2 Different roles. Frank was never the lead-off hitter. Rose was always a lead-off or early hitter. His role was always to hit for average, draw a walk, get on base and grab the extra base when he could.

 

Robinson's role was to drive in the runs.

 

I don't get all the answers of Pete Rose. He was not as gifted as many of these on the list, but he made the most of what and who he was. He even boasted at wanting to be the first million dollar single's hitter.

 

I think Robinson or Bench or Morgan are obvious choices to me.

 

Robinson was a phenom in his day.

 

Bench was probably the greatest catcher to play the game (or at least top 3 or so).

 

Bill James statistical book that analyzes all players put Morgan down not only as the greatest 2nd baseman of all time but through his mathmatical forumlas the greatest/most productive player ever. In his greatest years Morgan would draw a ton of walks, hit .300+, get close to 20 HR's and lead the league in stolen bases. He was also one of the best run scorers (as was Rose).

 

Agreed, all had very different roles. However Robinson did it all as well. Drew an average of 70+ walks per year and an onbase percentage in the high .380s. Morgan drew about 30 more walks per year than Robinson and had a little higher onbase percentage and about double the number of stolen bases, but was much lower in the power numbers. Almost half of what Robinson's were.

Johnny Bench was definitely the best all around player.

Really all four are great choices. Hard to pick one as they are so different.

I almost voted for Rose, but it was a close call between him and Bench. My hatred for Rose led me to cast my vote in Bench's direction.

Peter Edward Rose #14 Hit King

Everyone's listing offensive statistics.

 

Let's take a look at Gold Gloves and MVP Awards and All Star Games as a Red:

 

Rose: ............2 Gold Gloves.........1 MVP Award.......12 All Star Games

Bench: ..........10 Gold Gloves........2 MVP Awards....14 All Star Games

Morgan:......... 5 Gold Gloves.........2 MVP Awards.....8 All Star Games

Concepcion:... 5 Gold Gloves.........0 MVP Awards.....9 All Star Games

Klu: ...............0 Gold Gloves.........0 MVP Awards.....4 All Star Games

Robinson: .......1 Gold Glove..........1 MVP Award.......6 All Star Games

Perez: ...........0 Gold Gloves..........0 MVP Awards.....7 All Star Games

Larkin: ...........3 Gold Gloves.........1 MVP Award......12 All Star Games

Edited August 4, 200818 yr by 98NCCalum

Hard to pick. Found an amazing stat though.

Eddie Roush had only 170 strikeouts in 5384 ABs! Wow

Everyone's listing offensive statistics.

 

Let's take a look at Gold Gloves and MVP Awards and All Star Games as a Red:

 

Rose: 2 - 1 MVP Award

Bench: 10 - 2 MVP Awards

Morgan: 5 - 2 MVP Awards

Concepcion: 5

Klu: 0

Robinson: 1 - 1 MVP Award

Perez: 0

Larkin: 3 - 1 MVP Award

 

Bench and Morgan easily the best defensive players of the lot. They are both amongst the best at their position if not the best. Robinson also played all the outfield positions and 1B so he had a little versatility too. While he was not a wizard with the glove, he was no slouch with a lifetime Fielding percentage of 99%.

Pete Rose was the best Reds player of all time.JMO

Everyone's listing offensive statistics.

 

Let's take a look at Gold Gloves and MVP Awards and All Star Games as a Red:

 

Rose: 2 - 1 MVP Award

Bench: 10 - 2 MVP Awards

Morgan: 5 - 2 MVP Awards

Concepcion: 5

Klu: 0

Robinson: 1 - 1 MVP Award

Perez: 0

Larkin: 3 - 1 MVP Award

 

How about Cesar Geronimo? He win any GGs?

How about Cesar Geronimo? He win any GGs?

Four of them.

If you factor in the consistency of Pete, I can't see how you can't put him at the top. And FWIW, Joe Morgan is my all-time favorite player. I'd argue that in the years that they won the WS Joe was clearly the best. But as the sands of time ticked on, so did Pete.

Only because he got to write himself in the starting lineup every day as the manager ...

Four of them.

 

Thought he won a couple. Thanks:thumb:

Only because he got to write himself in the starting lineup every day as the manager ...

And he just kept on hitting, and hitting, and hitting.........

Johnny Bench, the greatest at his position of all time.

 

No one else is considered this. Morgan would be the closest but he did not play as long with the Reds as Bench did. That is why Bench gets the nod.

 

Even Rose who has the most hits all time is not considered the greatest hitter of all time.