If you had a chance to watch.....

[George H Ruth]

If you had the chance to watch a player you've never seen live for a full regular season who would that player be? Please tell me why you would like to see that player over any other players.

[Minstrel]

Either Babe Ruth or Willie Mays. Babe Ruth just to see his startlingly consistent offensive greatness. It must have been something to see.

Mays because he seems like the most exciting player who ever lived (though, I was priviledged to see Rickey Henderson's career, one guy who might compete with Mays for excitement). His fielding greatness, hitting greatness, baserunning greatness...and all with flash and showiness.

[Brian McKenna]

Without a doubt - Ty Cobb. Every aspect of his game was exciting. Just to see the tension he created while on the base paths would be worth the price of admission.

[Iron Jaw]

Dizzy Dean. I understand he was a very colorful character on and off the mound.

Of course, I started watching baseball as a kid in the 60's, when Diz was calling the games with partner Pee Wee Reese, on CBS. He was a very colorful broadcaster, that's for sure.

[bob]

Id go watch Micky Mantle in his prime, or Ted Williams. And of course id stop by to see Babe in the 20's, who wouldnt?

[George H Ruth]

My grandfather had the privilege to watch the Great Babe Ruth over 30 times in his life. He told me so many stories about the Babe and I would love to see Babe Ruth play for a full season. Just to see him hit one of his home runs would be priceless, just to see how far they really go. He was also a colorful character so I'd like to see how he acted while playing baseball.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I would start with the 19th century players just to see how different the game was played.

[KHenry14]

I can't choose one...

Cobb---we have no equivalent in modern ball who played with his ferocity

Ruth---Just to see one of those balls launced into a new Yankee Stadium

Mathewson--to see my Grandfather's favorite break off a "fadeaway"

Smoky Joe Wood--to see Joe in 1912 when he was on top of the world

[Proctor, CF]

Because it's Old World ball at its most magnificent, with virtually none of it on film, I'd love to see Cobb in 1908 - both to jeer him and applaud him. The benefits of seeing him in the amazing season of Aught-Eight would be many. I'd get to witness not only "Crazy '08", but also see Crawford, Walsh, Joss & Young (not the law firm - the ballplayers) all fighting their way to the pennant. Maybe I could even sneak away for the historic October 2nd pitching duel between Walsh & Joss.

Plus, when the Tigers head to New York, I could go see Mugs McGraw & Mathewson, preferably when Wagner's in town! (The ballplayer, not the BBF poster:cap:)

[Victory Faust]

No question: Ty Cobb. I'd like to see how in the heck someone could score from first base on an infield out, and all the other antics he pulled off.

Sure, Babe Ruth slammed monster home runs, but we've seen that before. I'm not sure there's ever been anyone who played the game quite like Tyrus.

[BenHertz]

Not Jackie Robinson, LET ME FINISH! It would be too heart breaking to watch him play with a lot of people booing and yelling at him. He was a great ball player and great man.

I guess my answer would be my grandfather. He never played in the major leagues, but it would be nice to watch him play during his baseball days. It would be a fun family history lesson. He was a pitcher and infielder (I think either 1B or 3B).

Sorry for my sappy answer. http://youtube.com/watch?v=3XS2UtAlmX4

If it's just among the pros, probably Ted Williams. "Ted Williams was what John Wayne would have liked us to think he was." - Robert Lipsyte (http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/williams_ted_obit.html)

[Bill Burgess]

Just so, so, many. For example . . .

Cobb - To see the excitement he generated on the bases. The chutzpah, the trash-talking. To see if he really disrupted the opposition.

Walter Johnson - To see his speed.

Joe Jackson - To see his swing.

Satchel Paige - His domination of his hitters.

Matty - His overall control.

Wagner - His fielding.

And I'd love to see the following, based on their overall mastery of the game: Buck Ewing, George Sisler, Eddie Collins, John 'Pop' Lloyd, Biz Mackey, Oscar Charleston.

And I'd love to see Rube Waddell, just to have fun!

[futurehalloffamer]

I wish I had been alive in 1972 to watch Steve Carlton have his miracle season.

