Other Crap

Ruth still the best of all time. In context, probably true. "Best of all time" in this case means "best career". Ruth can be challenged by other guys based on hitting alone, or based on peak value only. Bonds's last three years are actually better than Ruth's 1920-22, and are quite a bit better after adjusting for the parks they played in, but the rest of Ruth's career is much better than the rest of Barry's (or the Splinter's), and he was also, at one time, the best left handed pitcher in his league. So how good was Ruth? In the context of his times, having him on your team was about like having Barry Bonds at the plate AND/OR Randy Johnson on the mound. That's pretty damned good.

• The article misses Nap Lajoie, a second baseman who was as good a player as Wagner and Cobb in their era, or slightly earlier. Total Baseball suggests that Lajoie was the best player in baseball in nine separate years, same as Wagner, compared to only four for Cobb. (11 for Ruth)