Favorite All-Time Tool?
by aap212 on Jul 3, 2009 4:44 PM EDT
83 comments
For a bunch of dyed in the wool baseball nerds, I figure this should be a fun conversation. What's your favorite all-time individual tool on a particular player? There's no right or wrong answer, but in many cases, I'm sure there's a story behind it. Tony Gwynn's hit tool? Clemente's arm? I'm especially interested in guys that aren't hall of famers or even superstars, but had that one insane ability. And it has to be someone you saw/see. I, for one, am certain I'll tell my grandkids about Vlad's plate coverage. But it can also be on the other end of the spectrum, like Mackey Sasser's arm or the most astonishingly/endearingly slow player you've ever seen. There's no right or wrong answer. Go!
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-Stephen Colbert
by Conjunction on Jul 3, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This has always been a favorite of mine
Bonds’ plate discipline. If you want one of the five tools, then Willie Mays’ glove.
Chris Dominguez: Bringing dingerz back to The Bay (In a while)
by CB30 on Jul 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vinny Mazzaro Dislikes This.
Hey guys, I run a music blog. alternative, powerpop, punk, electronica, screamo, etc etc, check it out. http://muzikdizcovery.blogspot.com/ artist interviews and many other stuff. free cookies! (not really, but still) :D
by cwhitman412 on Jul 3, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But does Van?
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 5, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And after reading post
Ricky Henderson’s ability to get a lead and jump off the pitcher. They knew he was going, but couldn’t stop it.
by smoooooth on Jul 3, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tim Lincecum's Cloning Ability
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf02Sq2WZlM
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jul 3, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tim Lincecum's...
delivery. Even though it really isn’t considered a tool.
by joegonzo on Jul 3, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Jackson’s decrepit, inactive weiner.
by Frederick0220 on Jul 3, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Richie Sexson's Tackling a Rangers Pitcher
is the best and most memorable skill I will see ever in a baseball game I think.
For tools, I’ll second Gathrights ungodly legs giving him speed and jump skills. The secret to the commercial of Kobe jumping the car is that it was actually Gathright
by tdot mariner fan on Jul 3, 2009 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a pretty tough question really. Bonds’ plate discipline is pretty good. Nobody mentioned Ruth’s power which, in context of the era, is just so impressive. Clemente’s arm was wicked to but hard to remember if it is even the best I’ve seen. Ted Williams contact ability is pretty impressive as well. Henderson’s base running ability definitely stands out as well. As far as Gathright, I was always amazed with Bo pretty much every time he took the field in terms of athletic ability.
I can’t really put my finger on one thing but I think the serious replies will be pretty interesting.
by jfish26101 on Jul 3, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
on a serious note
Maddux’s fastball command
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jul 3, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maddux’s command, period.
Prospective parent of new pick, Zack Wheeler. Projectable Righty stolen from the braves. Of course, I stalk my son's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zackwheelerbaseball
"Obviously I’m not doing things like going toe-to-toe with a ninja. Find me a ninja, for one."--Brian Wilson
by haverecords on Jul 4, 2009 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glenallen Hill
His raw strength. I was watching the game when he broke his bat on a check swing. And in another game he hit a ball onto one of the rooftops overlooking left field at Wrigley.
by RJB7 on Jul 3, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bengie Molina's speed
Awaiting his arrival in SF: Jesse English
by henwo on Jul 3, 2009 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
on that note
Bengie Molina’s ability to take a walk
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jul 3, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
better than Miguel Olivo's
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jul 3, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eric Gagne's ability to change speeds
At his best there was almost a 25 mph difference between his fastball and his change.
The Dodgers won't win a playoff series until the Cool-a-Coo returns.
by mckeeno on Jul 3, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ironically enough
that’s the same difference between his steroid fastball and non-steroid fastball
by joltinjoe on Jul 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Favorite all time tool?
Fred Phelps, everybody knows he’s a tool, but nobody really takes him seriously. Plus I don’t live in Topeka so I don’t have to deal with him on a weekly basis.
Good luck with him, John. Lawrence isn’t too far from Topeka.
Mourning Guy Carbonneau...
Royals obscure player to watch in ST: Lenny DiNardo
by playingwithfire on Jul 3, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My favorite Phelps fact
is that during the 60s, he did some cases for the NAACP. Even now, when he goes after everybody from gays to the Swedes, he never mentions blacks.
It just goes to show that even a raging, evil bigot can actually do something decent once in a lifetime.
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 5, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of mine...
Jesse Barfield’s arm
Roberto Alomar’s range
Devon White’s range
Dave Stieb’s ability to snap at his fielders
Yep, I am a Jay’s fan for sure.
