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Greatest MLB Baseball Draft Team Summary Thread (1 Viewer)

timschochet

timschochet

Footballguy
Cicncy Kid

Manager Joe Torre

Starting Pitcher #1 Bob Feller

Starting Pitcher #2 Chief Bender

Starting Pitcher #3 Jack Chesbro

Starting Pitcher #4 Wes Ferrell

Starting Pitcher #5 Ted Lyons

Middle Reliever Jason Isringhausen

Setup Pitcher Sparky Lyle

Closer Dan Quisenberry

Catcher Roy Campenella

1st Base Will Clark

2nd Base Frankie Frisch

Shortstop Robin Yount

3rd Base Brooks Robinson

Left Field Pete Rose

Center Field Duke Snider

Right Field Babe Ruth

Utility Infielder Tony Perez

Utility Outfielder Zach Wheat

Designated Hitter Eric Davis

Hoos First

Manager Joe McCarthy

Starting Pitcher #1 Grover Alexander

Starting Pitcher #2 Curt Schilling

Starting Pitcher #3 Mike Mussina

Starting Pitcher #4 Hippo Vaughn

Starting Pitcher #5 Billy Pierce

Middle Reliever Rick Aguilera

Setup Pitcher John Franco

Closer Mariano Rivera

Catcher Ted Simmons

1st Base Albert Pujols

2nd Base Rod Carew

Shortstop Vern Stephens

3rd Base Wade Boggs

Left Field Albert Belle

Center Field Willie Mays

Right Field Sammy Sosa

Utility Infielder Tony Philips

Utility Outfielder Bernie Williams

Designated Hitter Mo Vaughn

Wikkidpissah

Manager **** Williams

Starting Pitcher #1 Sandy Koufax

Starting Pitcher #2 Cy Young

Starting Pitcher #3 Dwight Gooden

Starting Pitcher #4 Orel Hershiser

Starting Pitcher #5 Bob Veale

Middle Reliever **** Radatz

Setup Pitcher Dave Righetti

Closer Goose Gossage

Catcher Bill Dickey

1st Base Willie McCovey

2nd Base Rogers Hornsby

Shortstop Cal Ripken

3rd Base Bill Madlock

Left Field Lou Brock

Center Field Al Kaline

Right Field Vlad Guerrero

Utility Infielder Luis Aparicio

Utility Outfielder Tony Conigliaro

Designated Hitter Jim Rice

Avoiding Injuries

Manager Earl Weaver

Starting Pitcher #1 Warren Spahn

Starting Pitcher #2 Jim Palmer

Starting Pitcher #3 John Smoltz

Starting Pitcher #4 Bret Saberhagen

Starting Pitcher #5 Roy Halladay

Middle Reliever Ron Perranoski

Setup Pitcher Mike Marshall

Closer Lee Smith

Catcher Mickey Cochrane

1st Base Todd Helton

2nd Base Joe Morgan

Shortstop Luke Appling

3rd Base Eddie Matthews

Left Field Ted Williams

Center Field Earl Averill

Right Field Sam Crawford

Utility Infielder Ozzie Smith

Utility Outfielder Orlando Cepeda

Designated Hitter Andre Dawson

Pik95

Manager Casey Stengel

Starting Pitcher #1 Randy Johnson

Starting Pitcher #2 Joe Wood

Starting Pitcher #3 Fergie Jenkins

Starting Pitcher #4 Bob Lemon

Starting Pitcher #5 Lou Warneke

Middle Reliever Dan Plesac

Setup Pitcher Rob Nenn

Closer Billy Wagner

Catcher Mike Piazza

1st Base Lou Gehrig

2nd Base Ryne Sandberg

Shortstop Ernie Banks

3rd Base Home Run Baker

Left Field Minnie Minoso

Center Field Jim Edmonds

Right Field Manny Ramirez

Utility Infielder Maury Wills

Utility Outfielder Elmer Flick

Designated Hitter Jeff Bagwell

Greco

Manager Sparky Anderson

Starting Pitcher #1 Steve Carlton

Starting Pitcher #2 Don Sutton

Starting Pitcher #3 Don Newcombe

Starting Pitcher #4 Denny McLain

Starting Pitcher #5 Vida Blue

Middle Reliever John Tudor

Pitcher Jimmy Key

Setup Pitcher Mike Timlin

Closer Trevor Hoffman

Catcher Thurman Munson

1st Base Bill Terry

2nd Base Charlie Gehringer

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra

3rd Base Ron Santo

Left Field Barry Bonds

Center Field Harry Heilmann

Right Field Frank Robinson

Utility Outfielder Jose Canseco

Designated Hitter Dave Parker

Rikishiboy

Manager Tommy Lasorda

Starting Pitcher #1 Tom Seaver

Starting Pitcher #2 Eddie Plank

Starting Pitcher #3 Early Wynn

Starting Pitcher #4 Sam McDowell

Starting Pitcher #5 Mike Cuellar

Middle Reliever Lindy McDaniel

Setup Pitcher Mike Stanton

Closer Jeff Reardon

Catcher Joe Torre

1st Base Hank Greenberg

2nd Base Roberto Alomar

Shortstop Alex Rodriguez

3rd Base Pie Traynor

Left Field Ricky Henderson

Center Field Kirby Puckett

Right Field Gary Sheffield

Utility Infielder Del Pratt

Utility Outfielder Richie Ashburn

Designated HitterFrank Howard

LarryBoy 44

Manager Billy Southworth

Starting Pitcher #1 Roger Clemens

Starting Pitcher #2 Greg Maddux

Starting Pitcher #3 Ed Walsh

Starting Pitcher #4 Red Ruffing

Starting Pitcher #5 Carl Mays

Middle Reliever Paul Quantrill

Setup Pitcher John Wetteland

Closer Rollie Fingers

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez

1st Base **** Allen

2nd Base Craig Biggio

Shortstop Derek Jeter

3rd Base Sal Bando

Left Field Tim Raines

Center Field Dale Murphy

Right Field Bobby Bonds

Utility Infielder Frank White

Utility Outfielder Cesar Cedeno

Designated Hitter Frank Thomas

Doug B

Manager Walter Alston

Starting Pitcher #1 Walter Johnson

Starting Pitcher #2 Pedro Martinez

Starting Pitcher #3 Rube Waddell

Starting Pitcher #4 Ron Guidry

Starting Pitcher #5 Babe Adams

Middle Reliever Decon Phillipe

Setup Pitcher Tom Burgmeier

Closer Troy Percival

Catcher Gabby Hartnett

1st Base Johnny Mize

2nd Base Tony Lazzeri

Shortstop Arky Vaughn

3rd Base Scott Rolen

Left Field Joe Jackson

Center Field Hack Wilson

Right Field Lance Berkman

Utility Infielder Gil McDougal

Utility Outfielder Andruw Jones

Designated Hitter Jim Thome

Derek245583

Manager Bobby Cox

Starting Pitcher #1 Lefty Grove

Starting Pitcher #2 Bob Gibson

Starting Pitcher #3 Gaylord Perry

Starting Pitcher #4 Jim Bunning

Starting Pitcher #5 Luis Tiant

Middle Reliever Todd Worrell

Setup Pitcher Armando Benitez

Closer Tug McGraw

Catcher Johnny Bench

1st Base Carlos Delgado

2nd Base Bobby Grich

Shortstop Lou Boudreau

3rd Base Bob Elliot

Left Field Al Simmons

Center Field Mickey Mantle

Right Field Paul Waner

Utility Infielder Steve Garvey

Utility Outfielder Al Oliver

Designated Hitter George Foster

Horvy

Manager John McGraw

Starting Pitcher #1 Robin Roberts

Starting Pitcher #2 Dazzy Vance

Starting Pitcher #3 Hal Newhouser

Starting Pitcher #4 Eddie Cicotte

Starting Pitcher #5 Burleigh Grimes

Middle Reliever Jim Kaat

Setup Pitcher Jessie Orosco

Closer Hoyt Wilhelm

Catcher Yogi Berra

1st Base Don Mattingly

2nd Base Jackie Robinson

Shortstop Alan Trammel

3rd Base Mike Schmidt

Left Field Willie Stargell

Center Field Ty Cobb

Right Field Tony Gwynn

Utility Infielder Phil Rizzuto

Utility Outfielder Joe Medwick

Designated Hitter Dave Winfield

Shake Zula

Manager Jim Leyland

Starting Pitcher #1 Nolan Ryan

Starting Pitcher #2 Catfish Hunter

Starting Pitcher #3 David Cone

Starting Pitcher #4 Kevin Brown

Starting Pitcher #5 Tim Hudson

Middle Reliever Scott Shields

Setup Pitcher Alejandro Pena

Closer Francisco Rodriguez

Catcher Gary Carter

1st Base Rafael Palmiero

2nd Base Jeff Kent

Shortstop Omar Visquel

3rd Base George Brett

Left Field Carl Yastzremski

Center Field Ken Griffey, Jr.

Right Field Ichiro Suzuki

Utility Infielder Fred McGriff

Utility Outfielder David Justice

Designated Hitter Darryl Strawberry

Tremendous Upside/Koya

Manager Miller Huggins

Starting Pitcher #1 Carl Hubbell

Starting Pitcher #2 Mordecai Brown

Starting Pitcher #3 Lefty Gomez

Starting Pitcher #4 Stan Covaleski

Starting Pitcher #5 Joe McGinnity

Middle Reliever Red Faber

Setup Pitcher Steve Howe

Closer Bruce Sutter

Catcher Ernie Lombardi

1st Base Jason Giambi

2nd Base Nap Lajoie

Shortstop Honus Wagner

3rd Base Harmon Killebrew

Left Field Ralph Kiner

Center Field Tris Speaker

Right Field Chuck Klein

Utility Infielder Keith Hernandez

Utility Outfielder Goose Goslin

Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez

Usual 21

Manager Tony LaRussa

Starting Pitcher #1 Christy Mathewson

Starting Pitcher #2 Whitey Ford

Starting Pitcher #3 Tom Glavine

Starting Pitcher #4 Roy Oswalt

Starting Pitcher #5 Dave Stewart

Middle Reliever Jeff Nelson

Setup Pitcher Ron Dibble

Closer Tom Henke

Catcher Jorge Posada

1st Base George Sisler

2nd Base Alfonso Soriano, 2B

Shortstop Miguel Tejada

3rd Base Paul Molitor

Left Field Reggie Jackson

Center Field Joe DiMaggio

Right Field Roberto Clemente

Utility Infielder Bill Mazeroski

Utility Outfielder Bobby Murcer

Designated Hitter Juan Gonzalez

SoCalBroncoFan

Manager Billy Martin

Starting Pitcher #1 Addie Joss

Starting Pitcher #2 Don Drysdale

Starting Pitcher #3 Johann Santana

Starting Pitcher #4 Spud Chandler

Starting Pitcher #5 Dave Stieb

Middle Reliever John Hiller

Setup Pitcher Kent Tekulve

Closer Dennis Eckersley

Catcher Carlton Fisk

1st Base Jimmie Foxx

2nd Base Eddie Collins

Shortstop Joe Cronin

3rd Base Chipper Jones

Left Field Billy Williams

Center Field Jimmy Wynn

Right Field Larry Walker

Utility Infielder Burt Campaneris

Utility Outfielder Kenny Loftin

Designated Hitter Mark McMgwire

Zow

Manager Connie Mack

Starting Pitcher #1 Juan Marichal

Starting Pitcher #2 Dizzy Dean

Starting Pitcher #3 Phil Neikro

Starting Pitcher #4 Bert Blyleven

Starting Pitcher #5 Jack Morris

Middle Reliever Roberto Hernandez

Setup Pitcher Keith Foulke, RP

Closer Randy Myers

Catcher Elston Howard

1st Base Eddie Murray

2nd Base Lou Whitaker

Shortstop Barry Larkin

3rd Base Mel Ott

Left Field Stan Musial

Center Field Fred Lynn

Right Field Hank Aaron

Utility Infielder Larry Doyle

Utility Outfielder Larry Doby

Designated Hitter David Ortiz

 
Last edited by a moderator:
OK, this is the team summary thread. Players, please check your teams on the OP to make sure everything is correctly in place.

I am expecting a team summary from each player; here is what it should include:

1. A summary description of your picks, noting the things judges should pay attention to.

2. A lineup for your starting players.

3. 7 years of statistics. Make sure these are clear and easy to read, and include the year, ERA and WHIP for the pitchers, and OPS+ for the batters. Include any other stats you feel are important, including defensive stats.

