Ruth knew what they wanted. "I try to hit a home run almost every time I go up to the plate," Ruth once told his teammate Frankie Crosetti, "because that's what the people come to see." And that's exactly what they saw.

From 1920 through 1929, Ruth hit 467 homers -- the most prolific 10-year period in history -- while runner-up Rogers Hornsby hit 250. Extend that period slightly, from 1919 through 1933, and Ruth hit 660 homers in a 15-year period -- 361 more than anyone else over that time. What's more, Ruth out-homered every other American League team in 1920 and 1927; and in his career out-homered 90 teams by himself and tied three others.

Today, Ruth's career numbers remain among the best ever. In 22 years, Ruthof great hitters, few rank Williams below second and many argue that he ranks first. A good argument, considering his career OPS+ of 190 is the second best ever.

Not to mention his other numbers. During 19 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Williams led the league in on-base percentage 12 times, in slugging eight times and in batting six times. He also led in runs scored six times, in home runs four times, in runs batted in four times and in walks and OPS+ eight times apiece.

Today, the mere mention of Williams's name evokes thoughts of his astute and measured approach to batting. In his book, The Science of Hitting, Williams detailed this approach, describing how he mentally divided the 16-inch width of home plate and the strike