greatest Living Player?

[Appling]

Hearing of Kirby Puckett's death this morning, I happened to then think about the title "Greatest Living Player". Traditionally awarded to "the greatest player" (who is no longer playing), this title was long accorded to Joe DiMaggio -- and Joe was proud to hold that title. I don't recall what group was authorized to award the title -- perhaps just the NYC press.

After Joe died, the title was generally conceded to belong to Ted Williams. But after Williams died, who has that title today? Perhaps Stan Musial? Or more likely, either Willie Mays or Henry Aaron?

[KCGHOST]

I think it is a title that should just go away. It was extremely vain DiMaggio you anoint himself with that title and keep it even after it was no longer true.

[abacab]

The greatest living player is almost certainly Willie Mays. However, if anyone should hold that title, I'd prefer it be Musial, for two reasons: 1) he isn't recognized as a living legend the way that Mays and Aaron are, and 2) he's about 10 years older than they are.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

1. Wllie Mays
2. Yogi Berra
3. Hank Aaron
4. Stan Musial
5. Rickey Henderson

[wamby]

I think it is a title that should just go away. It was extremely vain DiMaggio you anoint himself with that title and keep it even after it was no longer true.

The writers voted that title to DiMaggio in 1969, he didn't give it to himself. But he was vain about the title in my opinion.

[Blackout]

I think it is a title that should just go away. It was extremely vain DiMaggio you anoint himself with that title and keep it even after it was no longer true.

it was always true, and he never gave himself that title.



anyways, Willie Mays probably deserves it now

[julusnc]

Willie Mays
Hank Aaron
Stan Musial
Yogi Berra
Barry Bonds (I dislike him but with his stats its warranted)
Roger Clemens
Joe Morgan
Tom Seaver
Bob Feller
Rickey Henderson

My top 10 living players

[Tigerfan1974]

Henry Aaron!

[DoubleX]

DiMaggio didn't actually annoint himself, some publication back either in the 50s or 60s gave him that title. It's just vain that DiMaggio insisted on being called that every time he made a public appearance.

As for the topic of the thread, I have to go with Willie Mays, and that was the case even when Williams, DiMaggio, and Mantle were alive.

[538280]

To me, it is quite clearly Willie Mays, with Aaron second. No one else is really close. After that my list would probably go Morgan, Henderson, and Musial.

[digglahhh]

anyways, Willie Mays probably deserves it now

as he did then...

[west coast orange and black]

willie mays.

the media love to compartmentalize... and we do, as well.

[kirk3]

hank aaron greatest living player

hank Aaron did everything well. he is the all time leader in home runs and RBI.his numbers are better then any other living ball player. he wasn't a flashy player and he played in a small park. his numbers are better then mays or mantle. he was also a very good right fielder with a very good arm.

[Bothrops Atrox]

1. Willie Mays
2. Hank Aaron
3. Stan Musial
4. Barry Bonds
5. Roger Clemens
6. Johnny Bench
7. Frank Robinson
8. Mike Schmidt
9. Rickey Henderson
10.Greg Maddux

[ElHalo]

To me, it is quite clearly Willie Mays, with Aaron second. No one else is really close. After that my list would probably go Morgan, Henderson, and Musial.

1. Mays
2. Musial
3. Berra
4. Bench
5. ARodriguez
6. Aaron

I hate ARod. With a passion. Can't stand the guy. But basically, he's the same hitter as Aaron, with significantly better speed... and does it from SS/3B. That, to me, is enough to make up for Aaron's longevity advantage. I put ARod over Aaron after this past season.