ESPN top 100 players all time

[mikelink45]

Another posting to pass the CBA lockout time - ESPN tried to rank the top 100 players all-time.   This is a fruitless but fun exercise.  I read all the notes and certainly think that they got a lot wrong - of course that is why these are good lists.  Controversy and debate help make the list into a conversation starter.   Now I do agree that Babe Ruth belongs at number one for hitting, pitching, and changing the game.  I also think that Bonds and Clemens are too high.  Yes they were good before the PEDS stepped in, but they were good at levels below the ranking in this list.  So the question here is who was on the list from the Twins, if any? 

Jim Thome is 98.  He was not here long, but who can forget what he did - he was Cruz before we knew who Cruz was. In two years his line was 266/387/562/- 949 Ages 39 - 40

Paul Molitor is 84.  He played for us the last three years of his career and gave us a slash line of 312/362/432 - 794 not bad for ages 39 - 41

Rod Carew  number 75 is an exception to the first two - he was actually young when he played for us.  In 12 years - his line was 334/393/448 - 841  He was 32 his last year with the Twins 

Harmon Killebrew - number 70 is another player who was with us in his prime.  21 years as a Senator/Twin - 256/376/509 - 884

David Ortiz is 63 - too high for a one dimensional DH - He was with us six years (longer than I thought) 266/348/461 - 809 That line is too good to be cut - I do question Tom Kelly

Steve Carlton 58 is a great pitcher but a questionable Twin 2 years, 1 - 6 8.54 era Aged 41 - 42 and he was done

Dave Winfield 56 played for us when he was 41 and 42 - 264/324/436 - 760 We do like to sign players at the end of their career.

Then we have to go to the old Senators with Walter Johnson at number 9 

What do you think?

[nicksaviking]

I used to like these kinds of things when I was younger. Now sometimes they make me think they're trying to stir up trouble. This one looks fun though.

I was always a huge Winfield fan as he was a local guy and then came back to MN for a late career homecoming, but that's too high. He was really good for a long time, but seldom great. I'd put him behind the six Twins listed lower than him. 

I doubt his ranking ahead of the DHs had much to do with the fact that he played a pretty terrible RF for most of his career; a cynical person might think the ranking had a bit to do with him playing for the Yankees during the prime of his career though.

[glunn]

I think that Harmon should be higher, and Kirby should be on the list.