Who is the greatest baseball player of all time?

[Chuck9788]

I was recently asked who was "the greatest baseball player of all time"? I couldn't give a definitive answer. Is it Babe Ruth? Cy Young? Ted Williams? Lou Gehrig?!? If I was forced to choose I would probably have to say Ty Cobb. Would I be wrong?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Player I gotta go with Mays, with apologies to Ruth for his pitching abilities. Hitter I go with Ted Williams.

[Carter08]

I’d go Ruth. Highest WAR and all that.

[Mark17]

Nobody has ever changed the game, and been famous worldwide, like Ruth.

The answer is Babe Ruth, period. The fact he was universally loved is a bonus.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ruth. Period. Paragraph.

[Seven]

I like the idea that there isn't a consensus because of just how long our game has been around, and how different things were and are in comparison to now.


In terms of global impact, I would say Ruth, however. No one did for the sport what he was able to do. Talent? Ruth might still be number one, but it'd be hard to discount someone like Oscar Charleston.

[mrreality68]

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

[G1911]

Nobody has ever dominated their time like Ruth. That he was a star pitcher as well is the cherry on the top. I think the gap between Ruth and everyone else is pretty large. Who was #2 is, I think, the competitive question.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

You put Mays twice. Unless you meant Carl.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I am going with Ruth for all the obvious reasons.

That is not to take away from other greats like Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Cy young, Mays, Mantle, Mays, Williams etc

But Ruth was the player, the impact on the game etc.

Personally, I would NEVER have Anson in the discussion.


.

[campyfan39]

Not even a close second IMO

Originally Posted by Mark17

Nobody has ever changed the game, and been famous worldwide, like Ruth.

The answer is Babe Ruth, period. The fact he was universally loved is a bonus.

[Lucas00]

I think all around it's Either babe or Willie. But I think Aaron gets far too little consideration. To me he's the best hitter of all time and was a spectacular fielder as well (though not quite mays level of course).

[jiw98]

Babe Ruth, was a very good pitcher, hit for power and avg. Ruth is best ever and not to take anything away from some others that where great players, next best is a distant second.

[Rad_Hazard]

It's a tough question. It's also extremely tough to compare players pre and post integration.

My gut says Ruth, the numbers and impact on the game say so, but Willie was so incredible!

If I were hard-pressed to do a top 3 right now I would say:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Willie Mays
3. Ted Williams

[jingram058]

What person can definitively answer that question?

Everyone has an opinion. Who do YOU think is the greatest?

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by jingram058

What person can definitively answer that question?

I can. Ruth.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Rad_Hazard

It's a tough question. It's also extremely tough to compare players pre and post integration.

My gut says Ruth, the numbers and impact on the game say so, but Willie was so incredible!

If I were hard-pressed to do a top 3 right now I would say:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Willie Mays
3. Ted Williams

I think you would see Ted Williams name more in the Goat discussion if he didn't miss five full seasons to military service. If you extrapolate his season average numbers over those 5 years his totals are astounding.