Best lefty off all time? My vote is Koufax!

cjedmonton · #1 11-08-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I think the logic of Travis' argument would also dictate that Jesse Owens was slow, Mark Spitz was mediocre, Bill Russell would be a bench player today, and so forth. It's a fair argument if you're consistent with it, but personally I think it is much more meaningful to evaluate athletes relative to their time than on an absolute scale.

What a coincidence…JUST finished reading a chapter on Cool Papa Bell in Joe Posnanski’s truly awesome The Baseball 100 book.

It starts and ends with Owens’ apparent reluctance to race Cool Papa because he didn’t think he could beat him. More likely, they were two of the fastest humans on earth at the time, their legend so mighty, there was no point in racing, lest they risk tarnishing the loser’s legacy. Leave the world wondering who was truly faster forevermore.

Sorry, too coincidental not to mention. Back to southpaws…

*But seriously, The Baseball 100 is an absolute must read.

Peter_Spaeth · #2 11-08-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjedmonton

What a coincidence�JUST finished reading a chapter on Cool Papa Bell in Joe Posnanski�s truly awesome The Baseball 100 book.

It starts and ends with Owens� apparent reluctance to race Cool Papa because he didn�t think he could beat him. More likely, they were two of the fastest humans on earth at the time, their legend so mighty, there was no point in racing, lest they risk tarnishing the loser�s legacy. Leave the world wondering who was truly faster forevermore.

Sorry, too coincidental not to mention. Back to southpaws�

*But seriously, The Baseball 100 is an absolute must read.

I think it was Satchel who said, he once hit a line drive past my head and I turned around to see the ball hit him in the ass as he slid into second.

Mark17 · #3 11-08-2021, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I think it was Satchel who said, he once hit a line drive past my head and I turned around to see the ball hit him in the ass as he slid into second.

Wasn't he also the guy who could turn off a light switch and hop into bed before the room got dark?

Peter_Spaeth · #4 11-08-2021, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark17

Wasn't he also the guy who could turn off a light switch and hop into bed before the room got dark?

Yes lol. I think Paige said that too actually.

Imagine the 1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords -- Bell, an aging but still great Oscar Charleston, a rookie named Josh Gibson, and a pitcher named Paige.

earlywynnfan · #5 11-08-2021, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Yes lol. I think Paige said that too actually.

Imagine the 1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords -- Bell, an aging but still great Oscar Charleston, a rookie named Josh Gibson, and a pitcher named Paige.

From what I learned here, that Crawford team is about par with a 2021 little league team.

Peter_Spaeth · #6 11-08-2021, 03:21 PM

[QUOTE=earlywynnfan;2162002]From what I learned here, that Crawford team is about par with a 2021 little league team.[/QUOTE

That's absurd. They were at least good enough for the office softball team.

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