This Fox announcer (Joe Magrane, I think) is an idiot. So what’s new? Anyway, he’s saying that Gary Sheffield is the best righthanded hitter in the NL. Now, Gary’s great, but I think Albert Pujols might have something to say about that.
Oh, now Gary’s the best righthanded hitter in the majors. So he’s better than Rodriguez and Ramirez too?
Anybody see that flashback to 1982? Just a part of the wild history of the old NL West, and of the Dodgers/Giants rivalry. Anyone remember the ’82 pennant race?
Mac,
I heard that comment and thought:
“Jeez, I always thought Pujols hit right-handed I guess I’m not paying attention?”
The idiocy of the Fox announcer aside, Gary has had a strang and interesting career. Bobby is the type of manager he needs (remember the contact stuff that was a major story for about 12 hours before Bobby got everyone back to playing baseball?) But, in terms of career value as a right-handed hitter (i.e. A-Rod gets not extra credit for being a shortstop), Gary may be the best in the majors. Based on consistency I would think he’s ahead of Manny and Juan Gonzalez. A-Rod is still young. Am I missing someone?
To answer my own stupid question: I forgot Frank Thomas, Bagwell, and Edgar.
If you’re counting whole careers, you have to include Piazza. But the statement was that Sheffield is the best righthanded hitter; to me, that means right now, and Pujols is clearly better at this time.