For the past ten years or so the American League staked its claim as the best league in Major League Baseball.
From All-Star games to World Series’ to inter-league play to generally producing more star-studded players, few would argue that American League teams have certainly outperformed their counterparts from the National League much like how the Western Conference in the NBA has completely dominated the East.
However, in what seems to be the start of a complete reversal of fortunes, it appears that the National League has taken over the American League as the best in baseball or, at the very least, has shrunk the gap.
Obviously, it will take some time before anyone can truly say the National League has outplayed the American in terms of World Series’, All-Star games, and inter-league play but from the sole standpoint of star-studded players including the emergence of highly talented youth, the tide has turned.
To open this debate, let’s start at the beginning.
First base, along with shortstop, is probably the most prominent display of National League supremacy over the American. Obviously these rankings below are somewhat based on my opinion, but however you look at it, the edge clearly goes to the National League.
5 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Matthew Irby about 1 year ago
AL First Baseman to consider after a couple of weeks...on Friday, long-time Texas Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock is going to make the move over to first base.
He has take a crash course on the position in Arizona at the Rangers extended spring training, and will make his major league debut at the position on friday in cleveland
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Stamati Horiates about 1 year ago
Right. Good point. I did hear that. Even so, that's the second good third basemen this year movin to first and the AL still doesn't compete with the NL there. Plus, it ultimately will make the AL weaker at third compared to the NL.
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Matthew Irby about 1 year ago
I agree with you about the NL having better first baseman than the AL. I was picking my All-Star starters earlier today and it took me 30 mintues of comparing, thinking, and comparing some more when trying to pick an NL first baseman, but I did end up going with Lance Berkman.
I like the fact that Blalock made the decision to move to third, but I understand that it is somewhat of a last ditch effort for him. The Rangers have Ramon Vazquez playing good baseball at third, German Duran is slowly getting used to the Majors, and Texas has Chris Davis down at Double-A Frisco ready to play first next season.
Blalock needs to get it done, NOW!
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Stamati Horiates about 1 year ago
Yeah. Picking a rep for the NL All-Star game at 1B is no picnic but I think you're right, you gotta give it to Berkman. He's been the best of the best so far.
As for Blalock, he's proven he can be good but he's certainly gonna have issues if he can't stay healthy. Not to mention, with the current trend in the MLB focusing on the youth movement why would you wann keep a 6 million dollar injury risk player who's never hit over .300 when you have talent ready to come up and replace him for way cheaper.
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Matthew Irby about 1 year ago
You 100% correct. And I think Blalock realizes this too. Cause you look back at his recent trends, he still struggles to hit lefties, misses at least a month a season on the DL, and is making big money.
And the Rangers have got Nate Gold at Triple-A Oklahoma City and just promoted the player that the front office likes a lot, Chris Davis, to Triple-A. Davis has been a third baseman, but made the transition at the beginning of the season to first base in attempts to make the big league roster.
What out for this kid maybe as early as next year spring training.
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