2006-08-24 03:57:44 · 9 answers · asked by rockbridge_99 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Henderson was great. I believe he's 2nd all time in walks... but he had nowhere near the power of Ruth or Bonds. Pitchers pitched around Ruth and Bonds because of their power. They nibbled and walked those guys. Its better to stick a slugger on first than to give up a home run.
Henderson on the other hand... was a speed threat, a base stealer, the best one of all time in fact. Pitchers NEVER wanted to walk Ricky. But he knew his zone so well, and was so good at fouling off pitches, that he forced them to put him on base.
Henderson was definitely the best.
These days, Bobby Abreu, Nick Johnson and Jason Giambi are about as good as it gets.
2006-08-24 05:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by Offended? Aww Have a Cookie! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too, would say Ted Williams. He was notorious for working pitchers deep into the count. He had the ability to foul off pitches that were strikes, but wasn't the pitch he was looking for in a given situation.
He walked over 2000 times in a career in which he missed the entire seasons of '43, '44, '45, '52 and most of '53, while serving in the military during WWII and Korea. If he had played during those years - of which he was in his prime as a player - Bonds wouldn't have the walks record.
As stated previously about Bonds.... It doesn't take much patience to stand there and watch four pitches sail three feet wide of the plate because there was no one hitting behind him in the line-up to protect him.
As for Henderson: He crouched so low in his stance at the plate, that it wasn't so much patience, as it was a lack of the pitcher's ability to hit such a small strike zone. That and the fact that he played in the majors for all or most of 25 seasons - as compared to Williams 17 seasons in the league.
2006-08-24 14:49:31 · answer #2 · answered by Mongo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ted Williams, he is famous for never swinging at the first pitch of an at bat. Plus he was the last person to hit .400, so I think he knew what he was doing. Some might say it is Bonds, but I don't think it take patience to stand up there while the pitcher intentionally walks you. Man I hate that big headed steroid poster child.
2006-08-24 12:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by Matthew F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babe Ruth is the most patient batter. As a good batter he didn't show bad emotions which would make the pitcher less confident.
2006-08-24 11:02:17 · answer #4 · answered by bob 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ruth was the strike out king.
I hate to say it but Bonds was... set the record in walks and OBP by a massive margin. His eye was way too good! Not sure if roids helps you with that though.
2006-08-24 11:26:34 · answer #5 · answered by Andrew A 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone had good answers, but how about Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew?
2006-08-28 01:27:19 · answer #6 · answered by GlassMan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wade Boggs often watched the first two pitches go by.
2006-08-24 12:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by Jim H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The Splendid Splinter" - Ted Williams
2006-08-24 22:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rickey henderson
2006-08-24 11:37:47 · answer #9 · answered by h_wallbanga 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