Best Baseball Players by Number Readers Response

SI Staff | Jul 22, 2009

Best Baseball Players by Number Readers Response /

Best Baseball Players by Number Readers Response

No. 2

You wrote. We listened. Here's a sampling of your comments and nominations in reaction to our best baseball players by number feature. In a powered-up offensive era (especially powered-up when considering middle infield), Jeter has slugged .461, compared to Gehringer 's .480. Gehringer's on-base percentage was .404, compared to Jeter's .388. Jeter was never even MVP, which Gehringer was. And let's see where the already declining Jeter's numbers are after another five years. -DJ Sparks

No. 3

No. 3 — John Iacono/SI, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

How is Alan Trammell not even mentioned for No. 3? His numbers stack up against Hall of Fame shortstops and he should get into Cooperstown at some point. I was glad to see Lou Whitaker listed under No. 1, but Tram should be there, too. -detroitmarc

No. 8

No. 8 — Art Shay/SI, Hy Peskin/SI, TSN Archives/Icon SMI, Walter Iooss Jr./SI

You must be kidding. Cal Ripken ahead of Carl Yastrzemski at No. 8? Ripken's consecutive game streak is a great testament to his will, passion and commitment, but not to his talent. Yaz had arguably the greatest single season in the history of the game in 1967. -Voice of Reason Check Yog's stats vs Ripken's. No doubt Yogi is the No. 8, not to mention Bill Dickey over Ripken. -Jersey Cardinal Fan

No. 10

Lefty Grove is arguably the greatest pitcher in baseball history. Andre Dawson isn't even the greatest outfielder of his generation. This isn't close. -jabaseball

No. 11

I'm amazed to see Edgar Martinez doesn't even receive a mention at No. 11. Good grief, the DH award is named after him! Glad to see memories are short in New York, or do you remember the destruction job he singlehandedly gave to your beloved Yankees in the 1995 playoffs? Next time, look in the upper left-hand corner on your USA map. We've had some ballplayers here, too. -The DePolo Line

No. 14

Gil Hodges was an All-Star seven consecutive years and eight times in nine years (1949-55 and in 1957). Which is as many as Boyer and Hrbek combined. Sorry, Gil. -Natfan

No. 17

Keith Hernandez not listed among the 17s is crazy! How many Gold Gloves and clutch hits does a guy need to make? Andy Van Slyke under consideration at No. 18 and no Keith at 17? C'mon! -Frank C

No. 19

Bob Feller didn't win 300 games and didn't even have a sub-3.00 ERA. Robin Yount was way more deserving. Two MVPs at different positions! 3,000 hits! Again, Yount is bypassed because he played in a small market. -Ballboy1

No. 20

Frank Robinson over Mike Schmidt. Robinson has better career stats than Schmidt in all of the following areas (Avg, HRs, Hits, and RBIs), all accomplished against better pitching. So I totally disagree with your choice for No. 20. -Tommie E Where's Josh Gibson on the list for No. 20? If Oh is on the list, Gibson should definitely be included, probably ahead of both Mike Schmidt and Frank Robinson. -TDwight

No. 21

There is no question that Warren Spahn should be the greatest No. 21. He won 363 games, the most for any lefty, posted 13 seasons with 20 or more wins, led the league in complete games nine times, victories eight times, ERA three times, two no-hitters, and a lifetime ERA of 3.09 and 35 career home runs. -swhiton

No. 22

Jim Palmer over Roger Clemens? I don't think so. Clemens is the victim here of SI's narcissistic sense of discrimination. Because you guys have decided he is guilty of (take your pick), you edge him out in two separate number categories. But the Rocket is the best, make no mistake. You guys need to take a cold shower. If you are going to be prejudiced, let's see a little in the direction of the Patriots. -larrywp

No. 23

Gibson over Sandberg is the only truly indefensible selection. Even the most simple stats show you that Sandberg had more hits, runs, RBIs, and homers than Gibson. Not to mention a 10-0 edge in All-Star appearances and a 9-0 edge in Gold Gloves. Then there's that little Hall of Fame thing. -Sbryan How can you overlook Robin Ventura for No. 23? He won six Gold Gloves, hit 294 home runs (19 Grand Slams), 1,182 RBIs and 1,885 hits. Nothing against Kirk Gibson but you don't even mention Ventura for consideration. -Drifter

No. 29

Satchel Paige was great in his day in a segregated league. By the time he made the majors, he wasn't the same ol' Satchel. No. 29 should be Rod Carew. One of the greatest hitters of all time, an incredible base stealer (including seven thefts of home in a season) and he did it all against the best. -Gophers1 How can you all rank anyone over John Smoltz with No. 29? There is no question he is the best with that number! He has won more than 200 games saved more than 150. No one else has ever done that and never will. A certain Hall of Famer, no doubt. With all due respect to Satchel Paige, you all completely dropped the ball on this one. -michael farmer

No. 47

Tom Glavine should be the guy for No. 47. Three-hundred wins. Two Cy Youngs and the '95 World Series MVP. Fourth-winningest lefty of all time. -Mark Lyle

No. 50

Matt Lawton with No. 50? Hello! Jamie Moyer is still playing and he's had two 20-win seasons! Not even a runner-up? Who is Benny Agbayani anyway? -free_Dickey

No. 51

I have to disagree with Ichiro over Randy Johnson. Yes, Ichiro has been excellent for five-plus years, but that doesn't compare to Randy's 10-plus years of excellence. -Sports HX NYC How can you not have Willie McGee as at least deserving consideration under No. 51? -TenRingsSTL

No. 57

Francisco Rodriguez, who had one postseason where he was really effective, ahead of Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young award winner and triple-crown winner, at No. 57? You guys are nuts! -whitebear1883

No. 84

You should have No. 84 in there for J.T. Snow... wearing it in honor of his father, Jack Snow. -Redwing19

Published Jul 22, 2009

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