OnlyBucs

6335233738223239342311363C30383D7F32510 wrote: The only player with 700 HRs and 3000 hits.  That blows me away.


Part of that statistic is that if you subtract his 755 career home runs, he would still have over 3,000 hits. That is amazing!


It's safe to say that his entire body of work, his career, was among the top three to five in history.  But I wonder, if we were to poll baseball historians, experts, and fans, and ask them to name the three outfielders who they would place on their all-time team, how many would omit Aaron?  Where would he rank among all outfielders?
Good question, and one that would surely result in many arguments. Among the historians and experts, he would likely make it. There are fewer of them than fans of course, and fans being fickle, that's where the arguments would be. For my money, Ruth, Aaron and Mays would be the top 3. Aaron wasn't flashy like the Babe and Willie, and that is why I think most would not consider him among the top 3.

Younger fans often can't see past the beginning of their association with the  game. The history, before their time, doesn't matter in forming their opinion. That's why someone like Griffey jr would rate so high, along with Trout, Bonds, etc.

765D4A453C0 wrote: The only player with 700 HRs and 3000 hits.  That blows me away.


Part of that statistic is that if you subtract his 755 career home runs, he would still have over 3,000 hits. That is amazing!


It's safe to say that his entire body of work, his career, was among the top three to five in history.  But I wonder, if we were to poll baseball historians, experts, and fans, and ask them to name the three outfielders who they would place on their all-time team, how many would omit Aaron?  Where would he rank among all outfielders?
Good question, and one that would surely result in many arguments. Among the historians and experts, he would likely make it. There are fewer of them than fans of course, and fans being fickle, that's where the arguments would be. For my money, Ruth, Aaron and Mays would be the top 3. Aaron wasn't flashy like the Babe and Willie, and that is why I think most would not consider him among the top 3.

Younger fans often can't see past the beginning of their association with the  game. The history, before their time, doesn't matter in forming their opinion. That's why someone like Griffey jr would rate so high, along with Trout, Bonds, etc.


Your three choices are hard to beat, but I'm thinking Ted Williams would replace Aaron on many lists.  But as you said, it would be fun to debate.



I always thought an all-time outfield made up of non-HR hitters would be fun.  An outfield made up of any of these guys would be incredible to watch:  Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Joe Jackson, Paul Waner, Tony Gwynn, or Ichiro.  Wow, could those guys hit!