Say Hey Kid passes at 93
- Thread starter DANC
- Start date
I can't really think of anyone who is a better overall player over a long career.
Both lost prime production years to military service. Can you imagine today's prima dona athletes doing that?
Mays would have broken Ruth’s home run record before Aaron did if Willie hadn’t missed time in the military early in his career.
Great player and according to those who knew him an even better human being. I saw "the catch" sitting in an army supply barracks only because the supply officer brought in a small black and white TV that day so we could watch the game.
I’m dubious- he missed only 4 years and finished some 200 homers plus short of Ruth. He’d have to have average 50 dingers a year in the years he missed and he didn’t play in steroid nor live ball era in the game. He’d certainly have hit more but no way he bested Ruth’s record. He was a damn good center fielder though
Here's Ted's thumbnail bio:
Knowing Marines as I do I wouldn't be at all surprised if he would have rather been remembered as a Marine Aviator than just a great baseball player...
All that said about Ted... Wllie was the best all-around player I've ever seen...
I’m too young to have seen him play. I used to use him in stratomatic baseball and I thought he had only barely hit 500 homers. He could’ve easily beaten Ruth if he only needed to average 14 homers a season. I stand corrected- thanks
He only missed 2 years for military service. Candlestick Park did nothing to help his HR numbers.
Right. I was going to respond and then continued reading the thread and saw your response.
I’ve heard/read that he would have had around 800 if he hadn’t missed that time. Not sure how that would work given he would have had to hit 70 in each of the two years he missed.
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