I was not expecting to see Johnny Bench in the 70s top spot! That BA throws me off the scent, compared to top hitters of other decades. Rod Carew had the insane BA, but few walk and zero power. Same goes for Pete Rose.
But then a guy like... say George Brett, he started his major league career in the middle of the decade, I wonder where he would be on a list using another arbitrary range, like 1975-85. Eddie Murray is another big one.
Other guys would be high up there on the list comprising 1965-75, like maybe Willie McCovey, Dick Allen, and Yaz.
A 2nd hand story here, a family member of mine spoke to Rod Carew and said he (Carew) was the best hitter he had ever seen. Carew, stands and quickly fires back with “what about George Brett” from then on my perception of Brett changed in a MASSIVE way. Thought it was something to add onto here.
Carew astonished the baseball world in '77 by batting .388, the closest anyone had gotten to .400 nearly in living memory. Then here comes Brett just three years later in 1980, flirting with .400 nearly the entire season, finally landing on .390... while famously suffering from severe hemorrhoids! The man needed surgery that August, I seem to remember, knocked him out of the lineup for a few weeks, but was back in time for the Royals to clinch the division and pennant.
Both Carew and Brett drew a similarly unimpressive amount of walks, both also struck out infrequently... say once every fourth or fifth game... but one important little something extra with Brett is that his swing also had a bit more power.
Love the write up here Juan. While I did not live through either of these phenomenal careers it’s the notes like this that illustrate the greatness these both have.
In the 1970's, both Morgan and Bench were slowing down towards the end of the decade. And both had 5-6 great years of production. Rod Carew played for lousy teams (79 Angels aside) and was not a power hitter. However, throughout the entire decade, Rod Carew was the greatest player. His batting average was over .340 during a decade when the MLB average .257! The next highest batting average was .320 by Bill Madlock (only 6 seasons in the 1970's). A dominant decade for Carew.
In the 1980's, Rickey Henderson was hands down the best player. He averaged almost 84 stolen bases a season. He had a 71.0 WAR. Schmidt was great, however he was done after 1987. Henderson's production throughout the decade eclipses Mike Schmidt.
PEDs or not, Barry Bonds had the better decade. It's close as Griffey's stats are better in many areas. Bonds was the more complete player doubling the number of stolen bases, 3 MVP's, and a higher WAR.
You selected Willie Mays but used Hank Aaron's stats in the summary. Aaron was my boyhood idol. Still holds the unjuiced home run and career RBIs records.
I was not expecting to see Johnny Bench in the 70s top spot! That BA throws me off the scent, compared to top hitters of other decades. Rod Carew had the insane BA, but few walk and zero power. Same goes for Pete Rose.
But then a guy like... say George Brett, he started his major league career in the middle of the decade, I wonder where he would be on a list using another arbitrary range, like 1975-85. Eddie Murray is another big one.
Other guys would be high up there on the list comprising 1965-75, like maybe Willie McCovey, Dick Allen, and Yaz.
A 2nd hand story here, a family member of mine spoke to Rod Carew and said he (Carew) was the best hitter he had ever seen. Carew, stands and quickly fires back with “what about George Brett” from then on my perception of Brett changed in a MASSIVE way. Thought it was something to add onto here.
Carew astonished the baseball world in '77 by batting .388, the closest anyone had gotten to .400 nearly in living memory. Then here comes Brett just three years later in 1980, flirting with .400 nearly the entire season, finally landing on .390... while famously suffering from severe hemorrhoids! The man needed surgery that August, I seem to remember, knocked him out of the lineup for a few weeks, but was back in time for the Royals to clinch the division and pennant.
Both Carew and Brett drew a similarly unimpressive amount of walks, both also struck out infrequently... say once every fourth or fifth game... but one important little something extra with Brett is that his swing also had a bit more power.
Love the write up here Juan. While I did not live through either of these phenomenal careers it’s the notes like this that illustrate the greatness these both have.
1960s - Roberto Clemente. 4 silver bats / 1 MVP / probably 10 gold gloves / probably a .320+ BA. And 1 WS.
To say that no one was even close to Mays and Aaron is a crock of shit. Clemente was right there with them.
Great concept! Loved it. Awesome read.
The Kid was just the best to ever do it in my eyes. Glad he gets to rule the 1990's
70's, 80's, 90's,,,,not so sure.
In the 1970's, both Morgan and Bench were slowing down towards the end of the decade. And both had 5-6 great years of production. Rod Carew played for lousy teams (79 Angels aside) and was not a power hitter. However, throughout the entire decade, Rod Carew was the greatest player. His batting average was over .340 during a decade when the MLB average .257! The next highest batting average was .320 by Bill Madlock (only 6 seasons in the 1970's). A dominant decade for Carew.
In the 1980's, Rickey Henderson was hands down the best player. He averaged almost 84 stolen bases a season. He had a 71.0 WAR. Schmidt was great, however he was done after 1987. Henderson's production throughout the decade eclipses Mike Schmidt.
PEDs or not, Barry Bonds had the better decade. It's close as Griffey's stats are better in many areas. Bonds was the more complete player doubling the number of stolen bases, 3 MVP's, and a higher WAR.
No doubt about Rod Carew but I felt Tony Gwynn was absolutely fantastic… and talk about a lousy team!
You selected Willie Mays but used Hank Aaron's stats in the summary. Aaron was my boyhood idol. Still holds the unjuiced home run and career RBIs records.