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Favorite Baseball Players of All Time

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When I was a kid, it was the big hurt. never really got into baseball history or anything past that time. i was dedicated White Sox fan, heh.
 
Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Hitter - Ted Williams, greatest hitter ever.
Pitcher - I gotta go with Pedro. I saw him during '99, probably the most dominant season by a MLB pitcher in history.
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Sandy Koufax had perhaps the most dominant four straight years ever, and then he retired, at age 30.

In his last four years, Koufax went 27-9, 26-8, 25-5, and 19-5, with ERA's that went 1.73, 1.74, 1.88 and 2.04.

He won the Cy Young three out of those four years. The one year he didn't, he went 19-5 in a truncated 29 start season with an ERA of 1.74.

And he did this fronting a team of banjo slingers that struggled to score 3 runs in any one game.

But, yeah, Koufax or Pedro, either one. :thumbsup:
 
Some of my personal favorites, among players that I actually saw:

Willie McGee could look so awkward both facially and with his feet, took some of the most horrible cuts ever seen at the plate, and still scratched out a .300 average year after year and ran like a gazelle in CF. As a Cardinal fan, we had an almost irrational love for that guy. Nolan Ryan, 6 no hitters, 100 mph fastball, then became even more of a legend when he publicly whipped Ventura's ass like it was his 10 year old little brother.

I'll toss in a couple of Dead Ball era guys too:

Honus Wagner was a total, all-time great, badass baseball player. He was inducted as a charter member of the HOF with Cobb and Ruth, he was that caliber of player. It's pathetic that people know so little about him now that they cannot even pronounce his name. (Hint to every d-bag on ESPN, it's *not* HOE-nus). I like Smoky Joe Wood too, he had a couple years in his early 20's that were like Pedro in '99/'00, then blew out his shoulder when shoulder surgery didn't exist, gutted out a few more seasons pitching in constant pain, and should've been finished but reinvented himself as an outfielder through sheer force of will.
 
Originally posted by: SludgeFactory
Some of my personal favorites, among players that I actually saw:

Willie McGee could look so awkward both facially and with his feet, took some of the most horrible cuts ever seen at the plate, and still scratched out a .300 average year after year and ran like a gazelle in CF. As a Cardinal fan, we had an almost irrational love for that guy. Nolan Ryan, 6 no hitters, 100 mph fastball, then became even more of a legend when he publicly whipped Ventura's ass like it was his 10 year old little brother.

I'll toss in a couple of Dead Ball era guys too:

Honus Wagner was a total, all-time great, badass baseball player. He was inducted as a charter member of the HOF with Cobb and Ruth, he was that caliber of player. It's pathetic that people know so little about him now that they cannot even pronounce his name. (Hint to every d-bag on ESPN, it's *not* HOE-nus). I like Smoky Joe Wood too, he had a couple years in his early 20's that were like Pedro in '99/'00, then blew out his shoulder when shoulder surgery didn't exist, gutted out a few more seasons pitching in constant pain, and should've been finished but reinvented himself as an outfielder through sheer force of will.
Click to expand...

Spoken like a genuine fan. :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Spoken like a genuine fan. :thumbsup:
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heh, yeah, this topic seems to have brought out the fans. Good thread!

I can't shake the baseball fan out of me, even though some things about the game now piss me off. But there's nothing like some postseason success by your favorite team to re-energize your passion for baseball. Right? 😉
 
note that Bobby Thigpen was also on the Miss St. team with W.Clark, J.Brantley, and R.Palmeiro

I have to admit that I was a huge fan of Canseco and McGwire's A's teams in the late 80's and early 90's.

Rickey Henderson could change a game like no one I've ever seen on the bases and drawing so many walks.

George Brett hitting in the 390's in the last few weeks of the season was amazing.

I hate him, but that season by Pedro was even more amazing compared to his closest competition - Koufax, though great, had a host of other pitchers with numbers at least in the ballpark of his numbers.

Huge Jeff Bagwell fan - among current players, big fan of Grady Sizemore and Albert Pujols
 
Originally posted by: SludgeFactory
Originally posted by: Perknose
Spoken like a genuine fan. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
heh, yeah, this topic seems to have brought out the fans. Good thread!

I can't shake the baseball fan out of me, even though some things about the game now piss me off. But there's nothing like some postseason success by your favorite team to re-energize your passion for baseball. Right? 😉
Click to expand...

Yeah, man! I've also been slogging along all through the lean years, a Phillies fan, tried and true. Not the finest fate to befall someone, I know, but, there you go. 😛
 
hitter: "the splendid splinter" ted williams.

pitcher: nolan ryan.


currently my favorite player is jake peavy. i like the guys intensity and his approach to the game. i also had the pleasure of meeting him today and getting his autograph. dude is a class act and also took the time to sign autographs for all the fans that came out to fan day today, including all the johnny-come-lately's.


edit: also not to brag (ok perhaps a little) but with peavy's autograph i now have autographed baseballs of the all three guys ive mentioned above. 🙂
 
Don Mattingly... great player...

