Future Legends of Baseball

[jyoung55]

How has Greg Maddux yet to have been mentioned in this thread? Any 300 game winner in this era is a legend in my mind... so Mad dog, Glavine and Roger have to get the knod.

[Soriano12]

I'd like to know how Miguel Cabrera isn't on that list.

[moorecg]

An interesting article over on ESPNabout current MLB players who may be bound for "legend" status in the future. Among those mentioned:

 

Albert Pujols

Derek Jeter

David Ekstein ( :roll: )

Vladie

David Ortiz

Ichiro

 

With this list in mind, who else does everyone think will achieve "legend" status in future generations?

 

No way for Eckstein. I don't get including Ortiz.....very good hitter, but not legendary.

 

The Eckstein thing is just a flat out joke.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The fact that Eckstien is on that list causes it to lose all credibility.

[tkenm356]

Ken Griffey, Jr.

- Arguably the most dominating player in the entire 90's decade. I don't care if injuries did stint his career numbers, Griffey was the face of baseball for a long time before everyone started tugging on Jeter's jockstrap

 

Craig Biggio.

- I just think he'll go down as legendary because of his devotion to the Astros and the fact that he was such a remarkable player in his prime. If anyone hasn't looked up his career numbers lately, take a look, you might be surprised just how good he was.

 

Jeff Bagwell

- Same vein as Biggio, even though he retired. I just looked at his numbers and I never realized that he used to steal so many bases, not to mention his OPS during his glory years was simply outlandish

 

Frank Thomas

- I think his career and legacy with the White Sox will easily make him a legend. Even though he's battled injuries over the last few years, last year he proved that when he's healthy he can still rake

 

Ivan Rodriguez

- I mean, come on now. Arguably the greatest defensive catcher of all time, and he was pretty darn good offensively in his career.

 

Greg Maddux

- If we're going to be talking about players who play the game today (or recently, in Bagwell's case) who will become legends we talk about 50 years from now, not putting Maddux on that list is [expletive]. 17 straight years with 15 or more wins. 19 years with at least 13. 2-time 20 game winner, 4-time Cy Young, twice he finished in the Top 5 in MVP voting.

 

Mike Piazza

- Arguably the best offensive catcher of all time

 

Eh, I'm tired of doing research. Will we hold all of them in the same vein as we do Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth? No, probably not, but the people who never got to see them play, like our grandchildren, might. Cause in the end, all we have to go on with the legends of yesteryear (for most of us) are the numbers and what a bunch of journalists who never got to see them play write about them

[Lockes Eye Scar]

I'd like to know how Miguel Cabrera isn't on that list.

 

too fat

[chuckywang]

I'd like to know how Miguel Cabrera isn't on that list.

 

Cause he plays for the Marlins. Also, Americans prefer their legends just like that: Americans.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'd like to know how Miguel Cabrera isn't on that list.

 

Cause he plays for the Marlins. Also, Americans prefer their legends just like that: Americans.

Miguel's country resides in South America.

[RynoRules]

Having Eckstein on the list is a friggin joke.

 

How about Clemens, arguably the greatest pitcher since WWII.

 

Randy Johnson?

 

How the hell is Eckstein sniffing that list? Jody Davis is more deserving.

[Soriano12]

It is "Page 2". It might be just a joke

[dew1679666265]

I'd like to know how Miguel Cabrera isn't on that list.

 

Cause he plays for the Marlins. Also, Americans prefer their legends just like that: Americans.

 

Albert Pujols

Vladie

David Ortiz

Ichiro

 

:D

[DonnieD]

Ichiro is only legendary in that he will probably get credited (fairly or not) for bringing a huge Japanese influence into the MLB. Sure the 2nd most hits thru 1000 games are nice, but his overall stat line looks weak. Mark Grace is nowhere near legendary and his numbers are much better than anything Ichiro has or will ever do.

 

 

FWIW, I think there are some legendary young players in the making. Alex Gordon, Cameron Maybin, etc.

 

And I don't know if I would call these guys "legends", but I think more people need to take notice of the careers that Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, and John Smoltz.

 

Actually Grace and Ichiro's numbers are strikingly similar. Given the option I would take Ichiro's production and skill set over Grace's though.

 

You're right in the respect that Ichiro probably shouldn't be considered legendary any more than Grace is, but people still ascribe too much value to batting average. Winning 2 batting titles, ROY, MVP, and breaking a few records along the way doesn't hurt either.

[DonnieD]

Ichiro is only legendary in that he will probably get credited (fairly or not) for bringing a huge Japanese influence into the MLB. Sure the 2nd most hits thru 1000 games are nice, but his overall stat line looks weak. Mark Grace is nowhere near legendary and his numbers are much better than anything Ichiro has or will ever do.

 

 

FWIW, I think there are some legendary young players in the making. Alex Gordon, Cameron Maybin, etc.

 

And I don't know if I would call these guys "legends", but I think more people need to take notice of the careers that Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, and John Smoltz.

 

Actually Grace and Ichiro's numbers are strikingly similar. Given the option I would take Ichiro's production and skill set over Grace's though.

 

You're right in the respect that Ichiro probably shouldn't be considered legendary any more than Grace is, but people still ascribe too much value to batting average. Winning 2 batting titles, ROY, MVP, and breaking a few records along the way doesn't hurt either.

[Derwood]

clemens

maddux

randy johnson

jeter

[abuck1220]

Ichiro is only legendary in that he will probably get credited (fairly or not) for bringing a huge Japanese influence into the MLB. Sure the 2nd most hits thru 1000 games are nice, but his overall stat line looks weak. Mark Grace is nowhere near legendary and his numbers are much better than anything Ichiro has or will ever do.

 

 

FWIW, I think there are some legendary young players in the making. Alex Gordon, Cameron Maybin, etc.

 

And I don't know if I would call these guys "legends", but I think more people need to take notice of the careers that Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, and John Smoltz.

 

agree on chipper. his numbers are remarkably similar to arod's. of course, jones is older and arod will finish with much better numbers, but chipper's still underrated.

[soccer10k]

Clemens and Bonds are the two obvious choices.

 

ARod probably will end up as a virtual guarantee also. Junior and Sammy should as well.

 

The three Braves starters (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz) will all be mentioned in the same breath. Maddux would probably be the first but the other two should be right there after him.

 

Jeter will because he plays in New York. I'm not saying he's not a very good player but playing in New York will definitely help him.

 

I agree with whoever said Pedro Martinez. That stretch from 1997 to 2003 was just unreal especially his 2000 season in which he had a 1.74 ERA (285 ERA+, best in the modern era), and .737 WHIP.

 

Sammy.

 

Those are the few that come to mind initially.

[Derwood]

I mentioned Jeter because of the team, the rings, the liklihood that he'll own the all-time Yankees hits record (among others), etc. IF he stays a Yankee for life, his legacy is more or less guaranteed (esp. if they win another ring)

[rocket]

i think it's ridiculous that ortiz is mentioned but no manny.

[soccer10k]

i think it's ridiculous that ortiz is mentioned but no manny.

 

Ooo, Manny's a good one. He definitely should especially over Ortiz. But Ortiz locked up his legendary status with the two game winning hits in Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 playoffs against the Yankees. Not saying it's right, but he has.

 

Getting back to Manny, he absolutely should go down as one of the greats. Unfortunately more people are going to remember him for "Manny being Manny" (namely, going inside the Monster to, um, relieve himself) and the yearly trade demands rather than the numbers he puts up year in and year out on the field.