Most overrated baseball player of all time

A couple of years of aura doesn't compare to more than two decades of it. Comparing Ryan to Bo Belinsky takes some real cred out of your argument. And yes, if people name him as one of the top 10 pitchers of all times, that's a pretty good sign of FAME. And the fucking place is called the Hall of FAME, not the Hall of Stats.

 

Busting on Ripken for "taking" 21 years to reach 3,000 hits is just plain dumb. Nothing like using longevity, a positive stat, as a negative one.

I agree with the people who nominated Gary Carter. Maybe I missed his good years, but he was a major lump later in his career.

 

Striking out a major league hitter is one of the toughest things to do.

Total emasculation of the best hitters in the world. An out wthout the ball being put in play.

It counts a lot to me.

 

are sandy koufax, bob gibson, walter johnson, roger clemens, pedro, carlton, randy johnson, greg maddux and tom seaver better than ryan?

 

Here are twenty pitchers better than Nolan Ryan (in no particular order)

1. Roger Clemens
2. Greg Maddux
3. Tom Seaver
4. Steve Carlton
5. Cy Young
6. Christy Mathewson
7. Bob Feller
8. Warren Spahn
9. Sandy Koufax
10. Bob Gibson
11. Walter Johnson
12. Pete Alexander
13. Randy Johnson
14. Tom Glavine
15. Pedro Martinez
16. Jim Palmer
17. Lefty Grove
18. Robin Roberts
19. Fergie Jenkins
20. Whitey Ford

 

In addition to being sick of stat-heads who have the answer to everything via numbers, I'm also so unbelievably sick of the word, and the argument, "overrated." You know what? You're using concrete details to argue a completely abstract point. It's so god damn useless. I cannot STAND sports people who get off on calling someone overrated. You're right, Nolan Ryan wasn't as good as some people think. But you know what? You're not proving shit. You're standing on a pedestal in the middle of nowhere, arguing some offshoot point that has no pertinence to anything. So sure, go right the fuck ahead and tell me that Nolan Ryan is overrated. You're right. I hope that you can revel in your wisdom.

 

I'll take Ryan over Pedro and Maddux any day.

 

Carter's subtle and career-long self-promotional efforts got him into Cooperstown as much as playing in the Big Apple did.

 

I'd take him over Maddux.

 

an out's an out. i'd rather have an hour-forty-five, 90-pitch greg maddux special in which the defense stays interested and ready, and the hitters can get back in the dugout quickly instead of standing out in the field all day waitinig for a stikeout.

K's are for ESPN. quick, qround-ball outs are for winners.

 

FAME can be created from doing a few things incredibly well while being slightly above average at the rest. FAME can be created by playing in certain media markets. FAME can come from being a media-friendly fan favorite. FAME can come from beating up Robin Ventura or doing commercials.

STATS don't care whether the media liked you or if you made for good video or if your singular amazing talent overshadowed your weaknesses in the eyes of the voters. FAME is based on faded memories and unusual accomplishments. STATS are for guys who are good enough that their supporters don't need to fall back on a "The fans like me! The fans really like and remember me!"

 

then you'd win half the time.