Ohtani or Ruth?

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

At the risk of bringing the thread back on topic. When was the last time Babe Ruth stole 50+ bases while only being caught 4 times?

In Ruth's time,the bases weren't pizza box-sized, and pitchers weren't limited in throwing to first .. (Not that Ruth would've stolen 50 even with those things)

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

In Ruth's time,the bases weren't pizza box-sized, and pitchers weren't limited in throwing to first .. (Not that Ruth would've stolen 50 even with those things)

If there's one area where it's hard to argue Ruth was better than Ohtani in, it's base stealing. Ruth did steal 123 bases but was caught stealing 116 times not including his caught stealing to end the 1926 World Series.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by jayshum

If there's one area where it's hard to argue Ruth was better than Ohtani in, it's base stealing. Ruth did steal 123 bases but was caught stealing 116 times not including his caught stealing to end the 1926 World Series.

Agreed, and I'm not making that argument. The rule changes making it easier to steal bases (I also didn't mention the "oven mitt" which effectively doubles the length of the player's hand) are part of the picture when trying to compare IMO

[Balticfox]

Somehow the term "base stealer" doesn't pop to mind when I see this man:

[Yoda]

It seems to me, that the 1% of the 1% bazillionaires in this country have a common need to own a sport's franchise. Their bulging portfolios aren't complete without one and are jealous of those who already own one.

[Beercan collector]

Not so positive Ohtani’s gonna reach/surpass Ruth’s career pitching stats,
39-20 3.00
94-46 2.28
55,56 More wins ? Nowadays that’s a good five or six years of being in regular rotation.

[molenick]

It's amazing the lengths we will go to downgrade Ohtani's accomplishments.

He stole 59 bases and hit 54 home runs in the same year. Well, that's because the rules make it easier to steal bases now. Meanwhile this year the MLB leader in SBs had 49. And the year Ohtani stole 59 only one player had more (67 with 16 CS compared to Ohatni's 59 with 4 CS).

He struck out 10 batters, allowed no runs and two hits, and hit three home runs in the same game (a playoff game to boot). Well, he only pitched six innings. And he doesn't speak English. And he makes too much money (most of which he deferred to help the Dodgers sign more players).

Oh, and he doesn't drink enough, eat enough, or chase women.

I voted for Ruth. For career value, Ohtani has a long way to go. But that doesn't mean we can't appreciate what he is doing.

[Balticfox]

When you're as rich and famous as Ohtani, you don't need to chase women. So many just throw themselves at you that you have to fight them off. If you don't, it can leave you so drained that it impairs your base stealing ability. Maybe though that's why his stolen base total dropped from 59 to 20 this year.