I am leaving for vacation Friday, June 13 for 2 weeks, and my access to a computer during that time will be limited. I'm hoping to have your summaries posted by Wednesday June 11, so I can print them out and take them with me. This gives you a week and a half. My idea is to have rankings by the end of June.

All others, we welcome your input and comments about the teams. Who do you think did the best job? Who did the worst? Let us know.

Finally, thanks to all the players and everyone else for making this a very fun experience.

 
guess i'm 1st in the pool....

WIKKIDPISSAH

lineup:

LBrock

BMadlock

RHornsby

WMcCovey

VGuerrero

AKaline

JRice

BDickey

CRipken

Well, here we go. I can tell, from the comments of some of the judges, that I may need to do some advocatin’ to have my team considered in the upper echelon. I can honestly say I would not trade my team for any other drafted & its down to me to make you see why.

The two most wonderful things about baseball is that performance can be statistically quantified (with x-factors always seeming to even out – with the possible exceptions of dead balls & high mounds) better than any other sport but yet it lends itself to the anecdotal just as well. Being as old as I am and having worked, at age 10, for a ballpark vendor in his 70s who saw Mr. Ruth & & Mr Hornsby & Mr. Johnson & Mr Gibson & Satchel (the only player he’d call by name) and Mr. Cobb, I connect far enough back into the game to love the beauty of memory as it concerns baseball as much as any other aspect. My other advantage in this area was that games were taken in more often by radio than TV in my youth & the broadcasters went on & on & back far enough (or worked with those who did) to tell you about Country Slaughter or Dazzy Vance and make em seem real and playing still.

So let me try to combine the two to convince you my guys would win a pennant or 7-game series against the others.

1B – Willie McCovey. As I mentioned in the thread, there were many great players (Mays, Mantle, Clemente Aaron) in or near their primes in the 60s, but I can guarantee you that the hitter who caused hurlers to throw up in their mouths a little was this guy. Imagine Big Papi without the immense hole in his swing. You just couldn’t have the kind of flaws modern sluggers do in those days cuz you had pitchers throwin 95+ off of 20-inch (DOUBLE today’s standard) mounds. Again, I’m old enough to have seen pitches from high and low mounds – two totally nuther thangs. Prolly the most impressive stat on the other Willie is that, in his MVP season, he hit an immense 45 HRs while K’ing only 63 times. Here’s his 7:

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBCSBB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB

’63 564 103 158 19 5 44 102 1 1 50 119 .280 .350 .566 161 319

’65 540 93 149 17 4 39 92 0 4 88 118 .276 .381 .539 153 291

’66 502 85 148 26 6 36 96 2 1 76 100 .295 .391 .586 164 294

’67 456 73 126 17 4 31 91 3 3 71 110 .276 .378 .535 159 244

’68 523 81 153 16 4 36 105 4 2 72 71 .293 .378 .545 174 285

’69 491 101 157 26 2 45 126 0 0 121 66 .320 .453 .656 209 322

’70 495 98 143 39 2 39 126 0 0 137 75 .289 .444 .612 181 303

2B – Rogers Hornsby. Like I said when I picked him, my ol’ boss Mr. Turner’s eyes would glaze over when he’d speak about Mr Ruth. He claimed to have been the Babe’s personal train porter on the Boston&Maine during his heyday, but I’m sure they all did. I was surprised when I first asked him then if the Bambino was the best he’d ever seen. I figured if he didn’t go with him, he’d go with the stars of his own race who he’d seen countless times on the NYC end of his route. “No suh” he said, “Mr Rogers Hornsby is the best player ever was.” Going by his ’22 season he might be right: .401, 42 HRs (NL record), 450 bases, almost 300 runs scored/bi. Cant no one beat that.

(really wanted to include his ’20 season to show the difference between dead/live ball)

’21 592 131 235 44 18 21 126 13 13 60 48 .397 .458 .639 191 378

’22 623 141 250 46 14 42 152 17 12 65 50 .401 .459 .722 207 450

’23 424 89 163 32 10 17 83 3 7 55 29 .384 .459 .627 188 266

’24 536 121 227 43 14 25 94 5 12 89 32 .424 .507 .696 222 373

’25 504 133 203 41 10 39 143 5 3 83 39 .403 .489 .756 210 381

’28 486 99 188 42 7 21 94 5 107 41 .387 .498 .632 200 307

’29 602 156 229 47 8 39 149 2 87 65 .380 .459 .679 178 409

3B – Bill Madlock. Once the last of the grrrreat 3B, Eddie Matthews, was taken right in front of me & I saw Miggy Cabrera was 2 yrs short of qualifying, I knew I was gonna wait til last & let the Pie Traynors & Paul Molitors be taken elsewhere. This was the perfect guy for the 2-hole in my lineup – next to GBrett, the best bat control of any non slap hitter of the DH era, with four BA titles. He was injured quite a bit & got some ‘tude cuz he replaced the real Mr. Cub (RSanto) and fans rode him pretty hard, but I’d still take him over 20 Richie Allens and believe, like Garnett on an NBA allstar team, he would be a much better supporting than star player & prolly hit .350 regular in that spot. Could run a lil, too (32 SBs one yr) and was a huge acquisition for the ’79 “we are fam-a-lee” Pirates (.330 down the stretch after his pickup) in the one sub-.300 yr submitted. Speaking of which:

’75 514 77 182 29 7 7 64 9 7 42 34 .354 .402 .479 141 246

’76 514 68 174 36 1 15 84 15 11 56 27 .339 .412 .500 151 257

’77 533 70 161 28 1 12 46 13 10 43 33 .302 .360 .426 111 227

’78 447 76 138 26 3 15 44 16 5 48 39 .309 .378 .481 144 215

’79 560 85 167 26 5 14 85 32 11 52 41 .298 .355 .438 116 245

’82 568 92 181 33 3 19 95 18 6 48 39 .319 .368 .488 134 277

’83 473 68 153 21 0 12 68 3 4 49 24 .323 .386 .444 127 210

SS – Cal Ripken Jr. – I wasn’t the biggest Cal fan and always resented the deification by his fans (for those too young to remember, he was BRETT FAVRE b4 brett favre), but there’s no denying that record (as a kid I was on the side that said DiMag’s 56 would get broke WELL b4 Gehrig’s 2130). Beyond that, he changed the position – b4 Cal, your best athlete started at SS in Lil League but moved to OF (or Football) well b4 he got serious about playing. A-Rod woulda been a RF without Cal. And the numbers aren’t too shabby, even taking into consideration the dilution that 13 yrs of 700+ plate appearances can effect.

’83 663 121 211 47 2 27 102 0 4 58 97 .318 .371 .517 144 343

’84 641 103 195 37 7 27 86 2 1 71 89 .304 .374 .510 145 327

’85 642 116 181 32 5 26 110 2 3 67 68 .282 .347 .469 124 301

’86 627 98 177 35 1 25 81 4 2 70 60 .282 .355 .461 123 289

’87 624 97 157 28 3 27 98 3 5 81 77 .252 .333 .436 105 272

’88 575 87 152 25 1 23 81 2 2 102 69 .264 .372 .431 128 248

’91 650 99 210 46 5 34 114 6 1 53 46 .323 .374 .566 162 368

C – Bill Dickey. Another guy who redefined the position. Until the Bench-Fisk-Munson era, catchers were guys you hoped could give u 120 games, not piss off the pitchers, keep the base stealers from embarrassing u & were THRILLED if they chipped in .250-8-40. Yogi & Campy were blessed exceptions, but Bill Dickey invented the exception (and, as Berra will tell u, invented him). As an example, let’s look at the avg #s for the NL AllStar Cs for Dickeys peak years (1936-9, including 2 guys – Hartnett & Lombardi – taken in this draft): .310-11-64. Bill’s were .328-26-115. The catcher record .362 he hit in ’36 lasted 70 yrs. Manager on the field as well.

’32 423 66 131 20 4 15 84 2 4 34 13 .310 .361 .482 121 204

’33 478 58 152 24 8 14 97 3 4 47 14 .318 .381 .490 135 234

’34 395 56 127 24 4 12 72 0 3 38 18 .322 .384 .494 132 195

’36 423 99 153 26 8 22 107 0 2 46 16 .362 .428 .617 158 261

’37 530 87 176 35 2 29 133 3 2 73 22 .332 .417 .570 145 302

’38 454 84 142 27 4 27 115 3 0 75 22 .313 .412 .568 143 258

’39 480 98 145 23 3 24 105 5 0 77 37 .302 .403 .513 133 246

LF – Lou Brock. If I were starting a baseball team, the first thing I’d look for was a great leadoff man, one who could get on base & get the pitcher off his best game. I really wanted to get Henderson and would have taken him in the 3rd if Cy Young wasn’t still there. I might have bit a lil early on Brock, but that’s how important the 1-hole is. And getting on like Brock was a departure for SB leaders. For example, in the 8 yrs Brock led the NL in steals, he batted .297. His AL counterparts hit .268. And check the power, too – his 325 TB in ’67 was unprecedented for a leadoff guy.

Footnote: For yrs, I had a framed cover of the 1968 SI Baseball Preview on my wall. It was a StL team picture with the caption “The Million Dollar Team”. That’s right....team. The 68 Cards were the 1st team to go over $1 mil in payroll.

’64 634 111 200 30 11 14 58 43 18 40 127 .315 .358 .464 123 294

’65 631 107 182 35 8 16 69 63 27 45 116 .288 .345 .445 113 281

’67 689 113 206 32 12 21 76 52 18 24 109 .299 .327 .472 128 325

’68 660 92 184 46 14 6 51 62 12 46 124 .279 .328 .418 124 276

’69 655 97 195 33 10 12 47 53 14 50 115 .298 .349 .434 119 284

’71 640 126 200 37 7 7 61 64 19 76 107 .313 .385 .425 126 272

’74 635 105 194 25 7 3 48 118 33 61 88 .306 .368 .381 110 242 (there were better seasons than this yr he went for the record, but how can u not include it?)

CF – Al Kaline. The poor man’s Musial. Though to nowhere near the success, the swing was the right-handed version of Stan the Man’s as the smoothest, sweetest ever. After becoming the youngest player (19) to win an AL bating title in ’55 he was The Man on a dozen or so truly awful Tiger teams b4 getting the titles he deserved in 67-8. With 10 Gold Gloves, he was without question the best fielding OF in AL for his era.

’55 588 121 200 24 8 27 102 6 8 82 57 .340 .421 .546 162 321

’56 617 96 194 32 10 27 128 7 1 70 55 .314 .383 .530 139 327

’59 511 86 167 19 2 27 94 10 4 72 42 .327 .410 .530 151 271

’61 586 116 190 41 7 19 82 14 1 66 42 .324 .393 .515 139 302

’62 398 78 121 16 6 29 94 4 0 47 39 .304 .376 .593 153 236 (biggest HR yr in a season he only played 100 Gs)

’63 551 89 172 24 3 27 101 6 4 54 48 .312 .375 .514 144 283

’66 479 85 138 29 1 29 88 5 5 81 66 .288 .392 .534 161 256

’67 458 94 141 28 2 25 78 8 2 83 47 .308 .411 .541 176 248

RF - Vlad Guerrero. Only A-Rod & Griff were better non-juiced hitters in the juice era & the best free-swinger I ever seen. The Will Rogers of takin rips has yet to K 100 times in a season. ’04 MVP, eleven straight .300 seasons, 353 HR in his 1st decade, one homer short of the 40-40 club in ’02 and only Clemente had a better RF-to-3B throw (my favorite play in ball).

