[DocHalladay]

On the flip-side, how do we know how good Cal Ripken, Jr. would have been nearly a century ago?

While there are countless difficulties with comparing players across generations, there is, in my opinion, plenty of differing circumstances that essentially offset each other, making players ultimately comparable. While Ripken had to travel around the country to play his games, Wagner did not have the benefit of any sort of over-the-counter pain killer.

[statimagician]

I personnaly beleive it is Cal Ripken Jr.
He was a nice and charitable guy
Great fielder and his power and average numbers do not lie

Statimagician baseball, fantasy baseball, stratomatic

[Kyle Man]

Well, let's say since the 60's.... then it'd be Ripken.

We'll go with Honus for pre 1960ish

[afcollector]

Hard to say. I think that some players are too good to be compared with the rest, those players are the best, finding the best in that small group is difficult, I think that the best will we one for me and a different one for other persons, it depends on the style preferences of each person.

Regards

[JollyDodger]

Guys, its not like Honus Wagner was just "good", he was epic.

8 batting titles
Most total bases 6 times
Most stolen bases 5 times
Highest SLG% 6 times

Yes, it was against lesser competition, but he is also had the best season ever in terms of Win Shares (59). It's not like he's a little better than Ripken, Smith, etc.....its by a wide chasm. Not even close.