All Century Team revisited

Here's why DiMaggio is a better choice than Mays. Here are 162 game averages for the two greats:

RunsiMaggio 130, Mays 112.
Hits: DiMaggio 207, Mays 178.
Doubles: DiMaggio 36, Mays 28.
Triples: DiMaggio 12, Mays 8.
Home runs: Mays 36, DiMaggio 34.
RBI: DiMaggio 143, Mays 103.
Steals: Mays 18, DiMaggio 3.
Walks: Mays 79, DiMaggio 74.
Strikeouts: DiMaggio 34, Mays 83.
On Base percentage: DiMaggio .398, Mays .384.
Slugging: DiMaggio .579, Mays .558.
Total bases: DiMaggio 368, Mays 328.

Guys, it's close, but not that close. And there is no way you can replace the three years DiMaggio spent in the service, right in the middle of his prime. Mays only missed 1 season in the military. DiMaggio, despite making better contact, hit into far less double plays than Mays also. Defensively, you can't definitively say that Mays was better than Joe D. Flashier, yes, better, no.

How'd that green face get there?

Both of them guys are very lucky that Shamsky didnt play centerfield.

That's Great!!!

Baseballdad

I agree to disagree--Joe D was a superb player but did not have what Say Hey had--he did not run like Willie nor did he have the arm that Willie had.

I also have a player in mind that always seems to get lost in the shuffle--Jackie Robinson--one of the most exciting players I have ever seen play the game. He made the Borough of Brooklyn come alive when he arrived

Then disagree we will, respectfully, of course.

Arguably the most important player of all time, and very, very good, but the numbers keep him off any team in which you consider stats. Definitely an exciting player who had speed and knew how to intimidate with it.

TR,

I respectfully disagree as well.

If Shamsky was ever allowed to steal (by Hodges) - he would have made Robinson look like he was carrying a piano on his back.

Shamsky could do it all - he just wasnt allowed to. Arthur could fly. LOL

Its

true he could fly but it was always in coach

LOL

Yeah - strapped in.

LOL

Carrying all that water for Shamsky must make you pretty tired by the end of the day. He should have had you doing his PR back in the 70s, someone besides us might remember him.

LOL

Ruth

Gehrig

Mantle

Mays

Shamsky

Thats how I see it. (However disturbed that may be)

LOL - And Boswell was even better.

How far are you from Winston-Salem? I'll go through my old baseball cards and grab you a Shamsky and then get you a candle to add to the shrine. My son's going to Wake next year. We'll be flying coach a lot, so I might even see Shamsky once in a while, if TR's right.

I'll see your Boswell and raise you a Kranepool.

quote:

Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
I'll see your Boswell and raise you a Kranepool.

I am about 15 miles north of Charlotte.

Whipping out a Kranepool is true hardball.

I dont think I can compete with that - but you may force me to go with my rookie Al Weis card - and a 1968 Mets scorecard that still has the mustard stain (compiments of a fit of rage from young Gary Gentry).

Seriously - I used to go into the clubhouse after the games with that crew - and my dad - for about 5 years.

Nicest guys - Kenny Boswell and Ed Charles.
Worst guy - Tom Seaver

What a squad!

That's so cool. I live about an hour from Shea and the 69 Mets are my first set of heroes. I caught a bullpen by Seaver in spring training in 1985, but never said more than Hi and Bye. He seemed nice enough, though. You would know better.

I met Ron Taylor at a Father & Son dinner at St. Mary's in Rahway, NJ in February 1970. Top that, buddy!

Baseballdad,

Send me a PM and I will send you some stuff you will enjoy. I can scan some of the stuff into the computer and pass it on. (Complete with my stories for each item. LOL)

A sampling - I have a written apology from Ralph Kiner. At age 11 - I confronted him in the announcers booth after a game - and yelled at him for not giving Ken Boswell enough air time. LOL - (My dad was so pissed - I thought he was going to kill me on the ride home)
I kid you not - and I saved all of the stuff.

Regards - A True Metsie

I'm nearly certain that you are correct.

He is correct.

And Ron also never gave up an earned run in postseason play.

Another HOF Metsie!