’98 623 108 202 37 7 38 109 11 9 42 95 .324 .371 .589 150 367

’99 610 102 193 37 5 42 131 14 7 55 62 .316 .378 .600 146 366

’00 571 101 197 28 11 44 123 9 10 58 74 .345 .410 .664 162 379

’01 599 107 184 45 4 34 108 37 16 60 88 .307 .377 .566 139 339

’02 614 106 206 37 2 39 111 40 20 84 70 .336 .417 .593 160 364

’04 612 124 206 39 2 39 126 15 3 52 74 .337 .391 .598 157 366

’05 520 95 165 29 2 32 108 13 1 61 48 .317 .394 .565 154 294

DH – Jim Ed Rice. Say Hey Willie had the only quicker swing & I’ve never seen the ball hit harder than he could, but the reason I selected Rice was that he was baseball’s last real victim of racism. I would have taken Josh Gibson (for having EASILY the highest differential of performance to median at his position) @ 1.3 if it had been allowed and, as u saw with my honorary picks in the 1st several rds. I feel it to be a true shame that Negro Leaguers aren’t quantifiable for the purposes of a draft like this. I honestly believe that Rice would have been an easy 1st-ballot HOFer if he’d been white. Not cuz of any bias in the voting but due to his treatment by RedSox fans. I grew up in Boston & heard his rocket shots off the Monstah (he leads all-ball in 400ft singles cuz of it) and never quite seen the likes of him but, because Yaz was already established, Freddie Lynn had such an unconscious rookie season and Beantown was in the middle of their busing controversy (not a highly enlightened town anyway – Bill Russell STILL talks about it, Sox were the last to de-segregate in baseball & the most common sports joke I heard in those days was Q: What do you call a black superstar? A: N-----.) he never got his due & it sucked the heart and will out of him. That’s my piece – here’s the numbers:

’75 564 92 174 29 4 22 102 10 5 36 122 .309 .350 .491 127 277

’76 581 75 164 25 8 25 85 8 5 28 123 .282 .315 .482 120 280

’77 644 104 206 29 15 39 114 5 4 53 120 .320 .376 .593 147 382

’78 677 121 213 25 15 46 139 7 5 58 126 .315 .370 .600 157 406 (if I remember correctly, this was the 1st 400-base season in like 20 yrs)

’79 619 117 201 39 6 39 130 9 4 57 97 .325 .381 .596 154 369

’83 626 90 191 34 1 39 126 0 2 52 102 .305 .361 .550 141 344

’86 618 98 200 39 2 20 110 0 1 62 78 .324 .384 .490 136 303

Thing I like least about my lineup: only 3 lefties.

Thing I like most about my lineup: hardest-hitting lefty AND rightie I ever seen. Good mix of balls-to-the-wall sum#####es & classic gentlemen.

PITCHING

SP1 – Sanford Koufax. I’ve only ever seen three things from living beings that I could consider forces of nature: Secretariat’s relentless turn of foot, Willie Mays circling the bases & Koufax’s stuff. I was 5 when I first saw him throw & it scared me – hotter'n July & nail-the-mascot wild. The only thing, in terms of sheer force of will, in sport I can compare to his corralling the tornado in that left arm is Larry Bird’s ability to work an entire opposing team for three quarters in order to have one opening when he needed it in the 4th. Metaphors aside, 7-yr arcs be damned, if you don’t think Koufax was the greatest pitcher who ever lived, you didn’t see him. More filthy pitches in a single game than in the entire careers of many pitchers taken in this draft. Only time I’ve groaned more watching a sporting event involved Anna Kournikova.

W L G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA ERA+ WHIP

’60 8 13 37 26 7 2 175.0 133 83 76 20 100 197 3.91 101 1.331

’61 18 13 42 35 15 2 255.7 212 117 100 27 96 269 3.52 123 1.205

’62 14 7 28 26 11 2 184.3 134 61 52 13 57 216 2.54 141 1.036

’63 25 5 40 40 20 11 311.0 214 68 65 18 58 306 1.88 159 0.875

’64 19 5 29 28 15 7 223.0 154 49 43 13 53 223 1.74 187 0.928

’65 26 8 43 41 27 8 335.7 216 90 76 26 71 382 2.04 160 0.855

’66 27 9 41 41 27 5 323.0 241 74 62 19 77 317 1.73 190 0.985

SP2 – Denton True Young. As others pointed out, I really blew it with this pick. Take a pitcher at 3.3 & he’s never even won a Cy Young award.

W L G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA ERA+ WHIP

’01 33 10 43 41 38 5 371.3 324 112 67 6 37 158 1.62 216 0.972

’02 32 11 45 43 41 3 384.7 350 136 92 6 53 160 2.15 166 1.048

’03 28 9 40 35 34 7 341.7 294 115 79 6 37 176 2.08 145 0.969

’04 26 16 43 41 40 10 380.0 327 104 83 6 29 200 1.97 136 0.937

’05 18 19 38 33 31 4 320.7 248 99 65 3 30 210 1.82 148 0.867

’07 21 15 43 37 33 6 343.3 286 101 76 3 51 147 1.99 129 0.982

’08 21 11 36 33 30 3 299.0 230 68 42 1 37 150 1.26 194 0.893

Stats of note: lowest WHIP of career (.867) and had a LOSING record. Most amazingly, 1.26 ERA (record held for 60 yrs) at 41YO.

SP3 – Dwight Gooden. Only poor-character choice. Had intended to take he and Guidry back-to-back, but only one top-tier closer (Goose) being left forced my hand in another direction. As I’ve written before, give me brilliance, however brief, over long-term competence any day and his ’85 was the best season of pitching in the 1st 20 yrs after they lowered the mound, Guidry’s 25-3 yr being 2nd. With Gooden & Guidry, I would have had the two diamonds of their era. Now I just gotta make sure I don’t wear my single diamond on the gay ear.

OK, get me my razor & I’ll see if I can cut this crystalline pile of pitching talent into seven lines:

W L G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA ERA+ WHIP

‘84 17 9 31 31 7 3 218.0 161 72 63 7 73 276 2.60 137 1.073

’85 24 4 35 35 16 8 276.7 198 51 47 13 69 268 1.53 228 0.965

’86 17 6 33 33 12 2 250.0 197 92 79 17 80 200 2.84 126 1.108

’87 15 7 25 25 7 3 179.7 162 68 64 11 53 148 3.21 119 1.197

’88 18 9 34 34 10 3 248.3 242 98 88 8 57 175 3.19 102 1.204

’90 19 7 34 34 2 1 232.7 229 106 99 10 70 223 3.83 98 1.285

’91 13 7 27 27 3 1 190.0 185 80 76 12 56 150 3.60 101 1.268

nnfffffffffftttt!

SP4 - Orel Hershiser. OK, I didn’t get Guidry to go with Tweaks Gooden, so I went after the guy who had the 3rd best season of the aforementioned epoch. Owner of the DiMaggio streak of pitching, Cy Young, WSMVP, big contributor to the Indians World Series yr and a damn fine poker player. Lessee if I can find him a 7-card hand.

W L G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA ERA+ WHIP

’84 11 8 45 20 8 4 189.7 160 65 56 9 50 150 2.66 133 1.107

’85 19 3 36 34 9 5 239.7 179 72 54 8 68 157 2.03 170 1.031

’87 16 16 37 35 10 1 264.7 247 105 90 17 74 190 3.06 131 1.213

’88 23 8 35 34 15 8 267.0 208 73 67 18 73 178 2.26 148 1.052

’89 15 15 35 33 8 4 256.7 226 75 66 9 77 178 2.31 148 1.181

’95 16 6 26 26 1 1 167.3 151 76 72 21 51 111 3.87 121 1.207

’96 15 9 33 33 1 0 206.0 238 115 97 21 58 125 4.24 116 1.437

SP5 – Bob Veale. Saw him pitch a lot and, while he got lost in comparison to the NL 60s greats, I’d have taken him over any AL pitcher (McDowell, Chance, etc) of the decade. Gigantic man, whirling dervish delivery, immense stuff, if he had corralled his control (bet he avgd 150-160 pitch counts) anywhere near the way Koufax had, would have been instant HOFer.

PIT NL 18 12 40 38 14 1 1 0 279.7 222 100 85 8 124 250 3 18 1161 9 1 2.74 3.50 128 1.237

1965 29 PIT NL 17 12 39 37 14 7 2 0 266.0 221 98 84 5 119 276 7 17 1126 7 0 2.84 3.50 123 1.278 AS

1966 30 PIT NL 16 12 38 37 12 3 0 0 268.3 228 99 90 18 102 229 5 10 1111 6 0 3.02 3.57 118 1.230 AS

1967 31 PIT NL 16 8 33 31 6 1 0 0 203.0 184 90 82 12 119 179 5 11 891 10 3 3.64 3.34 92 1.493

1968 32 PIT NL 13 14 36 33 13 4 2 0 245.3 187 67 56 13 94 171 2 9 997 5 1 2.05 2.90 141 1.145

1969 33 PIT NL 13 14 34 34 9 1 0 0 225.7 232 93 81 8 91 213 3 5 980 4 1 3.23 3.49 108 1.431

1970 34 PIT NL 10 15 34 32 5 1 0 0 202.0 189 99 88 15 94 178 3 9 882 11 1 3.92 3.89 99 1.401

somehow, i lost my stat grid on Veale in the c&p and i aint recreating it

RP1 – Rich Gossage: I been a rabid BoSox fan since I was kneehigh to MiniMe but, for most of those years, I not only hated the Yankees but felt a sense of dread about anything pinstripe (STILL wont start any but the best SPs against them in fantasy). So, you can imagine how I felt when they’d call this guy in. Even tho I’m of the opinion that Mo is the best ever, I haven’t felt anywhere near the sense of finality I did with Goose. And that’s abot the most you can say. Speaking of which, I’m not posting stats for my closers cuz theyre meaningless in inter-generational comparison because of the way the closer role has evolved. For purposes of what has been requested, I’ll choose his 1st yr as a closer in Chi (75) and the Yankee yrs (gotta LOVE that 461 ERA+ in the abbreviated ’81 season).

RP2 – Dave Righetti – may be the most talented lefty who ever closed. His no-no as a starter vs the RedSox might be the best game of pitching I saw. His pen work weren’t too bad neither. The one thing I like about Steinbrenner is that he always put a premium on havin a scaryass mofo closing games & I got two of em. I’ll take his 7 yrs as Yankee closer (84-90) as my seven.

RP3 – **** Radatz – defined the role of the monster closer. NEVER felt greater excitement at the ballpark than when our very own Frankenstein would lope in from the pen to put out a fire. BOY HOWDY, did he bring the heat! Sportswriter Jim Murray once wrote that "**** Radatz brings one weapon - a fastball. It's like saying all a country brings to a war is an atom bomb." He only closed for 5 yrs (61-5) b4 a botched arm operation ruined him, but I’ll take the penalty.

IF – Luis Aparicio – Willie Mays is the only more-beautiful player in the field than Aparicio that I ever seen. Couldn’t hit a lick – believe he has the record for most cons. hitless Abs - but, until Petrocelli (who, til I saw Luis was yet to be taken, was who I REALLY wanted here) no SS did (the starting SS for the World Champion 1968 Det Tigers hit .135). Like Ozzie, kept working on his hitting til he werent halfbad, led the Al in SBs 9 yrs running & Vizquel just broke his record for most games at short. STILL the guy I’d pick for the 6 if I was starting a team.

’58 557 76 148 20 9 2 40 29 6 35 38 .266 .309 .345 81 192

’59 612 98 157 18 5 6 51 56 13 53 40 .257 .316 .332 79 203

’60 600 86 166 20 7 2 61 51 8 43 39 .277 .323 .343 81 206

’61 625 90 170 24 4 6 45 53 13 38 33 .272 .313 .352 79 220

’64 578 93 154 20 3 10 37 57 17 49 51 .266 .324 .363 92 210

’66 659 97 182 25 8 6 41 25 11 33 42 .276 .311 .366 95 241

’70 552 86 173 29 3 5 43 8 3 53 34 .313 .372 .404 114 223 (his only .300 – and 100+ OPS+ season – not bad @ 36yo)

OF – Tony Conigliaro – I was watching at home when Hamilton plunked him – my most horrifying moment as a sportsfan. Could well have been the player of his generation – 22yo when he hit his 100th homer (youngest ever at the time), down for the count a couple wks later. Although he tied for the AL-lead in HR one season after coming back, it just werent the same and I wont list those yrs.

’64 404 69 117 21 2 24 52 2 4 35 78 .290 .354 .530 138 214

’65 521 82 140 21 5 32 82 4 2 51 116 .269 .338 .512 133 267

’66 558 77 148 26 7 28 93 0 2 52 112 .265 .330 .487 122 272

’67 349 59 100 11 5 20 67 4 6 27 58 .287 .341 .519 142 181

MGR – **** Williams. Another homer pick, right. Well, yes, he did orchestrate the Sox miracle (9th to 1st) ’67 season, but was also responsible for (behind only the 20s & 50s Yanks and Big Red Machine) one of the best teams I ever seen in the As of the early 70s. And did it while working for the worst owner in bb history – for those too young to remember, imagine if Steinbrenner and Trump had a baby. Best i ever seen at balancing the small-ball details with lettin the players play.

And that’s that. Kind of a chore, but I joined this as much to write the prospectus and think back on glorious moments & players as for the competitive aspect. nufced

 
Well done, WP! Others may come up with better teams (we'll see), but they will be hard pressed to write as well and eloquently as you have.

