I say he is the greatest baseball player EVER to play the game. I feel lucky to have a chance to watch this guy. He will be talked about for generations like they do for Babe Ruth. The difference between the two era's is huge imo. I can't see baseball in 100 years having that big of a difference with today's game.
Thoughts? Anybody care? Lol
How about AI...how long before it takes over for umpires, referees? 5 years sounds like a good number to me. ;D
The guy is an absolute freak. Still think Bonds was a better power hitter, but for all around player it's definitely debatable and if there is a gap it continues to shrink.
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 20, 2025, 04:34 PMI say he is the greatest baseball player EVER to play the game. I feel lucky to have a chance to watch this guy. He will be talked about for generations like they do for Babe Ruth. The difference between the two era's is huge imo. I can't see baseball in 100 years having that big of a difference with today's game.
Thoughts? Anybody care? Lol
How about AI...how long before it takes over for umpires, referees? 5 years sounds like a good number to me. ;D
Ohtani could very well turn out to be the best that ever played (may need 5 more years of excellence to qualify, longevity is one of the prerequisites for me) with one caveat that works against him——designated hitter. I'm not a fan of players padding their stats as a DH and not taking the field everyday. Bonds is #1 to me, some of his records are unreal, 500-500 HR/SB club, over .600 OBP for a season and a couple over.500, In 2004 he homered 45 times but only struck out only 41. Between 93-07 he had more intentional walks than 10 whole franchises. 7 MVP's and eight gold gloves (most by a left fielder). Dominance we may never see again.
Quote from: Norcalnut on Oct 20, 2025, 08:41 PMOhtani could very well turn out to be the best that ever played (may need 5 more years of excellence to qualify, longevity is one of the prerequisites for me) with one caveat that works against him——designated hitter. I'm not a fan of players padding their stats as a DH and not taking the field everyday. Bonds is #1 to me, some of his records are unreal, 500-500 HR/SB club, over .600 OBP for a season and a couple over.500, In 2004 he homered 45 times but only struck out only 41. Between 93-07 he had more intentional walks than 10 whole franchises. 7 MVP's and eight gold gloves (most by a left fielder). Dominance we may never see again.
Steroids...just sayin
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 20, 2025, 04:34 PMI say he is the greatest baseball player EVER to play the game. I feel lucky to have a chance to watch this guy. He will be talked about for generations like they do for Babe Ruth. The difference between the two era's is huge imo. I can't see baseball in 100 years having that big of a difference with today's game.
Thoughts? Anybody care? Lol
How about AI...how long before it takes over for umpires, referees? 5 years sounds like a good number to me. ;D
Where will you stand if it comes out he's been juicing?
Quote from: Ararar on Oct 21, 2025, 07:55 PMSteroids...just sayin
Dang it you beat me to it. Of course roids were a factor for his numbers.
Quote from: Ararar on Oct 21, 2025, 07:55 PMSteroids...just sayin
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 22, 2025, 02:58 PMDang it you beat me to it. Of course roids were a factor for his numbers.
When some of the greatest players to ever play say he's the best they've ever seen plus me watching him for 8 years (season tickets for 15 years). I like my take on the situation. Steroids could not give him the skills he possessed other than power and that only a small part of what made him great.
Quote from: Norcalnut on Oct 20, 2025, 08:41 PMOhtani could very well turn out to be the best that ever played (may need 5 more years of excellence to qualify, longevity is one of the prerequisites for me) with one caveat that works against him——designated hitter. I'm not a fan of players padding their stats as a DH and not taking the field everyday. Bonds is #1 to me, some of his records are unreal, 500-500 HR/SB club, over .600 OBP for a season and a couple over.500, In 2004 he homered 45 times but only struck out only 41. Between 93-07 he had more intentional walks than 10 whole franchises. 7 MVP's and eight gold gloves (most by a left fielder). Dominance we may never see again.
Ohtani does pitch. Not an everyday player in the field and he was injured so he couldn't pitch but still. Not a just a DH. Bonds, while an unbelievable hitter was a DH for much of his later career, especially his steroid years. Still have him as one of the best for sure but it is tainted a bit.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 22, 2025, 02:34 PMWhere will you stand if it comes out he's been juicing?
