Not sure why this comparison is coming up over and over. I guess it's because of the Running Lane race. But we don't see constant threads about Lagat vs Rupp. They were physiologically different types of runner whose best events were different. It is true they overlapped at 5000. That's a distance at which a great 1500 runner can excell; so can a great 10000 runner. Now, it's not as ridiculous as comparing Brazier to Shorter, since they both have decent 5000 PRs, but Rupp was so much better than Lagat at 10000 and up that it's not worth a thread comparing them. Ditto 3000 and down - Lagat is so much better no one's bothered to discuss it.
This debate is similar. (And the physical makeup of the 2 guys may be similar to the 2 mentioned above, also.) You're comparing someone whose best event is probably 1500 or mile to someone whose best events were 5000 to half marathon. Now, I say 'probably' for the youngster since he doesn't seem to race a very wide spectrum of distances. After retirement, maybe we will see he was best suited to something else. My guess (which may not be worth much) is that he IS competing at the ideal distance for his body.
Ritz had a chance to race in peak form over various events. The one caveat I would throw in there is that I don't believe his 10000 PR reflects his fitness at his peak. Keep in mind, his 5000 PR came at a race which was a last-minute decision. He and Al thought there would be a big 10000 with a gang of superstars running fast. That's what the training had been designed for. When that didn't end up happening, they decided on the 5000 which is now lengendary in American running lore.
So, although it is true that Ritz's 5000 PR is objectively better than his 10000, if someone like J Kellog interpolates using his 5000 and HM bests, it would be clear that he should have been capaple of a faster 10000. Why he didn't run one I don't know... But the point still stands: you're comparing a true distance runner with a middle distance runner. Take both of them at 17 or 18 or whatever age - maybe 18-1/2. Over 5000, 10000, and certainly anything longer, Ritz takes it. I don't believe Sahlman even has PRs for any of these. At 800, 1500, or mile, the kid wins. Does Ritz have HS PRs for these mid-D events? Maybe, but they don't come up and nobody talks about them. Sahlman probably wins over 3000. It could be close there.
Wouldn't it be more relevant to compare any of the NP crowd to Webb? Why aren't threads on Colin v. Alan?