Best Baseball Player Ever (Hitter)

[Wes]

Comparing across generations is really hard but I would take Barry in his prime against pitchers of any era. There was a great article about the at bat against Gagne when Gagne was throwing 101.

...and they were both juiced.

Level playing field, right?

Thought this would be an interesting topic and I haven't seen it on here before. Who do you think was the best hitter ever? This is overall (contact, power, speed, fielding, arm). If you voted other, please specify.

I think you're asking two different questions in the title vs. your post. From your title, I was about to vote Babe Ruth but your question seems to be asking for the best overall player (taking into account speed, defense, etc.). In that case, Bonds would be my answer: 600 HR's, 500 stolen bases, .300 batting average, 8 Gold Gloves, 3 MVP's, 2000 walks, close to 2000 RBI's, 2000 runs scored=most complete player ever.

Comparing across generations is really hard but I would take Barry in his prime against pitchers of any era. There was a great article about the at bat against Gagne when Gagne was throwing 101.

Was this the epic extra-innings at-bat where Bonds fouled off some ridiculous fast-balls from Gagne, worked out a walk, stole a base (ended up being his 500th stolen base, making him the first 500/500 player in the history of Major League Baseball), and then scored the winning run on Benito Santiago base hit? (this was all when Gagne was absolutely untouchable) That's the only at-bat I remember b/w Bonds and Gagne.

Nah it was the one where Gagne came in, drops two bugs bunny changeups on him for 0-2. Bonds fouls the 0-2 101 mph fb into the cove past the view of the cameras. Next pitch he takes another 101 into the stands.

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

Its Ruth, and its not close (at least for me). For those that want to use the Korean War argument for Williams, how about the fact that Ruth lost 5 years to pitching :?:

Ruth is essentially 0.01 % percentage points away from Williams career OBP (which is the best in history). Williams had 12 OBP titles, and Ruth had 10....its much closer than you think, at least from the getting on base viewpoint.

Ruth's career slugging percentage is 0.055 percentage points better than Williams....he had 13 SLG% titles to Williams 9.

I could go on and on and on in terms of stats, but I really don't think there is a correct answer to this poll. One of the big misconceptions about Williams was that he didn't have a hole in his swing...look at his platoon splits against lefties (granted its a small sample size, but still, eye opening). You also have to remember that Fenway was an extremely favorable hitters park back then (as it still is), and although Williams has fairly even home/road splits, you have got to wonder how the favorable hitting conditions helped his game.

I actually never realized that.(I knew he was a pitcher but those 5 years could have given him at least 200 more hr's)
Great post

 

[Wes]

[quote="JoshB.":17bqj8o5]Thought this would be an interesting topic and I haven't seen it on here before. Who do you think was the best hitter ever? This is overall (contact, power, speed, fielding, arm). If you voted other, please specify.

Also what does fielding or arm have to do with hitting?

I just meant best player, not including pitchers. Sorry, I didn't know of a better way to put it.

Tools-wise, the player in your sig (Vladimir Guerrero) probably beats Bonds. He had a much better arm, more of a high average hitter, similar power, and good speed. Unfortunately, none of those skills became refined. Guerrero continued to swing at pitches 2 feet outside. He never became a spectacular base runner. And his fielding is atrocious so despite the arm he never had a chance at a Gold Glove. He's still one of my favorite players but honestly, he could've been even better than Bonds.[/quote:17bqj8o5]

Vlad was never the speed threat that Bonds was. Also if you look at it Bonds hit for considerably more power and was even capable of higher averages than Vlad ever was.

 

[Guest]

Other

 

[Anthony K.]

Other

Ha.

Your homerism shines AMAZINGLY Sammy my friend.

He was and never will be as great a 5 tool threat that Barry was

 

[Guest]

[quote="Sam Banks":3t9fby6q]Other

Ha.

Your homerism shines AMAZINGLY Sammy my friend.

He was and never will be as great a 5 tool threat that Barry was [/quote:3t9fby6q]


ARod is the greatest baseball player of all time.

 

[Pills]

[quote="JoshB.":363c8n0s]

I'm trying to figure out your third sentence - are we to consider fielding and arm - if so we're talking complete player incl. fielding and then Joe D. would (or maybe should) receive the most votes.

[quote="JoshB.":363c8n0s]Thought this would be an interesting topic and I haven't seen it on here before. Who do you think was the best hitter ever? This is overall (contact, power, speed, fielding, arm). If you voted other, please specify.

I knew this would be confusing haha. What I mean is the best overall baseball player ever- not including pitchers. I didn't want to get into comparing pitchers and hitters. So yes, I'm including fielding, arm, and each of the 5 tools.[/quote:363c8n0s]

If you are indeed looking for the BEST 5 tool player in the HISTORY of the game, no one should look further then Barry Lamar Bonds.

Steroids or not, he had made his case BEFORE his was accused of steroids (or starting to take steroids) by being in the 400/400 club.

I will argue for eternity that he is the BEST player of all time. The most COMPLETE player of all time.

His 500/500 club will most likely stand the of time (Hanley COULD challenge it, but he needs to start hitting 40 homers a year).

