Babe Ruth The Greatest Ever!

[ChicagoDave]

I want to open up for discussion Babe Ruth's ability to be an outstanding Pitcher and a outstanding Hitter.

Babe Ruth had several Pitching records when he stop pitching full time. I haven't look this up yet, but I think he held the homerun record while he was still pitching regularly.

My question is this. Has there ever been a player that has even come close to his abilities as a pitcher and hitter, together.

My thought is no. Ruth was the best all around player that has ever played in the Majors!

[ChrisCary]

I've often wondered what he could have been as a career pitcher.

Career ERA of 2.28. In 1915, 16, 17 and 18 he was 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in hits to 9innings pitched, some may say that it shows a decline, but to be in the top five consistently whether it's first or fourth shows dominance to me. Twice in the top 5 for Ks and in 1917 he led the league in complete games with 35.

In 1918 when he went 13-7 he led the league in Homers.

Postseason pitching he's 3-0 with 3 easrned runs in two complete games for a .87 ERA

I don't think many would argue against him being the greatest to ever play, when I was a kid I thoght he was a myth and am still amazed at something every time I read about him

[Xanadu Dragon]

Mike Hampton?

Just kidding....................

[ChicagoDave]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Mike Hampton?

Just kidding....................

:goof:

[KCBOOMER]

The Babe is a colossal figure in the game. Typically when people speak about "best all-around" they don't normally include pitching ability. The usual guidelines are the five tools (hit, hit with power, run, field, and throw). He certainly could hit and hit with power. His pitching prowess would imply a good arm. I believe he has respectable totals for stolen bases and triples which would imply he had speed as well. I have no idea what kind of fielder he was, but if he played right field he must have been to throw well and be at least decent defensively.

I do know this: If I am building the "all-time all-star" team I am starting with him.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Like it says on his NetShrine entry:

George Herman "Babe" Ruth
1914 - 1935 (Boston AL, New York AL, Boston NL)
Babe Ruth is to baseball
as water is to this planet.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
I do know this: If I am building the "all-time all-star" team I am starting with him.

I may start with Ruth, Cobb and Wagner together. I think Tyrus gets a short shrift because of his era and his "colorful" personality. (Not the Ruth was a boring old sod, but he didn't go into the stands to attack a man with no hands).

[ChicagoDave]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
The usual guidelines are the five tools (hit, hit with power, run, field, and throw)

I understand the usual Five Tool Ranking, but Ruth went beyond the five tools.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by ChicagoDave
Ruth went beyond the five tools.

Since legend has it that he would often bed several woman at one time, he would have needed more than five.

[chrisfostermusi]

Ruth did go into the stands on one occasion to fight a guy who was calling him a bum. The culprit did have hands though.


.... I know one thing. If I didn't have any hands I wouldn't be talking trash to a crazy man.

[KCBOOMER]

Can't object to SmedIndy's comments about the trio of Ruth, Cobb, and Wagner, but if I could only choose one.....

[matt coyne]

While Ruth was one of the best pitchers of his time, he was a much better hitter. Pitchers like Wes Ferrell, Don Newcombe, and Walter Johnson also had remarkable talent with the bat, but nothing like the Babe. I always wondered why he wasn't able to continue pitching while hitting higher in the order.
One day I was perusing the stacks at St. Joseph's University and I found an old book on the Babe. The author claimed that Babe refused to pitch any more, telling Ed Barrow that he no longer had any interest in pitching. He frequently complained about sore arms, leaving Barrow with no choice other than to let him play the outfield.
Intersting story, but I've never read anything else that even remotely supports this story. Has any one?

[ChicagoDave]

Now that was interesting Matt. What would his numbers have been if you did continue pitching as well as hitting.

That would be a dream.

[Duque]

I remember hearing this last year, so I'm not sure if it still applies, but Babe Ruth has more career shutouts than Pedro Martinez.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by Duque
I remember hearing this last year, so I'm not sure if it still applies, but Babe Ruth has more career shutouts than Pedro Martinez.

Most pitchers pitching way back then had a lot of shutouts. There were several 1-0 and 2-0 games. And most everyone finished what they started (and they could, because they didn't throw hard every pitch to every batter).

[gyb13]

Originally posted by Duque
I remember hearing this last year, so I'm not sure if it still applies, but Babe Ruth has more career shutouts than Pedro Martinez.

SmedIndy's point is very valid, but for the record:

Career shutouts (starts)
Ruth 17 (148)
Pedro 15 (229)

[pathogan]

Originally posted by ChicagoDave
I want to open up for discussion Babe Ruth's ability to be an outstanding Pitcher and a outstanding Hitter.

Babe Ruth had several Pitching records when he stop pitching full time. I haven't look this up yet, but I think he held the homerun record while he was still pitching regularly.

My question is this. Has there ever been a player that has even come close to his abilities as a pitcher and hitter, together.

My thought is no. Ruth was the best all around player that has ever played in the Majors! ;)

Dean Chance?

[pathogan]

No player, in any sport, ever so completely dominated and changed the way the game was played as Ruth. He is #1 ,a,b and c.Period.

[ChicagoDave]

I agree!