night in and out.

Best Closer: See above

Most talented player: JD Drew- Had he not been so injury prone, he may have actually lived up to most of the hype. And even so, he's had a decent and lucrative career thus far, but he could have been so much better if he had the heart and the health.

Best player: Ken Griffey during Seattle days- He invented the "tools" player. He had speed, defense, power, good eye, and hit for contact when needed. And he played the game with a lot of passion and was just plain fun to watch.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Best Pitcher: I think Clemens was overall the best I ever saw, but if I had to pick one pitcher from one season to win one game, it'd be Guidry in 78.

For me it's Lefty, Steve Carlton. He won 27 games for a team that only won 59 games all season. That's how dominant he was.

 

[_4_]

I presume you mean "ever seen" live -

Pure hitter: Robin Yount- just a great hitter

Pure Power hitter: Dave Ciske

-Maybe not of all time, but hit the longest homer I have ever seen live his senior year in High School - talked to another friend who played on that team a few months ago - he is now a professional play by play guy and he still remembers the same clout - 25 years later.

Fielder: Omar Vizquel

-as a young stud fielder with the Mariners in the early '80s

Arm: Bo Jackson. Just wow. <--I can agree there.

Best pitcher (starting): Nolan Ryan

- Saw him a couple times, including his 300th win vs. Milwaukee in about 1990 or so - his fastball made a sound I have never heard before or since when it hit the catcher's mitt.

Best Pitcher (talent): Nolan Ryan

He and Walter Johnson are probably the two most powerful and unique pitchers in baseball history and I got to watch Ryan in the second half of his career. What a pleasure. <---- ditto

Best Closer: Goose Goosage

I can go with Gossage too - I got to see him as a minor leaguer with no control playing for the Appleton Foxes single A team - talk about feared....

Most talented player: Robin Yount

Won an MVP at SS, won an MVP in the OF - was acrobatic in the infield, was fearless in the outfield, and a great hitter through and through

Best player: Nolan Ryan

Fiery, dominant, created an electric atmosphere whenever he took the mound. I only got to see him pitch 3 times, but in my opinion, no other player created the same buzz through an entire game that Ryan could.

 

[guru_007]

A few that I thought I mention:

Best Pitcher - Roger Clemens

Both leagues, 20 years, still dominates. Had some unbelievable single season totals. He's transformed himself from a dominant power pitcher to a dominant pitcher with the splitter.

However, my favorite pitcher to watch is Greg Maddux, especially about 10 years ago. The fact that he managed to win 15+ games for 15 years in a row astounds me, considering his fastball topped out at about 89-90 mph in his prime. His movement, the way he worked hitters.....when he was on you never saw anyone hit the ball solidly against him.

(as an aside, what is more impressive:

Maddux 15 or more wins for 15 years in a row

Fred Couples making the cut at the Masters 22 years in a row

Jaromir Jagr scoring 30+ goals 15 years in a row)

Anyway....back to pitching:

Most dominant pitching performance I've ever witnessed - Dwight Gooden

Saw him pitch live a number of times, and when he came into the league, his combination of fastball + curve was absolutely better than any other pitcher I've ever seen....even more impressive than Clemens striking out 20.

Best pure hitter - Ichiro

No doubt in my mind. The fact he came to the states after arguably his best seasons were behind him and puts up the numbers he puts up are incredible. If he started in MLB at 19, he would have broken Rose's hits records, and plenty of other career records. Guy is incredible.

Best talent I've ever seen - Ken Griffey Jr.

Back in the day I had a chance to see Junior play a few games. There was a buzz through the stadium every time he came to bat, and in the field he was as best as there was out there. He hit the ball HARD. I wouldn't say he was the best power hitter I've ever seen, but he was damn good.

 

[Gaddis]

Pure hitter: Tony Gwynn

I was always a huge fan of Gwynn and Puckett. But I saw Gwynn a lot more growing up watching the Cubs. He was my favorite opposing player to watch. And watching him bat made me understand what hitting was all about.

