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Universally Loved?

biggerpapibiggerpapi5,000+ posts
So there are many players that don't endear themselves to many fans. There are many players who you love when they're on your team but despise when they move to a new team (Manny Ramirez comes to mind)

Some of the greatest players clearly had people who couldn't stand them...ARod, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Ricky Henderson to name a few.

Are there any players who are universally loved?

I think I'll vote for Ken Griffey Jr.

We could probably have the same conversation for Managers. In that case, I'll vote for Tommy Lasorda.
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zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
Don Mattintgly
Thurman Munson
Derek Jeter
Elston Howard


quote:
Not to hijack the thread but what do you guys think leads players to become universally loved? For me they are the guys that play the game hard with a sense of humility and are great team guys. Of course they are great players as well.


They're also fan friendly and accessible to the media. A smart player would have these two things going for him.

Look at Barroid...The all-time HR king and most people probably already forgot that because he was nasty to the fans & media. In the end, it bit him in the rear and probably deservedly so.
Last edited by zombywoof
itsinthegameitsinthegame5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by zombywoof:
Art Shamsky was a lefthanded hitter but his ex-wife sez he was a switch hitter. Who's right? Big Grin


Zomby,

You need to understand that with Shamsky - anything was possible.

He could excel at any sport - at any time.

He could hit a grand slam without even being awake - then travel over to Switzerland and win the most competitive Luge event.

Have dinner - win at Wimbleton - and then finish it off with a PGA victory and some cappucino.

Phi Slamma Shamma - best there ever was.

No one else was even close.

Wink
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by itsinthegame:
You need to understand that with Shamsky - anything was possible.

He could excel at any sport - at any time.

He could hit a grand slam without even being awake - then travel over to Switzerland and win the most competitive Luge event.

Have dinner - win at Wimbleton - and then finish it off with a PGA victory and some cappucino.

Phi Slamma Shamma - best there ever was.

No one else was even close. Wink




and all this time I thought this guy was the most interesting man in the world
Last edited by rz1
bsbl247bsbl2471,000+ posts
Growing up on the West Coast in the 70's and early 80's: Nolan Ryan, Steve Garvey & Dave Winfield come to mind.

Right now, Albert Pujols has to be the number one "Universally Loved" Major Leaguer! I'm actually a big fan of Prince Fielder too. My current favorite Dodger that could possibly be added to this list in the future...Matt Kemp?

Aaaahhh...Power Pitcher & Power Hitters, Go Figure! Wink
Midlo DadMidlo Dad10,000+ posts
Are the references to Kirby Puckett and Steve Garvey tongue in cheek, given the thread title?

Some of the all time greats I have never have heard a negative word about in any context (in no particular order):

Ernie Banks
Johnny Bench
Tom Seaver
Lou Gehrig
Dale Murphy
Lou Brock
Brooks Robinson
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Sandy Koufax
Hank Greenberg
Stan Musial
Phil Ruzzuto
Carl Yastrzemski
Christy Mathewson
Honus Wagner
Satchel Paige
Joe Dimaggio
Ozzie Smith

I'm sure as soon as I hit "post now", a dozen more will come to mind.
Last edited by Midlo Dad
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
I disagree with Seaver, Yastrzemski and Smith. Seaver was sometimes considered selfish and self-centered. I remember hearing stories of rented limos rather than traveling with the team. Yaz didn't become universally loved until he was older. He was boo'ed a lot when he was younger. Some of it was the expectation he would the next Ted Williams (talent-wise). Some of it was his aloofness. Ozzie Smith was made fun of and boo'ed in San Diego after he cried poor during his salary demands. Among other things he whined he would have to fire his gardener. It didn't sell well.

DiMaggio was considered moody and aloof. In retirement he demanded as part of his appearances contract he be introduced as the greatest living ball player. It didn't affect his standing with the fans. In today's world the media would have skewered him until the fans bought into it.
Last edited by RJM
T Tooldforthis100+ posts
The original Big Mac- Willie McCovey. Nicest guy you'll ever meet.
Stu Miller
Dirty Al Gallagher
Orlando Cepeda
Will Clark
Tony Gwynn
Thought Brett Butler was pretty good, until he signed with the Dodgers and said he always wanted to be a Dodger. Now he's just a turncoat.

Willie Mays wasn't as popular when he played with the Giants and left to go to the Mets, but now he is revered.
bsbl247bsbl2471,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
Are the references to Kirby Puckett and Steve Garvey tongue in cheek, given the thread title?

Some of the all time greats I have never have heard a negative word about in any context (in no particular order):

Ernie Banks
Johnny Bench
Tom Seaver
Lou Gehrig
Dale Murphy
Lou Brock
Brooks Robinson
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Sandy Koufax
Hank Greenberg
Stan Musial
Phil Ruzzuto
Carl Yastrzemski
Christy Mathewson
Honus Wagner
Satchel Paige
Joe Dimaggio
Ozzie Smith

I'm sure as soon as I hit "post now", a dozen more will come to mind.


Yes, the extra-marital issues with one player and the domestic violence issues with the other definitely hurt their "Univeral Appeal", however when you're a twelve year old growing up in So Cal in the 70's you don't notice/read about those problems until you're an adult. I guess that's why I remind my kids that professional athletes, movie stars, etc...are only human, and not always the best role models.

BTW, we could put together a pretty decent list...I can't believe I left off Cal Ripken Jr.! Johnny Bench was arguably the greatest Catcher of All Time, I didn't list him because I hated the Reds with a Passion. I respected them though, they were to the Dodgers, what the Celtics were to the Lakers growing up! Big Grin
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Not sure if they were/are universally loved, but here are the baseball people who I would love to talk with for 1 hour:
Pee Wee Reese about playing in Brooklyn and putting his arm around Jackie Robinson.
Josh Gibson about the Negro Leagues;
Roger Maris;
Bart Giamatti for so many reasons including the Commissioner being autonomous; acting in the best interests of baseball and Pete Rose;
Frank Robinson.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Frank Robinson: pretty sure I prefaced that I would love to spend an hour with him, not that he was universally loved. Duane Kuiper tells some great baseball stories about him. He is from Oakland and grew up with Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. Yes, I would love to talk with him.
McCovey, well the SF Giants have one team award they give every year. It is cherished by every player and draws the admiration of the fans and every member of the media. It is called the McCovey award or Willie Mac award.
Last edited by infielddad
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