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Tough question.
Have to factor game speed of today.
Well, pitching speed.
I'd say the majority of the stars
from 1920 through 1970's might be
picked much lower than the reputation they
have generated.
Babe Ruth or Mike Trout?
Hank Aaron or Aaron Judge?

I think I might go Randy Johnson pitcher
Or Barry Bonds player.
What say you.

willie mays

Bob Caruthers

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:46 amwillie mays

You think a 1950's player can handle
today's pitching?
Really?

bob uecker

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:26 am Tough question.
Have to factor game speed of today.
Well, pitching speed.
I'd say the majority of the stars
from 1920 through 1970's might be
picked much lower than the reputation they
have generated.
Babe Ruth or Mike Trout?
Hank Aaron or Aaron Judge?

I think I might go Randy Johnson pitcher
Or Barry Bonds player.
What say you.

I say Bonds and Randy Johnson are not dead, so they do not meet your specifications in your thread title.......

As far as deceased players - Willie Mays was the GOAT considering all phases of the game (other than pitching), so I would pick him.

Assuming current rules and years of team control the top of the draft probably includes . . .

Mays
Mantle
Trout
Ohtani
Ruth
A-Rod (notice any other infielders on the list?)
Bonds
Williams
Aaron
Cobb

Where would Oscar Charleston and Josh Gibson be drafted? When would a team take an infielder like Hornsby over an(other) OF coming off the board?

Given the benefit of hindsight my top three is probably Mantle, A-Rod, and Ohtani. Mantle over the other OFs because he was a CF (unlike Bonds, Aaron, and Williams), a switch hitter (unlike Trout), and his peak during the early years of team control are probably the highest (just ahead of Trout, Cobb, and Mays) whereas Mays passes him with better longevity. Ohtani is a more modern Ruth and has stuck as a pitcher longer. A-Rod, as mentioned is the only infielder on the list and having a five tool SS is very enticing.

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:51 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:46 amwillie mays

You think a 1950's player can handle
today's pitching?
Really?

I have watched baseball for many, many years

the best I have ever seen

Hank Aaron

12xu wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:58 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:26 am Tough question.
Have to factor game speed of today.
Well, pitching speed.
I'd say the majority of the stars
from 1920 through 1970's might be
picked much lower than the reputation they
have generated.
Babe Ruth or Mike Trout?
Hank Aaron or Aaron Judge?

I think I might go Randy Johnson pitcher
Or Barry Bonds player.
What say you.

I say Bonds and Randy Johnson are not dead, so they do not meet your specifications in your thread title.......

As far as deceased players - Willie Mays was the GOAT considering all phases of the game (other than pitching), so I would pick him.

I didn't clarify, I guess.
I meant, including those alive.
So, all MLBers that ever played or are playing.

SLAM DUNK

BABE RUTH

Two-way player!

Better hitter & pitcher than S. Ohtani

rockondlouie wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:04 am SLAM DUNK

BABE RUTH

Two-way player!

Better hitter & pitcher than S. Ohtani

Yeah, but the time period?
I mean, do you think those guys
could really do what they did back then now.
I have a hard time believing that.

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:00 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:51 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:46 amwillie mays

You think a 1950's player can handle
today's pitching?
Really?

I have watched baseball for many, many years

the best I have ever seen

But the pitching today is insane compared to
the time period Mays played in.
I guess you think he'd adjust and be just fine?

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:08 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:00 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:51 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:46 amwillie mays

You think a 1950's player can handle
today's pitching?
Really?

I have watched baseball for many, many years

the best I have ever seen

But the pitching today is insane compared to
the time period Mays played in.
I guess you think he'd adjust and be just fine?

he competed against people like Gibson, Carlton, Spahn, Marichal, Koufax

I think he would do just fine against Eric Fedde

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:07 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:04 am SLAM DUNK

BABE RUTH

Two-way player!

Better hitter & pitcher than S. Ohtani

Yeah, but the time period?
I mean, do you think those guys
could really do what they did back then now.
I have a hard time believing that.

Not an issue (IMO) and that's what makes baseball stats so relevant from decade to decade.

Ruth (and all the all time great hitters from any generation) would destroy these 95+ mph fastballs from pitchers/throwers who rarely know how to "pitch"!

And he'd eat up hitters on the mound too.

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:13 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:08 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 09:00 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:51 am

45s wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025 08:46 amwillie mays

You think a 1950's player can handle
today's pitching?
Really?

I have watched baseball for many, many years

the best I have ever seen

But the pitching today is insane compared to
the time period Mays played in.
I guess you think he'd adjust and be just fine?

he competed against people like Gibson, Carlton, Spahn, Marichal, Koufax

I think he would do just fine against Eric Fedde

That's a mic drop there!!!
Okay. I concede.