Rogers Hornsby

This isn't that great a little video, but it's not bad, and the subject is worthy. It is difficult impossible to compare across eras but the claim that Hornsby was the greatest right-handed hitter of all time is not ridiculous. It was a hitter's era, yes, so some discount must be applied. But against that we have to note that he did not play for Boston or (especially) New York, the teams that got the most attention. He played for St Louis, beloved across what was then regarded as the West in baseball, but that did little for his reputation back east. We would know more about him if he had played for any of the east-coast teams. 

I am of the opinion that the quality of player has improved over the years as well. Hornsby playing today would face more first rate pitchers, some of whom would throw a wicked slider, a pitch unknown in his day.

I was going to include that Ted Williams had called him the greatest hitter, but learned while searching for a clip of that that Williams had high praise for a lot of players. WRT our discussions of heritability versus effort, Williams said often that you couldn't teach hitting, because a lot of it was innate...BUT, everyone could be improved. With film and better medical care even a Hornsby could be better, but not enough to hit .400