Who was the most respected player to ever play the game of baseball?

Question

Buck O'Neil in my opinion

Answer 1

Jackie Robinson. All the crap he had to endure. Ay Chihuahua

Answer 2

Cal Ripken Jr. For those of you who said Babe Ruth, you obviously dont know that the man was an attention hugging alcoholic. I'm not saying he was a great player, but he was definitley no where near as respected as Cal. Cal had the greatest work ethic ever seen by a professioinal athlete ever. The only person in pro sports that compares to him in terms of work ethic is Brett Favre. Cal was an All Star several times, one of the best infielders in the league and a guy who can be respected by anyone who ever played the game of baseball.

Answer 3

Guess it depends on who is doing the respecting. As a fan, I've been told that Brooks Robinson was the man. Signed autographs without question, always had a smile and knew how to treat the people that paid his paycheck. As a player, Hall of Famer, umpteen golden gloves and an annual hitting threat. Guess that would be my answer.

Answer 4

Al Kaline. He was a tremendous athlete, a model of sportsmanship and was extremely humble. He was a Gold Glove right fielder with a tremendous throwing arm, a perennial All-Star, and had 399 non-steriod home runs. After receiving a $100,000 contract late in his career, he asked for a $10,000 reduction the following season because he did not perform to his standards the previous season and felt bad about taking the money.

p.s...Surprised no one has mentioned "Mr. Cub" - Ernie Banks...Like Kaline, Banks exuded skill, dedication, humbleness and personality.

Answer 5

I have to put Ted Williams in this category "the splendid splinter" players like wade boggs,tony gwynn any good hitter always talk about how they studied his tapes and read his books also served his country for 2years in the middle of a stellar career...I'll never forget when the all=star game was in Boston how all the players crowded around him just to meet him...class act

Answer 6

cal ripken jr.

throughout his career he was never in the news for anything negative. he spent his career playing for a mediocre team and never complained about it like many other superstar players do.

as for the people who said babe ruth, it couldn't be farther from the truth. he was one of, if not the first player to demand more money to play. even with his normal salary, the world series bonus and an extra bonus just for him he demanded the red sox give him more money. he spent too much time trying to become a movie star, and to top it off he was an alcoholic. granted he was one of the best to ever play the game, but respect other players give you is for more than just talent.

Answer 7

I would have to go with Jackie Robinson, mainly because he broke the color barrier, so guys like Buck O'neil would have have an opportunity. Just my opinion though.

Answer 8

My votes go to Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente.

Williams is the quintesential hitter and spent 5 of his best years in the army serving his country.

Clemente was a great player and humanitarian. Died while on a trip to the Carribean to help after a hurricane (I think that is what he was doing on?)

Answer 9

Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente. Not just for their talent, but also what they stood for.

For more recent players, definitely Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Classy and HoFers.

Answer 10

Impossible to know. A lot of highly respected players have already been mentioned above. I'd add Christy Mathewson to the list.

Answer 11

Ernie Banks