Pure Power hitter: Glenallen Hill

The guy was a huge coiled spring. Good for absolutely nothing other than raw power. The only guy I've ever seen put one on a rooftop across the street from Wrigley (as far as I know, he's the only one to ever do that). After him, I'd probably go with Jose Canseco. Saw him hit the longest shot I've ever seen live ... foul over the roof at the old Comiskey. Maybe Adam Dunn, when all is said and done.

Fielder: Roberto Alomar and Omar Visquel

I've never seen two guys who had such range and pure ability be so consistent.

Arm:

Outfield: Dave Parker (strongest); Larry Walker (accurate)

Infield: Shawon Dunston (strongest); Omar Visquel (accurate)

Best pitcher: Randy Johnson

He didn't figure it out until he was nearly 30, but when he finally did, he was unreal. Best left hander I've ever seen. Best pitcher I've ever seen. Would be Nolan, but I think Randy had much better control at his peak.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera

Hard to rate closers, as the role has changed so much over time, but I'd put Mariano up again any lineup for an inning and feel pretty good about it.

Most talented player: Ken Griffey Jr.

Can't help but wonder what he could have done if he could stay healthy. To his credit, he got hurt playing hard.

Best player: Tough question.

 

[Gaddis]

Best base stealer: Ozzie Smith

Could have stolen many more, but he was too smart for his own good. Had an unreal stolen base percentage (something like 80% success rate).

 

[jabarony]

Pure hitter: Alan Trammel

Pure Power hitter: Lance Parrish

Fielder: Chet Lemon

Arm: Larry Herndon

Best pitcher (starting): Jack Morris

Best Pitcher (talent): Dan Petry

Best Closer: Guillermo (Willie) Hernandez

Most talented player: Kirk Gibson (2 sport star)

Best player: Lou Whitaker (no HoF?)...Barbaro Garbey was a close 2nd.

 

[Gaddis]

Pure hitter: Alan TrammelPure Power hitter: Lance ParrishFielder: Chet LemonArm: Larry HerndonBest pitcher (starting): Jack MorrisBest Pitcher (talent): Dan PetryBest Closer: Guillermo (Willie) HernandezMost talented player: Kirk Gibson (2 sport star)Best player: Lou Whitaker (no HoF?)...Barbaro Garbey was a close 2nd.

Wonder what team you grew up watching.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Pure hitter: Alan TrammelPure Power hitter: Lance ParrishFielder: Chet LemonArm: Larry HerndonBest pitcher (starting): Jack MorrisBest Pitcher (talent): Dan PetryBest Closer: Guillermo (Willie) HernandezMost talented player: Kirk Gibson (2 sport star)Best player: Lou Whitaker (no HoF?)...Barbaro Garbey was a close 2nd.

Yeah when you look at career stats and compare Sandberg and Whitaker, it's incredible. Whitaker will never get in and Sandberg was automatic.

 

[whoknew]

Best Hitter - Bonds. Maybe I dont know what people are thinking of as a "pure hitter" but I can't imagine any scenario where Tony Gwynn or Wade Boggs are better than Barry Bonds.

Best Power Hitter -- McGwire hit some amazing moonshots and at his peak, was hitting them once every 9 abs or something.

Best Fielder -- You sort of have to have an infield/outfield split so Ozzie was an amazing shortstop and -- at his peak -- nobody could get to balls like Andruw Jones.

Best Arm - A lot of good ones have already been said, but I'll give a shout out to ICHIRO! Amazing arm on that feller.

Best Pitcher -- Clemens is likely the third greatest pitcher of all time. Hard to top that, though Maddux and the Unit come close.

Best Closer -- Mo Rivera is the best closer. And with just one amazing pitch.

Most Talented - Bonds. In his prime, there wasn't much he couldn't do.

Best Player -- Bonds. With ARod a close second and ... well who knows where Pujols will end up.

******

Favorite Player -- Kirk Gibson. Always loved him growing up. He ignited the Tigers so many times.

