Generational talent - do we use the term too loosely?

[hermanotarjeta]

Generational talent should be a term reserved for the best of the best over a generation, or approximately 20 years.

In the last fifty years, who are the top 3 generational talents in MLB, ie players with so much talent that they come around only ONCE every twenty years?

By this definition, I would say that in the NBA, only Jordan, Shaq, and Lebron should be allowed to be called generational talents.

Since the 1973 rookie year, which three baseball players would you consider as truly generational talents - simply the most talented of the best that they only show up every twenty years?

[BigL7370]

A-Roid
Trout
Ohtani

[epatmythes]

Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Trout

And, well, obviously the once every 100 years... Shohei Ohtani

It also pains me to give Griffey the 90s/00s nod over Pujols, but I gotta be true to the "generational" constraint!

[SupermanBrandon]

#1 Griffey.
If this isn't everybody's, you probably need to re-evaluate your decision making process. Then Ohtani.

[LVDan]

potentially generational talent should be the term
Rickey
Griffey
Randy Johnson
Pedro M
Arod
Kershaw
Trout
Ohtani
?
If forced to pick I think id go with Ohtani as the mopst talented player Ive ever watched I guess and
tbd on how Trout and Kershaw finish up
my opinion
Physically gifted is one thing, every team has those now
Being dedicated and hungry enough to your craft and your body is the big separator

[overboosted]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

#1 Griffey.
If this isn't everybody's, you probably need to re-evaluate your decision making process. Then Ohtani.

Isn't Griffey more of a Hobby Generational Talent?
I mean, Pujols played 22 years also and has more HR, more RBI, better batting average, higher WAR, higher HOF monitor on BBR.

Not saying Pujols is generational but Griffey, really?

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by overboosted

Isn't Griffey more of a Hobby Generational Talent?
I mean, Pujols played 22 years also and has more HR, more RBI, better batting average, higher WAR, higher HOF monitor on BBR.

Not saying Pujols is generational but Griffey, really?

The key word is talent. Talent are those gifts/skills/tools you are born with.

[eastbayak]

Bonds
Ohtani
Griffey Jr

[txrngr34]

Ohtani
Bonds
Junior

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by overboosted

Isn't Griffey more of a Hobby Generational Talent?
I mean, Pujols played 22 years also and has more HR, more RBI, better batting average, higher WAR, higher HOF monitor on BBR.

Not saying Pujols is generational but Griffey, really?

Generational Talent to me is about the skill, talent, hype before every stepping on the diamond...and then delivering on that. Pujols wasn't that guy coming into the league. He turned into an incredible HOF player. Griffey was destined for the HOF since High School.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Generational Talent to me is about the skill, talent, hype before every stepping on the diamond...and then delivering on that. Pujols wasn't that guy coming into the league. He turned into an incredible HOF player. Griffey was destined for the HOF since High School.

Would Bryce Harper be in the conversation?

[rainmaker]

Magic? Bird? Curry? I think they likely fall into the nba list of the past 50 years. Shaq was huge and strong was he more talented than Larry bird? I’m not sure I agree.

Griffey has a bit of what if kind of like mantle. They’re among the best players ever but could have been even more. Hopefully this isn’t said about trout in a decade.

To answer the question
Frank Thomas
Mike trout
Ken Griffey jr
(Albert)

For modern stars ohtani is basically babe Ruth. Like best player I’ve ever seen and likely will ever see talent.

Acuna and wander sure do pass the eye test (when healthy and rolling) but it’s far too early to give them the crown. Soto has played himself off the list when just a couple years ago he was teddy ballgame reincarnated.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Would Bryce Harper be in the conversation?

If it wasn't a Top 3 request from the OP...then sure.

[awz50]

Ohtani is probably the only generational talent still active for me

[awz50]

Retired in the past 20 years?

Bonds
Albert
Griffey

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Magic? Bird? Curry? I think they likely fall into the nba list of the past 50 years. Shaq was huge and strong was he more talented than Larry bird? I’m not sure I agree.

Griffey has a bit of what if kind of like mantle. They’re among the best players ever but could have been even more. Hopefully this isn’t said about trout in a decade.

To answer the question
Frank Thomas
Mike trout
Ken Griffey jr
(Albert)

For modern stars ohtani is basically babe Ruth. Like best player I’ve ever seen and likely will ever see talent.

Acuna and wander sure do pass the eye test (when healthy and rolling) but it’s far too early to give them the crown. Soto has played himself off the list when just a couple years ago he was teddy ballgame reincarnated.

I agree with you.

Would Shaq even be relevant in modern basketball? Embiid, assuming healthy, would've still been relevant in 90s basketball.

No one's done what Curry's done in the NBA, especially with the level of attention that he gets from defenders. And shooting high-volume and difficult 3s, efficiently, isn't even the only thing he does well. It doesn't mean no one will ever be able to do what he's done but he's clearly a generational talent.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

I agree with you.

Would Shaq even be relevant in modern basketball? Embiid, assuming healthy, would've still been relevant in 90s basketball.

No one's done what Curry's done in the NBA, especially with the level of attention that he gets from defenders. And shooting high-volume and difficult 3s, efficiently, isn't even the only thing he does well. It doesn't mean no one will ever be able to do what he's done but he's clearly a generational talent.

We can reserve this conversation for the bk section, my point is that you can’t teach generational ability tool sets, like agile height and girth, which are natural-born traits and skills/talents that come around once every generation at best. Who are your top 3 in baseball?

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

We can reserve this conversation for the bk section, my point is that you can’t teach generational ability tool sets, like agile height and girth, which are natural-born traits and skills/talents that come around once every generation at best. Who are your top 3 in baseball?

That's fine though I don't categorize physical attributes as skills/talent.

Regarding your question, I addressed it earlier.

[spuds1961]

1- Ohtani

2 - although started in late 60’s I will say Nolan Ryan he pitched 7 no-hitters in his career in todays game I doubt most pitchers even complete 7 games.

3- Griffey Jr.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

That's fine though I don't categorize physical attributes as skills/talent.

Regarding your question, I addressed it earlier.

Thanks boss, Bonds is a controversial one but most certainly in the discussion.

In fact, Bonds initially popped in my mind prior to Griffey.

[atoaz12]

If we're talking labeling them as such when they first come on the scene, Doc Gooden, Andruw Jones, Kerry Wood and Strasburg have to be in the conversation (Can you imagine what Andruw Bowman 1sts would have gone for after his 2 homer WS game as a 19 year old?)

Established/Retired Guys - Ohtani, Griffey, Harper

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Thanks boss, Bonds is a controversial one but most certainly in the discussion.

In fact, Bonds initially popped in my mind prior to Griffey.

No problem man, I'm not always looking to troll. You keep it respectful and I'll happily reciprocate.

Same here, though I'm also biased having grown up in the SF Bay Area and as a Giants fan.

It was difficult to only choose 3, I felt I could comfortably name a few more (e.g., Pujols, Ichiro).

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

No problem man, I'm not always looking to troll. You keep it respectful and I'll happily reciprocate.

Same here, though I'm also biased having grown up in the SF Bay Area and as a Giants fan.

It was difficult to only choose 3, I felt I could comfortably name a few more (e.g., Pujols, Ichiro).

That’s what the term “generational” is for - three players over 50 years.

[Twalk1975]

Bonds, Griffey, Ohtani

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

That’s what the term “generational” is for - three players over 50 years.

Understood. I'll stick with my original 3 then.