Death Pool update: Willie Mays

[Vikings4ever 538]

https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1803230791511466282

[patweisers44 815]

93...good run. RIP 

[Hardcore troubadour 14,961]

RIP. Sey Hey.  Now who is the greatest living ball player? 

[jerryskids 6,576]

17 minutes ago, patweisers44 said:

93...good run. RIP 

Agreed.  I never saw him play, but he along with Hank Aaron were the first players to truly transcend the color barrier and just flat out be HOF worthy regardless of race.   

[Engorgeous George 2,152]

My first glove was a Willie Mays.  My brothers had Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks signature models.

[thegeneral 2,941]

One of the all-timers. RIP

[thegeneral 2,941]

59 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

RIP. Sey Hey.  Now who is the greatest living ball player? 

I’ll go with Shohei, big head Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan, or Rickie Henderson.

Personal favorites: Dave Parker and Ichiro

[jerryskids 6,576]

52 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

I’ll go with Shohei, big head Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan, or Rickie Henderson.

Personal favorites: Dave Parker and Ichiro

I have argued here before that Henderson is the greatest baseball player of all time.  My reasoning is that nobody has been so much better than anyone at the game at his position (leadoff hitter, base stealer).  When he got on base, he struck terror into the opposing pitcher and the entire defense.

[SUXBNME 1,457]

1 hour ago, thegeneral said:

I’ll go with Shohei, big head Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan, or Rickie Henderson.

Personal favorites: Dave Parker and Ichiro

I'll stick with Barry.
Then again, I'm a Giants honk. 

Love the Ricky inclusion with your post, tho.  

[SUXBNME 1,457]

23 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I have argued here before that Henderson is the greatest baseball player of all time.  My reasoning is that nobody has been so much better than anyone at the game at his position (leadoff hitter, base stealer).  When he got on base, he struck terror into the opposing pitcher and the entire defense.

Obviously "Greatest" is subjective, but Ricky has to be included in the conversation. 

Some great "Rickie isms"

https://quotefancy.com/rickey-henderson-quotes

[thegeneral 2,941]

13 minutes ago, SUXBNME said:

Obviously "Greatest" is subjective, but Ricky has to be included in the conversation. 

Some great "Rickie isms"

https://quotefancy.com/rickey-henderson-quotes

He has so many great stories. One of a kind. 

[thegeneral 2,941]

41 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I have argued here before that Henderson is the greatest baseball player of all time.  My reasoning is that nobody has been so much better than anyone at the game at his position (leadoff hitter, base stealer).  When he got on base, he struck terror into the opposing pitcher and the entire defense.

He’s def in the convo.

I’d have Shohei one because of his uniqueness and truly multi-generational talent. We haven’t seen anything like this in about 100 years. 

Barry a very good argument for top spot because he was so dominant for a few year span. His numbers are truly absurd.

Nolan just for being a badass.

[Vikings4ever 538]

Bonds*, Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddux (two of the greatest pitchers, with very different styles), and Henderson are probably the top.

Not named: Griffey Jr (amazingly talented player, not a hint of steroid use in an era that was rife with cheaters), Johnny Bench (pretty much the undisputed best player at the absolute hardest position in the game).

[bostonlager 2,664]

 

[Alias Detective 1,389]

9 hours ago, Engorgeous George said:

My first glove was a Willie Mays.  My brothers had Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks signature models.

Hard to believe as racist as the United States is said to be. That was quite a few years ago too.

[Alias Detective 1,389]

8 hours ago, jerryskids said:

I have argued here before that Henderson is the greatest baseball player of all time.  My reasoning is that nobody has been so much better than anyone at the game at his position (leadoff hitter, base stealer).  When he got on base, he struck terror into the opposing pitcher and the entire defense.

There are lots of stories with Rickie and weed.  He apparently would take a few hits in the tunnel to the club house before at bats.  

[edjr 6,578]

I saw a headline this morning saying “RIP to the greatest baseball player ever”

I almost started to cry thinking Barry Bonds died. Then I saw it was his godfather. 

[Engorgeous George 2,152]

2 hours ago, Alias Detective said:

Hard to believe as racist as the United States is said to be. That was quite a few years ago too.

My second glove had Micky Mantles signature burnt in.

[Hardcore troubadour 14,961]

Ricky Henderson does not belong in the greatest of all time conversation. Or anywhere near it. A very exciting player with flashes of brilliance. Thats it. Hung around to reach some milestones.  

[edjr 6,578]

26 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Ricky Henderson does not belong in the greatest of all time conversation. Or anywhere near it. A very exciting player with flashes of brilliance. Thats it. Hung around to reach some milestones.  

not even top 20

[jerryskids 6,576]

1 hour ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Ricky Henderson does not belong in the greatest of all time conversation. Or anywhere near it. A very exciting player with flashes of brilliance. Thats it. Hung around to reach some milestones.  

All time stolen bases, by a mile

All time runs

All time leadoff HRs

All time unintentional walks (Bonds has total walks). so he got on a lot to wreak havoc

[thegeneral 2,941]

It was greatest living player. Ricky def in the convo. Behind a handful in my view but way up there.