 

[ThisGuy]

Pure hitter: Tie: Rod Carew / Tony Gwynn

I saw Carew play several times at Yankee Stadium and it seemed like he always got a hit. It didn't matter how hard the guy was throwing, Carew always hit a line drive somewhere.

Gwynn I've seen just a couple of times, but I think he was 8 for 9 with 3 2b's in the games I saw him.

Pure Power hitter: Fred McGriff

He hit the old Brut sign behind the right field bleachers in Yankee Stadium during batting practice.

ARod is right there too. For a righty to be that successful with the long ball in Yankee Stadium is amazing.

Fielder:

Graig Nettles. 3rd base was the first position I played because I wanted to be just like him. Nettles is the 2nd best defensive 3rd baseman EVER.

Arm: Jesse Barfield. The guy could throw it on a line to 3rd base from right field everytime. Dave Winfield had a cannon too.

Best pitcher (starting): Ron Guidry

Little guy / tons of talent. When he threw, all you heard was ssssss POP. You couldn't see the ball!

Best Pitcher (talent): Roger Clemens

For the guy to do what he did at his age is unreal.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera

Pette Gammons once said that he is the best player at his position for over a decade. He has never been able to say that about another player in the history of the game. Nuff said.

Most talented player: Rickey Henderson

When he was locked in, he could dominate a game from start to finish. He took too many plays off defensively to qualify for the next subject.

Best player: Alex Rodriguez

I've never been his biggest fan, but he is the most talented player I've ever seen. Power to all fields, can run, has a strong arm, could probably play any position. When all is said and done, ARod will be a Top 5 All Timer.

 

[Bluesbomber]

Pure Hitter Henry Aaron The man could flat out rake. His home runs and singles alike came as smooth and easy as breathing for The Hammer

Power Hitter Frank Howard. A huge monster of a man who crushed baseballs when few were crushing baseballs.

Best Fielder Brooks Robinson He made impossible plays look easy.

Arm Roberto Clemente. Accurate and powerful. Good fielder as well. A true 5 tool star.

Best Pitcher Starter Overall Bob Gibson Virtually untouchable when on.

Best Power Pitcher Nolan Ryan Hard thrower but hittable half the time.

Best Breaking ball as out pitch Steve Carlton Great breaking stuff with wicked movement on his pitches.

Best Reliever Dennis Ecklersly Pinpoint accuracy. Simply amazing once he went into the bullpen.

Most talented player Willie Mays He had skills like no other. He played with a grace that hid how very athletic he was.

Best player Hank Aaron. He combined massive skill and a burning desire to succed to hit for a high average and power and played great defense as well.

 

[Greco]

Mark Fidrych's rookie season was the best I ever saw. Granted there have been better, but I went to about 10 home games that he started when I was 12 years old and there was no greater experience at a ballpark.

Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HBP

1976 21 DET AL 19 9 31 29 24 4 2 0 250.3 217 76 65 12 53 97 3

 

[Greco]

Oh, and Boog Powell was the best power hitter I ever saw.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Mark Fidrych's rookie season was the best I ever saw. Granted there have been better, but I went to about 10 home games that he started when I was 12 years old and there was no greater experience at a ballpark.Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HBP 1976 21 DET AL 19 9 31 29 24 4 2 0 250.3 217 76 65 12 53 97 3

Still my Dad's all-time favorite Tiger. I was too young to have seen him play by a year or two but I've seen lots of highlights. He is one of the reasons that teams are now so careful with young pitchers. If the Tigers would have had him, Morris, Petry, Wilcox, and the rest in the early 80s they would have been that much better and the 1984 team was probably one of the best teams of the modern era. Speaking of that, they would have won one or two more championships if it weren't for the free agency look down in 1985, 86, and 87. Owners got together and shut down FA in those years and it really hurt the Tigers who could have used another OF, a 1Bman, and another starter. Monahan would have spent in those years.

 

[Greco]

Mark Fidrych's rookie season was the best I ever saw. Granted there have been better, but I went to about 10 home games that he started when I was 12 years old and there was no greater experience at a ballpark.

Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HBP

1976 21 DET AL 19 9 31 29 24 4 2 0 250.3 217 76 65 12 53 97 3

Still my Dad's all-time favorite Tiger. I was too young to have seen him play by a year or two but I've seen lots of highlights. He is one of the reasons that teams are now so careful with young pitchers. If the Tigers would have had him, Morris, Petry, Wilcox, and the rest in the early 80s they would have been that much better and the 1984 team was probably one of the best teams of the modern era. Speaking of that, they would have won one or two more championships if it weren't for the free agency look down in 1985, 86, and 87. Owners got together and shut down FA in those years and it really hurt the Tigers who could have used another OF, a 1Bman, and another starter. Monahan would have spent in those years.

Imagine if they had Fidrych in '87 (would be year 11 for him) and they then didn't need a pitcher for the stretch. So they hang on to the kid named SMOLTZ and leave Doyle in ATL. Now, don't get me wrong, Doyle went 9-0 for the '87 team, but having SMOLTZ for the past 20 years in DET would have been pretty nice.Great point you make Doc. One I never considered. The what if of Mark Fidrych. Ralph Houk ruined him!!!

 

[whoknew]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:

Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds;

Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; and

Guidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

 

[jabarony]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

Maybe they have never seen Bonds, McGwire, or Aaron play.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Pure hitter: Alan TrammelPure Power hitter: Lance ParrishFielder: Chet LemonArm: Larry HerndonBest pitcher (starting): Jack MorrisBest Pitcher (talent): Dan PetryBest Closer: Guillermo (Willie) HernandezMost talented player: Kirk Gibson (2 sport star)Best player: Lou Whitaker (no HoF?)...Barbaro Garbey was a close 2nd.

Yeah when you look at career stats and compare Sandberg and Whitaker, it's incredible. Whitaker will never get in and Sandberg was automatic.

I think maybe the whitaker-trammell combo should get in just based on the longevity of playing together.If you play for the cubs yankees giants dodger mets cards you chances of going into the HOF is alot better. When's Mark Grace getting in?

 

[Funkley]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

If we're going to split hairs here then the best hitter discussion starts and stops with Ted Williams and even Bonds can #### and play for #2.

 

[ThisGuy]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

I just went with players I've actually seen. I never saw Walter Johnson pitch, but I heard he was pretty good.

 

[Funkley]

And I agree that of players I've SEEN, Rod Carew was the best.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Bo Jackson and Barry Bonds are the two that come to mind immediately.

I saw Bo steal home STANDING UP against the ORioles once. The pitcher went to pick him off of third and Bo took off for home, making it in upright before the 3B could relay the ball to the catcher.

Nolan Ryan was pretty awesome to see pitch in person as well.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

If we're going to split hairs here then the best hitter discussion starts and stops with Ted Williams and even Bonds can #### and play for #2.

I got thrown out of a TGI FRidays once for arguing too loudly that Bonds was a better hitter then Williams.

 

[bialczabub]

I saw Bo steal home STANDING UP against the ORioles once. The pitcher went to pick him off of third and Bo took off for home, making it in upright before the 3B could relay the ball to the catcher.

My father always tells me about the time he saw Rickey Henderson go from first to third on a bunt.Rickey Henderson was the best leadoff man ever. And it's not even close.

 

[bialczabub]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

If we're going to split hairs here then the best hitter discussion starts and stops with Ted Williams and even Bonds can #### and play for #2.

I got thrown out of a TGI FRidays once for arguing too loudly that Bonds was a better hitter then Williams.

Bonds has a larger head too. Both anatomically and metaphorically.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I saw Bo steal home STANDING UP against the ORioles once. The pitcher went to pick him off of third and Bo took off for home, making it in upright before the 3B could relay the ball to the catcher.

My father always tells me about the time he saw Rickey Henderson go from first to third on a bunt.Rickey Henderson was the best leadoff man ever. And it's not even close.