 
Obviously, I'll wait to get to the team summaries before crunching numbers, but let me say right now off the top of my head, that DougB has the best starting pitching staff:

Starting Pitcher #1 Walter Johnson

Starting Pitcher #2 Pedro Martinez

Starting Pitcher #3 Rube Waddell

Starting Pitcher #4 Ron Guidry

Starting Pitcher #5 Babe Adams

That's just too good a selection. Don't know if he's got the best team, but this is a damn good start!

 
timschochet said:
Obviously, I'll wait to get to the team summaries before crunching numbers, but let me say right now off the top of my head, that DougB has the best starting pitching staff:Starting Pitcher #1 Walter JohnsonStarting Pitcher #2 Pedro MartinezStarting Pitcher #3 Rube WaddellStarting Pitcher #4 Ron GuidryStarting Pitcher #5 Babe AdamsThat's just too good a selection. Don't know if he's got the best team, but this is a damn good start!
Click to expand...
my setup looks at the top 6 pitchers separate from the other 2, but i don't think my rankings would differ if i only looked at the top 5. But i'll take Derek's rotation instead...1 - Lefty Grove2 - Bob Gibson3 - Gaylord Perry4 - Jim Bunning5 - Luis Tiant
 
For calculating 7 year peak OBP and SLG judges going to be actually doing the formulas for the 7 year totals (i.e. do I need to provide SF information, for example), or are they merely averaging the averages?

 
oso diablo said:
timschochet said:
Obviously, I'll wait to get to the team summaries before crunching numbers, but let me say right now off the top of my head, that DougB has the best starting pitching staff:Starting Pitcher #1 Walter JohnsonStarting Pitcher #2 Pedro MartinezStarting Pitcher #3 Rube WaddellStarting Pitcher #4 Ron GuidryStarting Pitcher #5 Babe AdamsThat's just too good a selection. Don't know if he's got the best team, but this is a damn good start!
Click to expand...
my setup looks at the top 6 pitchers separate from the other 2, but i don't think my rankings would differ if i only looked at the top 5. But i'll take Derek's rotation instead...1 - Lefty Grove2 - Bob Gibson3 - Gaylord Perry4 - Jim Bunning5 - Luis Tiant
Click to expand...
WOOTNot happy when Doug's pitchers will picked over mine. A rivalry is born.....Doug v Derek
 
Tremendous Upside said:
For calculating 7 year peak OBP and SLG judges going to be actually doing the formulas for the 7 year totals (i.e. do I need to provide SF information, for example), or are they merely averaging the averages?
Click to expand...
Youa ctually should do the raw numbers and run the formulas. Think about it.....If one year I had 600 ABs and a .400 BA and then the next year I had 1 AB and 1 HR and tore my ACL trotting around the bases, then my BA would be 1.000.....Averaged together I am hitting .700, but the raw numbers tell you I am actually hitting MAYBE .401
 
derek245583 said:
Tremendous Upside said:
For calculating 7 year peak OBP and SLG judges going to be actually doing the formulas for the 7 year totals (i.e. do I need to provide SF information, for example), or are they merely averaging the averages?
Click to expand...
Youa ctually should do the raw numbers and run the formulas. Think about it.....If one year I had 600 ABs and a .400 BA and then the next year I had 1 AB and 1 HR and tore my ACL trotting around the bases, then my BA would be 1.000.....Averaged together I am hitting .700, but the raw numbers tell you I am actually hitting MAYBE .401
Click to expand...
Of course, but no one is going to select a 1 AB season for one of their players
 
Tremendous Upside said:
For calculating 7 year peak OBP and SLG judges going to be actually doing the formulas for the 7 year totals (i.e. do I need to provide SF information, for example), or are they merely averaging the averages?
Click to expand...
can't speak for the others, but you don't need to do it for me. i have my own measures of 7-yr value.
 
Woz’s Starting lineup:

1. Barry Larkin - SS - RH

2. Mel Ott - 3B - RH

3. Stan Musial - LF - LH

4. Hank Aaron - RF - RH

5. David Ortiz - DH - LH

6. Eddie Murray - 1B - SH

7. Fred Lynn - CF - SH

8. Eslton Howard - C - RH

9. Lou Whitaker - 2B - LH

Utility INF - Larry Doyle

Utility OF - Larry Doby

Well, I’ll be honest, this is something I have never done before. In actuality, I haven’t even thought of an “all-time greatest” lineup since I was about 13 and playing simulated wiffle games in my background with my pitching machine and would have a nasty top of the lineup of Rickey, Stan, and the Babe. Anyways, this was a blast. My overall strategy was initially to get the best players available - hence my choice of Aaron over Tris and Marichal over Lajoie - and then try to fill in later with some sleepers. I tried not to be biased based on specific generations and it really is incidental that I have a lot of 70s and 80s guys. I got a little homerish with my pitcher picks, but aside from Niekro I don’t think I pulled the trigger too early on any of them. I’ll be honest in that I thought the seven year rule was a bit arbitrary and I really did not consider it in my picks - hence, you’ll see a lot of “long-term” guys.

Player profiles

1B - Eddie Murray

The greatest switch-hitter since Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray solidified the great Baltimore Orioles teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Though he never won an MVP Award, Murray finished in the top ten eight times, and was in the top five in voting for five straight seasons, from 1981-1985. He joined Willie Mays and Hank Aaron as the only players to collect 3,000 hits and 500 home runs in their career.

Picking seven specific seasons for Eddie is tough considering he probably had the greatest 20 year career ever. But, here goes (check out the varying years - guy was sick for a long time):

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1982 550 87 174 30 1 32 2 110 70 18 82 0 6 1 17 .316 .391 .549

1983 582 115 178 30 3 33 1 111 86 13 90 0 9 3 13 .306 .393 .538

1984 588 97 180 26 3 29 2 110 107 25 87 0 8 2 9 .306 .410 .509

1990 558 96 184 22 3 26 0 95 82 21 64 0 4 1 19 .330 .414 .520

1980 621 100 186 36 2 32 0 116 54 10 71 0 6 2 18 .300 .354 .519

1995 436 68 141 21 0 21 0 82 39 5 65 0 5 0 12 .323 .375 .516

1985 583 111 173 37 1 31 3 124 84 12 68 0 8 2 8 .297 .383 .523

2B - Lou Whitaker

Soft-spoken Lou Whitaker was a gold glove second baseman who performed near the top of his position for nearly two decades, and teamed with Alan Trammell to form the longest running double play combination in history. Whitaker was a leadoff man with power, decent speed, and good pitch-selection at the plate. His arm was considered one of the best in the game and he was adept at making the pivot. "Sweet Lou" made plays look so easy he was often accused of being lackadaisical. I’m happy with Lou as my second baseman and in a seven game series would probably put Doyle in his spot if Lou was coming off an off game. However, gotta love Lou’s speed and defense out of the seven hole.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1982 560 76 160 22 8 15 0 65 48 4 58 6 4 1 8 .286 .341 .434

1983 643 94 206 40 6 12 0 72 67 8 70 2 8 0 9 .320 .380 .457

1985 609 102 170 29 8 21 0 73 80 9 56 5 5 2 3 .279 .362 .456

1986 584 95 157 26 6 20 0 73 63 5 70 0 4 0 20 .269 .338 .437

1987 604 110 160 38 6 16 0 59 71 2 108 4 4 1 5 .265 .341 .427

1991 470 94 131 26 2 23 0 78 90 6 45 2 8 2 3 .279 .391 .489

1992 453 77 126 26 0 19 1 71 81 5 46 5 4 1 9 .278 .386 .461

SS - Barry Larkin

he National League Most Valuable Player in 1995, Barry Larkin was the best shortstop in the National League in the 1990s, combining speed, power, and great athleticism. After ripping his teammates for lack of hustle in a team meeting in September, he helped lead the Reds to a shocking sweep of the A's in the 1990 World Series. In 1996, he became the first shortstop to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. Injuries in the second half of his career hindered his progress toward the upper echelon of great shortstops, but he still amassed great numbers and retired with credentials for the Hall of Fame.

I remember growing up playing a little shortstop in little league and wishing I could play like this guy. Larkin was definitely a unique combination of power and speed and I consider him the best leadoff option behind Rickey and Lou and the best shortstop ever behind Honus and A-Rod.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1988 588 91 174 32 5 12 0 56 41 3 24 10 5 8 7 .296 .347 .429

1989 325 47 111 14 4 4 0 36 20 5 23 2 8 2 7 .342 .375 .446

1991 364 88 140 27 4 20 0 69 55 1 64 3 2 3 7 .302 .378 .506

1992 533 76 162 32 6 12 0 78 63 8 58 2 7 4 13 .304 .377 .454

1993 384 57 121 20 3 8 0 51 51 6 33 1 3 1 13 .315 .394 .445

1995 496 98 158 29 6 15 0 66 61 2 49 3 4 3 6 .319 .394 .492

1996 517 117 154 32 4 33 0 89 96 3 52 0 7 7 20 .298 .410 .567

3B - Mel Ott

When Mel Ott arrived in New York as a 17-year old, 160-pound outfielder in 1926, few could have realized that he would become the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs. "Master Melvin" played 22 seasons with the Giants, also managing them for six years. When he retired early in the 1947 season, he held National League marks for career home runs, runs scored, RBI, and walks

While he played mostly in the outfield, he switched to third when his team needed him to and played admirably. I’m asking him to now do the same. Regardless, that much power and contact in the second spot of my order is pretty incredible.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1929 545 138 179 37 2 42 0 151 113 - 38 10 - 6 - .328 .449 .635

1930 521 122 182 34 5 25 0 119 103 - 35 20 - 2 - .349 .458 .578

1932 66 119 180 30 8 38 0 123 100 - 39 3 - 4 - .318 .424 .601

1934 582 119 190 29 10 35 0 135 85 - 43 1 - 3 10 .326 .415 .591

1935 593 113 191 33 6 31 1 114 82 - 58 5 - 3 4 .322 .407 .555

1936 534 120 175 28 6 33 0 135 111 - 41 10 - 5 8 .328 .448 .588

1937 545 99 160 28 2 31 0 95 102 - 69 4 - 3 4 .294 .408 .523

C- Elston Howard

The first black man to play for the New York Yankees, Elston Howard was also the first black man to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, which he did in 1963. The versatile Howard was an outstanding catcher/outfielder for the Yankees from the mid-1950s through the 1960s. He played on ten pennant-winning teams in a 13-year stretch, earning four World Championship rings.

Often, Howard was forgotten because he played between and amongst such great former Yankees. I only hope the same doesn’t happen on my team as I hit him eight and have great pitchers tossing to him. When it’s all said and done, this guy is a top ten catcher of all-time.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1958 376 45 118 19 5 11 0 66 22 6 60 4 4 0 9 .314 .348 .479

1959 443 59 121 24 6 18 0 73 20 4 57 4 4 3 12 .273 .306 .476

1961 446 64 155 17 5 21 0 77 28 6 65 1 4 3 5 .348 .387 .549

1962 494 63 138 23 5 21 0 91 31 1 76 3 9 1 20 .279 .318 .474

1963 487 75 140 21 6 28 0 85 35 4 68 1 2 6 17 .287 .342 .528

1964 550 63 172 27 3 15 0 84 48 12 73 0 4 5 10 .313 .371 .455

1955 279 33 81 8 7 10 0 43 20 5 36 1 4 1 4 .290 .336 .477

LF - Stan Musial

My favorite Musial quotes, which should sum of the career of arguably one the the five best ballplayers of all time:

"He could have hit .300 with a fountain pen." - Joe Garagiola

"How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away." - Vin Scully

"I've had pretty good success with Stan by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third." - Carl Erskine

"Once Musial timed your fastball, your infielders were in jeopardy." - Warren Spahn

"A couple years ago they told me I was too young to be president and you were too old to be playing baseball. But we fooled them." - President John F. Kennedy to Musial, at the 1962 All Star Game.

Really not much else to say here other then I was shocked to get him at 16th overall and there’s not hesitation in slotting him at third in my order.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1948 611 135 230 46 18 39 1 131 79 - 34 1 - 3 18 .376 .450 .702

1949 612 128 207 41 13 36 0 123 107 - 38 0 - 2 12 .338 .438 .624

1950 555 105 192 41 7 28 0 109 87 - 36 0 - 3 11 .346 .437 .596

1951 578 124 205 30 12 32 0 108 98 - 40 1 - 1 6 .355 .449 .614

1953593 127 200 53 9 30 0 113 105 - 32 0 - 0 10 .337 .437 .609

1954 591 120 195 41 9 35 1 126 103 - 39 0 7 4 20 .330 .428 .607

1955 562 97 179 30 5 33 1 108 80 19 39 2 4 8 12 .319 .408 .566

1957 502 82 176 38 3 29 1 102 66 19 34 1 8 2 13 .351 .422 .612

CF - Fred Lynn

Fred Lynn had the greatest coming out party in baseball history in 1975, when as a rookie, he played a stellar center field for the Red Sox and earned the American League Most Valuable Player Award. All season, opposing pitchers searched in vain for a way to get the left-handed hitter out, and all season they were left scratching their heads. Lynn hit .331 in his freshman campaign, and followed it with a .314 mark in 1976, but injuries kept him out of the lineup all too frequently for the remainder of his career. He was healthy in 1978 and 1979, and in the latter year, he had his best overall campaign, belting 39 homers to go with 122 RBI, 116 runs scored, 42 doubles, 82 walks, and a .333 average. But after he was traded by Boston to the Angels, he was never quite the same player. He did recapture his magic twice after leaving Red Sox Nation, however. In 1983 he hit the first grand slam in All-Star Game history, and in the 1982 League Championship Series, he punished Brewers' pitchers for a .611 batting average and 11 hits in the Angels' five-game defeat. Seemingly destined to become one of the game's greats, Lynn never met those lofty (and unfair) expectations, but he still produced 306 homers and more than 1,100 RBI in his injury-riddled career.

