National Past Times Very Best

Over the year’s baseball has seen some greats. But do they compare to the best of all time at their positions respectively

Catchers:

 Johnny Bench-As one of the most impressive defensive catchers, Johnny Bench was also considered to be an outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove awards, two Most Valuable Player awards, and the Rookie of the Year Award. A skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the league in RBI three times as a leader of the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s.

Yogi Berra- Berra was named to the American League All-Star team every year from 1948 to 1962. He topped the 100-RBI mark four years in a row and became a three-time American League MVP in a career that featured 14 league pennants and 10 World Series championships. Known for his “Yogi-isms,” Berra has always been a fan favorite.

First:

 Lou Gehrig-The Iron Horse had 13 consecutive seasons with both 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, averaging 139 runs and 148 RBI; set an American League mark with 184 RBI in 1931; hit a record 23 grand slams; and won the 1934 Triple Crown. His .361 batting average in seven World Series led the Yankees to six titles. A true gentleman and a tragic figure, Gehrig's consecutive games played streak ended at 2,130 when he was felled by a disease that later carried his own name.

Second:

 Joe Morgan-A fierce competitor renowned for his baseball smarts, Joe Morgan could single-handedly beat opposing teams with his multi-faceted skills. A two-time National League MVP in 1975 and 1976, he was a terror on the base paths, topping the 40-steal plateau nine times during his career. His skilled batting eye enabled him to lead the National League in on-base percentage and walks four times each. Morgan also packed considerable power into his compact frame, hitting 449 doubles and 268 home runs.

Bill Mazeroski-Mazeroski eventually became one of the best defensive second baseman in history with a lifetime .983 fielding percentage. The 10-time National League All-Star led the league in assists nine times, fielding percentage three times, and double plays eight times. A consistent batter, with 2,016 career hits, “Maz” achieved hero status in Pittsburgh's 1960 Fall Classic against the Yankees, when he became the first player ever to end the World Series with a home run.

Short Stop:

 Cal Ripken Jr- Gave new meaning to the phrase "everyday player." From May 30, 1982 through September 19, 1998, the lanky shortstop played in 2,632 straight games for the Baltimore Orioles, shattering Lou Gehrig's "unbreakable" mark of 2,130. Beyond "The Streak," however, Ripken methodically put together a remarkable career, notching 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, 19 straight All-Star appearances, and two Most Valuable Player Awards. Though his solid, steady play earned him hero status throughout America, Ripken also had a flair for the dramatic, homering in both his record-setting 2,131st game and his final All-Star contest

Ozzie Smith-Known as “The Wizard of Oz,” Ozzie Smith combined athletic ability with acrobatic skill to become one of the game’s great defensive shortstops. In 19 seasons with the Padres and Cardinals, the 13-time Gold Glove Award winner set major league shortstop records for assists, double plays and total chances. He would develop into an offensive weapon, finishing with over 2,400 hits and 500 stolen bases. His ninth-inning home run won the fifth game of the 1985 National League Championship Series.

Third:

 Known as The Human Vacuum Cleaner, Brooks Robinson established a standard of excellence for modern-day third basemen. He played 23 seasons for the Orioles, setting major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage. A clutch hitter, Robinson totaled 268 career home runs, at one time an American League record for third basemen. Robinson earned the league's MVP Award in 1964 and the World Series MVP in 1970, when he hit .429 and made a collection of defensive gems.

Left Field:

Ted Williams-The Red Sox' Ted Williams was one of baseball's greatest hitters. Combining keen vision with quick wrists and a scientific approach to hitting, he set numerous batting records despite missing nearly five full seasons due to military service and two major injuries. His accomplishments include a .406 season in 1941, two Triple Crowns, two MVPs, six American League batting championships.

Carl Yastrzemski-He was the all-time Red Sox leader in eight major categories - games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, total bases, RBI and extra base hits. An intense performer, Yaz played in more games (3,308) than any other American Leaguer, topping 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. A 14-time All-Star, he won seven Gold Glove Awards. A three-time batting champion, Yastrzemski was the American League MVP in 1967 when he won the Triple Crown, batting .326 with 121 RBI and 44 home runs.

Center:

 Mickey Mantle- A star from the start, parlaying a talent for the game and boyish good looks into iconic status. In spite of a series of devastating injuries, Mantle accumulated a long list of impressive accomplishments, finishing his 18-year career with 536 home runs and a .298 batting average. The switch-hitting Commerce Comet won three MVP awards (1956, ’57, and ’62) and a Triple Crown (1956). He contributed to 12 pennants and seven World Series titles in his first 14 seasons, while establishing numerous World Series records, including most home runs (18).

Willie Mays-The Say Hey Kid, played with enthusiasm and exuberance while excelling in all phases of the game - hitting for average and power, fielding, throwing and base running. His staggering career statistics include 3,283 hits and 660 home runs. The Giants' superstar earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1951 and two MVP awards. He accumulated 12 Gold Gloves, played in a record-tying 24 All-Star games and participated in four World Series. His catch of Vic Wertz's deep fly in the '54 Series remains one of baseball's most memorable moments.

Right:

 Babe Ruth-The southpaw hurler debuted with the Red Sox, winning 89 games in six years while setting the World Series record for consecutive scoreless innings. The Sultan of Swat converted to the outfield full-time after his sale to the Yankees in 1920 and led New York to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles. He finished with 714 home runs, leading the league 12 times, including a remarkable 60 round-trippers in 1927.

Roberto Clemente-Despite an unorthodox batting style, the Pirates' great won four batting crowns and amassed 3,000 hits. He was equally brilliant in right field, where he displayed a precise and powerful arm. Clemente earned National League MVP honors in 1966, but achieved his greatest fame in the 1971 World Series, when he batted .414. Tragically, Clemente's life ended at age 38 - the victim of a plane crash while flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims.

Honorable Mentions:

 Jackie Robinson at second, Ernie Banks at short, Joe DiMaggio at Center, Mike Schmidt at third, Willie Stargell at Left, Reggie Jackson at right, Al Kaline at right, Carlton Fisk at catcher, Roy Campanella at catcher, Ken Griffey Jr. at center, Hank Aaron at right, and Barry Bonds in left.

Barry may never get in the Hall of Fame but at one point was one of the very best and he didn’t realize it himself.

There is also one person that should be added and that is Pete Rose one of the very best of all time but committed the ultimate sin by betting on baseball. That sin did however happen after his playing days.