With the passing yesterday of Willie Mays, my friend Joe brought up a good question: Who assumes the title of “greatest living ballplayer”?

Joe put forth Nolan Ryan. Now, Joe and I have had debates over Ryan’s greatness — he is a fan of his pitching power and durability, while I always scorned at those who would list him above my idol, Tom Seaver, believing he was a bit overrated (as he never even won one Cy Young Award).

But when thinking of the greatest players, I would never put a starting pitcher (who only impacts every fifth game) over an everyday player; and while closers can influence a higher percentage of contests, most usually only work one inning — hardly worthy of being recognized as all-around players. So my apologies to Ryan, Maddux, Pedro, Mariano and Clemens (who would have also been ineligible due to another factor coming up).

Aside from excluding all pitchers, I am also not considering active players (so hold off on Ohtani, Trout and Judge).

And in one last exclusion, I am eliminating those players who used PEDs. To have one of those players assume such a lofty mantle is a slap in the face to Mays. This, of course, means that Mays’ own godson — Barry Bonds — will not be recognized. Same with A-Rod.

That trims the list to the likes of Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Carl Yastrzemski, Albert Pujols, Rod Carew, Johnny Bench, Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken, Wade Boggs. Schmidt and Bench would be the clubhouse leaders of this group, taking into account their defensive excellence — which should also factor in. Schmidt’s ability to run probably means he pulls ahead of Bench.

Still, there is only one true successor to throne, and that is Ken Griffey Jr. Like Mays, Junior could do it all — hit (a .284 career average, dropped down because of his final five seasons); hit with power (630 career HRs); run (184 steals, although most were compiled before the age of 30); catch (10 straight Gold Glove Awards in centerfield); and throw (154 career assists).

Add in the joy and ebullience he showed in playing the game — just like Mays — and Griffey Jr. is my answer.