Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb?

[soccerman034]

Thought this would be an interesting poll. Please vote on each player as a whole (speed and defense included).

 

[prozac4312]

Methinks this thread is kind of useless since it's highly unlikely that any of us saw either of them play...therefore everyone is going to vote strictly based on the stats...which to me, doesn't leave much room for opinion...you can't argue against numbers.

 

[soccerman034]

Methinks this thread is kind of useless since it's highly unlikely that any of us saw either of them play...therefore everyone is going to vote strictly based on the stats...which to me, doesn't leave much room for opinion...you can't argue against numbers.

Ah but you can...its actually more of a philisophical question. Cobb was clearly a more prolific hitter and better base runner (although not by much) but Wagner was a better leader and played a harder defensive position much better (he was also more versatile). Its just a matter of taste.

 

[KandKCards]

Methinks this thread is kind of useless since it's highly unlikely that any of us saw either of them play...therefore everyone is going to vote strictly based on the stats...which to me, doesn't leave much room for opinion...you can't argue against numbers.

Ah but you can...its actually more of a philisophical question. Cobb was clearly a more prolific hitter and better base runner (although not by much) but Wagner was a better leader and played a harder defensive position much better (he was also more versatile). Its just a matter of taste.

I don't even think you can say that. You make it sound like Wagner was like Jeter whose intangibles are more impressive than his actual stats. Wagner's stats are extremely impressive too, and while Cobb is "better," it's not by much.
And like Prozac said, I sure as hell didn't see either of them play, and both are great players. But no one here is in position to make a judgment.

 

[soccerman034]

Methinks this thread is kind of useless since it's highly unlikely that any of us saw either of them play...therefore everyone is going to vote strictly based on the stats...which to me, doesn't leave much room for opinion...you can't argue against numbers.

Ah but you can...its actually more of a philisophical question. Cobb was clearly a more prolific hitter and better base runner (although not by much) but Wagner was a better leader and played a harder defensive position much better (he was also more versatile). Its just a matter of taste.

I don't even think you can say that. You make it sound like Wagner was like Jeter whose intangibles are more impressive than his actual stats. Wagner's stats are extremely impressive too, and while Cobb is "better," it's not by much.
And like Prozac said, I sure as hell didn't see either of them play, and both are great players. But no one here is in position to make a judgment.

Thats what makes this question interesting, at least to me. Very close players, despite their differences. Just q question folks, I realize that no one on this page has seen them play.

 

[hofautos]

I picked TY COBB

EXCERPT FROM David Martinez, member of the Society of American Baseball Research and the author of "The Book of Baseball Literacy"

Honus Wagner is not only the greatest Pirate of all time, he's one of the top five players of all time. Don't know much about Wagner? As a fielder, Wagner was the greatest of his time. As a hitter and baserunner, only Ty Cobb was better. As a positive clubhouse influence, he was unmatched. He was more beloved by fans than anybody until Babe Ruth. He was friendly with rookies and veterans alike, and he maintained his humility despite his fame.

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So wagner better fielder, Cobb better hitter and baserunner...I picked TY COBB

Also, STAT WISE, Cobb has a Baseballreference.com HOF MONITOR SCORE OF 451, Honus only 312 with 7 players between them...so not really even close stat wise.

 

[JackLondon]

My late grandpa saw both of them play and though Honus was his favorite (Grandpa was a huge Pirates fan), I seem to remember him saying Cobb was the best. So, in honor of my beloved Grandpa, I voted for Cobb.