I was a Orel Hershiser and the Smash Bros (before Andro/Steroid scnadals) fan myself.
 
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Cal Ripken. Yes, I'm a Bmore homer.

I'm gonna be pissed if opening day is rained out tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Screw rain, the White Sox opener got snowed out already.

Growing up my favorite was definitely Frank Thomas.

All time, Babe Ruth just has an aura about him, plus his pitching record always amazed me.

Currently, I'm not really sure who. John Danks was probably my favorite last season, but only because I was spoiled by the ungodly game 163.
 
Originally posted by: SludgeFactory
Some of my personal favorites, among players that I actually saw:

Willie McGee could look so awkward both facially and with his feet, took some of the most horrible cuts ever seen at the plate, and still scratched out a .300 average year after year and ran like a gazelle in CF. As a Cardinal fan, we had an almost irrational love for that guy. Nolan Ryan, 6 no hitters, 100 mph fastball, then became even more of a legend when he publicly whipped Ventura's ass like it was his 10 year old little brother.

I'll toss in a couple of Dead Ball era guys too:

Honus Wagner was a total, all-time great, badass baseball player. He was inducted as a charter member of the HOF with Cobb and Ruth, he was that caliber of player. It's pathetic that people know so little about him now that they cannot even pronounce his name. (Hint to every d-bag on ESPN, it's *not* HOE-nus). I like Smoky Joe Wood too, he had a couple years in his early 20's that were like Pedro in '99/'00, then blew out his shoulder when shoulder surgery didn't exist, gutted out a few more seasons pitching in constant pain, and should've been finished but reinvented himself as an outfielder through sheer force of will.
Click to expand...

From what I've read and heard told, Honus Wagner is still the best shortstop ever to have played.


have to tell a story from a guy I know:

He was a fan of Carlton Fisk ever since he was 4 or so. Had every card, all the posters, everything. His chance came when Fisk was playing for the ChiSox, late in his career, when the beloved ballplayer was seen exiting a signing event.

The young, bright-eyed and eager fan ran up to the great Fisker, entreating for a single signature as he walked out of the backroom kitchen. As he tugged at the hurried Fisk's pant legs, begging a soft "Please Mr Fisk! could you sign my card?" all he got in return?

A stiff palm to the face and a violent shove to the wall: "Out'a my way, kid," as the grizzled 40 year-old senior of baseball lore strode off to his Dodge Stratus, huffing a Vienna beef dog, tomatoes and peppers sliding from his chin and onto the rough concrete.


yeah, a true story.

Another pal has an even better one: where Jim Rice actually jumped into the stands, carried him out and into the dugout to the player's doctor, on to the hospital--after the tot was beaned by a line drive foul and gushing blood-- later the family received 2nd row home plate season tickets at Fenway for a decade, kid got to throw out the opening pitch one season, Hank Aaron called him in the hospital during recovery...and yeah, he carries all of the Boston Globe articles, in print, to show that it's true. :laugh:

Only guy I ever give credit for being a true RedSox fan. :beer:

--bet he was happy as hell this year, Rice finally getting in on his last attempt. He's been Rice's biggest fan since, well, dude saved his life.
 
Originally posted by: zinfamous
Originally posted by: SludgeFactory
Some of my personal favorites, among players that I actually saw:

Willie McGee could look so awkward both facially and with his feet, took some of the most horrible cuts ever seen at the plate, and still scratched out a .300 average year after year and ran like a gazelle in CF. As a Cardinal fan, we had an almost irrational love for that guy. Nolan Ryan, 6 no hitters, 100 mph fastball, then became even more of a legend when he publicly whipped Ventura's ass like it was his 10 year old little brother.

I'll toss in a couple of Dead Ball era guys too:

Honus Wagner was a total, all-time great, badass baseball player. He was inducted as a charter member of the HOF with Cobb and Ruth, he was that caliber of player. It's pathetic that people know so little about him now that they cannot even pronounce his name. (Hint to every d-bag on ESPN, it's *not* HOE-nus). I like Smoky Joe Wood too, he had a couple years in his early 20's that were like Pedro in '99/'00, then blew out his shoulder when shoulder surgery didn't exist, gutted out a few more seasons pitching in constant pain, and should've been finished but reinvented himself as an outfielder through sheer force of will.
Click to expand...

From what I've read and heard told, Honus Wagner is still the best shortstop ever to have played.


have to tell a story from a guy I know:

He was a fan of Carlton Fisk ever since he was 4 or so. Had every card, all the posters, everything. His chance came when Fisk was playing for the ChiSox, late in his career, when the beloved ballplayer was seen exiting a signing event.

The young, bright-eyed and eager fan ran up to the great Fisker, entreating for a single signature as he walked out of the backroom kitchen. As he tugged at the hurried Fisk's pant legs, begging a soft "Please Mr Fisk! could you sign my card?" all he got in return?