That may be true. However, it is rare to be at a professional sporting event and be able to tell from the workd "go" that one guy on the field is different then everyone else. It happens in high school all the time, in college a fair amount, but in the pro ranks, the differences are minimal for the most part. Bo Jackson was one of those guys that was different in the sense that every pitch was an opportunity for him to do something that defied logic (like catching a ball bare-handed or the aforementioned story). Tiger Woods is that way, I imagine watching Kobe in person has some of that element to it. There are others of course. Bo's career was too short to compare him to the all-time greats, but he was very special when he was healthy.

 

[Waggle]

Best pitcher; Orel Hershiser. Has the record of 59 SCORELESS innings.

 

[Snotbubbles]

know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

Tony Gwynn .338 lifetime average (averaged 29 SO per year )Rod Carew .328 lifetime average (averaged 67 SO per year)Wade Boggs .328 lifetime average (averaged 49 SO per year)Barry Bonds .299 lifetime average (averaged 84 SO per year)As a power hitter, Bonds is better than those 3 guys. But as a pure contact hitter Bonds couldn't hold any of those guys jockstrap.

 

[whoknew]

know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds; Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

Tony Gwynn .338 lifetime average (averaged 29 SO per year )Rod Carew .328 lifetime average (averaged 67 SO per year)Wade Boggs .328 lifetime average (averaged 49 SO per year)Barry Bonds .299 lifetime average (averaged 84 SO per year)As a power hitter, Bonds is better than those 3 guys. But as a pure contact hitter Bonds couldn't hold any of those guys jockstrap.

I didn't realize contact hitter was the criteria for best pure hitter. Carry on then.

 

[Jayded]

Pure hitter: Tony Gwynn - Had an uncanny ability to just put a hat on the ball and strike out at a very low percentage of time compared to others in his generation.

Pure Power hitter: Mickey Mantle - For a guy of his stature to command that powerful of a swing really shows a great use of leverage behind each swing.

Fielder: Ken Griffey Jr. - For guys I've seen enough of to comment on.

Arm: I haven't paid enough attention to the outfielders to really feel I can fully comment on this one, but Ichiro's arm impresses me now.

Best pitcher (starting): Roger Clemens - Hard to dispute his results.

Best Pitcher (talent): Nolan Ryan - The ability to perform at a high level for so many years and maintain his health. He and Roger both are impressive in that regard.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera - He relies on so few pitches, the batters know the cutter is coming, and they still can't it hit.

Most talented player: Alex Rodriguez - He gets a TON of flack, some of which is justified, but overall he's as immensely talented as anyone in this generation. Bonds and Griffey are close on this one as well.

Best player: Barry Bonds - I don't like him either, but his stats are undeniable.

 

[Funkley]

Bonds is the best power hitter I've ever seen and I don't think it's close but if I had a guy on 2nd, 2 outs and 2 strikes there's no one else I'd want at the plate over Rod Carew to get the hit. If I needed a home run to win it I'd want Bonds. They are 1 and 1a on my list.

 

[Power Monster]

Pure hitter: Wade Boggs

Pure Power hitter: **** Allen/Eddie Murray

Best Arm; Andre Dawson

Fielder: Chet Lemon

Best pitcher (starting): Tom Seaver

Best Pitcher (talent): Greg Maddux

Best Closer: Mariano

Most talented player: Pete Rose

Best player: George Brett

 

[Colin Dowling]

Best pitcher (starting): Roger Clemens - Hard to dispute his results.

I agree it's hard to argue with Clemens as a choice. However, I don't think I've seen Pedro Martinez on anyone's list. There was a time when you could just assume a "W" if Martinez was starting. Johan Santana is kind of in the same zone now, but will need to pile up another 2-3 years of fantastic pitching to get in to Pedro-land.

 

[Funkley]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

 

[Greco]

I know this is all in fun, but how do people justify things like:

Carew, Boggs and Gwynn are better hitters than Bonds;

Boog Powell and Fred McGriff are better power hitters than McGwire or Bonds or Aaron; andGuidry and Nolan Ryan are better pitchers than Clemens?

I never SAW MAC, Bonds or Aaron hit. I saw Boog many times. By SAW I mean in person, attended game.

