Top 3 Living Baseball Players

[Wingback]

This morning, when Miller and Deace went to their "Beat It" segment (sorry guys, I love music, but not a fan of "Beat It"), I dialed over to Mike and Mike on 1700 The Champ. Apparently today is Willie Mays' birthday, which promted a discussion on whether or not he is the best living baseball player. They had a guy on as a guest who certainly appeared to be very knowledgeable and the discussion among the three was incredibly interesting and insightful.

When all was said and done, I certainly couldn't disagree with their conclusion. Their top three living baseball players, in order, were:

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Stan Musial

Personally, I think Mays was the best player to ever put on cleats, but that is simply my opinion. I am not sure I can name another player who could hit .320 for you, hit 40-45 home runs, knock in 125 runs, steal 40 bases, and win a Gold Glove. I can remember when Mays signed his first $100,000 per year contract and I thought, 'how can you pay a guy that much money.' Heck, by today's standards, you would have to pay a guy with his all-around ability $25 million a year.

They also talked about the next generation of best living base ball players which was also interesting, and they also mentioned who the best living pitcher might be. A very, very interesting discussion.

[Dryburn]

I can't really disagree with those 3, but in spite of the gambling thing, I think Pete Rose belongs in the conversation.

[Cardinal&Gold11]

Pete Rose definitely deserves to be on that list. It's about time that he makes it into the hall of fame. If he is someone that I will be telling my kids about (I'm only 19 by the way) then he must have been pretty damn good in his day

[Knownothing]

I think during my lifetime would be a little easier. Since I never truly seen them play.

1. George Brett (even though I am a Red Sox fan this guy was great).
2. Pete Rose
3. Nolan Ryan.

This was quick so I know I am missing a ton of other guys.

[Wingback]

Rose was in their discussion, as was fellow Big Red Machine member Johnny Bench. They also mentioned guys like Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt and a few others.

For what it's worth, the three of them refused to even consider Barry Bonds. Their contention, and I agree, was that it is impossible to know how much of the statistics he accumulated were legitimate and how much of them weren't.

[ISUboi12]

Willie Mays
Roger Clemens
Pete Rose
Joe Dimaggio

[mj4cy]

Bonds, Clemons, A-Rod



oops thought it was the All-steroid team.

[Clonegrad07]

Still living? I'd go:

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Ernie Banks

Top 3 ever?

1. Ted Williams
2. Babe Ruth
3. Willie Mays

Top 3 in my lifetime?

1. Ken Griffey Jr.
2. Nolan Ryan
3. Cal Ripkin Jr. & Albert Pujols (tied)

Top 3 still active?

1. Albert Pujols
2. Ken Griffey Jr.
3. Alex Rodriquez

[RayShimley]

8-time MLB All Star, 324 career wins, 5714 K (First all-time), 7 No hitters and 12 one-hitters (First all-time in both categories). I definitely would put a vote in for Nolan Ryan.

[JP4CY]

Ricky Henderson has to be in the list. I think he overall might be one of the greatest of all time, the guy could do everything.

[Knownothing]

I refuse to put Arod in the top 3. He is a cheater and he also is horrible when the game is on the line. He is one the worst clutch hitters in baseball.

[JRE1975]

Is Ted Williams technically dead if he is only frozen with the chance to come back?

[Clonefan94]

Ricky Henderson has to be in the list. I think he overall might be one of the greatest of all time, the guy could do everything.

Well, he certainly wasn't shy about telling everyone exactly that.

[CRcyclone6]

did they mention Bob Feller at all? 266 wins and over 2500 k's. missed 4 yrs because of military service. would have easily made 300 wins and over 3k strikeouts.

[Wingback]

Yes, CRCyclone, Feller was mentioned in the discussion of the top living pitchers.