On Tuesday that panel over at MSG discussed the all time best right fielder in New York history. The selection was perhaps the most obvious a Babe Ruth got the nod. I mean he only had a career OPS+ of 207, basically double the average player during that era.

The rounding out of the top five made for some interesting debate. Going into the show I had from 2 to 5:

Mel Ott

Reggie Jackson

Roger Maris

Darryl Strawberry

I wasn’t far off from the panel, as Ott, Strawberry, and Jackson were 2-3, but the final spot went to Willie Keeler.

Earlier in the season I had author Danny Peary on the show to talk about his book “Roger Maris: Baseball’s Reluctant Hero. One of the themes of the show was Maris being underrated and often stereotyped by his “one good season” in 1961.

A couple of things about Wee Willie Keeler. First, I have trouble taking early 1900′s stats seriously because of the nature of the game at the time. You had lousy fields and segregation made it that you weren’t assembling teams from the best talent. Keeler not only falls into that era, but goes further back starting his career in 1892 with the Brooklyn Superbas. His best seasons happened pre 1900! I will give him credit for being the ultimate New York player, growing up in Brooklyn and spending time with the Dodgers, Yankees, and Giants. Perhaps coining the phrase “hitting em where they ain’t” is reason enough to include Keeler.

On the other hand, Maris had a career OPS+ of 140 with the Yankees. His first four season in New York he hit 156 homers and put up an OPS of .921. Yes, Keeler was more of a “New York guy” since he spent the majority of his career in the city, but setting the original home run record and playing with the great 1961 team has to count for something. I am very disappointed in the panel for leaving Maris out in the cold.

I still continue to think “what if” with Darryl Strawberry. When he left the Mets after the 1990 season he was in his prime at the age of 28. He already had hit 252 homers, stole 191 bases, and had an OPS+ of 145. Double those numbers and you have someone who hits 500 homers and steals almost 400 bases.

As much as I love Strawberry, I found it interesting that he was selected ahead of Mr. October. I gave Reggie Jackson the advantage because of his postseason heroics despite spending only 5 years in New York. I actually put Maris ahead of Straw because of his great 1961 season. Looking back, perhaps I am being too hard on him because of unfulfilled promise.

I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about Mel Ott. If not for the “out of this world” performance by Ruth, Ott would have the starting right field nod. Over 500 homers and an OPS of .941 playing for the Giants. Far and away one of the best hitters this side of the legendary Ruth.

Next week is centerfield, and I suspect that will make this debate look tame. You have DiMaggio, Mays, Duke Snider, and Mantle to pick from for an all time great centerfielder. Something tells me Tommie Agee and Bernie Williams might find a hard time cracking the top five.

You can check out MSG’s “The Lineup” every Tuesday at 10:30 pm and watch the replay online at their official website.



Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Babe Ruth, Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Superbas, Darryl Strawberry, Mel Ott, MSG The Lineup, New York Giants, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Reggie Jackson, Roger Maris, Wee Willie Keeler