Is Ted Williams the Best Baseball Player to Play for a Last Place Team?
Deciding who the best baseball player is to play for a last place team can be a highly subjective discussion. Traditional metrics and performance often play a key role in evaluating a player's worth. In this article, we explore the merits of several prominent names and delve into their records and achievements. We'll examine the case of the legendary Ted Williams and compare him to other notable players such as
Ted Williams: The "Kid from Column D"
Ted Williams, often hailed as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, had an incredible career with the Boston Red Sox. Although the Red Sox did have some challenging years, including a last-place finish in 1940 and 1965, Williams' talent and impact on the game speak volumes.
Achievements:
Two-time MVP: 1946 and 1949 Six-time batting champion 19-time All-Star Career batting average of .344 521 home runs Hit over .400 in a season once with a batting average of .406 in 1941Mike Trout: A Different Kind of Talent
Mike Trout is widely regarded as one of the best players in current baseball. He plays for the Los Angeles Angels, a team that has faced its fair share of last-place finishes in the AL West. His talent and multiple MVP awards, despite his team's recent struggles, add to the debate of who is the best player to play for a last place team.
Rogers Hornsby: A Legend for Last Place Teams
Rogers Hornsby, a legendary second baseman, played for several last-place teams and had an impressive career batting average of .358. His consistent performances and clutch moments on some of the worst teams in baseball history leave a lasting impact on the conversation.
Barry Bonds and the Pirates
Barry Bonds, while considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time, began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that had its share of last-place finishes in the National League. Bonds' talent and the fact that he was on a last-place team in 1986 makes him a strong contender in this argument.
Steve Carlton: The Undeniable Talent
According to a systematic analysis, Steve Carlton is the best player to play for a last-place team. In 1972, he led the MLB with 12.5 WAR for the last-place Philadelphia Phillies. This was the third-highest WAR season since 1900, comparable only to Pete Alexander in 1920 and Dwight Gooden in 1985. The only notable seasons better than Carlton's were achieved by Babe Ruth in different seasons, both for teams not in the last place.
Justification: While Steve Carlton's 1972 season sets a remarkable standard, it is also important to note that performance metrics like WAR (Win Above Replacement) are not without their limitations. Despite this, Carlton's season for a last-place team stands out, especially given the context that the Phillies were struggling that year.
Conclusion
When considering who the best baseball player is to play for a last place team, the conversation often revolves around Ted Williams and Steve Carlton. While Ted Williams' long and illustrious career with several notable achievements, Steve Carlton's undeniable talent and exceptional season for a struggling team are equally impressive. Ultimately, the debate will likely continue, but as we've seen, there are several deserving candidates to consider.
Related Keywords
baseball player, last place team, Ted Williams