He would suffer IMO and I would have to put an * next to his name. Steroids just shouldn't be part of the game. Players like Bonds, McGwire and the rest of them are still HOF players but with an * by their name. Haven't seen a player who pitches (in today's game especially) and hits and steals bases like he is walking in the park. Lol
Quote from: Norcalnut on Oct 22, 2025, 04:37 PMWhen some of the greatest players to ever play say he's the best they've ever seen plus me watching him for 8 years (season tickets for 15 years). I like my take on the situation. Steroids could not give him the skills he possessed other than power and that only a small part of what made him great.
Ok but no one got to see Aaron or Mays on steroids.What would Griffey Jr look like roided?
Quote from: Cossacks on Oct 20, 2025, 06:15 PMThe guy is an absolute freak. Still think Bonds was a better power hitter, but for all around player it's definitely debatable and if there is a gap it continues to shrink.
Reasonable. He needs to play for a longer time to call him the best. Pitching/hitting/stealing bases is just special.
Hope all is well brother. You still splitting time between AZ and SR?
Quote from: Ararar on Oct 22, 2025, 05:58 PMOk but no one got to see Aaron or Mays on steroids.What would Griffey Jr look like roided?
Lol...Griffey on steroids would be insane...I think they would call those types of players a cyborg.
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 22, 2025, 06:06 PMReasonable. He needs to play for a longer time to call him the best. Pitching/hitting/stealing bases is just special.
Hope all is well brother. You still splitting time between AZ and SR?
Thanks. Yes still splitting time between the 2. Hope all is well up north!
But if everyone is on steroids in that era wouldn't it cancel out the advantage?
Quote from: Norcalnut on Oct 22, 2025, 04:37 PMWhen some of the greatest players to ever play say he's the best they've ever seen plus me watching him for 8 years (season tickets for 15 years). I like my take on the situation. Steroids could not give him the skills he possessed other than power and that only a small part of what made him great.
As a former player I know very well what roids can do for a guy. I saw many ok players take the juice and end up becoming pros. No, the roids do not help you to field or see ball hit ball, but it does do a lot for recovery and power. And that makes a huge difference, Bonds pre-juice was already headed to be a hall of famer, but with the juice he became unreal.
Quote from: Ararar on Oct 22, 2025, 05:58 PMOk but no one got to see Aaron or Mays on steroids.What would Griffey Jr look like roided?
This!!!! Can you imagine the numbers Babe would have put up? Lets not forget he was also an all star pitcher too,
Quote from: Nolebull813 on Oct 23, 2025, 05:29 AMBut if everyone is on steroids in that era wouldn't it cancel out the advantage?
Not everyone was on steroids in that era so NO. Even if EVERY PLAYERS WAS...No.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 23, 2025, 02:27 PMThis!!!! Can you imagine the numbers Babe would have put up? Lets not forget he was also an all star pitcher too,
Do you think if you could magically put Ruth into today's game he would be as great? Do you think an average starting pitcher in today's game (not an all-star but in starting rotation) and put them in Ruth's era he would dominate or just be an average pitcher? Don't want to take anything away from Ruth but the level of athlete today is vastly different than when Ruth played. IMHO
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 24, 2025, 03:10 PMDo you think if you could magically put Ruth into today's game he would be as great? Do you think an average starting pitcher in today's game (not an all-star but in starting rotation) and put them in Ruth's era he would dominate or just be an average pitcher? Don't want to take anything away from Ruth but the level of athlete today is vastly different than when Ruth played. IMHO
And zero players of color
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 24, 2025, 03:10 PMDo you think if you could magically put Ruth into today's game he would be as great? Do you think an average starting pitcher in today's game (not an all-star but in starting rotation) and put them in Ruth's era he would dominate or just be an average pitcher? Don't want to take anything away from Ruth but the level of athlete today is vastly different than when Ruth played. IMHO
The biggest difference today is the training and medicine that athletes receive starting from childhood.
