First $Billion$ Player....Elly de la Cruz?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Hmmmm, Juan Soto's batting averages in the last two years were .275 and .288 and he had 68 and 76 multi-base hits respectively in those two years. If Soto's a "generational hitting talent", you'll have to forgive this old guy for sneering at today's younger generation.

Speaking of Soto as part of the current generation of ballplayers though, I hope most of them are in better shape. I actually have more of a six pack than does Soto and I'm close to three times his age!

Sigh, what's his OBP those seasons?

Talking about 6 packs, LOL. I hope you're not one of those who wax poetically about how superior Babe Ruth is to everybody today.

Don't remember Tony Gwynn or Wade Boggs having 6 packs either.

But yeah, some asshole called him a thug in the YouTube comments once....

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Sigh, what's his OBP those seasons?

Here, I'll be kind enough to look it up for you - .410 in 2023 and .419 in 2024.

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Talking about 6 packs, LOL.... Don't remember Tony Gwynn or Wade Boggs having 6 packs either.

Nor did they ask for private boxes in contract negotiations.

And shouldn't any such comparison also be age adjusted? A professional athlete (especially in this day and age) should be in peak physical condition at the age of 26.

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I hope you're not one of those who wax poetically about how superior Babe Ruth is to everybody today.

Certainly not! I might wax poetic about Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Stan Musial or Roberto Clemente, but only benighted Yankee fans would wax poetic about "The Big Baboon".

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

But yeah, some asshole called him a thug in the YouTube comments once....

I won't call Juan Soto a thug. I will call him lazy, out-of-shape, over entitled and overrated though. And I wish he'd gotten his private suite at Yankee Stadium and stayed with the New York Yankees. I've been a Yankee hater since grade one and I'm always glad to add another reason!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Here, I'll be kind enough to look it up for you - .410 in 2023 and .419 in 2024.



Nor did they ask for private boxes in contract negotiations.

And shouldn't any such comparison also be age adjusted? A professional athlete (especially in this day and age) should be in peak physical condition at the age of 26.



Certainly not! I might wax poetic about Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Stan Musial or Roberto Clemente, but only benighted Yankee fans would wax poetic about "The Big Baboon".



I won't call Juan Soto a thug. I will call him lazy, out-of-shape, over entitled and overrated though. And I wish he'd gotten his private suite at Yankee Stadium and stayed with the New York Yankees. I've been a Yankee hater since grade one and I'm always glad to add another reason!

OK, I'll admit I respect you for answering all that point by point.

Even if I don't agree with some of it.

[packs]

Babe Ruth won one batting title in 22 seasons.

I don't know why you're knocking Soto on his average. He's the active leader among all of baseball in career on base percentage right now. Doesn't that counteract any deficiencies in batting average?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by packs

Babe Ruth won one batting title in 22 seasons.

I don't know why you're knocking Soto on his average. He's the active leader among all of baseball in career on base percentage right now. Doesn't that counteract any deficiencies in batting average?

I can't recall the stat off the top of my head, I believe it was OPS+, but Soto equaled or bettered the likes of Mantle and Williams in it by the same age. Not saying that he will end up with a better career then either of those players but he's certainly off to a promising start. Though numbers aren't everything, but they certainly are a part of the equation.

[packs]

I'm glad you brought up Mantle. He would have also been another faux generational talent with only a single batting title in his first seven seasons.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm glad you brought up Mantle. He would have also been another faux generational talent with only a single batting title in his first seven seasons.

I agree. Given that Mickey Mantle was part of a generation stocked with luminaries such as Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente, Mantle can hardly be considered a generational talent.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm glad you brought up Mantle. He would have also been another faux generational talent with only a single batting title in his first seven seasons.

This is where I check out of the thread. Mantle's Weighted Runs Created Plus for his career has only been outdone by Ruth, Williams, Bonds and Gehrig. It's the one stat that is adjusted for park value, and is era adjusted. If you want to go the traditional route he won 3 MVP's, a slew of World Series, and a Triple Crown despite having one functioning knee.

Neither of our opinions will change though. I hope you have a nice day.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packs

Babe Ruth won one batting title in 22 seasons.

I don't know why you're knocking Soto on his average. He's the active leader among all of baseball in career on base percentage right now. Doesn't that counteract any deficiencies in batting average?

No. Perhaps if he has a SLG of 604 or even 575 it would make up for it. Soto has a good year with Judge hitting behind him. Who from the Mets is going to get Soto pitched to? Drawing walks so the guy behind you can make the last out isn't a recipe for success.

[packs]

Originally Posted by rats60

No. Perhaps if he has a SLG of 604 or even 575 it would make up for it. Soto has a good year with Judge hitting behind him. Who from the Mets is going to get Soto pitched to? Drawing walks so the guy behind you can make the last out isn't a recipe for success.

That's your opinion but in my life I was taught from a very early age that a walk is as good as a hit. His career slugging percentage is 532.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by rats60

Soto has a good year with Judge hitting behind him. Who from the Mets is going to get Soto pitched to? Drawing walks so the guy behind you can make the last out isn't a recipe for success.

Originally Posted by packs

That's your opinion but in my life I was taught from a very early age that a walk is as good as a hit. His career slugging percentage is 532.

These two comments equate to Joey Votto: elite OBP, but didn't drive in runs. He was skewered by fans and analysts. He was the best hitter on the team, got on base, and his team hardly ever made the postseason because no one could drive him in. People debate if Votto is a first ballot HOF'er.

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