... to accept that a New York Yankee (Ruth) and a New York - San Francisco Giant (Willie Mays) were two of the three greatest (IMO) players ever. I can live with the third because I have a soft spot for the Boston Red Sox (Ted Williams).

You can make all kinds of arguments in favor of the "greatest" players ever, but I imagine the three I've named would be in everyone's Top Ten list, at least.

I actually rate Mays #1 overall because of his combination of hitting, hitting for power, defense and speed. Oh, the glory days of Mays, Mantle and Snider all playing center field for New York teams!! Spent many an afternoon or evening at Ebbets Field watching Snider and the other Boys of Summer.

Ruth #2 because he excelled at both pitching (was one of the best pitchers of his era before shifting full time to the outfield), hitting and hitting for power. He literally transformed the game of baseball in the 1920's.

Williams #3, but perhaps would have been higher were it not for missing all or most of five seasons to serve in WWII and Korea (he flew 39 combat missions as a pilot in Korea). He missed all of the 1943-45 seasons at the height of his abilities then played in only 43 games in 1952-53. He was probably the best pure hitter of the modern era.

Just for fun, some other Top Ten candidates (in no particular order): Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio & Mickey Mantle (more damn Yankees!), Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby and pitchers Walter Johnson & Christy Mathewson. I know, I know, that makes 12 altogether -- what can I say?

If you want to see what others think, check out the Baseball Almanac list of the 100 Greatest Players ever at:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/lisab100.shtml

Teaser: They list #1 Ruth #2 Gehrig #3 Williams with the Say Hey Kid at #8.

Or The Sporting News Top 100 list at:

http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/100/

Teaser: They say #1 Ruth #2 Mays #3 Cobb with The Splendid Splinter #8.

----- jim o\-S