[CTaka]

Like others, I couldn't limit it to just one player. My choices have been mentioned before:

Cobb- I saw Rickey Henderson play; I'd want to see if Cobb was a greater force on the bases than Rickey or not.

Walter Johnson - to see how fast he threw.

Honus Wagner - because I did see Willie Mays play; I'd want to see if Wagner was a more complete player than Mays or not.

The Babe - because he was the Babe.

And I'd love to watch some 19th century baseball to see how different the game was and where it wasn't.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Ruth---Just to see one of those balls launced into a new Yankee Stadium



That's what 90% of the fans came there to see. But imagine you going to see that, but instead you see him lace two singles to left, and lay down a push bunt before stealing second, and in the next inning he makes a great catch and throws a guy out at home. You might go home upset. That's the pressure he dealt with day in and day out, knowing what everyone came to see and expect. We'll never understand.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

At least these two Ruth and Cobb, two who could just about beat you by themselves.
Ruth who could thrill by watching one of his bombs. Seemed to always live up to his billing.

Ty, doing all those little things, the thinking mans player. Always thinking, trying to get the slightest edge, trying to upset the other team, and doing it.

[Bill Burgess]

Ruth - I should not have omitted him. But not just to see him launch a monster moon-shot. I wish I had been there to feel for myself the excitement he created in the ballpark. I'd want to feel the personal aura of charisma, magnetism.

And his homers were not just homers, but beautiful shots. The trajectory of watching a baseball sailing so high, wide and handsome, seeming to hang suspended, and float out of one's vision. Few could launch one that actually disappeared from one's sight completely.

But I agree with Randy. Ruth was in such an impossible position. If he didn't do that, but merely played fantastic baseball, or demonstrated his many excellent small ball skills, he was sometimes actually booed for disappointing the 'shallow' fans. He was trapped by his fame into trying to go for bad balls, just to entertain those who couldn't appreciate all his gifts, including his finesse. He must have felt frustrated a lot.

That never happened to anyone else. One of the most unjust burdens ever put on a player. I agree with Randy. Babe just couldn't win with some fans.

[RuthMayBond]

That's what 90% of the fans came there to see. But imagine you going to see that, but instead you see him lace two singles to left, and lay down a push bunt before stealing second, and in the next inning he makes a great catch and throws a guy out at home. You might go home upset. That's the pressure he dealt with day in and day out, knowing what everyone came to see and expect. We'll never understand.:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I'd pick the Bambino, get season tix to the Yanks, and be out there in the RF bleachers with my mitt . . .
. . . duking it out with Sultan_1895-1948
:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[whoisonit]

If you had the chance to watch a player you've never seen live for a full regular season who would that player be? Please tell me why you would like to see that player over any other players.

Babe Ruth, 1927. That would mean of course, I'd have the privledge of seeing Gehrig and the whole Murders Row. Pure joy. Ruth I would just have to see, no explanation needed. Unfortunately, to do this, I'd have to live in 1927 also. No AC. No dental hygene. No deoderant. But still, the chance to see these players in life & in their prime, rather than merely reading about them as if they were story book creations trumps all.
I would also be fascinated by how the crowds at YS reacted to Ruth and the rest of the team on a day to day basis. Were they impatient, surly, adoring, forgiving, knowledgable ? For me, this would be the most interesting part of the journey.

Do I at least get to travel back with air-freshener and a tube of crest ?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Very nice post, Ben. Welcome.

I'm a native Detroiter, so it would have to be Cobb for me. For not living in the Detroit area, he was around quite a bit after he had retired. My clubhouse kid father remembers him as really being quite the presence when he was around.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I dream about this one event, the home run in the 1932 World Series with the Cubs. Imagine the luckiest ones, sitting by the Cub's dugout and actually hearing some their taunts, hearing Ruth hurling back insults and then the home run.

[dgarza]

I would have liked to have seen the 1st guy to whiff at the 1st ever really good curveball.

