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.
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.
The Kid was just the best to ever do it in my eyes. Glad he gets to rule the 1990's
Great concept! Loved it. Awesome read.
1960s - Roberto Clemente. 4 silver bats / 1 MVP / probably 10 gold gloves / probably a .320+ BA. And 1 WS.