Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Best Ever. Well, in My Mind
For as long as I can remember, whenever the thought of the best baseball player ever has come to mind, I immediately think of Willie Mays. To me it is that much of a no-brainer. I am not so sure the rest of the world thinks the same way. My guess is that Babe Ruth would get the nod if it were put up for vote among the masses. I think Jim Brown was the greatest football player ever. He could have dominated in any era, although there are many quarterbacks who merit consideration - especially Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana. And Jerry Rice was beyond incredible. I kind of get the idea Michael Jordan is considered the greatest basketball player of all-time. Me - I think it is Magic Johnson. Jordan did beat Johnson for his first title, but if Johnson had not gotten HIV and retired early, I feel he and the Lakers would have aced out Jordan and the Bulls for another championship or two. No player could play every position on the court the way Magic could. No player ever had as good court awareness and vision. Wayne Gretzky's numbers speak for themselves. So do those of Gordie Howe. The Great One and Mr. Hockey - those nicknames tell it all. Yet, if I'm honest with myself, I admit I think Bobby Orr is the greatest hockey player ever. He was just so gifted in every way, particularly skating.
Random thoughts
- The game I am looking forward to more than any other as the college football season opens this weekend is California at Tennessee. I know - Florida State and Miami are both better than those two teams. Then again, it seems like Miami and Florida State are constantly playing each other. I like the intersectional aspect of the Cal-Tennessee game. It is refreshing in this era of cupcake non-conference schedules. The Notre Dame-Georgia Tech game should also be interesting. Tech receiver Calvin Johnson might be the best receiver in the country and Reggie Ball is a very experienced quarterback.
- I would not be surprised if the couple days off because of the rainout in New York Tuesday does wonders for Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez. Maybe it will help him get a second wind.
- Wonder what the line will be for the Lions� season opener against Seattle. I'm guessing they will be underdogs even if they are playing at home. It must be weird for the Seahawks to be playing their first game this season at Ford Field after losing the Super Bowl there.
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16 Comments:
Pat
"I'm guessing they will be underdogs even if they are playing at home." This comment surpises me pat, would you expect them to be anything but, I'd think they are going to be double digit dogs, with absolutely no chance of being a favorite. Actually, just checked, one book has detroit as 3.5 point dogs, with even betting on each side. With this line, i'd be the house on seattle
Nick P,
The Lions should do well at home. It is just I don't see them doing a good job of stopping the run. And nobody runs the ball better than the Seahawks, although it is unknown how much they will miss Steve Hutchinson.
Caputo
i rule,
Couldn't agree with you more about Clemente and Robinson. Clemente is my favorite player of all-time. He was such a dynmanic talent and interesting personality. Robinson was as hard-nosed as it gets and ranks way up on the all-time home run list. I was fortunate enough to sit through a number of games right next to him in the press box when he worked for the Orioles and was impressed by him as a person as well. He has a great understanding of ball players and truly loves the game.
Caputo
Mr. C. Great ball players & quarterbacks. Seems to me there were less interceptions Unitas and Starr played. If true it may have been a different game. Gretzky's numbers may be deceiving. The times i watched him play no one would finish their checks on him. I hope they put Semenko in the hall with Gretz. Vinny
David,
Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it. Your points on Cobb are understood. Obviously, he belongs among the all-time greats. It is just that he played in such a different era. I have never seen film of Cobb that gives me any real idea what kind of player he really was. At least there is some of that on Ruth. Also, I think it has to be considered that Cobb and Ruth played before the color barrier was broken. There were so many great players in the Negro Leagues at the time that didn't get a chance in the major leagues until the late 1940s. Both Mays and Henry Aaron, for example, played in the Negro Leagues.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
Ernie would know. He actually saw more great players on a regular basis than probably any person alive. His knowledge of the game and recall is a treasure for people who love baseball history. Barry was a great pure runner and an underrated receiver. He certainly ranks among the top five of all time and a legitimate case can be made he is No. 1. If he hadn't retired early like he did, he would have held most of the all-time rushing records.
Caputo
Anonymous,
You are absolutely right about Gretzky. Howe was not only the best player in the league, but the toughest. He didn't need a body guard, that's for sure. Orr played with a lot of rugged players, but did fight his own battles. I remember one fight, in particular, when he beat up Pat Quinn after Quinn had taken a cheapshot at him earlier.
