It seems humans learn best when they’re playing. That’s how we got fire, the wheel, and probably half the things we don’t understand but pretend we do. So, let’s play a little—with our artificial intelligence. Some say AI don’t know anything; they just rummage through a pile of facts like a raccoon in a trash bin and serve it back, making it look mighty smart. A parrot in a three-piece suit, if you will. But is that all it is?
I got to wondering, so I ran a little experiment—asked it about Michael Jordan, then had it compare two baseball players, one everyone knows and one barely anyone does. And I’ll be darned if it didn’t try its best. Couldn’t find everything, mind you, but at least it didn’t start making up wild stories like an overconfident fisherman. That alone feels like progress.
I will save you some time if you don’t want to read the whole process. Turns out, AI’s got some gumption, but it don’t know what it don’t know. It didn’t realize jersey numbers mattered till I pointed it out, and when it tried to get fancy with graphics, it still fumbled the number like a rookie in a championship game. But credit where it’s due—it didn’t go off hallucinating nonsense, which is more than I can say for some folks.
In the end, the secret ain’t in the machine—it’s in the question. Ask wrong, get wrong. Ask right, and, well, you just might get something worth knowing. Imagine that.
A Large Language Model (LLM) like me knows that Michael Jordan played basketball primarily through the massive amount of text data it was trained on. Here’s how it works:
How does a LLM know what Micheal Jordan plays?
1. Training on a Massive Dataset
LLMs are trained on a vast amount of publicly available text, including:
- Wikipedia articles
- News reports
- Books
- Sports websites
- Social media discussions
- Historical archives
Michael Jordan is one of the most famous athletes of all time, so there’s a huge amount of data available about him. Through repeated exposure to sentences like:
- “Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.”
- “Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.”
- “His Airness dominated the NBA in the 1990s.”
The LLM learns the strong association between Michael Jordan and basketball.
2. Pattern Recognition & Statistical Associations
The model doesn’t “memorize” facts in a human way but recognizes patterns based on probabilities. If the name “Michael Jordan” frequently appears near words like NBA, Bulls, basketball, championships, dunk, MVP, the model learns that these concepts are related.
3. Context Understanding
If someone asks, “What sport did Michael Jordan play?” the model sees that similar questions in the training data almost always mention “basketball,” leading it to respond with high confidence.
4. Handling Ambiguities
Michael Jordan also briefly played baseball, but basketball is far more associated with his name. If someone asks, “Did Michael Jordan play baseball?” the model recognizes that:
- There are references to Jordan playing minor league baseball in 1994.
- But most references still tie him to basketball.
Thus, it might answer, “Michael Jordan primarily played basketball but also played minor league baseball for a short time.”
5. Continuous Updates (in Some Cases)
For newer LLMs that integrate real-time search or are updated regularly, their knowledge can be refreshed with newer data. While Michael Jordan’s legacy is mostly historical, this applies to active players like LeBron James or Victor Wembanyama.
Can you compare Cookie Rojas and Babe Ruth?
Comparing Cookie Rojas and Babe Ruth is like comparing a reliable Swiss Army knife to a wrecking ball—both useful but in completely different ways. Here’s how they stack up:
1. Playing Style & Position
- Babe Ruth: Primarily an outfielder and a pitcher, Ruth revolutionized baseball with his home run-hitting power, shifting the game from small-ball tactics to power hitting.
- Cookie Rojas: A utility infielder/outfielder, Rojas was known for his defensive versatility, baseball intelligence, and solid contact hitting.
2. Offensive Performance
- Babe Ruth: A legendary slugger, Ruth had a career .342 batting average, 714 home runs, and a 1.164 OPS (on-base + slugging)—numbers that define the greatest hitter of all time.
- Cookie Rojas: More of a contact hitter and a team player, Rojas had a career .263 batting average, 54 home runs, and a .662 OPS. He wasn’t a power hitter but was consistent at getting on base and advancing runners.
3. Defensive Skills
- Babe Ruth: Originally a dominant pitcher with the Red Sox before becoming a full-time hitter, Ruth was not known for his fielding in the outfield but made up for it with his offensive firepower.
