Mike Piazza vs Frank Thomas

[Sockeye]

Who will go down as the better player?

[KCGHOST]

I am of two minds on this one. I think Thomas was much the better player , but I think more people will remember Piazza's career.

[PVNICK]

Toss up. Until this years surge over 500 I would have said Piazza easily. Frank Thomas had that long dry spell and was a DH. Piazza will always show up on lists as the greatest catcher or at least greatest hitting catcher.

[fenrir]

thomas was a dh, piazza was a butcher in the field. ill go with thomas cause he was the better hitter.

[Stray Cat]

Thomas is a slugger, not many of those around anymore.

[BlueBlood]

What about.....

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/5b/5f/9919eb6709a0d66aced62110._AA280_.L.jpg

vs.

http://n64media.ign.com/n64/image/object/002/002276/600887boxart_160w.jpg

[Big_Mac]

ill go with thomas, he was one of the best hitters in baseball from 92 to 97 and had two more MVP-years in 2000 and 2003. imagine what his numbers would have ended up like in 94 if there were no strike. could have been one of the best single seasons ever.

piazza had a longer strech of MVP numbers from 93 to 01, excluding 98. but he didn't dominate his years as much as thomas did his.

piazza's best year was in 97 where he had 40 HR, 124 RBI and an OPS+ of 186. thomas had lots of years similar to that. his best year was 94 imo with 38 HR, 101 RBI and a 212 OPS+ in a short season. He had many years that you can compare to Piazza's best season which make him the more dominate hitter, in my opinion.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

ill go with thomas, he was one of the best hitters in baseball from 92 to 97 and had two more MVP-years in 2000 and 2003. imagine what his numbers would have ended up like in 94 if there were no strike. could have been one of the best single seasons ever.

piazza had a longer strech of MVP numbers from 93 to 01, excluding 98. but he didn't dominate his years as much as thomas did his.

piazza's best year was in 97 where he had 40 HR, 124 RBI and an OPS+ of 186. thomas had lots of years similar to that. his best year was 94 imo with 38 HR, 101 RBI and a 212 OPS+ in a short season. He had many years that you can compare to Piazza's best season which make him the more dominate hitter, in my opinion.

Except that Piazza is a catcher.

[G.Costanza]

Piazza, position and he was more consistnt and clutch:crossfingers:

[redban]

Piazza.

First, Piazza was a catcher. Along with the wear and tear of the position, you don't get as many AB's since you need days-off. Thomas, on the other hand, was a firstbaseman/DH. Not as much wear and tear and more AB's. This enables Thomas to hit more doubles and homeruns, giving him the edge statistically.

Look at both player's statistics. Piazza got about 100-150 less Plate Appearances than Thomas each year because one was a catcher and the other was not.

Also, Piazza played in the National League while Thomas played in the American League. The National League has an almost instant out in the pitcher's spot; The American League does not. That allows for Thomas to get more RBI opportunities.

Lastly, Piazza played in a pitcher's ballpark his entire career.

With all things considered, Piazza was a better player than Frank Thomas.
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[Rich the Giants fan]

While Piazza was very bad at throwing out runners, he was NOT a bad defensive catcher otherwise. That being said, I can't even begin to see how a guy who played more games at DH than in the field (1,311 vs 971) can be called a better player than a guy who played the vast majority of his games behind the plate and is widely considered the greatest hitting catcher ever.

[BigRon]

It's extremely close- the poll should have a too close to call option.

Both were great hitters. I'd give Thomas a small edge there, due to his high plate discipline- lots of walks, super OBAs.

Piazza played a demanding position, and was OK back there- couldn't throw, but was at least adequate otherwise. Overall, an average defensive catcher.

Thomas wasn't very good at 1B, but I always believed he would have been better off had he remained at 1st, at least most of the time. That said, he created absolutely no defensive value for over half his career.

Push comes to shove, I'll put Piazza JUST ahead of Thomas. But, really, too close to call.

[ol' aches and pains]

Thomas wasn't very good at 1B, but I always believed he would have been better off had he remained at 1st, at least most of the time. That said, he created absolutely no defensive value for over half his career...

Actually, Thomas had next to no defensive value at any point in his career. There's a reason he became a full time DH. He couldn't make an accurate throw down to 2nd base to save his life. I think the defense is a wash between him and Piazza, if anything Piazza has the edge.