Last Updated: August 20th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
I think everyone has a story about a coach or their dad talking about legends of the past, as they would completely dominate today's game. We want to explore that a little bit more, as we took some of the original greats of the game and put some thought into how they would mesh with today's teachings and against today's pitchers.
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I'm sure you have your own thoughts, so keep them in mind as you read.
10. Ty Cobb: The Georgia Peach vs Modern Velocity
Ty Cobb is a tough one to gauge. I know I'm already having a hard time, but hey, let me get into the groove. Cobb should be able to get some extra base hits with his speed, as he was known for his contact hitting. However, the pitchers he faced in his time probably weren't reaching the velocity that we see on the regular today.
I think Cobb's scrappy play and hard work would certainly get him to the level of one of the better shortstops in the MLB. I think of the elite Bobby Witt Jr. as a potential comparison for how Cobb could look at his best in the modern day.
9. Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat Meets Modern Pitching
This is the legendary debate we all know and love. How well would Babe Ruth do against today's pitchers? I would assume he would be a DH or first baseman.
I think with his power, I would compare him to someone like Kyle Schwarber, who is affecting the game in a major way every time he comes to the plate. However, there isn't much value defensively. The other question would be: Would Babe Ruth pitch? If he does, I don't know if he has the velocity to keep up with modern bat speeds.
8. Rogers Hornsby: Batting Champion vs Modern Breaking Balls
Rogers Hornsby is another example of a terrific legend who hit for contact. I think his advantage would be that his main position was second base. The expectations offensively are a little lower, so I think he actually could be considered one of the better second basemen in today's game.
I hesitate to compare him to Jose Altuve, but I think the mix of average and power is there. Hornsby was a two-time MVP during his playing days, and the numbers are too ridiculous to ignore. I think Hornsby could lead the position in multiple categories if he played right now.
7. Honus Wagner: The Flying Dutchman vs Analytics
Speed is definitely a focus in thinking about how Honus Wagner would fare in today's game. This is a player who could lead the league in triples while maintaining a high average and stealing a ton of bases. A skill set like that pretty much matches Trea Turner, even though the modern game has kind of prevented Turner's specific skill set from being dampened compared to Wagner's stat sheet. Still, that would mean he is a key shortstop on a great team.
6. Walter Johnson: The Big Train’s Speed Challenge
The estimates of Walter Johnson's fastball come out to about a modern 94 mph. I really do think that with today's techniques for finding more velocity in pitchers, Walter Johnson could raise that maximum fastball speed to maybe the very high 90s.
I still think there's plenty of potential for Johnson as a modern-day pitcher. I do think he can rack up strikeouts as Dylan Cease does on a yearly basis.
5. Christy Mathewson: The Master’s Challenge
Movement was a specialty for Christy Mathewson, as his famous fadeaway pitch baffled hitters during his time. In today's game, that pitch may not even be considered a screwball, just a changeup. I would say that the pitch that Mathewson was most known for may look a little ordinary today.
At least that thought brings about some creativity, and I can see Mathewson being one of those great starting pitchers who use more than five pitches. You find that more in the Japanese starters that have come over. Maybe Mathewson would seem more like Yu Darvish if he played today.
4. Eddie Collins: Speed vs Power Game
Eddie Collins also has the benefit of being a second baseman where power isn't expected. He really excelled in the speed department as well as being a contact hitter. For second basemen, Bryce Turang is actually one of the best in baseball today; he has a platinum glove to his name, along with some solid seasons where he has been able to get on base and steal a lot of bags.
3. Tris Speaker: The Grey Eagle’s Positioning Dilemma
This one is really interesting to me. Tris Speaker recorded the most doubles of all time while garnering an MVP season along with legendary defense. He played center field in a way that really helped future generations to learn and also teach. It's a good change of pace for us to really consider defense over offense.
The speaker is credited with recording the most assists and most double plays from an outfielder in history. Pitching and hitting can change over time, but fielding is much harder to get into a simple.
2. Cy Young: Efficiency vs Modern Approach
I don't think there is any doubt that Cy Young was able to be the ultimate winner among starting pitchers in baseball. Of course, we all know that there is an award named after him, and I'm sure it would be really interesting to see how Young would fare against some of the top talent in today's game.
I unfortunately have to point to velocity. We don't know how fast Young was throwing back in the day, but we know it was probably softer than Walter Johnson. So Young would have to use location and pitch selection as the driving force for his pitching success.
1. Nap Lajoie: Classic Style vs Modern Game
Nap Lajoie was so good back in the day that a team had to name itself after him. Yet another second baseman, where I'd say the chances for success are higher with the offensive bar lower. Whether Lajoie could convert his .426 batting average in 1901 to today's game or not, I think there's a good shot that he finds a way to succeed.
This list ended up being full of middle infielders. Let us know if you want us to do this again in a fresh way.
