Mike Piazza vs Josh Gibson

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I am curious to see how this turns out. Who do you consider the greater HITTER (or offensive player)? Defense is not considered.

[willshad]

How can we possibly know how good Gibson would have been in the majors?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Yeah Adam, I just don't see how Gibson can be in a comparison. Might as well say Spiderman vs Batman. You should go Gibson vs. Charleston if anything, that way the phony stats and sugar coated peer accounts can go up against eachother.

[Cowtipper]

Can't really compare a guy who spent much of his career playing exhibition and amateur quality games, whose argument is based largely on anecdotal and apocryphal evidence, in leagues that might not have even touched the quality of our minor leagues, with a guy who spent his career in the established, well-known highest level of baseball in the entire world.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I more curious about the methodology and thought process in selecting one or the other. Over the years I have read several BBF posters state that Gibson was a better hitter than Piazza. I hope they chime in this thread.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Yeah Adam, I just don't see how Gibson can be in a comparison. Might as well say Spiderman vs Batman. You should go Gibson vs. Charleston if anything, that way the phony stats and sugar coated peer accounts can go up against eachother.

As you wish.

[GiambiJuice]

I vote for Mike Piazza. I don't see how Gibson is even in the conversation.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I vote for Mike Piazza. I don't see how Gibson is even in the conversation.

Man, I wish 538280 was still around. I'm sure he'd argue for Gibson. :hyper:

[leecemark]

--If Gibson was as good as his legend than he was a better hitter than Piazza. Of course its impossible to know given the sketchy stats on Gibson - and even if there were really accurate stats they played under very different conditions so they wouldn't be conclusive. Piazza is easily the best hitting catcher in MLB history, but Gibson has a very good argument for best hitter regardless of position in Negro League history. I'll give the nod to Gibson if for no other reason than somebody should .

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Man, I wish 538280 was still around. I'm sure he'd argue for Gibson. :hyper:

I'm pretty sure I read a old post by him and thats why I chose Gibson over Piazza.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'm pretty sure I read a old post by him and thats why I chose Gibson over Piazza.

So you probably like Gene Tenace over Piazza, as well.

I don't doubt Gibson would have done well at the MLB level given the opportunity. But to automatically place him ahead of a proven commodity, arguably the best in MLB history at the position, is taking too much on faith. A definitive comparison isn't going to be objective.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

So you probably like Gene Tenace over Piazza, as well.

I don't doubt Gibson would have done well at the MLB level given the opportunity. But to automatically place him ahead of a proven commodity, arguable the best in MLB history at the position, is taking too much on faith. A definitive comparison isn't going to be objective.

I'm going by what managers and players said of him when they saw him play. Anyone who is called the black Babe Ruth must have been a pretty good hitter. He's generally ranked in the top 3 Negro League players of alltime and I really feel during his time the Negro Leagues were loaded with talent. So I would roll the dice by picking Gibson over Piazza.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

What amazes me about Pizza is that from 1993-2002 he averaged .322/.389/.579, 155 OPS+. For 10 seasons you have a catcher hit like Johnny Mize.

[GiambiJuice]

I'm going by what managers and players said of him when they saw him play.

Managers who saw Derek Jeter play gave him 5 Gold Glove awards.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Managers who saw Derek Jeter play gave him 5 Gold Glove awards.

Derek Jeter wasn't compared to Ozzie Smith for defense either.