Some of this could be attributed to the naturally elevated status afforded to the recently deceased, but all week Willie Mays has been described as arguably the greatest living baseball player. Let's accept that that is true.
Who is the next one? Nobody indisputable.
So let's discuss. (And let's not discuss the use of dispute as an imperative verb. It is inarguable.)
Choosing the best player alive now requires parameters. Barry Bonds, who happens to be Mays' godson, amassed the most exceptional hitting statistics in baseball history and Roger Clemens did much the same as a pitcher in the modern era. They have by far the most wins above replacement (WAR) of any living player.
However, both are forever tainted by their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. So is Alex Rodriguez, another surprising hitter, who ranks third in WAR among living players.
Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds rounds first base after hitting a single to break Ty Cobb's career hits record from 1985.
(Associated Press)
Pete Rose is the all-time hit king, but he has been banned from baseball since 1989 because he bet on games as a player and manager. The bets presumably did not improve their performance, but raised questions about the integrity of the competition, questions that are arising again because sports betting is now legal in most states and has been adopted as a source of income by everyone. important sports.
The “everyone was doing it” reasoning can be applied to PEDs, and those who take that route can feel free to rank Bonds, Clemens and A-Rod at or near the top of their list of greatest living players.
A quick dip into social media establishes that an equal number of fans refuse to consider the inflated numbers of proven steroid users. Position players jumping to the top of their lists include all-time stolen base and runs scored king Rickey Henderson, inimitable outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and slugging third baseman Mike Schmidt.
Fans with lots of memories mention Big Red Machine catcher Johnny Bench, Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski and “the straw that stirred the drink” Reggie Jackson. Those looking for a more contemporary option mention Albert Pujols, Cal Ripken Jr. and Adrián Beltré.
Some fans consider Ken Griffey Jr. to be the greatest player alive now that Willie Mays is dead.
(John Froschauer / Associated Press)
A list of the greatest living pitchers can begin with two lefties: Dodgers three-time Cy Young Award and World Series winner Sandy Koufax and 6-foot-10 flamethrower Randy Johnson, who won four straight Cy Young Awards and five total.
Right-handers getting support include Nolan Ryan, who has by far the most strikeouts and walks of all time, and Greg Maddux, whose surgical precision was the polar opposite of Ryan's intimidating speed. The jovial Pedro Martínez has avowed supporters of him, and Steve Carlton should not be overlooked just because he was surly.
Mays was the oldest living Hall of Fame player at 93 when he died. The honor now belongs to Luis Aparicio, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound shortstop who dazzled with his glove and led the American League in stolen bases in each of his first nine seasons.
Once again, nothing is indisputable at this point. It's a lot of fun to revisit the illustrious careers of so many players, and ranking them is a personal choice that involves research, memory, and outright fandom. Enjoy the process.
Best living player candidates
Ordered for Baseball Reference Wins Above Replacement and age
THE STAINED
Barry Bonds, 162.8, 59
Roger Clemens, 139.2, 61
Alex Rodríguez, 117.6, 48
Pete Rose, 79.5, 83
THE LAUNCHERS
Greg Maddux, 106.6, 58
Randy Johnson, 101.1, 60
Steve Carlton, 90.2, 79
Pedro Martínez, 83.9, 52
Nolan Ryan, 81.3, 77
Sandy Koufax, 48.9, 88
POSITION PLAYERS
Rickey Henderson, 111.1, 65 years old
Mike Schmidt, 106.9, 74
Alberto Pujols, 101.4, 44
Carl Yastrzemski, 96.5, 84
Cal Ripken Jr., 95.9, 63
Adrián Beltré, 93.5, 45
George Brett, 88.6, 71
Ken Griffey Jr., 83.8, 54
Johnny Bank, 75.1, 76
Reggie Jackson, 74.0, 78
Derek Jeter, 71.3, 49
Ichiro Suzuki, 60.0, 50
ACTIVE PLAYERS
Mike Trout, 86.2, 32
Justin Verlander, 81.4, 41
Clayton Kershaw, 79.7, 36
Mookie Betts, 68.8, 31
Shohei Ohtani, 38.5, 29
OLDEST HALL OF FAME
Luis Aparicio, 90 years old
Sandy Koufax, 88 years old
Bill Mazeroski, 87 years old
Orlando Cepeda, 86 years old.
Juan Marichal, 86 years old.
Billy Williams, 86 years old
Tony Oliva, 85 years old
Jim Kaat, 85 years old
Carl Yastrzemski, 84 years old
Tony Perez, 82
Ferguson Jenkins, 81 years old
