Open Mic: Major League Baseball All-Time Team

In response to the all-time team calls made by Zander during his previous e-mail, I have composed what is in my estimation the best baseball team that one can make through the annals of baseball history.

This team was not built based on how they would mesh together as a team, but more so based on their abilities as players at the positions they played.  Some on the list may surprise you, but others may not.  The team has 15 position players and 11 pitchers to fill out a 25 man roster (notice that the total there is actually 26).  Some players are chosen based on a career's worth of merit; others are chosen based on what they were capable of in a given year.

Without further adieu, here's the squad and the reason for their selection:

Catchers

Ivan Rodriguez (TEX, FLA, DET, NYY)

Affectionately known as "Pudge", Rodriguez is maybe the best combination catcher that baseball has ever seen.  His career numbers offensively are staggering, but add to this fact that he also could steal a base, and also add to the fact that he may very well go into the Hall of Fame after his career ends for his ability to throw out would be base stealers.  Pudge is the ultimate anti-theft weaponry for any baseball team.

Josh Gibson (never played in the big leagues)

Gibson might have been the best power hitter ever, period, without ever taking an at-bat in the Major Leagues.  Gibson is said to have hit over 800 career home runs in the Negro Leagues, all the while manning the most difficult position in the game.  Gibson's home runs were by no means cheap as all the fences were either non-existent or really far away.  Gibson is rumored to be the only man to ever hit a baseball completely out of Yankee Stadium.  Only imagine what his numbers could have been in the annals of baseball history had he had the chance to play during his segregated times.

First Base

Lou Gehrig (NYY)

Lou Gehrig was baseball's first iron man, playing in 2,130 consecutive games at first base for the New York Yankees,a feet unequaled until Cal Ripken, Jr. accomplished it playing shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles in 1995.  Gehrig's career stats were lessened only for the fact that he did not hit his 500th home run.  Gehrig's career was cut short due to an illness that was killing him.  Gehrig ranks highly in career slugging percentage, slugging over .600 for his career, and drove in nearly 2000 runs, while hitting 495 home runs.  He may well have been the best player on that Yankee team, donning the big number 4 because he was selected to hit clean-up.

Pete Rose (CIN, PHI)

Pete Rose is the all-time leader in hits for any Major League player.  He should be in Cooperstown, but that is another story altogether.  Rose was aptly nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for the effort that he always exuded.  He never took a play off.

Second Base

Rod Carew (MIN, ANA)

Rod Carew was one of the best hitters the game had ever seen.  His career average is one of the highest ever at his position, winning batting titles and an MVP award.

Shortstop

Alex Rodriguez (SEA, TEX, NYY)

A-Rod, the highest paid Major Leaguer in history, has certainly earned his keep.  A-Rod has already passed 500 home runs and will continue to breakdown milestones.  An all-star at both shortstop and third base, A-Rod is a versatile player.  Of the members of the 500 home run club, A-Rod has one of the top 5 career batting averages, batting over .300 for his career.

Ernie Banks (CHC)

Ernie Banks is affectionately known as Mr. Cub, and is the best player to ever play for the Cubs during their existence.  Banks was a pioneer in his age, where offensive shortstops were few and far between.  Banks ranks amongst the best offensive shortstops of all time and was a hardnosed player, commenting recently to Kevin Youkilis at the All-Star game that he loves the way that Youkilis plays because he is tough.

Third Base

Mike Schmidt (PHI)

The obvious choice to man third base is Mike Schmidt, a member of the 500 home run club.  Schmidt was the most feared hitter of the 70s and 80s, with only Jim Rice of the Red Sox as competition during the decade.

George Brett (KC)

George Brett has one of the best averages in the hall of fame and was an exceptional ballplayer.  Yes, he did get credit for the pine tar home run, so no statistical adjustments needed.  Who else would you want arguing with the umps on your team than George Brett?  That instance was downright comical.

Outfield

Ted Williams (BOS)

Williams is another unfortunate member of the 500 home run club.  Williams was one of the most honorable men in the game, giving up the prime of his career to serve his country in World War II and in Korea.  Add 5 years in his prime, and Williams numbers would have been staggering.  He would unquestionably be named the best lefty hitter of all time, hitting for both power and average.  Sadly, Williams never won a World Series.  He is the last man to bat .400 for a season, batting .406 in 1941.

Babe Ruth (BOS, NYY, BOS/ATL)

Babe Ruth makes the team not just for his power numbers, his eye at the plate, and all of his other amazing hitting accolades, but also for his pitching.  Ruth is the only two-way player on this team.  The Babe stands as the top untainted lefty hitter in the power department.  I would call him the second best left handed hitter, only to Ted Williams.  His record for home runs stood for roughly 40 years.

