W/ this being the 60th anniversary of his MLB debut, I got interested in reading a little about Clemente, and I have to say, why is he not talked about more? Is it because he played the same position as Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson and they all debuted and hit their peaks at the same time? Is it b/c of his lower HR total? Or is it that he played in Pittsburgh and not New York (same can be said for Robinson)?

 

15x All-Star

2x World Series Champ

NL Mvp

World Series MVP

12 Gold Gloves

4 batting titles.

 

Definitely not talked about enough when all time greats come up.

Not playing in New York definitely hurts when it comes to the old timers. I've always felt the same way about folks overlooking Stan Musial.

 

He also died too young and so people didn't see him around for years and years afterward for folks to say "See son, now that was a great ballplayer."

Yes

I heard Ernie Banks say once with my own ears, that RC was the best baseball player he'd ever seen.

I think part of the problem with remembering Clemente is we never got to see him get old. Think about how many old players the TV networks have shown in the luxury box, then waxed on and on about how good they were. Those conversations help keep players in the forefront of your memory. We never experienced that with Clemente.

I think part of the problem with remembering Clemente is we never got to see him get old. Think about how many old players the TV networks have shown in the luxury box, then waxed on and on about how good they were. Those conversations help keep players in the forefront of your memory. We never experienced that with Clemente.

 

This is a huge factor, but it didn't really help Musial. In the All Century team vote, there was an actual debate over who was better, Pete Rose or Stan Musial???? Rose is the "Hit King," but it isn't close. Musial is a Top 15 player. I think that you have to be Loud and Old if you didn't break a record or play in NYC. Banks was loud in a fantastic way. Ted Williams was loud in an incredibly interesting way. Musial was reserved.

I was about 9 when Roberto died on New Year's eve on a mission flight.

 

Even then I remember him being one of the more exciting players who had some flair to his game.

 

I think your original point is correct. He gets shortchanged.

[h=2]Is Roberto Clemente's Greatness overlooked?[/h]

Not by me. One of the best I ever saw.

I think what hurts Clemente when it comes to discussing the greats of all time, is that in baseball we always seem to think by position. Roberto Clemente was a GREAT Right Fielder...but so were Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson and Mel Ott...not sure you can put him ahead of any of them.

 

RC is an All-Time Great by any measure, I just think the way we look at baseball players by position is what sells him short.

I think what hurts Clemente when it comes to discussing the greats of all time, is that in baseball we always seem to think by position. Roberto Clemente was a GREAT Right Fielder...but so were Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson and Mel Ott...not sure you can put him ahead of any of them.

 

RC is an All-Time Great by any measure, I just think the way we look at baseball players by position is what sells him short.

 

Actually, he should get the Ozzie Smith defensive bump since he was the greatest right fielder ever defensively. And he was one of the game's all-time most-feared hitters to boot.

Actually, he should get the Ozzie Smith defensive bump since he was the greatest right fielder ever defensively. And he was one of the game's all-time most-feared hitters to boot.

He would need several Ozzie Bumps to pass Ruth and Aaron in most everyone's mind. I'm not saying he wasn't great because he was, I'm just saying that we tend to look at the best by position and he ain't getting past Ruth or Aaron.

While we're discussing "overlooked" we must add Hank Aaron. Of course, he isn't over looked for his power BUT he is overlooked for his total offensive game.

 

He had 3700 career hits. My guess is that will surprise most.

He would need several Ozzie Bumps to pass Ruth and Aaron in most everyone's mind. I'm not saying he wasn't great because he was, I'm just saying that we tend to look at the best by position and he ain't getting past Ruth or Aaron.

 

I'm not saying he should be, but it's closer than most think. Let's be honest, the Babe wasn't widely praised for his defense. Aaron won a few Gold Gloves early in his career.

While we're discussing "overlooked" we must add Hank Aaron. Of course, he isn't over looked for his power BUT he is overlooked for his total offensive game.

 

He had 3700 career hits. My guess is that will surprise most.

 

Yep. His name is in the top 5 of all most every hitting category. Flat out masher.

While we're discussing "overlooked" we must add Hank Aaron. Of course, he isn't over looked for his power BUT he is overlooked for his total offensive game.

 

He had 3700 career hits. My guess is that will surprise most.

 

Was 2nd all-time in hits until Rose passed him.