Lynn, like Lou, will probably be on my bench for a couple games in a series in favor of Doby. That said, his versatility fits him nicely as the last batter in my order (making him a sort of double leadoff hitter) and his defensive range fits nicely next to Aaron in right.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1974 43 5 18 2 2 2 0 10 6 2 6 0 1 1 0 .419 .490 .698

1975 528 103 175 47 7 21 0 105 62 10 90 6 6 3 11 .331 .401 .566

1976 507 76 159 32 8 10 0 65 48 2 67 0 10 1 9 .314 .367 .467

1979 531 116 177 42 1 39 0 122 82 4 79 0 5 4 9 .333 .423 .637

1982 472 89 141 38 1 21 1 86 58 4 72 5 7 3 9 .299 .374 .517

1983 437 56 119 20 3 22 1 74 55 10 83 0 6 2 7 .272 .352 .483

1986 397 67 114 13 1 23 1 67 53 1 59 0 4 2 20 .287 .371 .499

1987 396 49 100 24 0 23 2 60 39 6 72 0 2 1 8 .253 .320 .487

RF - Hank Aaron

No asterisks, no steroids, simply great hitting - Hank Aaron is the greatest home run hitter of all-time (sorry, Mr. Ruth). Aside from that, Henry Aaron withstood tremendous pressure to break Babe Ruth's career record. Aaron is often overlooked when historians debate the best player of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a great hitter, winning two batting titles. He was a very good base runner, and had a good arm in the outfield. His 1957 MVP season led the Milwaukee Braves to the pennant and eventually their only World Series title. Late in his career, and after his retirement, Aaron was a vocal leader in support of minority hiring in baseball. I’m proud to have him as my right fielder and cleanup batter.

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR GS RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG

1957 615 118 198 27 6 44 1 132 57 15 58 0 3 0 13 .322 .378 .600

1958 601 109 196 34 4 30 2 95 59 16 49 0 3 1 21 .326 .386 .546

1959 629 116 223 46 7 39 0 123 51 17 54 0 9 4 19 .355 .401 .636

1961 603 115 197 39 10 34 1 120 56 20 64 1 9 2 16 .327 .381 .594

1962 592 127 191 28 6 45 3 128 66 14 73 0 6 3 14 .323 .390 .618

1963 631 121 201 29 4 44 2 130 78 18 94 0 5 0 11 .319 .391 .586

1965 Braves 150 570 109 181 40 1 32 0 89 60 10 81 0 8 1 15 .318 .379 .560

Seriously, how do you pick 7 years for this guy? He was great EVERY year.

 
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I will get to my pitchers and bench players in the next few days. That was fun for now.

ETA: I've now switched Whitaker and Lynn's spots in the order. Also very hard not to consider putting in Doby for Lynn (and to a lesser extent Doyle for Lou, but I love Lou).

 
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Tremendous Upside said:
derek245583 said:
Tremendous Upside said:
For calculating 7 year peak OBP and SLG judges going to be actually doing the formulas for the 7 year totals (i.e. do I need to provide SF information, for example), or are they merely averaging the averages?
Click to expand...
Youa ctually should do the raw numbers and run the formulas. Think about it.....If one year I had 600 ABs and a .400 BA and then the next year I had 1 AB and 1 HR and tore my ACL trotting around the bases, then my BA would be 1.000.....Averaged together I am hitting .700, but the raw numbers tell you I am actually hitting MAYBE .401
Click to expand...
Of course, but no one is going to select a 1 AB season for one of their players
Click to expand...
In my previous posts it was an unweighted average but for final tabulation you should at least list the number of PA for each year.And trust me, someone would try to sneak a few 300 pa seasons in with this Paul Quantrill crew.
 
Pitcher stuff put up now....I'll have to do batters tonight/tomorrow, but they're coming

Note: I'm sure this isn't the best way to get the ERA+ for the 7 years that were picked, but I'm just taking an average.

Manager John McGraw

Starting Pitcher #1 Robin Roberts, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1950 Phillies 40 39 20 11 0.645 3.02 21 5 1 304.1 282 102 112 29 77 146 135 1.181951 Phillies 44 39 21 15 0.583 3.03 22 6 2 315 284 106 115 20 64 127 127 1.1051952 Phillies 39 37 28 7 0.8 2.59 30 3 2 330 292 95 104 22 45 148 141 1.0211953 Phillies 44 41 23 16 0.59 2.75 33 5 2 346.2 324 106 119 30 61 198 152 1.1111954 Phillies 45 38 23 15 0.605 2.97 29 4 4 336.2 289 111 116 35 56 185 136 1.0251955 Phillies 41 38 23 14 0.622 3.28 26 1 3 305 292 111 137 41 53 160 121 1.1311958 Phillies 35 34 17 14 0.548 3.24 21 1 0 269.2 270 97 112 30 51 130 122 1.19WHIP for selected years - 1.106ERA for selected years - 2.97

ERA+ for selected years - 133.4

Black Ink - 64

Gray Ink - 249

Bill James writes "The Cy Young Award began in 1956. The best pitchers in the National League from 1950-1955 were:

1950 Robin Roberts

1951 Sal Maglie

1952 Robin Roberts

1953 Robin Roberts

1954 Robin Roberts

1955 Robin Roberts

In 1951, the one year when Roberts does not rank as the best pitcher in the league, he trails Sal Maglie by a margin so thin (27.75-27.71) that the word "insignificant" hardly does it justice, and actually ranks first in the league ahead of Maglie 27.96-27.75, wheen his contributions as a hitter are considered. He also ranks ahead of any American League Pitcher in every season except 1952, when Roberts was 28-7, but crosstown rival Bobby Shantz was the American League MVP."

James also claimed that "Roberts threw about as hard as Bob Feller or Walter Johnson or Bob Gibson, possibly as hard."

Starting Pitcher #2 Dazzy Vance, RHP

Year Team LG W L PCT G SH SV IP H R ER SO BB ERA WHIP ERA+1924 BRO NL 28 6 0.824 35 3 309 238 89 74 262 77 2.16 1.019 1741925 BRO NL 22 9 0.71 31 4 265 247 115 104 221 66 3.53 1.181 1181927 BRO NL 16 15 0.516 34 2 273 242 98 82 184 69 2.7 1.139 1461928 BRO NL 22 10 0.688 38 4 280 226 79 65 200 72 2.09 1.064 1911929 BRO NL 14 13 0.519 31 1 231 244 110 100 126 47 3.9 1.260 1191930 BRO NL 17 15 0.531 35 4 259 241 97 75 173 55 2.61 1.143 1891931 BRO NL 11 13 0.458 30 2 219 221 99 82 150 53 3.37 1.251 113WHIP for selected years - 1.143ERA for selected years - 2.85

ERA+ for selected years - 150

NL MVP - 1924

Triple Crown - 1924

Led NL in ERA 3x

Black Ink - 66

Gray Ink - 171

His HOF Bio:

"Although he didn't play his first full season until age 31, Arthur Dazzy Vance was the dominant National League pitcher of the 1920s. After a decade in the minors, Vance joined the Dodgers in 1922 and used his blazing fastball to win 187 games for them over the next 11 seasons. He was named MVP in 1924 and pitched a no-hitter the next year. He led the league in wins twice and ERA three times and is the only pitcher to top the National League in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons."

Starting Pitcher #3 Hal Newhouser, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1942 Tigers 38 23 8 14 0.364 2.45 11 1 5 183.2 137 50 73 4 114 103 161 1.3701944 Tigers 47 34 29 9 0.763 2.22 25 6 2 312.1 264 77 94 6 102 187 161 1.1731945 Tigers 40 36 25 9 0.735 1.81 29 8 2 313.1 239 63 73 5 110 212 195 1.1151946 Tigers 37 34 26 9 0.743 1.94 29 6 1 292.2 215 63 77 10 98 275 188 1.0711947 Tigers 40 36 17 17 0.5 2.87 24 3 2 285 268 91 105 9 110 176 132 1.3261948 Tigers 39 35 21 12 0.636 3.01 19 2 1 272.1 249 91 109 10 99 143 145 1.2791949 Tigers 38 35 18 11 0.621 3.36 22 3 1 292 277 109 118 19 111 144 124 1.329WHIP for selected years- 1.227ERA for selected years- 2.51

ERA+ for selected years - 158

AL MVP - 1944, 1945

Triple Crown - 1945

Black Ink - 47

Gray Ink - 180

Starting Pitcher #4 Eddie Cicotte, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1909 Red Sox 27 17 13 5 0.722 1.97 10 1 2 159.2 117 35 58 3 56 82 126 1.0871913 White Sox 41 30 18 12 0.6 1.58 18 3 1 268 224 47 77 2 73 121 186 1.1081914 White Sox 45 30 11 16 0.407 2.04 15 4 3 269.1 220 61 96 0 72 122 131 1.0851916 White Sox 44 19 15 7 0.682 1.78 11 2 5 187 138 37 56 1 70 91 155 1.1121917 White Sox 49 35 28 12 0.7 1.53 29 7 4 346.2 246 59 76 2 70 150 174 0.9131919 White Sox 40 35 29 7 0.806 1.82 30 5 1 306.2 256 62 77 5 49 110 175 0.9961920 White Sox 37 35 21 10 0.677 3.26 28 4 2 303.1 316 110 128 6 74 87 115 1.287WHIP for selected years - 1.077ERA for selected years - 2.01

ERA+ for selected years - 151.7

Starting Pitcher #5 Jim Kaat, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1962 Twins 39 35 18 14 0.563 3.14 16 5 1 269 243 94 106 23 75 173 130 1.1821561341964 Twins 36 34 17 11 0.607 3.22 13 0 1 243 231 87 100 23 60 171 111 1.1975308641965 Twins 45 42 18 11 0.621 2.83 7 2 2 264.1 267 83 121 25 63 154 126 1.2495266941966 Twins 41 41 25 13 0.658 2.75 19 3 0 304.2 271 93 114 29 55 205 131 1.0716633791967 Twins 42 38 16 13 0.552 3.04 13 2 0 263.1 269 89 110 21 42 211 114 1.1820600531974 White Sox 42 39 21 13 0.618 2.92 15 3 0 277.1 263 90 106 18 63 142 129 1.1764705881975 White Sox 43 41 20 14 0.588 3.11 12 1 0 303.2 321 105 121 20 77 142 125 1.312664908WHIP for selected years - 1.19ERA for selected years - 3.00

ERA+ for selected years - 123.7

Middle Reliever Burleigh Grimes, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1918 Robins 40 30 19 9 0.679 2.14 19 7 1 269.2 210 64 94 3 76 113 131 1.0624071321920 Robins 40 33 23 11 0.676 2.22 25 5 2 303.2 271 75 101 5 67 131 145 1.1147757261921 Robins 37 35 22 13 0.629 2.83 30 2 0 302.1 313 95 120 6 76 136 138 1.2876530951923 Robins 39 38 21 18 0.538 3.58 33 2 0 327 356 130 165 9 100 119 108 1.3944954131927 Giants 39 34 19 8 0.704 3.54 15 2 2 259.2 274 102 116 12 87 102 108 1.3927469141928 Pirates 48 37 25 14 0.641 2.99 28 4 3 330.2 311 110 146 11 77 97 136 1.1750454271929 Pirates 33 29 17 7 0.708 3.13 18 2 2 232.2 245 81 108 11 70 62 152 1.3565891471930 Bra/Card 33 28 16 11 0.592 4.07 11 1 0 201.3 246 91 119 9 65 73 123 1.544957774WHIP for selected years - 1.27ERA for selected years - 3.03

ERA+ for selected years - 130

I chose Grimes to be my middle reliever for a couple of reasons. First, he was mean as nails on the mound and had the mindset that I think is conducive to coming in out of the bullpen. Second, I liked having a guy who can legally throw the spitter able to come in and have a hand in more games. I think it brings a mental angle into the equation that adds drama. Third, it was between he and Jim Kaat, and I wanted another lefty in my starting rotation.

