Letters to the editor.(The Fans Speak Out)(Letter to the Editor)

Wouldn't it be interesting to know what an expert or a group of the same has to say about talent and determination concerning the great baseball players? I, for one, think it would.

I would like your opinion on great players who succeeded mostly on their natural talents, and those who succeeded mostly through great effort?

Rodney Hatie

Owatonna, Minn.

Your question is difficult to answer because all major leaguers have natural talent in varying degrees whether it's in pitching, hitting, fielding or base running, and most of them put a lot of effort into honing that talent in order to excel at the highest level of baseball.

That being said, it might be pointed out Ty Cobb and Pete Rose were two great players who became extremely successful through their fierce determination and extra effort, perhaps more so than through their natural talent.

On the other hand, players like Derek Jeter, Ivan Rodriguez, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial and "Shoeless Joe" Jackson all have been considered as being naturally talented, but that doesn't mean they lacked "great effort" or desire.