A stiff palm to the face and a violent shove to the wall: "Out'a my way, kid," as the grizzled 40 year-old senior of baseball lore strode off to his Dodge Stratus, huffing a Vienna beef dog, tomatoes and peppers sliding from his chin and onto the rough concrete.


yeah, a true story.

Another pal has an even better one: where Jim Rice actually jumped into the stands, carried him out and into the dugout to the player's doctor, on to the hospital--after the tot was beaned by a line drive foul and gushing blood-- later the family received 2nd row home plate season tickets at Fenway for a decade, kid got to throw out the opening pitch one season, Hank Aaron called him in the hospital during recovery...and yeah, he carries all of the Boston Globe articles, in print, to show that it's true. :laugh:

Only guy I ever give credit for being a true RedSox fan. :beer:

--bet he was happy as hell this year, Rice finally getting in on his last attempt. He's been Rice's biggest fan since, well, dude saved his life.
Click to expand...

I :heart: this thread.
 
btw..why all the love for Nolan Ryan?

he threw a shitload of Strikeouts, had some great hitless streaks, but he wasn't as great an overall pitcher. Pedro was a better pitcher. Maddux--phenomenal. Yeah, it's freaking early...but Lyncecum has all the signs of a pitcher 10x what Ryan was (provided he doesn't get "Dustied" like Prior/Wood--Prior was also THAT GUY, until, well....fucking Dusty fucking Baker. 🙁)

btw, I was absolutely serious abotu Darryl Strawberry. He is, and will always be my favorite player. I love the greats: Mays (no one was ever better. without question. It's ridiculous to argue otherwise), Gherig, (what the hell? no love for the man?) Williams, Ruth, Mantle, that despicable racist sonofabitch Cobb, Shoeless Joe, etc....but Stawberry, more than any other, has a freaking STORY.

It's atypical from what we are familiar with in baseball, but it is honest, direct, and freaking hardcore. Axel Rose can't touch this guy in the squandered talent story. hell, he's Jackson Pollock on crack--literally. Freaking Darryl Strawberry. /sigh


I'd also like to add to my favorites: Buckner--the MAN. (it wasn't his fault, d-bags 😛)

:beer:
 
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Cal Ripken. Yes, I'm a Bmore homer.

I'm gonna be pissed if opening day is rained out tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Screw rain, the White Sox opener got snowed out already.

Growing up my favorite was definitely Frank Thomas.

All time, Babe Ruth just has an aura about him, plus his pitching record always amazed me.

Currently, I'm not really sure who. John Danks was probably my favorite last season, but only because I was spoiled by the ungodly game 163.
Click to expand...

The fact that Babe Ruth was, possibly, the greatest pitcher that ever lived, but became one of the greatest sluggers that ever lived (created the concept), all on a diet of sausage, whiskey, and whores, is fucking awesome.

there really is no sport like baseball.

...you should also remember that 5, 7? seasons that Ruth played, balls bouncing into the stands were counted as home runs (now count as field-rule doubles)

so...why doesn't he have an * by his name?
 
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Cal Ripken. Yes, I'm a Bmore homer.

I'm gonna be pissed if opening day is rained out tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Screw rain, the White Sox opener got snowed out already.

Growing up my favorite was definitely Frank Thomas.

All time, Babe Ruth just has an aura about him, plus his pitching record always amazed me.

Currently, I'm not really sure who. John Danks was probably my favorite last season, but only because I was spoiled by the ungodly game 163.
Click to expand...

yeah, god damn snow. Had to switch my day off from tomorrow to tuesday 🙁

I need to see one more solid season from Danks before he is officially a god in my book 🙂 I am going to regret not going to 163 for the rest of my life 🙁
 
Originally posted by: ric1287
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Cal Ripken. Yes, I'm a Bmore homer.

I'm gonna be pissed if opening day is rained out tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Screw rain, the White Sox opener got snowed out already.

Growing up my favorite was definitely Frank Thomas.

All time, Babe Ruth just has an aura about him, plus his pitching record always amazed me.

Currently, I'm not really sure who. John Danks was probably my favorite last season, but only because I was spoiled by the ungodly game 163.
Click to expand...

yeah, god damn snow. Had to switch my day off from tomorrow to tuesday 🙁

I need to see one more solid season from Danks before he is officially a god in my book 🙂 I am going to regret not going to 163 for the rest of my life 🙁
Click to expand...

Ahhhh: April in Chicago, how I miss thee.

...oh wait....not really 😛
 
Originally posted by: Tsaico
Don Mattingly... great player...

I was a Orel Hershiser and the Smash Bros (before Andro/Steroid scnadals) fan myself.
Click to expand...

McGwire & Canseco played for my local AA team back in the 80s.

My favorite players:

Pitcher: Greg Maddux
Hitter: Griffey Jr.

 
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