[donaldo]

Here’s that article. On steadiness of nerves Ruth was the best of 500 tested! http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2006-10/archive-why-babe-ruth-greatest-home-run-hitter

[driftless2]

Hey...thanks a million for that fascinating article. I've read a number of books about Ruth, and most of them are disappointing as far as revealing why Ruth was such a great hitter. Even Jenkinson's book was a little disappointing in that respect.

When I read a book about a great player in any sport, I don't just want to know his stats...I want to know what made them great players. When Ruth burst on the scene he was truly a phenomenon. The game had never seen a player who could hit for power and average like Ruth.

It also helped that in 1920 the Majors had banned spitballs and other pitches with artificial substances and started throwing out marked up or discolored balls. Ty Cobb became almost apoplectic discussing the way the game changed. He screamed "where's the science?" in the long ball type of play. The long ball and power hitting replaced the inside baseball type of ball favored by the Cobbs and John McGraws.