I see that argument made all the time but it doesn't make sense. The talent pool was far deeper relatively during the segregation era simply because baseball and boxing were the only professional sports. And only the most deperate people wanted to get their brains beaten in.

Sure, 10% of the population was excluded from playing, but the athletes among the remaining 90% all played baseball. There may be a Babe Ruth out there today who is playing football or riding a skateboard. In 1930 those weren't options.

Anyway, regardless of steroids, MLB has sapped the importance of the records by fucking around with the baseballs. Like in last year's corn game when they used superballs. Are you really confident that Judge hasn't been getting served special rabbit balls during the last couple weeks? I don't know how you could be.

Sure, some athletes would be great at baseball but chose to play another sport. There were guys back then who were plumbers or working for the mob because they could make more money doing those things. Every era had their talent pool diluted.

Bonds is the greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen and it’s not all that close.

I find the argument that segregation-era records shouldn't be questioned because a higher percentage of white people during that time wanted to play pro ball than they do today to be curious at best.

Bonds is the greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen and it’s not all that close.

Ken Griffey Jr. would like a word with you.

It's an idiotic argument. The National League MVPs of the fifties and All Star lineups of the sixties show just how devoid of talent MLB had been prior to 1947.

You're right. Black people are better at baseball. When did you become such a dumbass?

Nah, he spent 10+ years either injured, old or bad.

I thought Bonds was better than Jr before steroids, Jr just had better marketing. I am also not sure Jr wasn't taking steroids based on his laundry list of injuries.

Shohei Ohtani just had arguably the greatest season in the history of the game, and he has no chance to win MVP.

I find the argument that segregation-era records shouldn't be questioned because a higher percentage of white people during that time wanted to play pro ball than they do today to be curious at best.

Why? Surely you aren't suggesting that darker skin makes you a superior baseball player. If a greater percentage of the population is competing in a particular pursuit, that necessarily makes excelling a greater accomplishment, doesn't it?

There's a reason the 50s were a golden age for baseball. Baseball was still basically the only professional sport to aspire to AND it was open to black players.

Why? Because a competition--and the records attained during that competition--cannot be considered beyond reproach if 10% of potential competitors are arbitrarily excluded from participating in it.

Why? Because a competition--and the records attained during that competition--cannot be considered beyond reproach if 10% of potential competitors are arbitrarily excluded from participating in it.

Why? Because a competition--and the records attained during that competition--cannot be considered beyond reproach if 10% of potential competitors are arbitrarily excluded from participating in it.

Ted Williams batted .406 with a .553 OBP and slugged .735 and didn't win the MVP.

That's insane.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/awar ... 1941.shtml