Setup Pitcher Jessie Orosco, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1983 Mets 62 0 13 7 0.65 1.47 0 0 17 110 76 18 27 3 38 84 247 1.0363636361984 Mets 60 0 10 6 0.625 2.59 0 0 31 87 58 25 29 7 34 85 138 1.0574712641985 Mets 54 0 8 6 0.571 2.73 0 0 17 79 66 24 26 6 34 68 128 1.2658227851986 Mets 58 0 8 6 0.571 2.33 0 0 21 81 64 21 23 6 35 62 153 1.2222222221989 Indians 69 0 3 4 0.429 2.08 0 0 3 78 54 18 20 7 26 79 191 1.0256410261993 Brewers 57 0 3 5 0.375 3.18 0 0 8 56.2 47 20 25 2 17 67 135 1.1387900361997 Orioles 71 0 6 3 0.667 2.32 0 0 0 50.1 29 13 13 6 30 46 189 1.177644711WHIP for selected years - 1.12ERA for selected years - 2.31

ERA+ for selected years - 168.7

I'll be honest. I hated Orosco when he played. However, there are few who were as good at retiring left handed hitters as Orosco, and he was at his best in the clutch. In a league like this one, with so many big left handed bats, you need someone who can come in and get outs.

Closer Hoyt Wilhelm, RHP

1954 Giants 57 0 12 4 0.75 2.1 0 0 7 111.1 77 26 32 5 52 64 194 1.1611161121959 Orioles 32 27 15 11 0.577 2.19 13 3 0 226 178 55 64 13 77 139 173 1.1283185841962 Orioles 52 0 7 10 0.412 1.94 0 0 15 93 64 20 28 5 34 90 191 1.0537634411964 White Sox 73 0 12 9 0.571 1.99 0 0 27 131.1 94 29 35 7 30 95 173 0.9458428681965 White Sox 66 0 7 7 0.5 1.81 0 0 20 144 88 29 34 11 32 106 176 0.8333333331966 White Sox 46 0 5 2 0.714 1.66 0 0 6 81.1 50 15 21 6 17 61 190 0.8261405671967 White Sox 49 0 8 3 0.727 1.31 0 0 12 89 58 13 21 2 34 76 229 1.033707865WHIP for selected years- 1.01ERA for selected years - 1.92

ERA+ for selected years - 189.4

Wilhelm was a closer before there were closers. Saves weren't really as prevalent when he played. However, while he can't match up with today's closers in that regard, it's a reflection on when he played not his pitching. I included his 1959 season, because he was primarily a starter that year and he did quite well.

Lineup

Batting First - Ty Cobb, CF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1909 Tigers 156 573 116 216 33 10 9 107 48 76 - 0.377 0.431 0.517 1941910 Tigers 140 506 106 194 35 13 8 91 64 65 - 0.383 0.456 0.551 2061911 Tigers 146 591 147 248 47 24 8 127 44 83 - 0.420 0.467 0.621 1961912 Tigers 140 553 120 226 30 23 7 83 43 61 - 0.409 0.456 0.584 2001913 Tigers 122 428 70 167 18 16 4 67 58 51 31 0.390 0.467 0.535 1915 Tigers 156 563 144 208 31 13 3 99 118 96 43 0.369 0.486 0.487 1851917 Tigers 152 588 107 225 44 24 6 102 61 55 34 0.383 0.444 0.570 209Avg BA for selected years - .390Avg OBP for selected years - .448

Avg Slugging for selected years - .553

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 198.3

Triple Crown - 1909

MVP - 1911

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1910)

Led League in Slugging in each of above years (except #2 in 1913, 1915)

Led League in OBP in each of above years (except #2 in 1911, #3 in 1912)

Led League in OPS in each of above years (except #2 in 1913)

Led Leaguee in OPS+ in all of above years

Black Ink - 150

Gray Ink - 417

Cobb is one of the best players in history. He is everything I wanted in a leadoff hitter and CF.

Batting Second - Tony Gwynn, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Padres 158 606 88 213 21 10 5 71 59 33 23 0.351 0.410 0.444 1411987 Padres 157 589 119 218 36 13 7 54 82 56 35 0.370 0.447 0.511 1581993 Padres 122 489 70 175 41 3 7 59 36 14 19 0.358 0.398 0.497 1371994 Padres 110 419 79 165 35 1 12 64 48 5 19 0.394 0.454 0.568 1691995 Padres 135 535 82 197 33 1 9 90 35 17 15 0.368 0.404 0.484 1371996 Padres 116 451 67 159 27 2 3 50 39 11 17 0.353 0.400 0.441 1271997 Padres 149 592 97 220 49 2 17 119 43 12 28 0.372 0.409 0.547 156Avg BA for selected years - .366Avg OBP for selected years - .416

Avg Slugging for selected years - .498

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.4

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1993)

Black Ink - 57

Gray Ink - 155

Gwynn is a pure contact hitter put in this spot to move Cobb along. Gwynn actually had pretty good speed earlier in his career (56 SB in '87), and played good defense (5x Gold Glove winner, athough to be fair, only one during years I selected).

Batting Third - Don Mattingly, 1B - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Yankees 153 603 91 207 44 2 23 110 41 8 33 0.343 0.381 0.537 1561985 Yankees 159 652 107 211 48 3 35 145 56 13 41 0.324 0.371 0.567 1561986 Yankees 162 677 117 238 53 2 31 113 53 11 35 0.352 0.394 0.573 1611987 Yankees 141 569 93 186 38 2 30 115 51 13 38 0.327 0.378 0.559 1461988 Yankees 144 599 94 186 37 0 18 88 41 14 29 0.311 0.353 0.462 1281989 Yankees 158 631 79 191 37 2 23 113 51 18 30 0.303 0.351 0.477 1331993 Yankees 134 530 78 154 27 2 17 86 61 9 42 0.291 0.364 0.445 120Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .370

Avg Slugging for selected years - .520

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 142.9

Led League in Batting once (84), Hits twice (84,86) and Doubles three times (84,85,86)

9x Gold Glove winner

1985 AL MVP

OPS+ League leader - 84,86

Black Ink - 23

Gray Ink - 111

Mattingly was targeted from the beginning for my 3 hole, because of his high average and the fact that it seemed like every time he was up, he was smacking a double. His defense was stupendous, and he was a consumate team leader.

At this point, I'd like to note that the above three guys all were among the league leaders each year in most at bats per strikeout.

Batting Fourth - Mike Schmidt, 3B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1974 Phillies 162 568 108 160 28 7 36 116 106 14 138 0.282 0.395 0.546 1581977 Phillies 154 544 114 149 27 11 38 101 104 4 122 0.274 0.393 0.574 1511979 Phillies 160 541 109 137 25 4 45 114 120 12 115 0.253 0.386 0.564 1541980 Phillies 150 548 104 157 25 8 48 121 89 10 119 0.286 0.380 0.624 1721981 Phillies 102 354 78 112 19 2 31 91 73 18 71 0.316 0.435 0.644 1991982 Phillies 148 514 108 144 26 3 35 87 107 17 131 0.280 0.403 0.547 1611987 Phillies 147 522 88 153 28 0 35 113 83 15 80 0.293 0.388 0.548 142Avg BA for selected years - .282Avg OBP for selected years - .395

Avg Slugging for selected years - .575

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 162.4

80,81,86 NL MVP

10x Gold Glove winner

Black Ink - 74

Gray Ink - 224

Mike Schmidt brings my first right handed bat to the plate. He was a clutch power hitter and the best all-around third baseman in history. He led the league in OPS+ six times (3 of above years). He was always among the league leaders in extra-base hits and at bats per homerun.

Batting Fifth - Willie Stargell, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1966 Pirates 140 485 84 153 30 0 33 102 48 16 109 0.315 0.381 0.581 1641969 Pirates 145 522 89 160 31 6 29 92 61 14 120 0.307 0.382 0.556 1631971 Pirates 141 511 104 151 26 0 48 125 83 20 154 0.295 0.398 0.628 1851972 Pirates 138 495 75 145 28 2 33 112 65 15 129 0.293 0.373 0.558 1631973 Pirates 148 522 106 156 43 3 44 119 80 22 129 0.299 0.392 0.646 1861974 Pirates 140 508 90 153 37 4 25 96 87 21 106 0.301 0.407 0.537 1671975 Pirates 124 461 71 136 32 2 22 90 58 6 109 0.295 0.375 0.516 147Avg BA for selected years - .301Avg OBP for selected years - .387

Avg Slugging for selected years - .576

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 167.9

1979 NL MVP

Led League in HR 71, 73

Led League in OPS+ 73, 74

"He didn't just hit pitchers," Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton said. "He took away their dignity."

Batting Sixth - Dave Winfield, DH - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1978 Padres 158 587 88 181 30 5 24 97 55 20 81 0.308 0.367 0.499 1511979 Padres 159 597 97 184 27 10 34 118 85 24 71 0.308 0.395 0.558 1661982 Yankees 140 539 84 151 24 8 37 106 45 7 64 0.280 0.331 0.560 1421983 Yankees 152 598 99 169 26 8 32 116 58 2 77 0.283 0.345 0.513 1381984 Yankees 141 567 106 193 34 4 19 100 53 9 71 0.340 0.393 0.515 1541988 Yankees 149 559 96 180 37 2 25 107 69 10 88 0.322 0.398 0.530 1591992 Blue Jays 156 583 92 169 33 3 26 108 82 10 89 0.290 0.377 0.491 137Avg BA for selected years - .304Avg OBP for selected years - .372

Avg Slugging for selected years - .523

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 149.6

79 NL MVP (tie)

Led League in HR twice (71, 73), OPS+ twice (73, 74).

Black Ink - 17

Gray Ink - 125

Winfield is a great DH who can also bring his strong arm to RF.

Batting Seventh - Yogi Berra, C - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1950 Yankees 151 597 116 192 30 6 28 124 55 - 12 0.322 0.383 0.533 1351951 Yankees 141 547 92 161 19 4 27 88 44 - 20 0.294 0.35 0.492 1301952 Yankees 142 534 97 146 17 1 30 98 66 - 24 0.273 0.358 0.478 1371953 Yankees 137 503 80 149 23 5 27 108 50 - 32 0.296 0.363 0.523 1401954 Yankees 151 584 88 179 28 6 22 125 56 - 29 0.307 0.367 0.488 1471955 Yankees 147 541 84 147 20 3 27 108 60 6 20 0.272 0.349 0.47 1201956 Yankees 140 521 93 155 29 2 30 105 65 7 29 0.298 0.378 0.534 142Avg BA for selected years - .295Avg OBP for selected years - .364

Avg Slugging for selected years - .502

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 135.9

15x AS, 10x WS Champ (most in history)

Gray Ink - 135

Quote from Yogi Berra Museum - "His prowess at the plate was also legendary. Despite the glamorous shadows around him, first Joe DiMaggio, then Mickey Mantle, it was Yogi who was the most feared hitter on a host of Yankee pennant winners - including an unprecedented five straight world championships - as he led the team in RBI's for seven straight seasons (1949-55). He seldom struck out and was an amazing bad-ball hitter, known to swing at - and hit - pitches near his eyes or burrowing around his ankles."

It should be noticed that when Berra played, Yankee stadium was a pitcher's park. Berra is widely considered one of the best catchers in history. His combination of offense, defense and leadership distinguish him from his peers.

Batting Eighth - Jackie Robinson, 2B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1948 Dodgers 147 574 108 170 38 8 12 85 57 22 37 0.296 0.367 0.453 1181949 Dodgers 156 593 122 203 38 12 16 124 86 37 27 0.342 0.432 0.528 1521950 Dodgers 144 518 99 170 39 4 14 81 80 12 24 0.328 0.423 0.5 1401951 Dodgers 153 548 106 185 33 7 19 88 79 25 27 0.338 0.429 0.527 1541952 Dodgers 149 510 104 157 17 3 19 75 106 24 40 0.308 0.44 0.465 1501953 Dodgers 136 484 109 159 34 7 12 95 74 17 30 0.329 0.425 0.502 1391954 Dodgers 124 386 62 120 22 4 15 59 63 7 20 0.311 0.413 0.505 135Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .413

Avg Slugging for selected years - .497

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 141.1

1949 NL MVP

Led league in batting in 1952, SB twice (47, 49), and was among league leaders in OPS+ throughout his career.

