tycobb420 said:
My quick take:
Andre Dawson: Controversial pick for the HOF for some. But, he was a great fielder and drove in runs. He once said he was not paid to walk...which was true.
Reggie: 563 HR, 73 MVP, 2x WS MVP, 5 championships from 1972-1978 (no accident)
Dave Winfield: Might be the best RF of the 80s. Scary ass hitter!
Larry Walker: Probably doesn't belong with the others. His home/road splits with Colorado call somethings into question.
Tim Salmon: Another guy that probably does not belong on the list, but he's now hall eligible and has not been eliminated
Sammy Sosa: Cheater
Gary Sheffield: Loved Sheff, but tied to steroids.
Ichiro: The dude can play.
Vlad Guerrero: Another scary hitter in his prime. Best bad ball hitter since Yogi.
Dawson was an excellent fielder with a very good arm. Pretty good hitter, played with some knee problems. Saw him at fenway years ago first row next to on deck circle when he was with the redsox. Very thin and wiry but all muscle.
Always thought Reggie was a mostly one dimensional player with the homeruns, but early on could steal bases. Lots of homeruns which was what he tried to do every swing. Bigger head than Bonds, but the enormous size was to fit his ego. Next to Gibson, Baylor, and Winfield, and Frank Robinson, he might have gone into second base to break up a dp harder than most others. Negatives were not good defensively and 2597 strikeouts.
Winfield was a complete player 5 tool, his fielding and throwing was among the best not only in right but also center and left. He missed one year iirc with back surgery, so it isn't out of the realm he could have wound up with 500 hr's. I think he was drafted by 3 different sports, and with his size and swing he hit rockets for line drives.
True about Walker and the coors field effect but still pretty good away splits .865 ops excellent fielder and arm.
Salmon was a pretty good player, just doesn't measure up with the rest here.
Yeah Sosa will always be linked to the steroids, too bad.
Mr. Bat Wiggle Sheffield, good hitter, and a year with the Tigers was on pace for a 40/40 before running into Polanco, he was never the same. Sometimes what he said, sounded like he was inserting his foot in his mouth, but the media was also bias.
Ichiro is a great hitter and imo should be ranked after kaline and Clemente for playing rightfield and throwing arm with strength AND accuracy. Only thing missing is power.
Vlad for being one of the three best bad ball hitters with Yogi and Clemente, is a great hitter, when younger could steal and run.
Tough call for me Winfield/Ichiro/Reggie/Walker/Vlad tossup leaning to that rank closely.