Love him or hate him, he is the greatest player of the live ball era EASILY (even better then Pujols).[/quote:363c8n0s]

... and he can't pitch, which is why Babe Ruth is the best player of all time.

I do have to say, with all of the revelations that are coming out (~10% of the league on steroids in 2003, etc.), Bonds definitely does have to be put back in the equation for best position player of all time.

For now, though, I still go with Ruth.

 

[matfanofold]

Hit's = 3771
RBI's = 2297
HR's = 755
Doubble's = 624
Tripples = 98
Lifetime BA = .305

The most lethal and productive bat ever to play the game = Best Hitter EVER!

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

OK then I would've picked Joe D.

I'm trying to figure out your third sentence - are we to consider fielding and arm - if so we're talking complete player incl. fielding and then Joe D. would (or maybe should) receive the most votes.

[quote="JoshB.":2g8gr0wu]Thought this would be an interesting topic and I haven't seen it on here before. Who do you think was the best hitter ever? This is overall (contact, power, speed, fielding, arm). If you voted other, please specify.

I knew this would be confusing haha. What I mean is the best overall baseball player ever- not including pitchers. I didn't want to get into comparing pitchers and hitters. So yes, I'm including fielding, arm, and each of the 5 tools.[/quote:2g8gr0wu]

 

[imac220]

Although I love the Yankees.......Ted Williams is THE best hitter ever

 

[Pete14Rose]

Best Hitter(s):

1 - Ted Williams
1.5 - Pete Rose




Best all around player:

1 - Willie Mays

 

[scotty21690]

Best Hitter(s):

1 - Ted Williams
1.5 - Pete Rose




Best all around player:

1 - Willie Mays

Sorry but no.

Somone with a career BA of .303 and an OPS+ of 118 should not be the best hitter of all time behind Ted Williams. [I do however agree with Teddy ]

 

[Pete14Rose]

Best Hitter(s):

1 - Ted Williams
1.5 - Pete Rose




Best all around player:

1 - Willie Mays

Sorry but no.

Somone with a career BA of .303 and an OPS+ of 118 should not be the best hitter of all time behind Ted Williams. [I do however agree with Teddy ]

Great thing aout opinions, we're entitled. Even you.

 

[JoshHamilton]

Best Hitter(s):

1 - Ted Williams
1.5 - Pete Rose




Best all around player:

1 - Willie Mays

Sorry but no.

Somone with a career BA of .303 and an OPS+ of 118 should not be the best hitter of all time behind Ted Williams. [I do however agree with Teddy ]

Great thing aout opinions, we're entitled. Even you.

Let me guess, you also think Nolan Ryan is the greatest pitcher of all time because he holds the strikeout record

 

[darocker80]

[quote="JoshB.":1rnzyrrx]

I'm trying to figure out your third sentence - are we to consider fielding and arm - if so we're talking complete player incl. fielding and then Joe D. would (or maybe should) receive the most votes.

[quote="JoshB.":1rnzyrrx]Thought this would be an interesting topic and I haven't seen it on here before. Who do you think was the best hitter ever? This is overall (contact, power, speed, fielding, arm). If you voted other, please specify.

I knew this would be confusing haha. What I mean is the best overall baseball player ever- not including pitchers. I didn't want to get into comparing pitchers and hitters. So yes, I'm including fielding, arm, and each of the 5 tools.

If you are indeed looking for the BEST 5 tool player in the HISTORY of the game, no one should look further then Barry Lamar Bonds.

Steroids or not, he had made his case BEFORE his was accused of steroids (or starting to take steroids) by being in the 400/400 club.

I will argue for eternity that he is the BEST player of all time. The most COMPLETE player of all time.

His 500/500 club will most likely stand the of time (Hanley COULD challenge it, but he needs to start hitting 40 homers a year).

Love him or hate him, he is the greatest player of the live ball era EASILY (even better then Pujols).[/quote:1rnzyrrx]

... and he can't pitch, which is why Babe Ruth is the best player of all time.

I do have to say, with all of the revelations that are coming out (~10% of the league on steroids in 2003, etc.), Bonds definitely does have to be put back in the equation for best position player of all time.

For now, though, I still go with Ruth.[/quote:1rnzyrrx]
Don't forget all those walks Barry Bonds has, he hit all those home runs and got all those hits when having less then 400 AB seasons and not because of injury...

 

[dreamerfan]

I voted for Cobb. He was just a hitting machine. I can not remember where I saw it but when asked who the best hitter of all time including himself Teddy Ballgame stated Ty Cobb. Sure he was robbed during his military years but hands down it is Cobb. I am kinda shocked no one has said Pete Rose. But the best hitter I have seen in person is Pujols and then Larry Walker.

 

[pujolsjunkie]

Jesus, where's the love for Bobby Abreu?

 

[card-treasury]

Pujols for me. Steroids or not. 40 or not.

Stats-wise in the modern era...no contest for me.

 

[JackLondon]

Would have to say Ted is number one.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned Rod Carew, though. The best pure hitter of the past 40 years or so. Not much power, but he was an absolute machine at the plate. A true student of the science of hitting (and of Ted Williams, as a matter of fact!)

 

[MallCopKJ]

Cant deny anyone with the nickname "Ballgame". Very much like this question, Ted Williams. Ballgame.