Is it possible to compare players from different generations and come to any reasonable conclusion?

Yes.

But it takes a LOT of numbers, properly approached and interpreted, to get there.

Fortunately scores of dedicated researchers have been working on the topic for decades, so much of the heavy lifting is already done.

Key point it that comparisons are best made in context. Yes, we can manage a superficial or a detailed comparison of, say, Cobb to Jeter. It would tell us some things. But comparing Cobb's performance in the context of his league-seasons, to Jeter's in his league-seasons, reveals more. Everything in baseball is sum-zero -- a single by the batter is a single against the pitcher, so we quickly see that all playing stats are relative. Taking a player relative to his league -- how much he did within the hermetic context of a league-season -- allows rankings within those league-seasons, and relative rankings over any reach of time. And that is a completely valid, and not at all superficial, methodology.

MA... In some methods you might be correct. Any scholar of physics at present can crack a ebook and attain just by studying just a few strains what Albert Einstein and Pythagoras sweated blood to determine. Any electrician does know as much about electrical power as Thomas Edison (i'll stop short of announcing Nikola Tesla, the man used to be a Wizard, backside line) Does this make Joe the electrician a bigger man than Tesla? Hardly ever. Does it make xxEmoZipxx from BandP Wristslashers a greater guitarist that Jimi Hendrix? Hell no, i don't care how a lot technically better they may be able to play. Mozart, Nikola Tesla, Einsten, Hendrix, they were Gods. I do not provide a raggedy ratstich how a lot better anybody at present can replica, they did it first and that is the place the rubber completed met the avenue to me. Copying is just not the same as inventing to me. And that i take slightly of exception to latest athletes or something would smash these of the past. Supply Babe Ruth a bat a put him up in opposition to this type of juiced up MLB Prima Donnas. He'll cling. Take one of the crucial golly whiz fencers we bought today give em a sword and put em up against Achilles, see who's left bleeding in the dirt. Heroes are heroes for a motive, they're higher than existence and that transcends any age or generation. MA2; If i'm an fool for admiring greatness and heroes, and pondering we'd like extra balls and less plastic on this limp excuse for an age then i'm an fool proudly. I might as an alternative be a dinosaur on my ft than a sheep on my knees. (And NO i am not saying anyone here is a sheep) BA: rather yeah, as I said some humans's stature crosses all generations however for most musicians and entertainers yeah generationalsm has lots to do with it I[m certain.

I don't think comparisons can be that accurate when you consider how different the game of baseball was years ago as compared to now.

It has to be one or the other? Can't be somewhere in between?

Just because different eras produced different results, and that factor would have to be taken into account while doing any comparison, that doesn't mean it's complete nonsense to try to make comparisons.

It depends; you have to remember that hitting .301 in 1968 is not the same as hitting .301 in 1930, etc.

Sometimes. For example, Honus Wagner is better than Scott Brosius.