This is not the best player of each position. This is 25 man team of exceptional players that I feel would have strong team work. Also the players selected have had success in the postseason as well.
I'd have Casey Stengal's picture up there as well with Bobby, but I couldn't find a picture with both in it.
I feel that real pitchers bat 9th.
What more could you want in a lead off hitter. He could get a hit or get a walk, steal a couple of bases, and drive the pitcher to complete distraction. Add in some power and good defensive range you have probably the best lead off hitter the game as a quality Center fielder. Lets also mention Rickey though competitive, is always up for a good joke
What else needs to be said Jeter gets the job done. Defense, A few Gold gloves easily quiets that complaint. Speed, Jeter has stolen quite a few bases. Offense, how often have you seen Jeter fail to produce when needed? Jeter has done it all with a smile and a wave. An added bonus considering he's one of Yogi Berra's favorite baseball players to watch.
The numbers do not lie for Hank Aaron he was a complete hitter. Power, average, or clutch he excelled at them all. Aaron had quite a bit of speed stealing 273 bases. Defensively he was solid with a good arm and great range. Aaron was relaxed in almost any situation he was ever in (the chase for Babe Ruth is probably in the top five most stressful things any athlete has ever faced). Let's not forget some of his best numbers were against the greats at the time Drysdale, Koufax, and Gibson.
Professional, reliable, Team player are just a few things that could describe the Iron Horse. The Yankees can praise Babe Ruth all they want, but Gherig with the exclusion of 1923 world series is the main reason for the rising dynasties success. No player produced as many RBI over so short a time as this guy. Mr. Clutch is who Gehrig was. He really defined the role of Mr. Yankee that future greats like Dimaggio and Jeter would carry. Add in his defensive capabilities you couldn't find a better first baseman.
I honestly do not believe anybody had more fun playing MLB than Mickey Mantle. He had just as much fun on the field as he did off the field. Mickey was probably the best switch hitting power hitter. His range was limited by his legs, but his arm was solid in the outfield. A little undisciplined at times, but Mickey knew how to pick up a teams spirit (58 world series he showed up with a fake arrow through his head).
You can knock me all you want, but Chipper Jones has always been an enjoyable player to watch. The guy is a natural. He is the most complete switch hitter the game has ever seen. He is a go to guy when the chips are down. Defense is not perfect, but Chipper came up as a shortstop, moved to third base because the braves needed him to, then moved to left field to help out, then moved back to 3B when needed.
Its Yogi plane and simple. Offense he had plenty of, especially in the postseason (He was the original Mr. October). Defensively he solid. The best point was Yogi's ability to work with a pitcher. Stengel relied on Yogi to manage the pitchers. What ever a pitcher needed Yogi was on top of it. For heaven's sake a he caught a perfect game in the world series. Also no can ever forget Yogi's way with words. I honestly think if you put him catching Satchel paige the two of them would have the batter's laughing to hard to even swing at the ball.
Ryne Sandberg was impressive Defensively as he was offensively. He could turn on a ball as good as anyone to play the game. Ryne also had a good combination of speed and power. He was impressive in the Postseason, it is only a shame that the cubs could not pullit all together in the 80's to win the National league. Ryne paired up the Jeter I feel would shut down the middle of the infield.
If even half the things said about Satchel Paige are true he would be the greatest pitcher ever seen. Satchel was a true competitor that loved being on the mound. No matter what the situation he was always easy going on the mound. He succeeded and thrived in what ever league he played including the 1948 indians. Unfortunately their never was any official data about him, but giving the scouting reports written over the years I could safely say he was one of the best.
Greg Maddux is probably the most improbable pitcher ever to be seen in baseball. In all truth he had a mid talent arm that was thought by many to be only useful for moderate success. Instead Maddux turned that to an advantage and became the most accurate pitcher the game has ever seen. During his career he left a wake of confused hitters a mile wide. Add on that he was the best defensive pitcher in the game, how could you not want him on the mound.
Sandy Koufax over the span of six years dominated the game. He recorded 300 K's in a season three times. He had an ERA under 2.00 three times. It was sad that he damaged his arm due to poor technique earlier in his career or we might have seen more. Koufax pitched Well in the post season helping the dodgers win 3 world series with a impressive 0.95 ERA.
