You're doubtlessly aware of Joe Morgan's credentials as an annoyer of baseball fans from coast to coast. It comes with the territory of maintaining positions that are indefensible in the face of actual facts. It's also probably not much of a surprise to you that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has the propensity to come unhinged from time to time. Predictably, sparks flew when the two men met over the weekend in Detroit. Morgan took issue with Guillen's statement that Ivan Rodriguez and Roberto Alomar were the best players to come out of Puerto Rico. Morgan argued in favor of Roberto Clemente and off they went.
Morgan told Guillen he was "crazy,'' starting a series of "FU's'' from Guillen..."The problem is these old guys think that none of the players now are better than back then,'' Guillen said. He then sighted (sic) an example, bringing up how Babe Ruth was fat and out of shape, but yet was a dominant hitter and pitcher back in "the old days.'' "Babe Ruth couldn't even play now,'' Guillen insisted.That sickening feeling rolling over your body is the realization that Joe Morgan is right. Clemente was a better player than either Pudge or Alomar and Guillen's entire rationale is skewed. You can't argue "back in my day" is wrong when the basis for your entire argument is that none of the players back then are as good as the players now.
(H/T With Leather)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-07-2008 @ 1:57PM
Johnny said...
Awesomest headline of like forever!
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4-07-2008 @ 2:57PM
LB said...
It always depends on the context. Todays athletes are better because of better nutrition, training weightlifting, etc. You can only compare people to their own time.
Babe Ruth was 6'2 215 pounds. Bill Russell was 6"9 and 215 pounds. Back then that was huge now they both would be average height. The only real question is if they had the same advantages that today's players had how good would they be.
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4-08-2008 @ 12:23AM
71Champs said...
Watch the grainy footage of Clemente throwing out Merv Rettenmund at 3rd from deep right in the '71 Series and you'll believe Morgan. Some of "the old ones" really were that good.
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4-07-2008 @ 4:46PM
jsanta000 said...
Both the columnist and Morgan are wrong. YES Clemente was the best player to come out of PR in his time and until this day in my eyes is second to rodriguez. All around Pudge has proven to be the most consistent catcher in the game today and ever. No one has put up number defensively that compare to pudge. Nonetheless, Clemente is argueably the best at his position with a few other very close if not a bit better. In the end, the arguement is worthless just because you cannot compare the three. Different positions, different times. All in all, Pudge will go down as the best catcher to ever play the game, you cannot say the same for the other two.
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