Just the Greatest, Babe-- And You Can Look It Up

Lanny R. Middings’ criticism of Scott Ostler’s contention that Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time (Viewpoint, March 21) and Middings’ own contention that Ty Cobb was the greatest are both off the mark. To put it kindly.

The most knowledgeable baseball person I can think of is Bill James, author of the “Historical Baseball Abstract.” In it, he wrote:

“If one does not wish to assert some particular point, but wishes only to identify the greatest player who ever lived, one is drawn almost unavoidably to the conclusion that it was George Ruth. The assertion that hitting singles and doubles and stealing bases is more valuable than hitting home runs and drawing walks is proveably false, and the assumption that 75% of baseball is pitching is silly. If it was true, Babe Ruth, who was a great pitcher, would not have become an outfielder. If one wishes . . . to make a selection that accommodates the evidence, one must make Babe Ruth that selection.”

Which would seem to indicate that Bill James--and Scott Ostler--probably agree with me that Lanny R. Middings is full of it.

WILLIAM RELLING JR.

Los Angeles