[KCGHOST]

Either the Babe or the Dutchman. Hornsby or Cobb wouldn't be bad either.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I dream about this one event, the home run in the 1932 World Series with the Cubs. Imagine the luckiest ones, sitting by the Cub's dugout and actually hearing some their taunts, hearing Ruth hurling back insults and then the home run.

That one came up to my mind too. Just to see if this alleged called shot is true or not.

Besideds that, I would like to see how early baseball was played in the Netherlands, around 1913-1920.

[yanks0714]

Going back to my youth and watch Willie Mays play an entire season. I saw him plenty and will never forget him.

Mickey as well. whe he was in his heyday in the 50's before his body started giving out.

Old timers, Cobb and Ruth for sure. But I'd love to watch Honus Wagner for an entire season. See how good he really was. Make my own judgement.

No question, watch Dizzy Dean pitch and follow his antics on a daily basis.

[Proctor, CF]

Babe Ruth, 1927. That would mean of course, I'd have the privledge of seeing Gehrig and the whole Murders Row. Pure joy. Ruth I would just have to see, no explanation needed. Unfortunately, to do this, I'd have to live in 1927 also. No AC. No dental hygene. No deoderant. But still, the chance to see these players in life & in their prime, rather than merely reading about them as if they were story book creations trumps all.
I would also be fascinated by how the crowds at YS reacted to Ruth and the rest of the team on a day to day basis. Were they impatient, surly, adoring, forgiving, knowledgable ? For me, this would be the most interesting part of the journey.

Do I at least get to travel back with air-freshener and a tube of crest ?

I had completely overlooked the fact that in 1908 there was no AC, dental hygiene or deodorent. In light of this powerful new and material evidence, I humbly amend my earlier answer (wishing to see the great Ty Cobb in '08). To be on the safe side, I have decided to skip [quickly] by the heavily perspiring Pinstripers of Murderers Row and orthodontically-challenged Yankees of '39 - deciding, instead, to follow one of the better groomed players of the 1994 season. The shortened season would also allow for cleaner uniforms and stadium restrooms throughout the league. Let's see, there was Billy Bean ... or, Brady Anderson. How about Oil Can Boyd - he looked pretty slick on Dancing with the Stars, with the even better looking Lidan Liu?

[rsuriyop]

King Kelly, because there was nobody cooler nor as rugged to have ever graced the field.

[steelcurtain76]

Rube Waddell. Hopefully, a fire truck would go roaring by as he is on the mound. Seriously, this guy has always facinated me. Such a tremendous talent...but what was really medically wrong with him?

[soberdennis]

I would love to see any of the old HOFers.
Ruth would of course be at the top of my list. He was such a presence.
If there was one game I would have loved to have been at, it would be Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. Not for the game of course. But to see and hear Gehrig say he was the luckiest man on Earth would have been special. I also would love to have had the chance to see him play.
I also would have loved to see many of the Negro Leaguers. Did Gibson really hit the ball as far as they say? Was Paige the dominant pitcher he is claimed to have been? Was Bell really that fast?
Cobb, Wagner, Foxx, Grove, Johnson, Williams, and Dimaggio also come to mind.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I also would like to go back to the ages of the "Belle Epoque" (1900-1914), to minor league towns in special. Just to see how people in those towns experienced baseball.

I have read an article by Jim Tocco on baseball in Montgomery in those days. When opening day arrived, a big parade was held. It was just like circus was coming to town. I have seen a moving picture on Youtube that shows the same. I just would like to experience that myself.

[Bill Burgess]

Rube Waddell. Hopefully, a fire truck would go roaring by as he is on the mound. Seriously, this guy has always facinated me. Such a tremendous talent...but what was really medically wrong with him?
He was most probably a high-functioning autistic.

[steelcurtain76]

Here are some things I would like to do:

1. Talk baseball with John McGraw
2. Put a bug in the room where the 1919 White Sox players secretely met.
3. Go to church with Christy Matthewson
4. Attend the first game ever played at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Ebbets Field, and Tiger Stadium.
5. Go "sight-seeing" with Mo Berg in his "tour" of Japan.
6. Put a radar gun on Walter Johnson, Joe Wood, Bob Feller, and Satchiel Paige.
7. Talk with Judge Landis about integrating baseball much earlier than they did.
8. See a 110 meter race between Ty Cobb and Cool Papa Bell.
9. See a pitching duel between Matthewson and Walter Johnson
10. Have dinner with the Gehrig's and the Ruth's...at the same time.
11. Meet Rube Waddell

[Bill Burgess]

Here are some things I would like to do:

1. Talk baseball with John McGraw
2. Put a bug in the room where the 1919 White Sox players secretely met.
3. Go to church with Christy Matthewson
4. Attend the first game ever played at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Ebbets Field, and Tiger Stadium.
5. Go "sight-seeing" with Mo Berg in his "tour" of Japan.
6. Put a radar gun on Walter Johnson, Joe Wood, Bob Feller, and Satchiel Paige.
7. Talk with Judge Landis about integrating baseball much earlier than they did.
8. See a 110 meter race between Ty Cobb and Cool Papa Bell.
9. See a pitching duel between Matthewson and Walter Johnson
10. Have dinner with the Gehrig's and the Ruth's...at the same time.
11. Meet Rube Waddell
Wow. I like the way you're thinking. Wouldn't mind doing all those things myself! Also would have liked to see Negro L./19th Century games to see the level they were playing for myself.

[Blackout]

Babe Ruth 1920, he'd be getting onbase 53% of the time and slugging balls at a rate of .847 bases per at-bat.


and Bob Gibson 1968.

[Blackout]

Wow. I like the way you're thinking. Wouldn't mind doing all those things myself! Also would have liked to see Negro L./19th Century games to see the level they were playing for myself.

hey Bill, I interviewed Coach John Winkin for a good 60 minutes and asked him what it was like seeing Satchell Paige pitch to Josh Gibson

he said Gibson was the real deal (not that we didn't know that already).

[Bill Burgess]

hey Bill, I interviewed Coach John Winkin for a good 60 minutes and asked him what it was like seeing Satchel Paige pitch to Josh Gibson

he said Gibson was the real deal (not that we didn't know that already).
Yeah, it's fun to fantasize where Josh would have ranked if he had been a great slugging catcher in the majors. Would have forced people to think real hard.

[Pete Rose Rounding Third]

What would I like to see?

- Alfredo Griffin on the basepaths. Bill James said he personally witnessed AG score from second on a grounder to second, and he passed along anecdotal evidence by others that suggests Griffin was one of the rarest of baserunning phenoms in history.

- Tape measure shots by the Babe and Mantle

- Rabbit Maranville, again on a tip from Bill James. Said that Maranville would pull all sorts of showboating pranks in games.

- Mark Fidrych at the top of his game. Ditto JR Richard.

- Sam Rice's controversial catch in the World Series. I can't imagine what the discussion would be like if it happened in 2008.

- A season in Brooklyn during the early '50's. It seems like the best time and place to be a baseball fan.

[hairmetalfreek]

Like so many others, I don't think it's possible to limit it to just one player. Babe Ruth, Josh Gibson, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige...all would have been great to watch. There are few players today that I pay special attention to (Griffey being at the forefront of those). I was fortunate to see Pete Rose a couple of times late in his career, but was really too young to understand or appreciate the significance.

[EdTarbusz]

He was most probably a high-functioning autistic.

I don't think that Waddell was autistic, but was mildly retarded. I've worked with kids who have IQs in the 60s and many of their behaviors are similar to behaviors that I've read about in Waddell.

[Bill Burgess]

I don't think that Waddell was autistic, but was mildly retarded. I've worked with kids who have IQs in the 60s and many of their behaviors are similar to behaviors that I've read about in Waddell.
But isn't autism a form of mental retardation?

[EdTarbusz]

But isn't autism a form of mental retardation?

Autism and mental retardation can appear togehter in the same person, but they are not the same thing. Mental retardation is related to IQ and autism is mainly related to defincentcies in communication and social skills.

[dgarza]

I would have loved to watch Chris Chambliss run the bases after his 1976 playoff HR. I mean I would have loved to watch it while being in that mob on the field!