# Who is the greatest Center Fielder of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 12, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523 "2012-03-12T02:26:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/21 "2012-03-12T16:43:51Z")
When you frame the question as “the greatest center fielder,” to me that means “imagine center field. Who’s playing it?” I don’t imagine Ty Cobb in center field, I imagine Mays, or maybe Mantle (or like **Jas09** , maybe Jim Edmonds.) I don’t imagine Cobb in center field, I imagine him on the bases, or laying down a bunt. I imagine Babe Ruth at the plate, not in right field. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/22 "2012-03-12T16:47:02Z")
I’m no sports fan and ignored the rest of these Baseball “Who is the best …?” questions, but I knew the answer to this one! 😉 As a youth I went to only very few professional baseball games, but whenever I did, #24 was in centerfield. Checking Wikipedia, I was surprised to see Mays’ election to the Hall of Fame was not unanimous. About this one sportswriter wrote: “If Jesus Christ were to show up with his old baseball glove, some guys wouldn’t vote for him. He dropped the cross three times, didn’t he?” ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/23 "2012-03-12T16:58:06Z")
Freddie (Rookie-of-the-Year and MVP in the same year) Lynn, wasn’t included in the list, so as a dedicated Red Sox fan, I chose … Yankee, Mickey Mantle. Over Willie Mays. I’m not really sure what I’m thinking, but I’m sticking with the Mick. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/24 "2012-03-12T17:00:06Z")
On the poll, it’s got to be Mays or Cobb - but there’s a legitimate argument to be made for someone not on the list - Oscar Charleston. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/25 "2012-03-12T17:08:00Z")
Didn’t Willy Mays once throw out a base-runner at home plate from deep center field? (Or is my memory playing tricks?) ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/26 "2012-03-12T17:33:54Z")
Mantle had the best seasons, even tho Mays had the longer career. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/27 "2012-03-12T19:26:55Z")
> [@Wilson](#): > > On the poll, it’s got to be Mays or Cobb - but there’s a legitimate argument to be made for someone not on the list - Oscar Charleston. Absolutely. And if Josh Gibson was on the catchers’ list I’d have chosen him. That’s always hard to figure out, though. I mean, I’m pretty scure Oscar Charleston was a Hall of Famer calibre ballplayer, but was he a little better than Mantle but not as good as Mays but about even with Cobb… you could just never say for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/28 "2012-03-13T01:08:48Z")
Ty Cobb could’ve hit a hundred homers a year if he wanted to. I read that on Usenet once so it must be true. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/29 "2012-03-13T02:09:51Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Ty Cobb could’ve hit a hundred homers a year if he wanted to. I read that on Usenet once so it must be true. Oh lord yes I remember those threads. Those are pearls that were his eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/30 "2012-03-13T17:40:58Z")
I went with Mays here. Five exceptional tools, one of a kind player. No doubt in my mind he’s the guy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/31 "2012-03-13T19:01:03Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Ty Cobb could’ve hit a hundred homers a year if he wanted to. I read that on Usenet once so it must be true. James Weisberg on rec.sport.baseball, right? ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/32 "2012-03-13T19:24:48Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Didn’t Willy Mays once throw out a base-runner at home plate from deep center field? (Or is my memory playing tricks?) Yes, after his famous over-the-shoulder catch while running towards the fence. But it’s not that uncommon when the runner thinks the ball isn’t catchable and takes off around the bases. I saw the Houston Astros beat the Montreal Expos on the last play of the game like that, only the ball was thrown from from the left field fence. Another oddity on that play: Dave Smith had come in in relief for Houston ahead by one run and with one out and a runner on first. He threw one pitch that was a few feet short of a home run, and got two outs on the play and credit for the save. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/33 "2012-03-13T19:27:44Z")
> [@Esox\_Lucius](#): > > Yes, after his famous over-the-shoulder catch while running towards the fence. Nope. Both runners returned to their respective bases(first and second),the lead runner then tagged up and advanced to third. No play at the plate. [The Catch.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catch_%28baseball%29) ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/34 "2012-03-14T01:26:36Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > James Weisberg on rec.sport.baseball, right? That’s the guy. I wonder whatever happened to him. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/35 "2012-03-14T02:00:47Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Nope. Both runners returned to their respective bases(first and second),the lead runner then tagged up and advanced to third. No play at the plate. > [The Catch.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catch_%28baseball%29) Ugh! I’ve just had to readjust my worldview. In my mind, one of the amazing things about the play was that he had thrown the runner out at first base (not at home plate–I didn’t read Septimus’s post closely enough). Ignorance fought, but painfully so. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/36 "2012-03-14T20:34:39Z")
> [@Esox\_Lucius](#): > > Ugh! I’ve just had to readjust my worldview. In my mind, one of the amazing things about the play was that he had thrown the runner out at first base (not at home plate–I didn’t read Septimus’s post closely enough). Ignorance fought, but painfully so. The subsequent throw after The Catch is probably what saved the inning for the Giants, as it kept the lead runner from tagging up and scoring from second on the play, so you are within your rights to hang on (at least in part) to your worldview. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/37 "2012-03-14T21:35:27Z")
I voted for Mays, but as a lifelong Yankee fan, it’s DiMaggio who’s career I wish I could have watched in person. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/38 "2012-03-14T22:48:06Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Nope. Both runners returned to their respective bases(first and second),the lead runner then tagged up and advanced to third. No play at the plate. > [The Catch.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catch_%28baseball%29) In my question about Mays throwing to Home Plate, I was _not_ referring to _The Catch_. (Had that happened even I’d remember it, and Mays would be polling much higher than 68% here.) Trying to make a put-out at home plate from centerfield must be relatively common but the shortstop or 2nd baseman almost always has to receive from centerfielder and then relay to the catcher. IIRC, Mays had an arm strong and accurate enough to throw all the way to the plate; but I couldn’t remember whether he’d actually done it or not. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/39 "2012-03-15T03:02:13Z")
I thoroughly expected Mays to be the favorite, but this is surprising. With one vote, where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-greatest-center-fielder-of-all-time/615523/40 "2012-03-15T04:36:00Z")
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