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift
by King Billy Royal on Jul 3, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I...
was going to mention Alomar’s range, actually. I knew nothing about stats back then, but as a 10-11 year old during the 1992-93 run, I was pretty certain that there was no better all-around player in baseball, and this comes from a kid who grew up in Seattle with Griffey (before I’m flamed: I’m fully aware Alomar wasn’t the best player in baseball).
by slamcactus on Jul 7, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Favorite all time tool
Billy Zabka
by thefordhamflash on Jul 4, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
The “must be take a worm for a walk week!” guy is pretty good too though.
by Flynn Blake on Jul 4, 2009 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Derek Jeter's Clutchness
I would have also settled for his leadership abilities. He has 4 rings, ya know.
by JayWise on Jul 4, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
David Eckstein's
Grittyness
I am beginning to lose patience
With my personal relations.
They are not deep
And they are not cheap.
W.H. Auden
by jimduquettesucked on Jul 4, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RP-Atonio Alfonseca's hands
all 12 fingers in all of them.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 4, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
I love how nobody’s taking this seriously. In that vein: Cecil Fielder’s appetite.
by demondeaconsbaseball on Jul 5, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, those back flips.
"I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?"
by maxisagod on Jul 5, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar's hitting for average
used to be a real pleasure to watch that guy hit.
by alskor on Jul 5, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
seriously....
Ichiro’s arm—not because it is necessarily the best, just that the first time I saw him throw the ball I didn’t expect this small slap hitting OF from Japan to have such a cannon.
by DenverBears on Jul 5, 2009 6:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pulling up that video of him gunning down Terrence Long at third would be great.
I can’t find it though.
by PissedMick on Jul 5, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure the video is out there still
But when Bo Jackson was with the White Sox, he threw a guy out at third from right field. Bo was about 30 feet from the wall in right and was FLAT FOOTED and threw out the runner tagging from second. I don’t know who has the better/stronger/more accurate arm, but that’s the most amazing throw I’ve ever seen.
by thejd44 on Jul 5, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, so my memory was a little foggy
I exaggerated some. He’s a bit more than 30 feet from the wall, and he does take one step to throw.
Either way, the video can be found here: http://www.psslbaseball.com/video/plays91.rm
It’s the 4th best play of the year in that video.
by thejd44 on Jul 5, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For you Twins fans
Punto’s gamerness or Puntos Grinding it out ability.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
by halfchest on Jul 5, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Punto's head first slides into first base on a bunt.
by JopeX37 on Jul 6, 2009 3:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Mauer's Eyes
(at the plate)
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 6, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My serious answer
John Olerud’s eyes/onbase/etc. Whatever you’d call it, I always loved his ability to control the strike zone (and that really smooth swing ).
by JayWise on Jul 5, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good call
He shouldn’t be a hall of famer, but he’s a LOT closer than people give him credit for.
by aap212 on Jul 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's closer than Jim Rice
no wait…
"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."
by Evan_S on Jul 6, 2009 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about his ability to wear a helmet in the field?
Always loved to see Olerud with his helmet on out there, he was a spectacular fielder as well
If he’s on the 2000 Mets, we win the World Series.
"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."
by Evan_S on Jul 6, 2009 6:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Sewell's contact ability
look it up
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
www.27ClubPeak.blogspot.com
by harendaman365 on Jul 6, 2009 10:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
also, lowest K rate of all time
by a wide margin.
Additionally, claimed to have used one bat his entire career. Which shows you how good he was at making good contact
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
www.27ClubPeak.blogspot.com
by harendaman365 on Jul 7, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kyle Farnsworth's...
…BRAWLING abilities. Starting ’em, controlling them, you name it. Really his only tool…
by valley on Jul 6, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
jeremy affeldt endorses this
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jul 6, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answer,,
The bat of Ted Williams and Ricky Henderson’s speed. Johnny Bench’s catching ability is up there too as he completely changed the way the position is played.
by Havok1517 on Jul 7, 2009 1:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ruben Rivera's baserunning ability
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFJlT2ic1uw
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jul 7, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Never saw him play, but...
Joe D’s hit tool has to be up there. I mean the guy struck out like 369 times in his career while hitting 361 homers. That’s incredible.
by rglass44 on Jul 7, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mine...
Griffey wins for swing and gets my personal vote as a hometown favorite, but of the classic 5 scouting tools, it’s Frank Thomas’s power.
by slamcactus on Jul 7, 2009 10:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Randy Johnson's (pest) control
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxeGkPeR90
I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet
by YakAttack on Jul 8, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Im only 23 so i cant go back as far as some of you guys and accordingly this list is heavily weighted toward todays players(no disrespect for the older guys but it said only people youve seen) Im doing this without looking up stats and just going on my own impressions.
Hit tool-pujols
power-Mcgwire
glove infield-Vizquel or rey ordonez
Glove Outfield-Young andruw jones
Defensive catcher-Pudge
Arm outfield-ichiro
Arm Infield-Rey ordonez or furcal
speed-jose reyes(im really only counting guys who make use of it)
by CDFAN on Jul 8, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
....make use of speed
how about Brett Gardner? He is blazing Fast no doubt, and I think his speed is still underrated.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 8, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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