quote:
Originally posted by RJM:
Best all around: Alex Rodriguez (1)
Best defensive: Omar Vizquel (2)
Best hitting: Alex Rodriguez, Honus Wagner (3)
(1) ARod redefined the position being a power hitter. I got so used to hearing ARod I had brain lock and had to look up his first name.
(2) I lived in San Diego when Ozzie Smith played there. I thought he dove for balls he could have played on his feet to look good. When Templeton first got to San Diego I thought is was an upgrade. Then his career went to hell. Templeton was smooth. He got balls on his feet I thought Smith dove for.
(3) It's hard to compare eras when not seeing one play.
Jeter is not the best at any one talent. He's a great heads up, instinctive player who wins. What if Cal Ripken or Robin Yount had played for the Yankees?
TWO MORE CATEGORIES:
Biggest overachiever: David Eckstein with honorable mention to Fred Patek
Biggest underachiever: Garry Templeton
I would have A-Rod at the top of my list too, however, the fact that he's admitted to taking PED's and is currently playing the Hot Corner changed my thinking on that (don't get me wrong, I still think he's an amazing talent!). Statistically, Honus Wagner is a great choice, but again, he's way before my time, and like you said...it's hard to compare eras if you weren't able to see them play. Cal Ripken IMO, redefined the SS position as a Big (tall) player with some pop that played decent defense. And I agree, if Cal was a Yankee, his status in the baseball world would be even higher than it is now.
I love your Achiever Categories. Eckstein & Patek are great examples. As far as Templeton goes, I was excited for the Padres when they initially made that trade. Templeton was a stud from both sides of the plate, but he faded really fast. I think his style was more suited for the turf.