Mark70Z

38 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

I've really only seen highlights of Smith, but they *are* impressive highlights - also, advanced metrics have him as arguably the best ever. What did you think of my hypothesis that Robinson made Belanger and Aparicio better than they would have been? I think it's a novel idea, and it's awfully coincidental that he had two such highly touted shortstops.

Darn it, I wish people would realize just how alien-like Robinson was - people have forgotten, and judge him by his appearance. I think he had the quickest reflexes of anyone I've ever seen, in any sport (maybe professional table tennis players are just as quick).

Well, I think Robinson’s defense gave them less chances/opportunities and they didn’t need to have a lot of range even though they did.  Belanger was a great position player; kinda like Brooks in that he knew where to position himself and they consistently communicated with each other.  

I don’t think people have forgotten, but never really knew how great he was as an all around player.  The ones who’ve seen him play knew he was the best ever and his teammates agree.  He also passes not only the eye test, but the stat test.  I truly hate reading modern articles on the greatest third baseman and place players up there and they weren’t even that good at 3rd.  

8 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Oof, this one took a lot out of me, Mark - I will put your quotes in, though. I put in Boswell's article at the last minute (it's actually better to read here than on TalkNats, because you can expand the photos).

I'll just be happy if he eventually knows the piece exists. Thank you for reading it - you're probably one of about five people who has.

If anyone wanted to rank the top 3 defensive players: Smith, Mays, Robinson, in any order, they'd get no argument from me - Boswell said that Mays could pretty much perform miracles; I only saw him at the end of his career (although I did see him in person!)

I’d have to part ways at least on Smith.  I personally believe Belanger was a better shortstop and possibly Aparicio as well (possibly a tad bit of bias).  Don’t like Mays even though he was likely one of the best.  

One last quote for the day, “He’s just the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball. That’s counting everybody.” Earl Weaver

Hi Don,

Absolutely loved your seven parter on Brooks Robinson.  I personally feel he’s the greatest 3rd sacker of all time, bar none.  Also, I 100% agree that Brooksie is the greatest defensive player at any position to ever play the game.  

I don’t think you used this quote, “How  many interviews,  how many questions, - how  many times you approached him and got only courtesy and decency in return.  A true gentleman who never took himself seriously. I always had the idea he didn’t know he was Brooks Robinson”.  Joe Falls

Possibly even better quote, “There’s not a man that knows him who wouldn’t swear for his integrity and honesty and give testimony to his consideration for others. He’s an extraordinary human being, which is important, and the worlds greatest third baseman, which is incidental.” John Steadman

How about another one on Brooks being the nicest ball player of all time.  

You’re a lot like me. I enjoy viewing the plays and viewing all that’s involved. In this instance I totally agree with you; the ball was definitely headed foul and hit rock/pebble or something to cause it to travel fair.  There’s definitely a difference between natural turf and artificial and we see an example in this play.  

Like the Brooksie quote about playing on AstroTurf prior to the series “I'm a Major League third baseman. If you want to go play in a parking lot, I'm supposed to stop the ball." (Reply given before game one of the 1970 World Series in regards to if he thought he would have a problem playing on Astroturf for the first time)

Hi Don,

Looking forward to viewing the rest of the Brooksie essay (5-7) that you’ve written.  They are taking a bit of time to post and I’m impatient ; )

I think the thing that most people forget about is that Brooks was 33 years old during the ‘70 WS. He had already been in the league for 15 years making the same type, and even better plays in the past.  Also, I think you mentioned it, but he positions himself far better than most, if not all, of these modern 3rd sackers.  

Just an observation, but one of the last games I saw in Tampa, Rays vs O’s there were at least three balls hit between 3rd and Short on the O’s infield that went through.  Also, one through the 5 hole on Longoria.  How often did you ever see one go through 3rd and Short w/Aparicio, Balenger, Hanson?   

6 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Hi Mark,

You're in luck - not only am I that poster, but I'm literally hours away from finishing the first-ever long-form, persuasive piece on why Brooks Robinson is the greatest defensive player of all-time, at any position, using the 1970 World Series as the motif. The piece is designed to be read carefully, from start-to-finish, and will be published both here, and possibly on one other, high-traffic website. This is all coming to fruition in the next week, and the content of the piece is all original, and will contain quite a bit of never-before written subject matter. Brooks is 80-years old, I'm 56, and if I don't do this now, it will never get done - I really, really want him to know that it at least exists.

Normally, we require ten posts to get the Dining Guide, but if you're visiting DC, just write me (we have a private messaging system here), and I'll make sure you have access for your trip.

Cheers, and thanks for joining - check back in the next few days for the Robinson piece (and yes, this explains why there have been no dining reviews recently - I've spent over one-hundred hours working on this.

Don

PS - If you ever need a good pediatrician, my brother has had a private practice in Jacksonville for decades. I encourage you to do your own independent research about him, and am confident you'll like what you see - he takes a reasoned approach towards medicine, with a light touch, and only pulling out the heavy artillery when it's absolutely necessary (he once threw a patient into his car, and drove 80 mph to get her to a hospital, as her throat was on the verge of closing entirely, and she would have died within minutes without a tracheotomy). I'd love to see how many physicians have the temerity to do that in this day and age.

Hi Don,

I cant wait for your piece on Brooks Robinson; looks like I joined just at the right time.  Of course isn’t it common knowledge that Brooksie is the best defensive player, at any position, in the history of the game of baseball?!?  I’m already a believer...

Hello, my name is Mark Comer and live in St. John’s, FL.  I typically don’t eat anywhere near DC or MD unless I’m visiting, but will check out the guide when I do visit.  

I guess it’s a tad bit odd why I joined since really the only reason was a thread I read on Brooks Robinson the greatest defensive 3rd baseman of all time.  While the poster of the thread believes he’s the greatest defensive fielder at the third sack I know he’s the greatest overall.  

Figure I’ll tell a slightly funny story when I was trying to register with this site.  When I was answering the questions one was something like what is Mr. Rockwell’s first name.  Of course the answer I put in was “Norman” and staring typing in all of the non robot names and each and every time it didn’t work (I don’t do well with those things).  Anyway, I wrote an email stating I was struggling with registering since I’m not real savvy with the computer thing.  A while later I realized the name of the site “donrockwell.com”.  Duh; then I was able to register w/o a problem.  Just to justify my answer I was reading about Brooks Robinson and Norman Rockwell did a famous painting Of the HOF third baseman so cut me some slack 😃