[Mike Honcho 5,117]

29 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

All time stolen bases, by a mile

All time runs

All time leadoff HRs

All time unintentional walks (Bonds has total walks). so he got on a lot to wreak havoc

Rickey is 19th in all-time WAR

[thegeneral 2,941]

4 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

Rickey is 19th in all-time WAR

Behind just a few people of this generation.

I didn’t think Clemens would be that high. My memory was Pedro and Maddox were both better. RJ right there too.

[jerryskids 6,576]

12 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

Rickey is 19th in all-time WAR

It's not all about data!  

But yeah, Babe Ruth is #1.  WAR is actually a pretty good way to compare people from different generations.

Still like me some Rickey.  I actually lived in the same neighborhood as him until we downsized a few years ago.  Saw him on his bike a few times.  One of the benefits of living in a city with a bunch of retired athletes.   

[Mike Honcho 5,117]

3 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

It's not all about data!  

But yeah, Babe Ruth is #1.  WAR is actually a pretty good way to compare people from different generations.

Still like me some Rickey.  I actually lived in the same neighborhood as him until we downsized a few years ago.  Saw him on his bike a few times.  One of the benefits of living in a city with a bunch of retired athletes.   

I was surprised he was as high on the list as he was, seems I underrated him a bit.  Definitely in the argument for greatest living(especially in the non-steroid category)

[wiffleball 4,788]

Gonna Roon Juneteenth.

 

 

[patweisers44 815]

If the HoF had 2 people in it, Mays is one of them. 

[Hardcore troubadour 14,961]

Post color barrier all time team: 

1b- Pujols

2B- R Alomar 

SS- Jeter

3B- Schmidt

LF - T Williams

CF- Mays

RF- H Aaron

C- Bench

Starting five: 

B Gibson

Seaver

Koufax

Pedro

R Johnson

Closer - M Rivera 

 

[Hardcore troubadour 14,961]

Close but no cigar: Piazza, N Ryan, Griffey Jr., T Gwynn, Ichiro

[jerryskids 6,576]

16 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Post color barrier all time team: 

1b- Pujols

2B- R Alomar 

SS- Jeter

3B- Schmidt

LF - T Williams

CF- Mays

RF- H Aaron

C- Bench

Starting five: 

B Gibson

Seaver

Koufax

Pedro

R Johnson

Closer - M Rivera 

 

That's a pretty dang good list.  I might quibble with a few choices, and will if I get around to posting it.  But I like it. 

 

[supermike80 1,811]

2 hours ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Post color barrier all time team: 

1b- Pujols

2B- R Alomar 

SS- Jeter

3B- Schmidt

LF - T Williams

CF- Mays

RF- H Aaron

C- Bench

Starting five: 

B Gibson

Seaver

Koufax

Pedro

R Johnson

Closer - M Rivera 

 

Id probably swap ozzie smith for jeter.  But still a good list

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,243]

2 hours ago, supermike80 said:

Id probably swap ozzie smith for jeter.  But still a good list

Ozzie was garbage. I need a hitter. I’d put arod at SS all day 

also Pudge Rodriguez is the best all around catcher of all time 

[jerryskids 6,576]

10 hours ago, RaiderHaters Revenge said:

Ozzie was garbage. I need a hitter. I’d put arod at SS all day 

also Pudge Rodriguez is the best all around catcher of all time 

Pudge was on the juice tho.  Allegedly...

[Mike Honcho 5,117]

I think Ichiro Suzuki should get some serious consideration.  He didn't even play his first major league game until he was 27 and still managed to get 3000 hits and put up a 60.0 WAR.  

[patweisers44 815]

21 hours ago, supermike80 said:

Id probably swap ozzie smith for jeter.  But still a good list

Fock Ozzie Smith. Besides Brandon Inge, smith is the most overrated playet in MLB history.

[seafoam1 2,805]

Just now, patweisers44 said:

Fock Ozzie Smith. Besides Brandon Inge, smith is the most overrated playet in MLB history.

Ozzie Smith loaped a lot. 

[Hardcore troubadour 14,961]

6 hours ago, Mike Honcho said:

I think Ichiro Suzuki should get some serious consideration.  He didn't even play his first major league game until he was 27 and still managed to get 3000 hits and put up a 60.0 WAR.  

Ichiro was incredible. But who are you taking out, Mays, Aaron or Williams ? Mantle, DiMaggio and Musial amongst a few others are in play too.  Again, Suzuki was a phenom and a blast to watch. But those other guys were too 

[MikeMatt 46]

This game on Fox tonight. Rickwood Field. Was Willie supposed to attend and he passed 2 days earlier. Obviously all the tribute to him is last minute but wonder if he was to be there. 

[Mike Honcho 5,117]

29 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

Ichiro was incredible. But who are you taking out, Mays, Aaron or Williams ? Mantle, DiMaggio and Musial amongst a few others are in play too.  Again, Suzuki was a phenom and a blast to watch. But those other guys were too 

Sorry---my bad, HT.  I needed to clarify I'm talking about the greatest living player list*.  I don't know if he's the greatest living player, but he has to be in the discussion, right?

* I eliminate all the steroid tainted players.