Okay, we've done every team. Now, starting with the NL East, let's go division-by-division. Greatest player in the history of the current NL East teams?
| Hank Aaron (BSN/MLN/ATL) |  83 (67.48%) |
| Miguel Cabrera (FLA) | 2 (1.63%) |
| Vladimir Guerrero (MON/WSN) | 8 (6.50%) |
| Mike Schmidt (PHI) | 23 (18.70%) |
| Tom Seaver (NYM) | 7 (5.69%) |
123 votes | 6 featured comments
I am personally surprised (and frankly, disappointed) that Guerrero
nipped Raines (27%-26%) in the Expos/Nationals poll, but Bauxites have
spoken, so Vlad gets the place in the divisional round! I really wanted
to vote for Seaver in this poll -- he was a childhood favorite of mine
-- but had to bite the bullet and vote for Hank here. Honestly,
Seaver's probably third on this list ...
The one flaw with this (series) of polls is that the greatest (Team X) player awards are not neccessarily the greatest players in the history of, say, the NL East, etc.
Multi-team players, of course, are the most adversely affected; but even beyond that: your polls for the individual teams said 'greatest Padre' (or whatever), while here it's 'greatest player'. Those are not the same thing.
Multi-team players, of course, are the most adversely affected; but even beyond that: your polls for the individual teams said 'greatest Padre' (or whatever), while here it's 'greatest player'. Those are not the same thing.
So, one of the greatest outfielders (Aaron), the greatest third baseman (Schmidt), or one of the top pitchers (Tom Seaver).
I have to go with Schmidt as there is little dispute he is the best ever at third (A-Rod might have an argument someday, Brett is a clear #2 with Boggs or Matthews third). Aaron was great but Mays, Ruth, Williams, and Bonds have to be viewed as better outfielders.
I have to go with Schmidt as there is little dispute he is the best ever at third (A-Rod might have an argument someday, Brett is a clear #2 with Boggs or Matthews third). Aaron was great but Mays, Ruth, Williams, and Bonds have to be viewed as better outfielders.
It's true, there is nothing remotely scientific about this series of
polls. To offset that issue, I hereby declare that the prize awarded to
the eventual winner in each category shall be increased onehundredfold.
I voted Schmidt as well, and I can't see Rodriguez possibly having an argument as the best 3B of all time, unless he keeps it up for another 12 years at his current level. Schmidt was a gold Glover at third, and just as good a hitter (both have a career OPS+ of 147). I always loved Schmidt as a kid, and I think he's under-appreciated due to his era (low scoring) and the knocks on him at the time (struck out a lot, especially for the era). Rodriguez might be remembered as a better player, but moving positions mid-career cost him any realistic chance at being the considered the best at a particular spot.
Compared to Aaron: Schmidt lead the league in HR 8 times (Aaron 4) won 3 MVPs (Aaron 1), OPS+ 6 times (Aaron 3). Yes, I've cherry-picked some that make him look good, and no offense to Aaron, who will win this poll going away.
Compared to Aaron: Schmidt lead the league in HR 8 times (Aaron 4) won 3 MVPs (Aaron 1), OPS+ 6 times (Aaron 3). Yes, I've cherry-picked some that make him look good, and no offense to Aaron, who will win this poll going away.
Remember this poll?
http://www.battersbox.ca/polls/index.php?qid=claytonfate&aid=-1
Congratulations to the 7 who voted "On another MLB team".