1
It's easy to forget just what a catalyst Pete Rose was, unless you were there. His leadoff credentials get lost in the gambling debacle and the Charly Hustle schtick.
But beginning in '65, when he was 24, and running until '81, when he was 40, over 17 seasons he never had an OBP less than .351. He was in the .350's only twice. He had 4 seasons in the .380's, 2 in the .390's, and 5 in the .400's. Heck, he hit .300 15 times in those 17 seasons, bottoming out at .282.
He was actually a better OBP guy than Ichiro.
The guy could play.