PG Staff
Having seen Willie from the 1951 season when he came to the "bigs" until his end of career I have to agree with you--I also saw Joe DiMaggio as well as Mickey Mantle --- they were not in Willie's class when it came to overall talent--Joe D may have hit better for average but was no Willie when it came to to the outfield and running the bases--Mick was exciting but he too overall was not at Willie's Level-- As great as his God Son Barry Bonds is, even he is not the complete player that Willie. He is close but not there
You talk of baseball insticnts-- simple answer--Willie Mays-- and he played the game not for money but because he flat out loved the game.
He idolized his first MLB manager, Leo "The Lip" Durocher--he was like a father to Willie