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RedsManRick · 06-30-2008, 06:58 PM

I know this is politically incorrect of me, but I really dislike seeing Negro League players in lists like this that are explicitly all-time MLB.

Racism was and is wrong in all its manifestations. There are assuredly players in the Negro League which are of commensurate talent as Major League Baseball Hall of Famers. However, that doesn't mean Josh Gibson played major league baseball.

If you want to put together the list of the greatest baseball players of all time, that's great, Negro Leaguers should be included, as should players from Japan and elsewhere, assuming the have merit. But if you're doing something that is by definition a record of MLB, I'm sorry, but Negro Leagues don't count.

Josh Gibson might be the greatest catcher of all-time. But he's not the best catcher in MLB history because he never played in the "Major Leagues". Perhaps it's an argument to broaden the definition of the list rather than for the exclusion of Negro League players. The National Baseball Hall of Fame should certainly enshrine all historically significant baseball players of any league. But there is a distinction and it should not be swept under the rug.

Where is Saduharu Oh?

06-30-2008, 06:58 PM	#7
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,986	Re: MLB historical depth chart I know this is politically incorrect of me, but I really dislike seeing Negro League players in lists like this that are explicitly all-time MLB. Racism was and is wrong in all its manifestations. There are assuredly players in the Negro League which are of commensurate talent as Major League Baseball Hall of Famers. However, that doesn't mean Josh Gibson played major league baseball. If you want to put together the list of the greatest baseball players of all time, that's great, Negro Leaguers should be included, as should players from Japan and elsewhere, assuming the have merit. But if you're doing something that is by definition a record of MLB, I'm sorry, but Negro Leagues don't count. Josh Gibson might be the greatest catcher of all-time. But he's not the best catcher in MLB history because he never played in the "Major Leagues". Perhaps it's an argument to broaden the definition of the list rather than for the exclusion of Negro League players. The National Baseball Hall of Fame should certainly enshrine all historically significant baseball players of any league. But there is a distinction and it should not be swept under the rug. Where is Saduharu Oh? __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance. Last edited by RedsManRick; 06-30-2008 at 07:05 PM.