Tom Seaver was a competitor pure and simple. During his stint with the Mets, I believe they could have won every single game he pitched. He was the ideal power pitcher. Lots of speed with excellent control. I'd put him No. 1 on all most any pitching staff.
If you need a left handed starter you couldn't do any better than Warren
Spahn. The most wins by any pitcher in the live ball era. He could eat up innings, control a game, and quiet the bats of dangerous power hitters. He pitched 19 more complete games than he had wins.
He can Start, he can relieve, he has power, he has control. John Smoltz is one of the best power pitchers of his era. If he hadn't been in Atlanta he would have been No. 1 Starter for any team in the majors. He's a competitor with a proven record in the postseason. Plus I'm sure him and Maddux are still good golfing buddies.
Goose Gossage had probably one of the most intimidating mustache's in baseball. Of course he was also a great starter and dominant Reliever. He was a key part to the 78' Yankees pitching six innings of shutout baseball as their closer. I know he grew the mustache after leaving the Yankees but it still is cool.
First off the guy won The Cy Young and MVP award as a relief pitcher. That should say the most about it. Rollie was probably one of the first pitchers to define the modern role of a relief pitcher. His postseason performance from 1972-74 were astounding as well. I also have to give props to the dick dasterdly mustache
1974 should some it up for Mike Marshall. Didn't start a single game but he came away with 15 wins, 21 svs, 208.1 innings, and a 2.42 ERA. Never has any other relief pitcher put up these numbers. Don't forget he had a 0.75 ERA over 12 innings in the post season. Mike still produced a strong career in 14 seasons, but its sad to wonder how great of a closer he would have been if his arm wasn't so abused.
Bruce Sutter pitched only 12 seasons, but he amassed some of the best numbers any reliever has produced. 1982 with the exception of one bad outing he was outstanding for St. Louis. Also being one of the few relievers to win the Cy Young helps as well.
Tom Glavine thought not a reliever traditionally is one of the best left handed pitchers to play the game. Add on to the fact that he has an exceptional postseason career (the lack of wins is mostly due to lack of run support and bullpen error). Glavine has always been a team player. Heck he played No. 2 position to Greg Maddux even though he was justified to be the No. 1 starter. The only problem would be having to install a putting hole in the bullpen.
The picture should sum it up. I don't think there has been a more successful or reliable closer as Marian Rivera. This guy has been the cornerstone for Yankees success since 1996(he was the main set up man that year). Since 1996 only once has his season era been above 3.00. As far as the postseason goes a 0.74 ERA should quiet any question.
Ozzie Smith is the example of infield defensive excellence. He was a human highlight real of improbable plays. Add on That he stole 580 bases makes him an excellent base runner. A decent bat for pinch hit situations would be good as well since he did not strike out much.
Good god what a reach. Brooks Robinson was the human Vacuum cleaner. He played 3B mostly, but he could play SS, 2B and 1B just as well. He had a good bat and decent power, but it seemed his bat really came alive during the post season.
Jonny Bench was a great defensive player all around. Not only was he the best defensive Catcher ever he also was a great defensive OF, 1B, 3B. He was also a strong Power hitter. You could easily put him in as Tom Seaver's Catcher to allow Yogi at least a days rest in the rotation.
Stan Musial was a solid hitter. With over 1300 extra base hits, you could always rely on Musial to come up with a needed RBI even when he was down on his luck. With a .984 lifetime Fielding percentage, he also makes for a quality Outfielder. Easy going and relaxed in his actions, it was no wonder he and Yogi Berra were close friends during the Offseason.
Albert Pujols after nine seasons has established himself as one of the top hitters in the game. He's already put together one of the greatest decades of hitting the game has ever seen. In fact he may eclipse Lou Gehrig as the greatest offensive 1B in baseball. Giving his short career so far this is why he is on the bench at the moment. Still Albert has been the corner stone for the Cardinals offense and made things happen when they needed it. Also he has had a fairly good career in the post season with a .322 BA.
Manager: Casey Stengel
Pitching Coach: Bobby Cox
Hitting Coach: Lou Piniella
First Base Coach: Connie Mac
Third Base Coach: John Mcgraw
Bench Coach: Joe Girardi
Bullpen Coach: Leo Mazzone
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