Shohei Ohtani is the Best BB Player Ever

[MarathonMike]

Musial was a fantastic flat swing hitter. If he had gone with the upswing, he would have hit more HR but fewer RBI.

Hmmm highly speculative. I can't picture him with an upswing given how far back in the box he was and how long his stride was.

 

[Harry Dresden]

That's fair, it's always dicey comparing players from different eras. I still say it comes down to the pitching. Based on what I've read, it was rare for a pitcher to throw 90 back in the day and they had a curve ball. Today's pitchers not only throw 98 they have 4, 5 or 6 pitches.

babe ruth would not have been so impressive if he played in the 30's...they had better pitching and way more power hitters than in the 20's...

 

[MarathonMike]

babe ruth would not have been so impressive if he played in the 30's...they had better pitching and way more power hitters than in the 20's...

He actually had strong numbers in 1930-1933. His last year was 1935 he was probably done physically and hit .181.

 

[Harry Dresden]

He actually had strong numbers in 1930-1933. His last year was 1935 he was probably done physically and hit .181.

he can have the numbers but playing in the 1930's he would not look so impressive...way more power hitters and better pitchers....

 

[MarathonMike]

he can have the numbers but playing in the 1930's he would not look so impressive...way more power hitters and better pitchers....

Ruth played from 1930-1935 like I posted, I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Ruth played from 1930-1935 like I posted, I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

in the 20's ruth hits 50 homers the next guy to him hits 22....he looks impressive......in the 30;s he hits 50 and there may be 3-4 players hitting 45 46 homers and maybe one hitting 50 also, now he doesnt look that impressive.....way more HR's were hit in the 30's compared to the 20's....ruth carried the 20's with his homers...

 

[Cassandro]

Hmmm highly speculative. I can't picture him with an upswing given how far back in the box he was and how long his stride was.

Musial and Rogers Hornsby were the only two players in MLB history to win their league's batting title by more than 45 points.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Musial and Rogers Hornsby were the only two players in MLB history to win their league's batting title by more than 45 points.

one year babe ruth hit .393 and didnt win the title...that must of sucked...he would have won the triple crown....

 

[egp320i]

I hate the Dodgers being a Phillies fan, but I gotta admit Ohtani is the best player ever. From a land of pretty short people but intelligent people, this guy is a giant to rival Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Willie Mays.

Not including the dopers of course.

Babe ruth pitched and hit in an era where they smoked, chewed and drank so......that's up to debate

yes he is very good and gets paid more in a year than some countries make

 

[protectionist]

Power hitters in the modern era rarely bat .300. Musial was a great hitter against lower quality pitching. Highest single season home run total a measly 39. Lifetime total 475 but he played 22 years.

In 8 years Ohtani has set all-time MLB records. 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases in one year? All the great hitters from history never even came close, most against low quality pitchers. Everyone throws 98-100 mph now. NO ONE threw that fast in the old days.

I don't buy this old days vs new days theory. Ohtani is a minor leaguer compared to Musial, Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Dimaggio, Mantle.

 

[protectionist]

I think steroid players should be kept out of the HOF, but McGwire's use of Andro early in his career was entirely legal.

I dont know the specifics on McGuire's juices, but I maintain that Steroid players don't have performance records

 

[protectionist]

and yet baseball reference and others have their performances right besides everyone else....apparently many dont agree with you....

They don't, and I don't agree with their absurdities. Ho hum.

 

[MarathonMike]

I don't buy this old days vs new days theory. Ohtani is a minor leaguer compared to Musial, Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Dimaggio, Mantle.

Then why didn't any of the players you mentioned ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season against weak throwing pitchers and catchers?

 

[Harry Dresden]

Then why didn't any of the players you mentioned ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season against weak throwing pitchers and catchers?

to this guy othani is a minor leaguer..... ten years from now ohtani may make those guys look like minor leaguers...

 

[MarathonMike]

to this guy othani is a minor leaguer..... ten years from now ohtani may make those guys look like minor leaguers...

Exactly. The only thing that keeps Ohtani out of the GOAT conversation is he's only been in the league 8 years.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Exactly. The only thing that keeps Ohtani out of the GOAT conversation is he's only been in the league 8 years.

and his first 3 with the Angels he wasnt a full time player yet 105 games was his most in that time...

 

[protectionist]

Then why didn't any of the players you mentioned ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season against weak throwing pitchers and catchers?

I don't think they were weak throwing.
Ruth and Mantle hit 50 something HRs multiple times. Dimaggio lost hundreds of HRs to the old Yankee Stadium left centerfield fence (457 feet), that would have been HRs in any other ballpark.

And the high batting averages are much more important than stealing bases.

In his first 6 seasons, despite the "death valley" left center fence, Dimaggio drove in over 125 runs, every season. His top during that period was 167 RBIs.
First 6 seasons, Ohtani's top RBI was 100.

And nobody ever topped Dimaggio in playing centerfield. He made tough catches look easy.

 

[protectionist]

Exactly. The only thing that keeps Ohtani out of the GOAT conversation is he's only been in the league 8 years.

And his .282 career batting average. He's like Griffey Jr & Pujols. Lots of HRs. Less than allstar hitting. He's not even close to GOAT.

 

[Harry Dresden]

And his .282 career batting average. He's like Griffey Jr & Pujols. Lots of HRs. Less than allstar hitting. He's not even close to GOAT.

lets wait 10 years...and griffey and pujols were great players...lol...

 

[MarathonMike]

And his .282 career batting average. He's like Griffey Jr & Pujols. Lots of HRs. Less than allstar hitting. He's not even close to GOAT.

You sound like someone who just does not want to like Ohtani. The only thing his career lacks is a few more years of performance similar to what he has done in his 8 years so far. GOAT discussion aside, there has NEVER been a player in MLB history with his combination of power, speed and pitching ability. If you have one, name him.