Robinson could easily bat 2nd or 3rd in this, or any lineup. A rare combination of power-speed and an incredible athlete.

"Give me five players like (Jackie) Robinson and a pitcher and I'll beat any nine-man team in baseball." - Manager Chuck Dressen

I decided I'd put 8 guys around him and take my chances :)

It should be noted that this finishes up a L-R-L-R-L-R pitcher's nightmare from 3-8 in the batting order that will be very difficult to send relievers into.

Batting Ninth - Alan Trammell, SS- Bats Right

Trammell YEAR TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+1980  DET 146 560 107 168 21 5 9 65 69 12 63 0.3 0.376 0.404 1131983  DET 142 505 83 161 31 2 14 66 57 30 64 0.319 0.385 0.471 1381984  DET 139 555 85 174 34 5 14 69 60 19 63 0.314 0.382 0.468 1351986  DET 151 574 107 159 33 7 21 75 59 25 57 0.277 0.347 0.469 1201987  DET 151 597 109 205 34 3 28 105 60 21 47 0.343 0.402 0.551 1551988  DET 128 466 73 145 24 1 15 69 46 7 46 0.311 0.373 0.464 1371990  DET 146 559 71 170 37 1 14 89 68 12 55 0.304 0.377 0.449 130Avg BA for selected years - .310Avg OBP for selected years - .373

Avg Slugging for selected years - .469

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 132.6

Gray Ink - 45

4 Gold Gloves

3 Silver Sluggers

A 9-hole hitter batting .310? I'll take it! Trammell was solid with his bat and glove.

Utility Outfielder - Joe Medwick - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1934 Cardinals 149 620 110 198 40 18 18 106 21 - 83 0.319 0.343 0.529 1241935 Cardinals 154 634 132 224 46 13 23 126 30 - 59 0.353 0.386 0.576 1511936 Cardinals 155 636 115 223 64 13 18 138 34 - 33 0.351 0.387 0.577 1561937 Cardinals 156 633 111 237 56 10 31 154 41 - 50 0.374 0.414 0.641 1801938 Cardinals 146 590 100 190 47 8 21 122 42 - 41 0.322 0.369 0.536 1401939 Cardinals 150 606 98 201 48 8 14 117 45 - 44 0.332 0.38 0.507 1311941 Dodgers 133 538 100 171 33 10 18 88 38 - 35 0.318 0.364 0.517 142Avg BA for selected years - .339Avg OBP for selected years - .376

Avg Slugging for selected years - .556

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.3

1937 Triple Crown

1937 NL MVP

Black Ink - 41

Gray Ink - 226

Medwick as a starting OF = great...as my utility guy? AWESOME!

I could DH him or sub him in for Gwynn against a Lefty.

OVERVIEW

My strategy was to get a great defense, have a fast team that could play small ball but also have a couple of boppers in the lineup, and to get value pitchers who could more than hold their own. I know that is oversimplified, but I think I've put together a very solid team that can score runs against any pitching staff and hold potent lineups to minimal damage. I have MANY options as far as lineups. The versatility can only help me match up against the great pitching staffs in the league.

Utility Infielder - Phil Rizzuto - Bats Right

SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG OPS+1941     New York Yankees 133 515 65 158 20 9 3 46 27 36 14 0.307 0.339 0.398 961942     New York Yankees 144 553 79 157 24 7 4 68 44 40 22 0.284 0.338 0.374 1031947     New York Yankees 153 549 78 150 26 9 2 60 57 31 11 0.273 0.345 0.364 1001949     New York Yankees 153 614 110 169 22 7 5 65 72 34 18 0.275 0.34 0.358 881950     New York Yankees 155 617 125 200 36 7 7 66 92 39 12 0.324 0.407 0.439 1221951     New York Yankees 144 540 87 148 21 6 2 43 58 27 18 0.274 0.335 0.346 921953     New York Yankees 134 413 54 112 21 3 2 54 71 39 4 0.271 0.37 0.351 102Scooter was brought on board more because of his leadership and influence in the clubhouse than his bat or glove. Here's a guy who was the MVP in 1950 despite what many would consider pedestrian numbers. He was #2 in the voting the year before. Rizutto could come in and play SS to replace Trammell or I could push Trammell to 2B in a pinch if Robinson went down. Catcher Yogi Berra

1st Base Don Mattingly

2nd Base Jackie Robinson

Shortstop Alan Trammel

3rd Base Mike Schmidt

Left Field Willie Stargell

Center Field Ty Cobb

Right Field Tony Gwynn

Utility Infielder Phil Rizzuto

Utility Outfielder Joe Medwick

Designated Hitter Dave Winfield

Note to the judges:

I think my team is the best out there for a few reasons.

1- It's balanced. I've got solid pitching and a lineup that will manufacture runs.

2- Variation. My pitching staff is very diverse. We've got 'em all - the hard thrower, the finesse guy, the knuckler, even the spitter. Opposing batters will have to be able to hit it all to beat me in a series.

3- Adaptability. As I mentioned before, I've got multiple lineups that I can put on the lineup card.

4- Defense. I made that a big part of who I picked, and I think I've got one of the best defensive teams out there.

5- I actually filled out this whole post :)

Thanks to all for participating. It was fun!

Thanks to Tim for putting this together and keeping things updated.

 
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Thanks, Horvy.

A couple of notes here for everyone:

I am asking for 7 years for every player. Wikkidpissah neglected to give me the 7 years on all of his players, so I'm hoping he comes back and does that. If you do not bother to give me the years, I have decided to use career averages. This effectively means that, if for 16 teams only 8 of you bother to give years, those 8 are going to end up being my top 8. So I advise everyone to give me the years.

A couple of times I have seen 8 years posted. If you give me more than 7, I'm going to take the first 7. If the player has less than 7 years, give me what you've got, and there will of course be some kind of ding. TIA

ETA I received a PM this morning asking if I would accept an average for all 7 years instead of each year. Answer is no: I need to see the 7.

 
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So far we have three unfinished lists from Wikkidpissah, Zow and Horvy. The 13 other drafters have yet to give anything. If I don't get this stuff by Wednesday, it's going to have to wait until after my vacation before I can evaluate. So please- even if you don't have time to do the team summaries, at least provide me with 7 years for each player. TIA

 
I transfered all the teams to a spreedsheet and removed the team names a few days ago. I should be able to look at it and objectively judge each team and I'm not waiting for the 7 best years. Too busy.

 
Having Big Time Innernets issues with intermittent service. I will post what I have tonight and if TU wants to change anything and make it OFFICIAL he can.

 
Koya said:
Having Big Time Innernets issues with intermittent service. I will post what I have tonight and if TU wants to change anything and make it OFFICIAL he can.
Click to expand...
Send it to me first and I can make any additions as I see fitWe still have a couple of days, no need to rush it
 
Ok here we go:

Team Name: Team Punishment

Manager: Bobby Cox

Team Captain: Bob Gibson

Starting Rotation:

Bob Gibson

Lefty Grove

Gaylord Perry

Jim Bunning

Luis Tiant

Middle Reliever:Todd Worrell

Setup Man: Armando Benitez

Closer:Tug Mcgraw

Starting Lineup:

Paul Waner---RF

Al Simmons---LF

Mickey Mantle---CF

George Foster---DH

Carlos Delgado---1B

Johnny Bench---C

Bob Elliot---3B

Lou Boudreau---SS

Bobby Grich---2B

Bench:

Al Oliver---UO

Steve Garvey---UI

7 year span and minor writeups to follow...

 
First Lets introduce the reserves

Steve Garvey- Guy was a model of consistency. I used 7 straight years from 1974-1980 and he didnt deviate from the norm by much in any.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1974 642 95 21 111 .312 .342 .469 130

1975 659 85 18 95 .319 .351 .476 133

1976 631 85 13 80 .317 .363 .450 133

1977 646 91 33 115 .297 .335 .498 121

1978 639 89 21 113 .316 .353 .499 137

1979 648 92 28 110 .315 .351 .497 130

1980 658 78 26 106 .304 .341 .467 125

Al Oliver-I admittedly dont know a whole lot about all these old time players, but on Sunday Night baseball the other day Joe Morgan said he was the most consistent hitter of hard line drives he has ever seen. So ill take it.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1972 565 88 12 89 .312 .352 .437 125

1974 617 96 11 85 .321 .358 .475 135

1976 443 62 12 61 .323 .363 .476 137

1978 525 65 14 89 .324 .358 .490 137

1979 492 69 12 76 .323 .367 .470 126

1980 656 96 19 117 .319 .357 .480 131

1982 617 90 22 109 .331 .392 .514 150

Todd Worrell- I dont know if any of you guys ever played strat-o-matic baseball, but this guy was lights out in that game (cant remember the year). He is a hard throwing reliever that saved games early in his career and was a setup man late, so he should have experience here.

Year IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1986 103.7 73 2.08 1.225 177

1987 94.7 92 2.66 1.268 157

1988 90.0 78 3.00 1.144 116

1989 51.7 41 2.96 1.316 122

1992 64.0 64 2.11 1.094 161

1995 62.3 61 2.02 1.107 188

1996 65.3 66 3.03 1.301 128

Armando Benitez- I know some things about him...He is commonly known as a gas can, but if people look at his stat early in his career the guy was a stud closin games for the Orioles and Mets

Year IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1997 73.3 106 2.45 1.255 179

1999 78.0 128 1.85 1.038 240

2000 76.0 106 2.61 1.013 171

2001 76.3 93 3.77 1.297 111

2002 67.3 79 2.27 1.054 176

2003 73.0 75 2.96 1.370 143

2004 69.7 62 1.29 .818 317

Goin to eat dinner...will be back with the Starting Rotation Best Starting Rotation in a little bit.

 
Here is the starting rotation...

Bob Gibson-2 time WS champion, League MVP, 8 time AS, 9 time GG winner, 2 time Cy Young winner, and2 time WS MVP. The guy was a dominator and he feared nobody. That is why he is the captain of my baseball team.

Year W L IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1962 15 13 233.7 208 2.85 1.151 151

1966 21 12 280.3 225 2.44 1.027 148

1968 22 9 304.7 268 1.12 .853 258

1969 20 13 314.0 269 2.18 1.102 164

1970 23 7 294.0 262 3.12 1.190 132

1972 19 11 278.0 208 2.46 1.129 139

1973 12 10 195.0 142 2.77 1.108 133

Lefty Grove-Widely Considered one of the greatest of all time and also considered one of the most underrated players of all time. Now that tells ya something. Yet another League MVP and 2 time WS champion. This guy was a stud even in a hitters era and his ERA+ indicates that.

Year W L IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1928 24 8 261.7 183 2.58 1.116 155

1930 28 5 291.0 209 2.54 1.144 185

1931 31 4 288.7 175 2.06 1.077 219

1932 25 10 291.7 188 2.84 1.193 159

1935 20 12 273 121 2.70 1.223 175

1936 17 12 253.3 130 2.81 1.192 188

1939 15 4 191.0 81 2.54 1.246 185

Gaylord Perry- Guy was an admitted cheater, but he was still a great pitcher. Multiple CY Youngs and 5 time AS.

Year W L IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1964 12 11 206.3 155 2.75 1.076 130

1967 15 17 293.0 230 2.61 1.075 128

1968 16 15 291.0 173 2.44 1.027 122

1969 19 14 325.3 233 2.49 1.171 142

1971 16 12 280.0 158 2.76 1.150 124

1972 24 16 342.7 234 1.92 .978 170

1974 21 13 322.3 216 2.51 1.021 144

Jim Bunning- 9 All Star game, 2 no hitters with an el perfecto sprinkled in. I dont know much about him other than he is a senator.

Year W L IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1957 20 8 267.3 182 2.69 1.070 143

1960 11 14 252.0 201 2.79 1.115 143

1961 17 11 268.0 194 3.19 1.131 129

1964 19 8 284.3 219 2.63 1.034 132

1965 19 9 291.0 268 2.60 1.082 134

1966 19 14 314.0 252 2.41 1.002 148

1967 17 15 302.3 253 2.29 1.039 148

Luis Tiant- If a man put a gun to my head and said I'm going to pull the trigger if you lose this game, I'd want Luis Tiant to pitch that game. - Former Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson. And he is my 5th starter.

Year W L IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1967 12 9 213.7 219 2.74 1.142 120

1968 21 9 258.3 264 1.60 .871 186

1972 15 6 179.0 123 1.91 1.078 170

1973 20 13 272.0 206 3.34 1.085 121

1974 22 13 311.3 176 2.92 1.166 133

1976 21 12 279.0 131 3.06 1.211 129

1978 13 8 212.3 114 3.31 1.140 126

And the man slammin the door on these victories.....

