So this is head - to - head... Look at their stats and compare the ANGELS playing career of DON BAYLOR to that of ROD CAREW... who ranks higher? Vote here, state your case in the comments, there are pros and cons to ranking each man above the other.
0 recs | 32 comments
Welch’s latest ramblings in messages made me re-think this one.
Downing Rules - March 12, 2009
MVP
eyespy - March 12, 2009
Give Me Baylor
I will take thunder over the rain. Baylor struck fear in pitchers. Carew was a nice player but he was not the guy that could change the game with one swing or should I say bunt. Don’t get me wrong Carew served a purpose but Baylor was the DUDE!
Angel Aviator - March 12, 2009
The only case for Carew was that he sold tickets
At the cost of Ken Landreaux, Dave Engle, Brad Havens, and Paul Hartzell. Hell, Landreaux alone was arguably equivalent to Carew over Rodney’s 6 years with the Angels, according to Win Shares.
KL: 19/17/16/15/15/13/10
RC: 20/18/17/16/16/12/09
Carew played 120 games a year, fielded an easy position not particularly well (while basically forcing us to trade a better player, Willie Aikens), and ran the bases like crap. He was no team leader, and he saved his best stuff for All-Star games (ok, that’s a bit rough).
Baylor helped will an AL West title in ’79, and almost doubled the flavor in ’78. He cost us nothing but money, at least until 1986. He was the *self-)acknowledged team leader, and he would play all 162 games (as he did unless hurt).
Great players have great seasons, preferably in historic seasons. Rodney never had a great year for us; Baylor had two, one of which was phenomenal. It ain’t close.
mattwelch - March 12, 2009
I had most of my say...
…here.
Baylor contributed more to the Angels than Rod Carew.
It’s really is that easy.
sothball - March 12, 2009
the poll surprises me, I loved RC but Baylor was the better Angel, not even close
tanana40 - March 12, 2009
Baylor always frustrated me, personally, but I appreciate his actual true value.
I just wish that we had a mad, reliable, Carew-like hitter in the Halo lineup these days.
Stirrups - March 12, 2009
As a 2B/SS, I agree. As a first basement....
…only if you can get power from other positions.
What do you mean by mad?
sothball - March 12, 2009
I meant to add that mad is not a term I would apply to Carew in various contexts.
sothball - March 12, 2009
"mad", as in "mad skilz"
aka “extremely”, or “a lot”, or “really”. See urbandictionary.com
Stirrups - March 12, 2009
10-4
sothball - March 12, 2009
equals six
Downing Rules - March 13, 2009
My guess is that a lot of the votes are based on Carew's career numbers...
…and RC’s general success. RC’s best days were spent with the Twins. But,
aAs Matt Welch pointed out above, he had the notoriety to put butts in the seats…and I believe that is translating into votes versus Baylor.
sothball - March 12, 2009
I voted...
for Carew in the original poll, but on further reflection, voted for Groove in this one, as he had the better career as an Angel.
Though Carew does get bonus points for being in Adam Sandler’s “Chanuka Song”.
red floyd - March 13, 2009
Please stop picking Carew!
He was a much better TWIN than ANGEL. Go Baylor!
Kernel - March 13, 2009
Exactly
I’m strictly looking at them when they were Angels!
thrill000 - March 13, 2009
I can't believe Carew's in the lead (as of right now)
Shouldn’t even be this close.
WiHaloFan - March 13, 2009
I had to change my vote to Baylor this time
Based on career stats as Angels over sentimentality. mattwelch and sothball’s arguments were also informative…
Carew gets additional bonus points for being mentioned in “Shure Shot” by the Beastie Boys, even though he got most of his mad hits as a Twin.
Big Easy Halofan - March 13, 2009
Same here
I voted Carew originally but have been helped to realize the difference between “career” and “ANGELS career.”
Clutch - March 13, 2009
Thank you, Rev
This brings the clarity to the vote I think was lacking the first time.
As I wrote previously, Carew is the only one of the two who deserves the HoF, but Baylor’s contibution to the Angels dwarfs that of Carew.
That said, I did enjoy being at the stadium the day he got #3,000.
George Kaplan - March 13, 2009
I went with Baylor, but...
I assume Mike Scioscia will make this list, so for Carew-supporters or undecided voters, don’t overlook his contributions as a coach.
Chone's Chonies - March 13, 2009
your assumption is incorrect
THIS is a players-only list.
Rev Halofan - March 13, 2009
Not to mention it's the opinion of many on this blog that Carew was a terrible hitting coach.
Zu Long - March 14, 2009
Originally with Carew, but went with Baylor this time
Since I never was able to see either player play with the Angels, I am really not qualified to give an opinion on either. Based on their careers with the Angels as well as convincing arguments from Baylor supporters on this site, I have to go with Baylor since Carew’s best seasons were with the Twins and Baylor was THE man back in the day.
I just wonder if younger Halo fans are voting for Carew because of his name and HOF credentials instead of Baylor.
stolenbases - March 13, 2009
I was pretty young, but I remember an Angels game I attended. The Angels were down by one and it was the bottom of the 9th. The crowd started leaving in droves. I was with my Gramps, but if I was with my dad, I know we’d have already been on the freeway.
Baylor steps up to bat with two outs and takes two horrible hacks. He’s in the hole 0-2. The few people left were booing him loudly. I was seated fairly close to the batter’s box — and after he steps in for the third pitch, I swear, he turned and looked right at me (I was clapping), looking kind of downtrodden. The next pitch comes in and he rips it for a homerun that either tied it up or won the game — I simply cannot remember. But, I will never forget Baylor turning to look in my direction. It was a magical baseball moment for me.
Downing Rules - March 13, 2009
This is remarkable...not one post defending a vote for Carew...
…and yet he still leads the voting!!!!
sothball - March 13, 2009
I demand a recount
tanana40 - March 13, 2009
This has to be a result of anonymous passers-by
Who only see the front page and vote based on their overall perception of the players’ careers.
TheTypingFiend - March 13, 2009
Should comments votes trump poll votes, or at least tip things a bit?
mattwelch - March 13, 2009
im of the belief that it should
halofan4life - March 13, 2009
I think the previous Top 100 Angels list's standings should factor in here.
Neither Baylor nor Carew has played in the past couple of years, so how would Carew be able to jump Baylor on the list? Previously, Baylor was 11 and Carew 12.
Big Game Hunter - March 13, 2009
What we have here is a micro example of why a republic is better than a democracy!
Many votes must be by those that don’t know much about their relative contributions to the Angels. Not one Carew voter defending their vote. I find that amazing. Oh well…so goes democracy.
sothball - March 13, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.