He had more than a couple of good years as the plate. Look at his career stats. 2450 hits is a lot of hits and also the best defensive SS of all time.

 

I'll grant him the defensive wizardry, but you gotta admit that if he was a good hitter, with as long as he played, he ought to be a lot closer to 3K. I'll give him credit for adapting, using slap-hitting and bunting the way the gals do in fast-pitch softball. But he was pretty darned bad the first 7-8 seasons. Had he not been a fantastic fielder, he's probably out of the league after that long a cold spell at the plate. Or he'd be Juan Castro.

I'll grant him the defensive wizardry, but you gotta admit that if he was a good hitter, with as long as he played, he ought to be a lot closer to 3K. I'll give him credit for adapting, using slap-hitting and bunting the way the gals do in fast-pitch softball. But he was pretty darned bad the first 7-8 seasons. Had he not been a fantastic fielder, he's probably out of the league after that long a cold spell at the plate. Or he'd be Juan Castro.

 

But he was a great defensive player and on top of that with almost 2500 hits. Look at some of the great hitters that have played the game that did not get 2500 hits.

Ozzie was the man!

But he was a great defensive player and on top of that with almost 2500 hits. Look at some of the great hitters that have played the game that did not get 2500 hits.

 

Most of those great hitters you speak of also had a career much shorter than 19 seasons.

Oscar Robertson hands down for me.

Most of those great hitters you speak of also had a career much shorter than 19 seasons.

 

You just don't want to admit that Ozzie turned out to be a good hitter. He was not good for about 1/3 of his career at the plate but after that he was a very good hitter. Again almost 2500 hits and a great base stealer.

You just don't want to admit that Ozzie turned out to be a good hitter. He was not good for about 1/3 of his career at the plate but after that he was a very good hitter. Again almost 2500 hits and a great base stealer.

 

Did I not say that a few posts ago when I complemented him for adapting by adding slap-hitting and bunting?

Is Ozzie considered one of the top 5 overall players in the history of his sport with a legit argument for #2? Nope...

I thought this was a trick question.

 

Big O hands down. Top 5 all-timer in his sport. Averaged a triple double in a time when assists were not as freely given as they are today.

 

The debate should be who is #2.

Alright guys, for all of these lets limit them to humans.

 

Horses, sheep, pigs, kola bears, etc. are not going to make the polls.

 

Darn! I was wanting to add spider pig, he was #1 in Homer's heart...

Did I not say that a few posts ago when I complemented him for adapting by adding slap-hitting and bunting?

 

I really wouldn't call that a compliment.

I really wouldn't call that a compliment.

 

Hogwash. Rod Carew was one of the greatest hitters ever, and he used both these weapons to great effect. It's all about getting on base. Ozzie learned how to late in his career, and I commend him for it. If he didn't, he may have become Juan Castro.

Oscar Robertson (but that would lead to the notion that the city of Cincinnati could somehow be associated with greatness )

I voted for Ozzie because of this.:sssh: