Posted by: Shawn () on Sun Feb 3 12:23:20 2008

> > I've wondered if it was worth it trying to learn from the old timers. So you think they were as good of hitters as todays players? I don't think so. I know the ptiching was not as strong. Does that mean the hitting wasn't either?
> > Wouldn't you agree that you have to be better today to play in the majors than you did back then?
> > And then the next question... Would yesterday's heroes even make the squads today?
> > Don't get mad, just discussion.
> >

> > > Saw this on another site. Great clips of some old timers. http://wms17.streamhoster.com/firstpick/Science%20of%20hitting.wmv
>
>
> Willy Boy. That's a great clip. That clip is a part of baseball rare films as a part of Ted Williams. But with regard to your topic, the great ones could have played in any era. The only real difference is the advent of weights and year round conditioning.

They would make today's squad, 100% absolutely. If you have looked at their swings/mechanics you would know nothing has changed.

Pitching wasn't as good?? Pitching dominated in the past! There has always been good hitters, HOF guys, but most teams only had few really good hitters. Pitchers could pace themselves through the lineup until they had to bare down on the good ones. They could pitch 9 innings, pitch every 3 days and sometimes 2. This doesn't mean they weren't good pitchers, some of the best of all-time come from the past. Let's not forget that pitchers could do anything to the ball. They often only used 1-3 balls a game and the game ball was turned into a dirty (tobacco spit) dark brown ball.

It really depends on who we are talking about. The game was once about getting on base, moving the runner, and trying to score. Their technique/swing might not have been the same as when Babe come on the scene, then again I've seen some high average hitters with very good technique. When your just trying to get a base hit or a double your technique doesn't have to great.

We have had a large numbers of potential HOF'ers who have played from around 1990 to present. If you look at the stats of say the top 100, you will find out that you know many of them and have seen them play. They are some very good athletes and I think the biggest difference comes from training. There has always been good athletes through any decade, there just have been more of them playing in 90's and the 00's. I believe the driving force behind it is $$$. I'm sure many love the game, but who wouldn't try to be the best for millions of dollars. The guys on the bench make a million.

We could go on and on, but anyways there has always been good/great players (pitching/hitting) and they could play in any decade.