- Cookie Rojas: A defensive wizard, Rojas played second base, shortstop, and outfield, earning five All-Star selections and making incredible defensive plays.
4. Legacy & Impact
- Babe Ruth: Transformed baseball, saved the game from the Dead Ball Era, and became a cultural icon. Even today, Ruth is one of the most recognizable figures in sports history.
- Cookie Rojas: A respected player and coach, Rojas was an important figure in Latino baseball history, paving the way for future generations.
5. Popularity & Cultural Impact
- Babe Ruth: Became a global sports icon, larger than life, with legendary home runs and records that stood for decades.
- Cookie Rojas: Known as a fan favorite in Philadelphia and Kansas City, where he was admired for his work ethic and versatility.
Final Verdict
Babe Ruth is one of the greatest baseball players of all time, while Cookie Rojas was a dependable, versatile player who contributed in different ways. If you’re building a Mount Rushmore of baseball, Ruth is on it. If you need a gritty, reliable team player, Rojas fits the bill.
Would you like a deeper dive into any particular aspect?
Tell me more about their personal life
Personal Lives of Babe Ruth & Cookie Rojas
Babe Ruth (1895–1948) – The Legend with a Larger-than-Life Personality
Babe Ruth, born George Herman Ruth Jr., grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a rough neighborhood. He was sent to St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a reform school, where he learned baseball under the guidance of Brother Matthias, who became a father figure to him.
Family & Relationships:
- Ruth married twice:
- His first wife, Helen Woodford, married him in 1914. They separated in the 1920s, and she tragically died in a house fire in 1929.
- In 1929, he married Claire Merritt Hodgson, a former actress, who remained his wife until his death.
- He had a daughter, Dorothy, who was reportedly adopted but later claimed to be Ruth’s biological daughter from an extramarital affair.
- Ruth was known to be a big-hearted person—he donated a lot to orphanages and hospitals.
Personality & Lifestyle:
- Ruth was famous for his extravagant, larger-than-life lifestyle.
- He loved food, parties, and drinking—his appetite for everything (including women) was legendary.
- Despite his wild ways, he was beloved by children and known for charitable work.
- He lived his final years battling throat cancer, passing away in 1948 at age 53.
Cookie Rojas (Born 1939) – The Versatile Gentleman
Born Octavio Víctor “Cookie” Rojas Rivas in Havana, Cuba, Rojas made his way to Major League Baseball at a time when Latino players faced struggles in the league. He had to prove himself both on and off the field.
Family & Relationships:
- Rojas is married and has a baseball family:
- His son, Mike Rojas, followed in his footsteps and became an MLB coach.
- He has remained private and family-oriented, avoiding the scandals and wild lifestyle that Ruth was known for.
Personality & Lifestyle:
- Rojas was dedicated to the game, known for his work ethic and discipline.
- Unlike Babe Ruth’s flashy lifestyle, Rojas was a reserved and humble professional.
- After his playing career, he stayed in baseball as a manager, coach, and scout, influencing future generations of Latino players.
Key Differences in Their Personal Lives:
| Aspect | Babe Ruth | Cookie Rojas |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Rough childhood, reform school | Grew up in Cuba, Latino baseball pioneer |
| Marriage & Family | Two wives, adopted a daughter | Married with a baseball coaching legacy |
| Lifestyle | Party animal, known for drinking and wild behavior | Disciplined, focused on baseball and family |
| Post-Playing Career | Died young (53), beloved sports icon | Long career as a coach and manager |
| Public Image | Larger-than-life, a symbol of baseball’s golden age | Respected for his work ethic and contributions to Latino baseball |
While Babe Ruth was a cultural phenomenon, Cookie Rojas was a steady, hardworking professional who left his mark in baseball in a different way.
Would you like any specific details on either of them?
Your forgot to tell what teams they played for, their numbers or records
You’re right! Here’s a more complete comparison, including teams, jersey numbers, and records for Babe Ruth and Cookie Rojas.
