MLB 09 The Show Official Box Art

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JT30

Ya I have to agree, I think Pujols is probably the best hitter in baseball.. although Manny might be close. But as far as the best all around player in baseball? I have to say Arod. The numbers dont lie and he plays the toughest position in the field.

may I ask what numbers?

[AlexBrady]

I've never understood why people get all bent out of shape over some cover art. Do people really purchase games based on who the coverguy is?

[JT30]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

may I ask what numbers?

I am not gonna compare numbers at the moment, however Pujols is younger and has slightly better offensive numbers. But A-Rod has speed that Pujols lacks, very good offensive numbers, and can play above average to extremely good defense at two different positions. Pujols has also gotten his offensive numbers in a league that has been inferior for at least the last half decade.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JT30

I am not gonna compare numbers at the moment, however Pujols is younger and has slightly better offensive numbers. But A-Rod has speed that Pujols lacks, very good offensive numbers, and can play above average to extremely good defense at two different positions. Pujols has also gotten his offensive numbers in a league that has been inferior for at least the last half decade.

I just asked what numbers because you said his numbers don't lie.

Yes, A-Rod has speed that Pujols doesn't and A-Rod can play 2 different positions, Pujols has played LF, 3B, and 2B(1 game I believe) in his career, but he's not as versatile as A-Rod, I agree.

But saying that Pujols' numbers are somehow less stellar due to the league he plays in is taking the easy way out in my opinion. You're making it out like the NL has no dominant pitching whatsoever. And I'm sorry, but that simply isn't true, not even close.

[JT30]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

I just asked what numbers because you said his numbers don't lie. Yes, A-Rod has speed that Pujols doesn't and A-Rod can play 2 different positions, Pujols has played LF, 3B, and 2B(1 game I believe) in his career, but he's not as versatile as A-Rod, I agree. But saying that Pujols' numbers are somehow less stellar due to the league he plays in is taking the easy way out in my opinion. You're making it out like the NL has no dominant pitching whatsoever. And I'm sorry, but that simply isn't true, not even close.

So you honestly believe that pitching in the NL is as good or better than the AL?

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JT30

So you honestly believe that pitching in the NL is as good or better than the AL?

yes, I believe its as good.

[JT30]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

yes, I believe its as good.

Well then explain to me interleague play and why it has been so lopsided in favor of the AL?

Also explain why despite going against lineups with DHs in them, the AL has a lower ERA this past year, which mirrors the past several years. AL pitchers also give up fewer walks, have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio and allow fewer baserunners per nine innings.

You can argue that the NL has more top pitchers with lower ERAs -- and that's true -- but, again, they're going against lineups with Maddux and Pelfrey and a bunch of other bat-challenged pitchers in them. The NL lineups are simply easier to get through.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JT30

Well then explain to me interleague play and why it has been so lopsided in favor of the AL? Also explain why despite going against lineups with DHs in them, the AL has a lower ERA this past year, which mirrors the past several years. AL pitchers also give up fewer walks, have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio and allow fewer baserunners per nine innings. You can argue that the NL has more top pitchers with lower ERAs -- and that's true -- but, again, they're going against lineups with Maddux and Pelfrey and a bunch of other bat-challenged pitchers in them. The NL lineups are simply easier to get through.

So the AL pitchers face tougher lineups, I don't argue that. I don't argue that interleague play has been the favor of the AL. I don't argue any of the stats/facts that you posted.

But what does any of this have to do with A-Rod vs Pujols and the discussion we were having? You mean to tell me that such pitchers as; Lincecum, Sabathia(Brewers), Sheets, Maddux, Johnson, Santana, Zambrano, Oswalt, and Hamels aren't good simply because they face a lineup that doesn't have a DH? Are you serious?

And just for fun, Pujols has a batting average of .429 in the All-Star game and a .344 batting average in interleague play. So it doesn't seem to matter who's pitching, the man is a terrific hitter.

I don't see where this has any bearing one way or the other on who the better all around player is between A-Rod and Pujols. But hey, nice subject change.