[DaBigManOnCampus]

Here is this interesting thing about the leadoff hitter by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

ESPN.com - MLB - Crasnick: The Starting 9's best leadoff hitters


I think that its important in case of starting the hitting flow on the team, and getting testing their batting plan against the starting pitcher. its really more of contact than getting a true hit, if you can make contact with the ball even when you get out. In case of doing that you can put the best all time, Wagner, Lofton like Crasnick said. So what do you think what's the leadoff hitter's main intangibles, and who is the best at it now and all-time?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by DaBigManOnCampus

Here is this interesting thing about the leadoff hitter by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

ESPN.com - MLB - Crasnick: The Starting 9's best leadoff hitters


I think that its important in case of starting the hitting flow on the team, and getting testing their batting plan against the starting pitcher. its really more of contact than getting a true hit, if you can make contact with the ball even when you get out. In case of doing that you can put the best all time, Wagner, Henderson, Lofton like Crasnick said. So what do you think what's the leadoff hitter's main intangibles, and who is the best at it now and all-time?

The all-time list has to include Pete Rose...though he did not have the speed of the classic hitters, he got on base a lot...and scored often...

Having said that, Henderson has to be at the top as far as I am concern...nothing against the Flying Dutchman Wagner...and Lofton is coming around again...8 steals for the old man this year...

In todays game I take Ichiro hands down...the man has not met a ball he could not put into play...but I got a soft spot for Jimmy Rollins...who has added a bit of power to his game.

[DaBigManOnCampus]

Ill give you Ichiro, he is very resillent in the fact of getting the bat to that part of the plate for contact with the ball and the swing speed to get the contact and run as fast as he does, that takes reaction time... reach and arm strength, cause some of those balls you contact, has to hurt.

Henderson to me was more of a base runner than consistent hitter when I will think about it, if I had him on the team I would put him more of the ninth position than leadoff, rollins is good he is the power of the position, but can still contact the ball when he can...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by DaBigManOnCampus

Ill give you Ichiro, he is very resillent in the fact of getting the bat to that part of the plate for contact with the ball and the swing speed to get the contact and run as fast as he does, that takes reaction time... reach and arm strength, cause some of those balls you contact, has to hurt.

Henderson to me was more of a base runner than consistent hitter when I will think about it, if I had him on the team I would put him more of the ninth position than leadoff, rollins is good he is the power of the position, but can still contact the ball when he can...

You are over looking the ability that Henderson had for drawing a walk...(same as a hit)...2190 career walks!...and a lifetime .401 on base percentage!...couple that with his 1406 steals and 3055 hits...and you got a player who scored close to 2300 runs (2295)...all that rates with the best in the game...certainly as a lead off he had few equals...

[DaBigManOnCampus]

What he is more known for is ability of running the bases, picking up stolens off the bat! getting triples where only doubles is only possible, I mean im not calling him a great leadoff, its the fact that I would use him for something else like ninth batter.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by DaBigManOnCampus

What he is more known for is ability of running the bases, picking up stolens off the bat! getting triples where only doubles is only possible, I mean im not calling him a great leadoff, its the fact that I would use him for something else like ninth batter.

Big Man, I would say you would be in the minority...Henderson unequivocally would be in anyone's top 5 of greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

In fact some consider his 1990 and 1985 season are among the greatest ever for a leadoff hitter...

BaseballEvolution.com - Keith - 10 Best Leadoff Seasons

The man with a lifetime on base percentage of .401 and 1400 steals would be wasted at the 9th spot.

[DaBigManOnCampus]

well, all I can say is...

I was wrong. He is one of the best leadoffs, 1990 changed that....

[Nuke]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Big Man, I would say you would be in the minority...Henderson unequivocally would be in anyone's top 5 of greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

In fact some consider his 1990 and 1985 season are among the greatest ever for a leadoff hitter...

BaseballEvolution.com - Keith - 10 Best Leadoff Seasons

The man with a lifetime on base percentage of .401 and 1400 steals would be wasted at the 9th spot.

Rickey would be my choice for greatest of all times. Always found a way to get on and advance the bases. He was leading off for the Mets while he was in his early to mid 40s!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Nuke

Rickey would be my choice for greatest of all times. Always found a way to get on and advance the bases. He was leading off for the Mets while he was in his early to mid 40s!

See Nuke, that's all I was saying...the ability to get on base and score...that's what you want from a leadoff man...Rickey Henderson had it all...

[MJHMarc]

Rickey Henderson had his strengths and weaknesses.

I believe that David Eckstein and Dave Roberts should be higher up on that list, though.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Rickey Henderson had his strengths and weaknesses.

Not as they related to a leadoff...he got on base, he ran, he scored...high on base percetage, high steal rate, high run scoring rate...that's bascially what you want your leadoff hitter to do.

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

I believe that David Eckstein and Dave Roberts should be higher up on that list, though.

I am not sold on Eckstein...Roberts might move up...he is a fiesty player from North Carolina who has a good grasp of the game... I like him.

[MJHMarc]

You aren't sold on David Eckstein?

He is the World Series MVP.

At least, you could give him some credit for his high.

[DaBigManOnCampus]

has any body ever thought Tim Raines to be a good leadoff?

[MJHMarc]

He was alright, but not one of the best.

[DaBigManOnCampus]

well on crasnick's list, Reyes is No. 1 do you think he is overrated...