This is why baseball is so great

[mweb]

I think Cal and Gwynn are going to carry the banner for a long time.

If that's the case:

MJ/Magic/Bird >>> Cal/Gwynn.

[ledzepp8]

Sure they do...There are always going to be greats in every sport that can compare....But in football, it is the "glory positions".

Yep in football everyone remembers QBs, RBs and WRs...but people don't remember any other offensive positions or defensive players. Unless they're like once in a lifetime players like Deion Sander or Reggie White or LT or someone like that.

[MikeAD]

Sorry to go "off topic" but do you think if Ichiro had played his whole career in MLB, he would be darn near "the best" in most categories?

[mweb]

Baseball is the best set up for fans to become attached to the players. In football, only the quarterbacks last past their early 30's for the most part. You can't really single out the individual contributions at a lot of positions. In baseball, when a Hall of Famer retires after a career of 20 years or so, you really feel you know them. Not so true in football.

Baseball also has a way of shining the individual spotlight on players during a game, in a way that is different than the other sports. If Favre has a great game or Kobe Bryant scores 50, you certinaly know it, but it's not like standing in the batter's box, with everyone wondering if you will come though or not.

The vast majority of star football players except for RB last until they're at least 35.

I think for what you're saying, it just depends on what sport you like best.

I think the individual spotlight is typically on superstar basketball players and QB's more so than superstar baseball players.

[TWpj]

Nice thread, was thinking the same thing

[beaner]

I think it's pretty even if we are just talking about star power of former living players. As I've said though, baseball has a few other advantages history wise.

I think Baseball still has a big advantage as far as "living legends" than both NFL and NBA, however in 15-20 years I don't think I'll be able to say the same.

[beaner]

Sorry to go "off topic" but do you think if Ichiro had played his whole career in MLB, he would be darn near "the best" in most categories?

Yes, I do. Almost 2000 hits in 9 years, pretty impressive.

[MikeAD]

Yes, I do. Almost 2000 hits in 9 years, pretty impressive.

Me too, its just so impressive. What a career at such a "late" start and short time.

[mweb]

I think Baseball still has a big advantage as far as "living legends" than both NFL and NBA, however in 15-20 years I don't think I'll be able to say the same.

Put your top 5 living baseball legends up against the basketball and football lists I came up with. Don't see how that would be a big advantage. Maybe if you go deeper, but then again, I don't think your average fan was that excited to see many of those guys tonight. It's not like the fans were going crazy either.

[beaner]

Me too, its just so impressive. What a career at such a "late" start and short time.

Right, he was what, 26 when he started? Makes it even more impressive. Great player.

[waroriole]

If that's the case:

MJ/Magic/Bird >>> Cal/Gwynn.

But the thing with baseball is that while there were alot of great players there tonight, MLB also carries with it the legacies of Ruth, Williams, Cobb, Gehrig etc. In the NBA people have a pretty short memory b/c it's just Bird/Magic/MJ; or those with an even shorter memory Kobe/LeBron/Wade. It seems like the fans of the NBA are less concerned with carrying on that legacy of greatness than MLB. Cal and Gwynn don't have to be the greatest to carry the banner for MLB, b/c they are two of the most respected athletes in sports.

The only way for MLB or NFL to catch up to the legacy of baseball is if MLB goes on hiatus for about 40-50 years.

[Peace21]

This is a good game so far. Loved seeing Halladay and Kazmir learning pitches from Mariano. Thats whats great about baseball.

[mweb]

Sorry to go "off topic" but do you think if Ichiro had played his whole career in MLB, he would be darn near "the best" in most categories?

Other than hits and gold gloves, no.

[J.D.]

And this thread used to be so nice.

[beaner]

Put your top 5 living baseball legends up against the basketball and football lists I came up with. Don't see how that would be a big advantage. Maybe if you go deeper, but then again, I don't think your average fan was that excited to see many of those guys tonight. It's not like the fans were going crazy either.

I'm not talking about top 5, I am going deeper than that. I just think baseball has many many more legends. AS far as top 5, i think you're right, but Baseball just has so many more legends right now.