Game 3's been insane. Toronto had a runner nabbed at 3rd in the 9th & at home in the 10th! Ohtani was also caught stealing in the 9th also drawing an intentional walk.
2 intentional walks. I'd do the same if I were Toronto. Make somebody else beat me. Nobody but Ohtani has done anything.
Freeman & Smith just missed walkoff homers. Agony!
And now Muncy just misses! Unhinged!
Maybe they'll let the mascots pitch.
2am here in NJ, work will be hard later today, will find a way.
Hernandez to the track! What is going on!
Quote from: Crusader on Oct 27, 2025, 11:02 PM2am here in NJ, work will be hard later today, will find a way.
At this point, I think your boss will understand
Waiting for Game 3 to end like:
(https://tenor.com/xnvS.gif)
https://tenor.com/xnvS.gif (https://tenor.com/xnvS.gif)
5th straight walk for Ohtani, at least the Jays threw four pitches this time!
Klein leaving it all out on the hill
Freeman does it again!
One of the most intense sports experiences of my life. What a game!
Game 5* starts in 15 hours
Quote from: TheCompPoll on Oct 27, 2025, 11:58 PMOne of the most intense sports experiences of my life. What a game!
Lol. Was having the same experience. Never been more stressed while sitting on my couch. Except maybe DLS vs. Trinity TX. That sucked. :-X
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 24, 2025, 03:10 PMDo you think if you could magically put Ruth into today's game he would be as great? Do you think an average starting pitcher in today's game (not an all-star but in starting rotation) and put them in Ruth's era he would dominate or just be an average pitcher? Don't want to take anything away from Ruth but the level of athlete today is vastly different than when Ruth played. IMHO
I don;t know man. I remember a whie ago I think ESPN or some other outlet did a simulation of just that and the BABE killed it. I gotta try and find who did that. Players are stronger and faster nowaydays but that does not help you to have great hand eye coordination. Babe did crap that even today would be insane. Hitting a 500ft bomb is still 500 feet no matter what era it is.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 31, 2025, 01:12 PMI don;t know man. I remember a whie ago I think ESPN or some other outlet did a simulation of just that and the BABE killed it. I gotta try and find who did that. Players are stronger and faster nowaydays but that does not help you to have great hand eye coordination. Babe did crap that even today would be insane. Hitting a 500ft bomb is still 500 feet no matter what era it is.
5oo ft. Lol Yeah, can't take away from that. It's not that Babe couldn't play today but the competition he faced just isn't even close with today's game IMO. Also, he played when a lot of players were away during WW1. No way to know but I doubt he was facing 95-100 mph pitchers that could throw a splitter. Lol. Maybe but I doubt it.
Don't want to diminish what he did, just his competition as compared to today.
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 31, 2025, 01:12 PMHitting a 500ft bomb is still 500 feet no matter what era it is.
Quote from: World Citizen on Oct 31, 2025, 01:18 PM5oo ft. Lol Yeah, can't take away from that.
Sure you can. Any distance measurement pre-statcast should be taken with a GIANT grain of salt.
Quote from: TheCompPoll on Oct 31, 2025, 01:33 PMSure you can. Any distance measurement pre-statcast should be taken with a GIANT grain of salt.
Guys his era also used tree trunks as bats that were way heavier than todays forgiving bats. I tried swinging a bat that was exactly like his that we had in college. I think I hit 3 out 10 balls and that was in the cage! That thing was like swinging a sledgehammer.
Worst part was fouling one off. Those bats were not as forgiving as todays bats when you don't hit it on the sweet spots. My wrist just about shattered each time.
I think Ruth used a 42 bat while Bonds I think used a 31-33 .
Quote from: AztecPadre on Oct 31, 2025, 01:55 PMGuys his era also used tree trunks as bats that were way heavier than todays forgiving bats. I tried swinging a bat that was exactly like his that we had in college. I think I hit 3 out 10 balls and that was in the cage! That thing was like swinging a sledgehammer.
Why would you guys have a bat like that in college? Lol
What a game! What a series! Absolute cinema
The stuff of legends
Nvm
Nvm