Ok, here's where the fun begins. Here's where I came to this conclusion. I took the next eight players that I thought would round out the Top 10. I plugged all their totals into Excel, and prorated their stats over 162 games (yes, I know that most of these guys didn't play a 162 game schedule, but bear with me).
What I came up with is this: there are only two men of the eight who can vie for the # 3 slot: Ted Williams, and Lou Gehrig. But, if you look at the numbers, there really is only one man for the spot. I know I'm gonna get murdered for this, I know I'm gonna be told, "Put those Yankee pom-poms away," and all that crap, but I'll make my case. That man's name is:
3. Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig. The Iron Horse: Gehrig and Williams' careers can be compared with some ease because they played in almost the same amount of games (2,292 for Ted, and 2,164 for Gehrig). Now here's where the seperation begins:
Stats:
Even though Gehrig played in about 128 less games (almost a full season in those days) than Ted, he blew him away in a lot of categories: he scored 90 more runs than Williams. He has 67 more hits than Williams, slightly more doubles (534 to 525), WAY more triples (163 to 71), are about the same in Home Runs (493 for Gehrig and 521 for Williams), are the same in average (.344 to .340), Slugging (.634 to .632), but Lou has a decided advantage in Total Bases (5,060 to 4,884). Williams only significantly beats Gehrig in two categories: OBP, which Williams is # 1 all-time with a .482 clip, and Lou's lifetime total is .447, and walks, where Williams has about 500 more.
But here's where the seperation is confirmed: RBIs. If you prorate Gehrig's run production over 162 games, he averaged (yes, AVERAGED) 149 RBIs per season. Wow! Williams came in with an impressive 130 clip, too. Gehrig has 156 more RBIs than Williams and played in 128 less games. You can't argue that. Gehrig topped 175 RBIs three times in his career! Just simply unbelivable.
Awards:
Gehrig is a two time MVP ('27 and '36) and won the AL Triple Crown in 1934 with .363, 49, and 165.
Bottom Line:
When Gehrig's stats are prorated, he's the only man (of a list that includes the cream of the crop in baseball history) to project to 200+ hits, 40 Doubles, 12 Triples, 37 Home Runs, 140+ RBI, 100+ Walks, and blows every other man out of the water in Total Bases (379) over 162 games.
You can make an argument that Gehrig batted behind Ruth and then later DiMaggio, and you can tell me that Williams lost five prime seasons because of WWII and the Korean War. They're both valid points, but remember this: Gehrig had to give up baseball with a lot in the tank at age 36, and if you work out the numbers yourself, they will not lie: the 3rd best hitter in baseball history is the Iron Horse, Henry Louis Gehrig.
Oh, and he also played in 2,130 straight games too. Teddy Ballgame and someone else to come tomorrow.
. I'd give you a greenie if I could right now because the research on your list is really amazing. Other than the fact that I dislike the BCS and like to make fun of the Yankee's at every chance...I like your posts, and it's fun to talk baseball with you (as long as I have my stats database handy). Keep up the good work on the top 10, I'll be checking in.