Bob Costas Reveals His ‘Greatest Living Baseball Player’ Candidates | The Rich Eisen Show

Bob Costas and Rich Eisen discuss the passing of Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays and which former or current player can be called the greatest living baseball player.

Showcasing insightful sports expertise with an offbeat mix of humor and pop culture, The Rich Eisen Show attracts the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment.

Subscribe here to keep up with the internet's best sports and pop culture commentary, interviews, and much more!

------ SUBSCRIBE HERE:

FOLLOW US HERE:

#richeisenshow #mlb #baseball

[eandsm]

Could listen to Bob 24/7/365 talk baseball!!!

[thomasarias]

At the time of his retirement, Rickey held the all-time records for Steals, Runs and Walks. He’s still 2nd in walks to Bonds. That fact puts him in the conversation even without his other accolades.

[zachtuesday]

The first 10 years of Pujols’ career is maybe the best 10 year clean hitting stretch in the history of the game

[deucefoAM]

Been saying this about Griffey for years. He is the best 5 tool player ever besides Mays and then Henderson is close. People need to talk about Griffey more as an all-timer.

[snuffyballparks]

I've been in the same Strat League for over 50 years. Never had Bonds or Griffey. Drafted Hendersn (in the SECOND round) when he was a rookie. Best Strat player I ever had. Greatest leadoff hitter ever.

[jaykay]

Ken Griffey, Jr, and I don't think it's particularly close. If he hadn't suffered all those injuries, he would have rewritten the record book. He had the purest swing ever.

[randomname]

Rickey Henderson, George Brett, Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, Greg Maddux.

[MarcoAspaas]

In terms of under-appreciated player talent, Robin Yount tops my list. He was 5 tool, All-Star SS and CF, . Bobby Witt Jr reminds me of him when I see him play. But, growing up in Washington, I'm bias towards Ken Griffey Jr - he had such a sweet swing and went all out tracking down fly balls.

[vambo]

Rose being an All Star at 4 different positions is crazy

[dylanspurlock]

By the numbers I don’t understand how you can’t include Trout in the discussion

[jhmoxl]

kinda crazy, and shows how sometimes we are just too close to it, that Mike Trout wasn't mentioned. He's had a Griffey like slowing of production due to injuries/world events that started younger than Griffey's did but his production was clearly better than any of the others mentioned before that started and he STILL compares really well to them al at the same age.

[MattsYTHandle]

Nolan Ryan I think would be up there somewhere too.

[jaSon]

If we are ignoring all the controversies then it is likely some combo of these names as top 5: Bonds, ARod, Pujols, Clemens, Maddux, Johnson, Schmidt, Henderson. Active players with high WAR per 162 would include Trout(9.3), Mookie(8.2), Judge(7.5), and Kershaw(5.94) but Judge has a much smaller sample than the best of all time players. You could toss in a few others for sure like peak 97-2000 Pedro who averaged like a 10 WAR season in the height of the steroid era as a tiny 5'10" pitcher.

[PhoenixFlamezz]

No one will ever have a sweeter swing, than that of The Kid. He's the only player that I have ever seen that made baseball look easy!

[jamescantatore]

Ryan holds 51 total MLB records, including
5, 714 career strikeouts (next-most is Randy Johnson with 4, 875)
7 career no-hitters (next-most is Sandy Koufax with 4)
Lowest career batting average allowed (minimum 1, 500 innings pitched): .204
12 career 1-hitters, tied with Bob Feller
18 career 2-hitters
31 career 3-hitters
15 200-strikeout seasons
6 300-strikeout seasons

[sdh]

Rickey Henderson would agree that he is an all-timer.

[sonnymacklin]

Rose best contact hitter ever and from both sides of plate. Mantle best power hitter from bot sides of plate. Obvious first choices in a historical fantasy league if you somehow got both. BUT Willie the best. Back in early 50's when they're both centerfielders. Mantle pre knees, he could really run for a paleface. Even he said after his Triple Crown season, '56, "I'm not the best centerfielder in this town." Willie was best, no question. Did everything. When Durocher knew he was our as Giants mgr he told Willie, and Willie lamented, said ' but you won't be here to help me.' Durocher to Willie and Willie alone: "Willie Mays doesn't need ANYBODY'S help!" . ..and what came after...? History...BASEBALL HISTORY

[wvu]

I'm thinking the three biggest contenders are Griffey, Pujols, and Ichiro.

[RRR-oxud]

Cal Ripken Jr. The perfext baseball name.

[joebarr]

I'm very surprised that no commenters here have mentioned Johnny Bench, who is widely regarded as the best catcher ever. Or Mike Schmidt, who is widely regarded as the best third baseman ever.