Ken Griffey, Jr. (SEA, CIN, CWS)

Ken Griffey, Jr. is another unfortunate member of the 500 home run club.  Had it not been for injuries, Griffey would be challenging the 755 mark set by Henry Aaron (seen later).  Griffey is the ultimate outfielder, a blend of raw athleticism, a great personality, a tremendous hitter, and a gold glove defender.

Willie Mays (SF, NYM)

Willie Mays made a career of swinging a great bat and turning in Web Gems while patroling centerfield.  Every baseball fan will remember the exciting catches that Mays turned in the spacious outfields he patrolled, particularly the over-the-shoulder grab of World Series fame.  Mays ranks 3rd on the all-time list in home runs (minus Bonds of course).

Henry Aaron (ATL/MIL, MIL)

The Hammer was a hammer, and one of the most consistent players to ever put on a uniform.  Aaron never hit more than 42 home runs in a year, yet became the home run king because he never hit less than 20.  Hammerin' Hank was and is still the best at his craft.  One of the most special moments in baseball was on April 8th, 1974, when Hank broke the Babe's record.

Rickey Henderson (OAK, TOR, BOS, NYY, NYM, LA)

From the sluggers to the speedster.  Henderson is the penultimate leadoff man, having a knack for drawing the walk and knowing how to steal a base.  Henderson stole a remarkable 130 bases at his high-water mark with the A's.

Now for the pitchers:

Pitchers

Pedro Martinez (MON, BOS, NYM)

Pedro is the best of the best, ranking in the top 5 all-time in many statistical categories, most notably WHIP (3rd), and K's per 9 Innings (1st).  Pedro's remarkable accomplishments were against some of the most prolific power hitters in history, and the brunt of those numbers were produced in the hitter's haven of Fenway Park.  Pedro's 2000 was amongst the best seasons ever by a pitcher, amassing an ERA of 1.78 and a WHIP beneath 1.  I refer to Pedro as the best of all time, simply because he could beat you with any of his four pitches.

Mariano Rivera (NYY)

"Sandman" is one of the most chilling sounds to be played at Yankee Stadium for an opposing hitter.  It signals one thing:  Rivera is coming to get you.  Rivera has been the most successful closer of an era of great closers, yet he has done it with only one pitch, the vaunted Cutter.

Goose Gossage (NYY, SD, TEX, SEA)

The Goose just went into the Hall of Fame and was the most feared reliever of his day.  The last of a breed, Gossage had over 175 2-inning saves.

Walter Johnson (WSH)

Johnson may not have had the records to show for it because he played for an awful team.  Johnson is voted by many as the best pitcher of all time, noting that his win percentage for a suspect team was so far better than the team's actual win percentage.  He had every weapon in his arsenal.

Greg Maddux (CHC, ATL, LA, SD)

The Doctor.  Maddux is a surgeon on the mound, having amassed 352 career wins and doing it while at most hitting 91 on the radar gun on his best days.  He has mastered the art of pitching the black and is never beaten around.  No one wants to face this man.

Sandy Koufax (LA)

Koufax is on the team simply for his curve ball.  He quite possibly had the best one ever, and his numbers would have been so much more daunting had he pitched longer.  He may have been the most dominant lefty ever.

Nolan Ryan (NYM, ANA, HOU, TEX)

Ryan is the all-time leader in K's and no-nos.  He brought the heat like no other.

Steve Carlton (PHI)

Best lefthander by the numbers ever.  Top 5 in K's, high in wins.  He did it all at the homer friendly Vet.  Unbelievable pitcher.

Cy Young (BOS)

The award for top pitcher is named for this guy.  He has the most wins ever.  Enough said.  No better winner.

Warren Spahn (BOS/MIL, NYM, SF)

Spahn was selected to 14 all-star teams, was in the top 3 in Cy Young voting 5 times, and won 363 games as a Major Leaguer.  Spahn is regarded as one of the top lefties ever and is a sure-fire bet for this team.

Now for the lineup:

1.  Rod Carew (2B) 2.  Ted Williams (LF) 3.  Lou Gehrig (1B) 4. Henry Aaron (RF) 5.  Babe Ruth (DH) 6.  Alex Rodriguez (SS) 7.  Willie Mays (CF) 8.  Mike Schmidt (3B) 9.  Ivan Rodriguez (C)  SP:  Pedro Martinez