Teams & Career Overview
Babe Ruth (1895–1948)
- Teams Played For:
- Boston Red Sox (1914–1919) – Started as a dominant pitcher.
- New York Yankees (1920–1934) – Became a legendary home run hitter.
- Boston Braves (1935) – Brief final season before retiring.
- Primary Positions: Outfielder, Pitcher
- Jersey Numbers:
- #3 with the Yankees (number was retired by the Yankees in 1948).
- Early in his career, uniform numbers weren’t standard, so he didn’t always have one.
- Key Records & Stats:
- 714 home runs (held the record for 39 years).
- .342 career batting average.
- 2,213 RBIs (Runs Batted In) – still among the all-time leaders.
- 94-46 pitching record, 2.28 ERA – one of the best-hitting pitchers ever.
- Seven-time World Series Champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932).
Cookie Rojas (Born 1939)
- Teams Played For:
- Cincinnati Reds (1962–1963) – Brief early career stint.
- Philadelphia Phillies (1964–1969) – Became a fan-favorite second baseman.
- St. Louis Cardinals (1970) – Short stay before a trade.
- Kansas City Royals (1970–1977) – Finished career, became a team leader.
- Primary Positions: Second Baseman, Utility Player
- Jersey Numbers:
- Wore #16 with the Phillies & Royals (Royals later honored him).
- Key Records & Stats:
- 1,660 career hits and 593 RBIs.
- .263 career batting average (consistent hitter).
- Five-time All-Star (1971–1974, 1976).
- One of the few Cuban-born players to have a long MLB career.
- Became a respected manager & coach after retiring.
Key Differences in Their Careers:
| Category | Babe Ruth | Cookie Rojas |
|---|---|---|
| Era Played | 1914–1935 | 1962–1977 |
| Main Position | Outfielder, Pitcher | Second Baseman, Utility Player |
| Best Team Known For | New York Yankees | Kansas City Royals, Phillies |
| Jersey Number | #3 (Yankees) | #16 (Royals, Phillies) |
| Batting Average | .342 | .263 |
| Home Runs | 714 | 54 |
| RBIs | 2,213 | 593 |
| All-Star Appearances | 2 | 5 |
| World Series Titles | 7 | 0 |
| Legacy | Greatest power hitter ever, changed baseball | Versatile player, key Latin American pioneer |
Babe Ruth was a record-breaking home run legend, while Cookie Rojas was a versatile, hardworking infielder who paved the way for many Latino players. Ruth changed baseball forever, while Rojas influenced future generations of Latin American ballplayers through both playing and coaching.
Let me know if you want even deeper stats or more comparisons! ⚾🔥
Make me a chart with Name Years, teams and jersey# throughout their career
EXTRA CREDIT
Here are some prompts for you to play with:
Basic Prompting
- “Explain [topic] in a formal/informal tone.”
- “Summarize [article/book] in bullet points.”
- “Write a persuasive essay on [topic].”
- “Provide an outline for a blog post about [subject].”
- “Describe [concept] as if you were an expert in the field.”
Advanced Prompting
- “Give me background information on [topic] before summarizing the latest updates.”
- “List keywords and key phrases related to [subject].”
- “Provide examples of how [concept] applies in real-world situations.”
- “Compare and contrast [two subjects] with a structured comparison.”
- “Generate a list of common mistakes when [task] and how to avoid them.”
Fine-Tuned Prompting
- “Use simple language to explain [complex concept] to a 10-year-old.”
- “Analyze [historical event] from multiple perspectives, including [specific viewpoint].”
- “Cite at least three sources to support the information about [topic].”
- “Identify biases in the argument for [controversial topic].”
- “Provide alternative viewpoints to [common belief or idea].”
Creative and Analytical Prompting
- “Use an analogy to explain [complex concept].”
- “Rephrase this statement with a more positive/neutral tone: ‘[text].'”
- “Give me a statistics-based argument for [idea].”
- “Provide a pros and cons list for [decision or choice].”
- “Ask me questions to clarify what I’m looking for regarding [topic].
