I say
1.Ted Williams
2.Joe DiMaggio
3.Willie Mays
4.Bob Feller
I could go on forever.
2007-07-23 08:45:49 · 24 answers · asked by Dodgerblue 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
On this list I'd say Ted Williams ...I'm Guessing having the 5th most Atbats,24 all-star games, gives WillieMays a full career...but the 3 people I'd like to seen the numbers after a full 20+ yr career
1) Sandy Kaufax
2) Ken Griffey jr
3) Fred Lynn
honorable mentions too...Bob Horner(Braves80s)Clyde Wright(Rangers 70s) and Bo Jackson(Royals 80-90s)
2007-07-23 08:55:55 · answer #1 · answered by ralphgoblue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ted tops the list. Give him back his five seasons in military service and there wouldn't be any doubt who the greatest hitter ever was -- and Aaron might have had to catch Williams after he caught Ruth. Ah well... can't fault the man his patriotism and will to serve.
I'd like to give back 1972, 1981, and 1994-95 to every player then active, but particularly Bert Blyleven, along with his almost two seasons lost to injuries. If he'd gotten those last 20 wins to reach and crawl past (to give it a better appearance) 300 career victories, his bronze face would already be on the wall in Cooperstown.
Also, Adam Greenberg... I'm not sure what I'd do differently, yell "duck" maybe, but the man deserves just one more game. (Here, look: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/greenad01.shtml)
Finally, Ray Chapman. Tell him to duck, give him a helmet, ask the ump for a new ball... anything. He was good, not great, but that should never happen again. Hasn't so far.
2007-07-23 09:50:50 · answer #2 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm going with Kirby Puckett. His situation hits closer to the heart for me because I actually got to see him play. The guys on your list were long retired by the time I was born. Puckett was arguably the best right handed hitter for the last 40 years when he had to retire in 1995. And he didn't really look the part, but he was a great defensive player as well. Had a few web gems in the WS.
2007-07-23 09:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by DoReidos 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ted Williams-he lost almost 3 years was it? to military service. But you have to applaud him for putting his country before himself. Same goes for Willie Mays
Jackie Robinson-what was he, 26 when he started playing? Around then? Imagine if he started playing earlier.
Sandy Koufax-one of my favorite all time. I'm sure he could've gotten atleast 2 more no-nos, and almost 200 W's if he didn't have shoulder problems.
Ken Griffey Jr.-without all the injuries, I'm sure we would be counting down for him to break Hank Aaron's record, not Bonds.
"Shoeless" Joe Jackson-he could've been a HOF if he didn't have to leave baseball because of the Black Sox scandal.
That's all I can think of for now....
2007-07-23 09:25:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd love to have seen Mickey Mantle play uninjured for most of his career. Same for Junior.
Thurman Munson-killed in plane crash at 32 yrs old
Don't remember his name but the pitcher for the Cards maybe 8-10 yrs ago who was killed in a car crash. Kyle something?
Tony Conigliaro
Lou Gehrig played 16 yrs but could have played much longer if he hadn't become ill
The guys you mentioned
Feller played 19 seasos
Mays 22
Dimaggio 15
Williams 21 minus 4-6 seasons at war
I think they had pretty full careers
2007-07-23 09:07:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd go with I can go on forever. They are so many players that missed alot of playing time because of the Wars' back in the 40's and 50's.
2007-07-23 09:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by Matt! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there's no question
sandy koufax
in all reality williams did have a full career and you can't say he wouldn't have went down with injury..oh wait he did a few seasons! i'd also through griffey into that.
to many injuries killed off the second best player of the 90's (behind bonds don't kid yourself)
2007-07-23 09:49:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From my generation, I would really liked to have seen:
Bo Jackson
Dwight Gooden - drugs and injuries limited his career
Darrell Strawberry - same as Gooden
Eric Davis - too many injuries toward the end
Mark Prior
Kerry Wood
Kirby Puckett
Mark McGwire - he still had a few seasons left, plus too many injuries
2007-07-23 10:29:32 · answer #8 · answered by mikeox51 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stan Musial - he missed years due to the War (like some of the others you have listed) and maybe, just maybe would have threatened Ty Cobb's career hit record.
More recently, Kirby Puckett. What a shame he missed three to five years of his prime. He was always one of my favorites!
2007-07-23 08:48:39 · answer #9 · answered by Matt G 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Too add to your list and everyone else's: Mel Stottlemeyer, Lyman Bostock, Ken Hubbs, and Roy Campanella.
As you and a lot of respondents have said: I could go on forever.
2007-07-23 10:13:06 · answer #10 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