Who got the most of their God-given ability?

[Victory Faust]

Here's a fun one: Which player in baseball history got the most out of their God-given ability?

Jose Canseco was born with oodles of God-given talent, yet he never quite fulfilled the promise. Conversely, a guy like Pete Rose didn't have a whole lot in the way of physical tools, yet he worked his butt off and forged a great career for himself.

Pete Rose would certainly be one of the top candidates for the player who got the most out of what the Man Upstairs gave him. But there are others to consider, as well -- guys like Ty Cobb (who, admittedly, was a fine physical specimen for his time, but who squeezed every ounce from the talent he was born with); Ted Williams (who took batting practice until his hands bled); and Wee Willie Keeler, (who accomplished so much while being overmatched physically by nearly every player in the league).

I know this is a difficult thing to quantify, but in all of baseball history, who do you think was able to squeeze the most out of their God-given talents?

[johnny]

Here's a fun one: Which player in baseball history got the most out of their God-given ability?

Jose Canseco was born with oodles of God-given talent, yet he never quite fulfilled the promise. Conversely, a guy like Pete Rose didn't have a whole lot in the way of physical tools, yet he worked his butt off and forged a great career for himself.

Pete Rose would certainly be one of the top candidates for the player who got the most out of what the Man Upstairs gave him. But there are others to consider, as well -- guys like Ty Cobb (who, admittedly, was a fine physical specimen for his time, but who squeezed every ounce from the talent he was born with); Ted Williams (who took batting practice until his hands bled); and Wee Willie Keeler, (who accomplished so much while being overmatched physically by nearly every player in the league).

I know this is a difficult thing to quantify, but in all of baseball history, who do you think was able to squeeze the most out of their God-given talents?

Jim Abbot or Pete Gray.
The latter was not the success of Abbot but fairly amazing.
Both men were inspirations.

[RuthMayBond]

David Eckstein?

[csh19792001]

Here's a fun one: Which player in baseball history got the most out of their God-given ability?

Boy, that's an easy one for me.

Ty Cobb.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Agree. Not even close.

Cobb.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Willie Mays or Oscar Carleston

[Bill Burgess]

Cobb, followed by Rose, Eddie Collins, Buck Ewing.

[538280]

What about Joe Morgan? Was no prospect at all coming out of high school, was signed by the Astros because they needed to fill their minor league rosters, and then went on to be a two time MVP and a blue chip HOFer. Also had to overcome his size deficiency

[torez77]

Tony Gwynn

[Yankees]

Here's a fun one: Which player in baseball history got the most out of their innate ability?

I agree with several above, in Ty Cobb.

[Erik Bedard]

Top 3 all-time:

Cobb
Morgan
Eddie Collins

Top 3 active:

Piazza
Eckstein
Biggio

Lots of second basemen here, plus eckstein, who could easily make the transition

[Bluesteve32]

I would consider Brian Downing in this group. In HS he was no great player and he played for Orange Coast College and one of his old HS teammates asked him, "What are you doing here?"

Dowing said, "I am on the team."

He made the White Sox and was traded to the Angels in the Bobby Bonds deal, among the first to start the weightlifing craze during the off-season, built a batting cage in his backyard, and came out to make the AL all-star team in 1979, and was the highest right-handed hitter in the AL that season. When he came to bat in the 1979 all-star game in the Kingdome, Joe Garagiola said, "Brian Downing made himself a good player." He promtly singled.

Dowing had a fine major leage career and many outfield fences were very happy when he called it quits. If anyone remembers that catch Fred Lynn made on an Amos Otis drive when he took a HR away from Otis, it was Downing who also jumped for the ball and crashed into the fence, actually bending it, and Fred Lynn was able to catch that ball.

[538280]

I would consider Brian Downing in this group. In HS he was no great player and he played for Orange Coast College and one of his old HS teammates asked him, "What are you doing here?"

Dowing said, "I am on the team."

He made the White Sox and was traded to the Angels in the Bobby Bonds deal, among the first to start the weightlifing craze during the off-season, built a batting cage in his backyard, and came out to make the AL all-star team in 1979, and was the highest right-handed hitter in the AL that season. When he came to bat in the 1979 all-star game in the Kingdome, Joe Garagiola said, "Brian Downing made himself a good player." He promtly singled.

Dowing had a fine major leage career and many outfield fences were very happy when he called it quits. If anyone remembers that catch Fred Lynn made on an Amos Otis drive when he took a HR away from Otis, it was Downing who also jumped for the ball and crashed into the fence, actually bending it, and Fred Lynn was able to catch that ball.

Brian Downing not only got lots out of his ability, but he is also an extremely underrated player. His career totals in Win Shares and WARP3 beat many a HOF left fielder and he also spent significant time catching. Really, using advanced statistics one could make a pretty solid case for Downing to the HOF. Not to say I'd agree with it, but either way he was a very good and unappreciated player.

[LouGehrig]

Cobb, followed by Rose, Eddie Collins, Buck Ewing.

Bill, based on lack of ability, it has to be Eddie Stanky.

[Myankee4life]

I'd agree with most and say Cobb.