OT: Where does Miggy Stand?

Submitted by MGoLesher on

Well, if you didn't see Miguel Cabrera's dramatic go-ahead ninth inning homerun tonight, here it is: 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/70087564/v32843503/

I know this is a cheesy radio topic, but where does the back-to-back MVP stand currently amongst the all-time greats? How high can he go by the time he decides to call it quits? I say he has a chance to be among the top three hitters in the history of baseball when it's all said and done. 

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rob f

May 14th, 2014 at 11:43 PM ^

today vs. the Orioles with the bases loaded?  That pitch, a breaking ball over the inner half of the plate, was barely 6 inches off the ground (lower than any of the pitches in your gif) and yet Miggy sharply lined it over the shortstop!

Amazing!

Joined: 11/11/2010

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jrblue

May 14th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^

With their stellar pitching staff, it feels like what could have been if the Lions would have had a Defense back when they had Barry Sanders.  It just seems unfair.

Joined: 09/05/2009

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Yinka Double Dare

May 14th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^

The bias of recency always gets people.  Pujols has been better.  Frank Thomas was better until his girth finally started causing injuries (about age 33). 

Cabrera's still a likely hall of famer (I'll never say certain about anyone anymore until they're in).

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JamieH

May 14th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^

Pujols I'll give you.  7 years of 1.000+ OPS in this era is untouchable by anyone including Miggy.   Thomas is trickier.  Strictly by the numbers, Thomas is incredible.  However he played in an era where his numbers weren't quite THAT incredible for a 1B/DH type.  Heck, he hit 521 homers and never even lead the league once. 

Now, a lot of that was that he played with the roid crew.   So if he was clean playing with all those roided guys, well then he is clearly the most amazing hitters ever.   And maybe thiat is it--end of story.   I mean, you are talking about the guy who is 19th in history in OBP.

If you compare him to his peers though, he isn't quite as amazing, as all kinds of guys were launching 40 homers during his playing days.   I mean, in 1996 he hit 40 home runs and finished EIGHTH in the league.  A lot of guys ahead of him are pretty clear roiders (McGwire, Anderson), others are heavily suspected (Belle, Gonzalez).   So if he was 100% clean, he's truly truly unbelivably great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joined: 09/05/2009

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jethro34

May 14th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^

While Aaron's last three years, after 40, were a bit rough, he still hit 40 HR at age 39 in only 120 games. That's crazy impressive. It seems many guys are wearing down earlier now, but if Miggy can stay healthy enough to sustain it, there's certainly a case to be made for at least the top ten hitters ever.

Joined: 01/28/2011

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taistreetsmyhero

May 14th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^

not named Pujols. I also think that players in general get better as decades progress, so if we are talking about best hitter in terms of a hypothetical team where everyone is still alive and in their prime, I'm not thinking many of the historical players make the cut.

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BLHoke

May 14th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^

There has been so many great hitters over time... I love Miggy and think he is obviously the greatest hitter of THIS generation... But other guys have done similar, if not better things numbers wise, they just couldn't win Triple Crowns because there were so many specialists in different areas... Think about Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr in his prime, Albert Pujols, ARod... Only one of those players was officially linked to Steriods... But when they hit 45-55 HRs, it wasn't good enough because juiced up Sosa and McGuire were threatening 60+ every year... Or Bonds and Pujols couldn't accomplish Triple Crowns with .330-.340 averages because guys like Tony Gwuinn, Todd Helton & Edgar Martinez hit .350 almost every year... Ichiro too... Also, Bonds, ARod and Pujols all may have juiced... But they faced pitchers that were as well and better pitching in general in my estimation. Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling, in his prime Roy Halladay, Johan Santana... Hell, 2 of probably the 10 best starters in baseball never have to throw a pitch to Miggy, and he gets to live off of the stellar staffs that the Twins, Sox, Royals and Indians ship out there year after year.

Top 10 all around hitter of all time? Probably. Best ever? Very arguable.

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Schembo

May 14th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^

Griffey and Thomas made approximately 260 million combined in salary.  Cabrera's contract will put him close to 500 million alone.  It wasn't long ago we were talking about who would be the first 100 million player.  More than likely we'll see a billion dollar player in my lifetime.  Just something to think about when your buying a $7 hot dog at the ballpark.

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