3rd Greatest Home Run Hitter

[George H Ruth]

Well it's not proven that Gibson has hit all those home runs, because he played for the Negro Leagues, but I believe all the tails of the great Josh Gibson.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

I voted for Gibson in the second round, and Aaron won, so I have to vote for Gibson once again. I know it's hard to determine how many home runs he hit in his professional career, but I believe the all the stories about Gibson.

Which stories do you speak of?

[Blackout]

josh gibson

[sandy1]

It is very impressive. Willie in 65' was about as good as Willie ever was.

Mays was a clearly a greater player than Aaron, though probably not quite as good as a hitter, all things considered...

all things considered you are probably right. I've been trying to research how big an effect the expanded strike zone had on hitters 1963-1968. Steve Treder @ THT has written some articles on the subject I found very informative.

[csh19792001]

I think that Mays hitting as many homers as Aaron 63-68 while older and not having the benefit of Atlanta as a home park is impressive.

It is very impressive. Willie in 65' was about as good as Willie ever was.

Mays was a clearly a greater player than Aaron, though probably not quite as good as a hitter, all things considered...

[sandy1]

So? Mays also played 7 years in a park with a 279 ft. right field line and a 258 ft. right field line. In 1962 Maury Wills- 160lbs and all- hit 6 home runs. Four of those were at The Polo Grounds- all 4 barely cleared the fence.

Aaron spent the first 12 years of his career- the majority of his career- in the second worst HR park in the National League. Only Forbes Field was more punitive on HR hitters.

I'm aware of the short lines at the Polo Grounds and the overhang in left field which made it even shorter. ....didn't know about the Maury shots though. I think that Mays hitting as many homers as Aaron 63-68 while older and not having the benefit of Atlanta as a home park is impressive.

[csh19792001]

yes they did. And Aaron had the benefit of hitting in Atlanta for three of those expanded strike zone years. Plus he was three or four years younger than Mays.

So? Mays also played 7 years in a park with a 279 ft. right field line and a 258 ft. right field line. In 1962 Maury Wills- 160lbs and all- hit 6 home runs. Four of those were at The Polo Grounds- all 4 barely cleared the fence.

Aaron spent the first 12 years of his career- the majority of his career- in the second worst HR park in the National League. Only Forbes Field was more punitive on HR hitters.

[sandy1]

Aaron was already elected.

They hit an almost identical number of home runs from 1963-68.

yes they did. And Aaron had the benefit of hitting in Atlanta for three of those expanded strike zone years. Plus he was three or four years younger than Mays.

[csh19792001]

I went with Mays as well. Aaron had the launching pad and a lower mound (post 1969). Mays was having some of his best home run years when there was higher mounds and the big strike zone(1963-1968)

Aaron was already elected.

They hit an almost identical number of home runs from 1963-68.

[sandy1]

I went with Mays as well. Aaron had the launching pad and a lower mound (post 1969). Mays was having some of his best home run years when there was higher mounds and the big strike zone(1963-1968)

[fenrir]

i went with mays. i dont see what makes aaron better then mays other then the fact that he benefited from the launching pad at the end of his career.

[George H Ruth]

I voted for Gibson in the second round, and Aaron won, so I have to vote for Gibson once again. I know it's hard to determine how many home runs he hit in his professional career, but I believe the all the stories about Gibson.

[AstrosFan]

I voted Mantle just because of the way he hit home runs. I could see McGwire, but he wouldn't have been as great a HR hitter as he was without a little help, if you know what I mean.

[PJ-34]

Ya!!! lets go Griffey.

[KCGHOST]

This is a brutal poll. Despite having a wealth of statistical data it is highly subjective. And with the PED's thing is is very emotional. For the purposes of this poll I have elected to ignore PED's (something I don't normally do).

I'll go with McGwire.