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No way was Pete a better hitter than The Splendid Splinter. Using the 162 Game Average its easy to see the difference, a method by which you get a more typical full-season comparison, without regard to actual number of games in the seasons played etc:

PLAYER:   AB    R    H   2B 3B  HR  RBI  SB CS  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG   TB   SH  SF IBB HBP GDP 
ROSE      639   98  194  34  6   7   60   9  7  71  52  .303  .375  .409  262   3   4   8   5  11
WILLIAMS  545  127  188  37  5  37  130   2  1 143  50  .344  .482  .634  345   0   1   6   3  14

So what do we see: in almost 100 FEWER at bats per 162 games, a difference easily accounted for by Roses typical higher position in the lineup, and the fact that he played with teams of generally higher offensive caliber that Ted, Williams still bested Rose in Runs, Doubles, Homers (by alot), RBI (by alot), strikeout, walks (by alot), average (by alot), OBP by over 100 points, slugging percentage by over 200 points, and total bases. He's only six shy inhits and one shy in triples, a difference only due to the markedly fewer AB.

If Ted hadn't taken 3 years off to serve our country (43-45), as well as missing almost 2 complete seasons (52-53) due to injury, Rose's career numbers wouldn't sniff Ted's, except in singles, doubles, and total hits. Best hitter means more than slapping lots of singles, which is what Rose did. Willimas was the Complete Package at the plate.

Thanks.

I love the level of knowledge many freepers have. Some/many are a bit out of control - then one makes an intelligent, informational post like yours, and it makes it worthwhile.

I think I will look at my baseball signed by the 1946 Red Sox team today.

Thanks again.

Rose was a good player who got the most out of his talent. Imagine if Bonds, Henderson, Griffey Jr. would play with Rose's tenacity? Pete should be in the H.O.F., no worse a man than Cobb, Mantle, or O.J.

It is foolish to compare Rose with Williams. Ted has a .200 point higher slugging percentage and stil hit for a higher average.

in almost 100 FEWER at bats per 162 games, a difference easily accounted for by.....

his walking twice as often as Rose. Walks do not count as an AB. Bottom line: Williams hit for tremendous power and average while Rose played a long time and collected many hits.

4 RBI crowns
6 batting titles
8 time AL slugging leader
9th highest all time average
12th all time in RBI
14th all time in runs
12th all time in HR
All considering his 5 missed years. Wow.