Caputo
This is a pet peeve but why does Hank Aaron's name rarely show up in "top five greatest" or even as the all time greatest. All of those hits (third all time), .305 hitter, all time leading homerun and RBI leader and he's fourth all time in runs. I know he played in Willie Mays shadow and outlasted him, but still.
Pat,
I've enjoyed your extended baseball coverage this week. It's both nice and frustrating to know that someone else cannot fathom Leyland's obsession with Neifi Perez, when the Tigers are struggling for hits, and losing games all for the lack of them. Obviously, Polanco is not going to be back for the start of the playoffs, or maybe not until next spring. Did Perez have a "no trade" clause that he waived, with the promise to be in the lineup everyday? THIS JUST IN... Omar Infante has just crushed one into the leftfield seats! Enough about Perez, and cutting off Thames' play at second on A-Rod.
As puzzling to me... bringing up Gomez, and sending Clevlen down, for this crucial series in New York; Clevlen hits better from the right side than Gomez hits left against righties, and he would have been a better option against Randy Johnson. Heck, Chris Shelton would have been better to have for this series, as Infante could have been used in the outfield if needed.
Well, nice to see Maggs & Omar come through today. Maybe Neifi will jack a 3 run homer to win this one; you think? *LOL*
Mr. C. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks, Did i ever need that responce from you! If i give the same opinion to many people i speak to about the Great One i get shot down big time. I have to preface my thinking with "he was very good and belonged in the NHL! A few years ago i taped highlites of Orr and he was so fast on his skates everyone else seemed slow. I remember Mr. Orr picking up the puck behind his net and the opposing team retreating. Mr. Hockey was great i seen him play at the old Olympia. The player who does not get enough praise is Mr. Ted Lindsay. Thanks again for some support, i needed it. Vinny
you made some intresting picks there.
Let me get this out of the way. can we release Perez already. He sucked in chicago and he sucks now. I'd rather see ramon santiago personally. I am glad Guillen got some rest I think it will be good for him more so defensively then anything. Help him get his legs back under him. He definately has been the top Tiger(because he has been consistent all year). Thugh you can make a case for monroe as second half tiger.
As far as your picks. I like the Bobby Orr Pick. Though Mr. Hockey was pretty damn good and I think deserves the title. Great One to means yeah gretzkey was great, but when you think hockey realistically the first two names that come to mine are Howe, Orr, then Gretzky. Just in my book.
Baseball wise. I would love to have had the opportunity to watch Willie Mays. he was so all around. Before he got into the roid scandal. I think Bonds could have been in the same boat. Maybe not as good, but at least on the same ship as being all around.
Basketball Magic was the best all around player indeed. Jordan was dominant and could win games hisself if wanted. I also like russell and chamberlin. Before it is said and done. I think we will change are picks to Lebron or Wade.
Football no doubt. It will hard to be able to find another dominant Jim Brown. All you had to do was give the guy a rock. another favorite of mine was Walter Payton.
As far as the lions I htink they will do ok. They have a touch schedule. but really I think they need Rogers and Williams to be decent. I think if they can get there heads on straight and utilize what gave them first round talent. They could be good. If the two rookies start on D (bullocks and sims) I think the lions will be a little underated there. Though the second corner and the pass rush worry me a tad Never been a big kalimba guy. at least not yet.
Brian,
You are right about Aaron. He was truly great. The one thing, though, is that his numbers were more steady over an extended period of time than dominant at times. Other than a couple seasons in the late 1950s, he wasn't an MVP candidate most years.
Caputo
maddog52,
Infante homered off Randy Johnson and had a couple more hits today and Perez is hitting .156 while Infante is hitting .292. That tells it all.
Caputo
Vinny,
I played in celebrity hockey game with Ted Lindsay a few years ago and it was amazing somebody that age was still in that type of physical shape and still so competitive.
Caputo
Garold,
I get the idea they just think Gomez is a little better overall player than Clevlen at this point. They trust him a little more. Clevlen obviously has more upside and a better future. Also, they needed a left-handed hitter more than a right-handed hitter.
Caputo
i rule,
He was great that year. Yaz won the triple crown the next season, too, and nobody has since. Frank Robinson was a really tough player, too.
Caputo
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