 

[Facecow]

Pure hitter: Tie: Rod Carew / Tony Gwynn

I saw Carew play several times at Yankee Stadium and it seemed like he always got a hit. It didn't matter how hard the guy was throwing, Carew always hit a line drive somewhere.

Gwynn I've seen just a couple of times, but I think he was 8 for 9 with 3 2b's in the games I saw him.

Pure Power hitter: Fred McGriff

He hit the old Brut sign behind the right field bleachers in Yankee Stadium during batting practice.

ARod is right there too. For a righty to be that successful with the long ball in Yankee Stadium is amazing.

Fielder:

Graig Nettles. 3rd base was the first position I played because I wanted to be just like him. Nettles is the 2nd best defensive 3rd baseman EVER.

Arm: Jesse Barfield. The guy could throw it on a line to 3rd base from right field everytime. Dave Winfield had a cannon too.

Best pitcher (starting): Ron Guidry

Little guy / tons of talent. When he threw, all you heard was ssssss POP. You couldn't see the ball!

Best Pitcher (talent): Roger Clemens

For the guy to do what he did at his age is unreal.

Best Closer: Mariano Rivera

Pette Gammons once said that he is the best player at his position for over a decade. He has never been able to say that about another player in the history of the game. Nuff said.

Most talented player: Rickey Henderson

When he was locked in, he could dominate a game from start to finish. He took too many plays off defensively to qualify for the next subject.

Best player: Alex Rodriguez

I've never been his biggest fan, but he is the most talented player I've ever seen. Power to all fields, can run, has a strong arm, could probably play any position. When all is said and done, ARod will be a Top 5 All Timer.

Finally, a Rickey Henderson listing. He doesn't get enough credit and he still gets lots. He's right up there with Griffey Jr and Bonds in terms of "do it all" players.

 

[the moops]

How has nobody not listed Pedro Martinez as the best pitcher?

He is arguably the greatest pitcher of all time...and is certainly better than RJ, Seaver, Ryan, etc...

 

[whoknew]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

Clemens was clearly better than all of those three and Ryan isn't even in the same zip code as Clemens.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

Clemens was clearly better than all of those three and Ryan isn't even in the same zip code as Clemens.

Since Clemens will never catch Ryan in K's and Ryan has 300+ wins and 7 no hitters, I'd tend to disagree.

 

[Funkley]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

Clemens was clearly better than all of those three and Ryan isn't even in the same zip code as Clemens.

Oh, well. Ok then. Clemens fan much?

 

[whoknew]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

Clemens was clearly better than all of those three and Ryan isn't even in the same zip code as Clemens.

Oh, well. Ok then. Clemens fan much?

Not really. But I respect him very much. And he's likely the third or fourth greatest pitcher ever. And Ryan is very overrated by most people.

 

[Funkley]

I'd imagine Koufax would be the real answer if we'd seen him. Ditto Gibson at his peak. Clemens has been amazing during an age that hitters dominated but if he'd pitched in the 70's he'd have just been in the same group as Ryan, Palmer, Seaver.

Clemens was clearly better than all of those three and Ryan isn't even in the same zip code as Clemens.

Oh, well. Ok then. Clemens fan much?

Not really. But I respect him very much. And he's likely the third or fourth greatest pitcher ever. And Ryan is very overrated by most people.

You've crunched the numbers and have done the analysis for this? He's not quite even the runaway best pitcher of his era let alone alltime. Do I *think* that he is? Probably but Maddux is right on his heels and Pedro was better than him during some of Clemens' best seasons. It's also pretty widely accepted that the best pitching in the modern era of baseball was Koufax from 1961 - 1966 and that the best season was Gibson's 1968 season with Pedro's 1999 season likely #2 (aside from Koufax during his run).The legend of Clemens has grown given that he can somehow take these half seasons off and come back to pitch like he'd never left but to just claim that Clemens is #3-#4 all time is purely subjective. Nolan Ryan "very over-rated"? That's just dumb. Look at the peripherals between the two and you'll notice that Clemens and Ryan are damn near the same pitcher.

 

[ScottNorwood]

peripherals