Tug Mcgraw- About all I can offer is he is the father of Tim Mcgraw and FIL on Faith Hill

Year IP K ERA WHIP ERA+

1969 100.3 92 2.24 1.355 162

1971 111.0 109 1.70 1.027 200

1972 106.0 92 1.70 1.047 197

1975 102.7 55 2.98 1.169 126

1976 97.3 76 2.50 1.264 143

1977 79.0 58 2.62 1.089 154

1980 92.3 75 1.46 .921 259

Headed to the store...will post the starting lineup's profiles in a little bit....God I love the pitching staff.

 
Lets go around the diamond to take a look at the players who will roam the field along with the DH...

Johnny Bench-A surefire top 3 catcher of all time whome many consider the best of all time. 2 WS championships, 2 league MVPs, 14 time AS, 10 Gold Gloves, and WS MVP. But he is also my father's favorite player and he came to a sports stag my senior year of high school.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1969 532 83 26 90 .293 .353 .487 129

1970 605 97 45 148 .293 .345 .587 141

1972 538 87 40 125 .270 .379 .541 166

1973 557 83 25 104 .253 .345 .429 119

1974 621 108 33 129 .280 .363 .507 143

1975 530 83 28 110 .283 .359 .519 140

1977 494 67 31 109 .275 .348 .540 133

Bob Elliot- League MVP and 7 time AS...guy could rake and he played a pretty good 3B as well. Another RBI man..you may notice a theme.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1942 560 75 9 89 .296 .358 .416 123

1943 581 82 7 101 .315 .376 .444 134

1944 538 85 10 108 .297 .383 .465 134

1947 555 93 22 113 .317 .410 .517 147

1948 540 99 23 100 .283 .423 .474 143

1949 482 77 17 76 .280 .395 .467 135

1950 531 94 24 107 .305 .386 .512 140

Lou Boudreau-WS champion, League MVP, and 7 time AS. He was a master at turning the DP and he rarely struck out. Solid all around baseball player according to his peers.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1940 627 97 9 101 .295 .370 .443 113

1943 539 69 3 67 .286 .388 .388 133

1944 584 91 3 67 .327 .406 .437 145

1945 345 50 3 48 .307 .374 .409 131

1946 515 51 6 62 .293 .345 .410 116

1947 538 79 4 67 .307 .388 .424 128

1948 560 116 18 106 .355 .453 .534 164---He obviously hit the juice here.

Bobby Grich- 4 time Gold Glove winner 6 time AS...the double play combo is alive and well on Team Punishment.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1972 460 66 12 50 .278 .358 .415 127

1973 581 82 12 50 .251 .373 .387 116

1974 582 92 19 82 .263 .376 .431 135

1976 518 93 13 54 .266 .373 .417 138

1979 534 78 30 101 .294 .365 .537 145

1981 352 56 22 61 .304 .378 .543 164

1983 387 65 16 62 .292 .414 .460 142

Carlos Delgado-RBI machine and the anchor of 3 different offenses in this prime. RBI machine throughout his career and a high OPS+ in a hitters era.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1998 530 94 38 115 .292 .385 .592 150

1999 573 113 44 134 .272 .377 .571 137

2000 569 115 41 137 .344 .470 .664 181

2001 574 102 39 102 .279 .408 .540 146

2002 505 103 33 108 .277 .406 .549 147

2003 570 117 42 145 .302 .426 .593 161

2005 521 81 33 115 .301 .399 .582 161

George Foster- WS champion, League MVP. A prominent member of the Big Red Machine. One of the most feared hitters ever at the plate.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1976 562 86 29 121 .306 .364 .530 150

1977 615 124 52 149 .320 .382 .631 165

1978 604 97 40 120 .281 .630 .546 151

1979 440 68 30 98 .302 .386 .561 155

1980 528 79 25 93 .273 .362 .473 131

1981 414 64 22 90 .295 .373 .519 150

1984 553 67 24 86 .269 .311 .443 111

Al Simmons-2 time WS champion. The guy could flat out swing the lumber as he hit over .300 11 times and drove in 100 runs in the same season. He was a deadly clutch hitter. My favorite player that I learned from this whole experience.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1925 654 122 24 129 .387 .419 .599 149

1926 583 90 19 109 .341 .392 .564 142

1927 406 86 15 108 .392 .436 .645 171

1929 581 114 34 157 .365 .398 .642 159

1930 554 152 36 165 .381 .423 .708 176

1931 513 105 22 128 .390 .444 .641 176

1932 670 144 35 151 .322 .368 .548 130

Paul Waner- League MVP. Hit .333 for his career and he rarely struck out. He averaged 21.3 K's a season in my 7 year span and I left off some goodies.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1927 623 114 9 131 .380 .437 .549 155

1928 602 142 6 86 .370 .446 .547 154

1929 596 131 15 100 .336 .424 .537 134

1930 589 117 8 77 .368 .428 .525 129

1932 630 107 8 82 .341 .397 .510 144

1934 599 122 14 90 .362 .429 .539 155

1936 585 107 5 94 .373 .446 .520 157

And last but not least

Mickey effin Mantle- 7 time WS champion, 3 time league MVP, 16 time All Star. The most prolific switch hitter you or I will ever see.

Year AB R HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS+

1955 517 121 37 99 .306 .431 .611 180

1956 533 132 52 130 .353 .464 .705 210

1957 474 121 34 94 .365 .512 .665 223

1958 519 127 42 97 .304 .443 .592 188

1960 527 119 40 94 .275 .399 .558 164

1961 514 132 54 128 .317 .448 .687 206

1962 377 96 30 89 .321 .486 .605 196

Summary coming next....

 
Last edited by a moderator:
The team is built around pitching and solid all around baseball players. I realize it lacks speed and a real run of pop, but i feel like the RBI stat and clutchness of some of my players makes up for the raw power. Over the span of an entire season, you cant tell me my 5 starters arent better than anybody else's 5. Maybe Bob Gibson isnt better than Christy Matthewson or either is Lefty Grove, but combine those two and throw in Gaylord, Bunning, and Tiant and you have yourself a well rounded 5. The hitters are a solid collection and while not all house hold names, looking into the stats shows you exactly how good they are. And Bobby Cox is the skipper. What more do you want from your skip? The guy is winner and he will go to bat for his players.

Judge away....it was fun

If anyone wants me to email them my spreadsheet of these stats it is a lot cleaner and more in depth than the posts.

 
Horvy said:
Pitcher stuff put up now....I'll have to do batters tonight/tomorrow, but they're coming

Note: I'm sure this isn't the best way to get the ERA+ for the 7 years that were picked, but I'm just taking an average.

Manager John McGraw

Starting Pitcher #1 Robin Roberts, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1950 Phillies 40 39 20 11 0.645 3.02 21 5 1 304.1 282 102 112 29 77 146 135 1.181951 Phillies 44 39 21 15 0.583 3.03 22 6 2 315 284 106 115 20 64 127 127 1.1051952 Phillies 39 37 28 7 0.8 2.59 30 3 2 330 292 95 104 22 45 148 141 1.0211953 Phillies 44 41 23 16 0.59 2.75 33 5 2 346.2 324 106 119 30 61 198 152 1.1111954 Phillies 45 38 23 15 0.605 2.97 29 4 4 336.2 289 111 116 35 56 185 136 1.0251955 Phillies 41 38 23 14 0.622 3.28 26 1 3 305 292 111 137 41 53 160 121 1.1311958 Phillies 35 34 17 14 0.548 3.24 21 1 0 269.2 270 97 112 30 51 130 122 1.19WHIP for selected years - 1.106ERA for selected years - 2.97

ERA+ for selected years - 133.4

Black Ink - 64

Gray Ink - 249

Bill James writes "The Cy Young Award began in 1956. The best pitchers in the National League from 1950-1955 were:

1950 Robin Roberts

1951 Sal Maglie

1952 Robin Roberts

1953 Robin Roberts

1954 Robin Roberts

1955 Robin Roberts

In 1951, the one year when Roberts does not rank as the best pitcher in the league, he trails Sal Maglie by a margin so thin (27.75-27.71) that the word "insignificant" hardly does it justice, and actually ranks first in the league ahead of Maglie 27.96-27.75, wheen his contributions as a hitter are considered. He also ranks ahead of any American League Pitcher in every season except 1952, when Roberts was 28-7, but crosstown rival Bobby Shantz was the American League MVP."

James also claimed that "Roberts threw about as hard as Bob Feller or Walter Johnson or Bob Gibson, possibly as hard."

Starting Pitcher #2 Dazzy Vance, RHP

Year Team LG W L PCT G SH SV IP H R ER SO BB ERA WHIP ERA+1924 BRO NL 28 6 0.824 35 3 309 238 89 74 262 77 2.16 1.019 1741925 BRO NL 22 9 0.71 31 4 265 247 115 104 221 66 3.53 1.181 1181927 BRO NL 16 15 0.516 34 2 273 242 98 82 184 69 2.7 1.139 1461928 BRO NL 22 10 0.688 38 4 280 226 79 65 200 72 2.09 1.064 1911929 BRO NL 14 13 0.519 31 1 231 244 110 100 126 47 3.9 1.260 1191930 BRO NL 17 15 0.531 35 4 259 241 97 75 173 55 2.61 1.143 1891931 BRO NL 11 13 0.458 30 2 219 221 99 82 150 53 3.37 1.251 113WHIP for selected years - 1.143ERA for selected years - 2.85

ERA+ for selected years - 150

NL MVP - 1924

Triple Crown - 1924

Led NL in ERA 3x

Black Ink - 66

Gray Ink - 171

His HOF Bio:

"Although he didn't play his first full season until age 31, Arthur Dazzy Vance was the dominant National League pitcher of the 1920s. After a decade in the minors, Vance joined the Dodgers in 1922 and used his blazing fastball to win 187 games for them over the next 11 seasons. He was named MVP in 1924 and pitched a no-hitter the next year. He led the league in wins twice and ERA three times and is the only pitcher to top the National League in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons."

Starting Pitcher #3 Hal Newhouser, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1942 Tigers 38 23 8 14 0.364 2.45 11 1 5 183.2 137 50 73 4 114 103 161 1.3701944 Tigers 47 34 29 9 0.763 2.22 25 6 2 312.1 264 77 94 6 102 187 161 1.1731945 Tigers 40 36 25 9 0.735 1.81 29 8 2 313.1 239 63 73 5 110 212 195 1.1151946 Tigers 37 34 26 9 0.743 1.94 29 6 1 292.2 215 63 77 10 98 275 188 1.0711947 Tigers 40 36 17 17 0.5 2.87 24 3 2 285 268 91 105 9 110 176 132 1.3261948 Tigers 39 35 21 12 0.636 3.01 19 2 1 272.1 249 91 109 10 99 143 145 1.2791949 Tigers 38 35 18 11 0.621 3.36 22 3 1 292 277 109 118 19 111 144 124 1.329WHIP for selected years- 1.227ERA for selected years- 2.51

ERA+ for selected years - 158

AL MVP - 1944, 1945

Triple Crown - 1945

Black Ink - 47

Gray Ink - 180

Starting Pitcher #4 Eddie Cicotte, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1909 Red Sox 27 17 13 5 0.722 1.97 10 1 2 159.2 117 35 58 3 56 82 126 1.0871913 White Sox 41 30 18 12 0.6 1.58 18 3 1 268 224 47 77 2 73 121 186 1.1081914 White Sox 45 30 11 16 0.407 2.04 15 4 3 269.1 220 61 96 0 72 122 131 1.0851916 White Sox 44 19 15 7 0.682 1.78 11 2 5 187 138 37 56 1 70 91 155 1.1121917 White Sox 49 35 28 12 0.7 1.53 29 7 4 346.2 246 59 76 2 70 150 174 0.9131919 White Sox 40 35 29 7 0.806 1.82 30 5 1 306.2 256 62 77 5 49 110 175 0.9961920 White Sox 37 35 21 10 0.677 3.26 28 4 2 303.1 316 110 128 6 74 87 115 1.287WHIP for selected years - 1.077ERA for selected years - 2.01

ERA+ for selected years - 151.7

Starting Pitcher #5 Jim Kaat, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1962 Twins 39 35 18 14 0.563 3.14 16 5 1 269 243 94 106 23 75 173 130 1.1821561341964 Twins 36 34 17 11 0.607 3.22 13 0 1 243 231 87 100 23 60 171 111 1.1975308641965 Twins 45 42 18 11 0.621 2.83 7 2 2 264.1 267 83 121 25 63 154 126 1.2495266941966 Twins 41 41 25 13 0.658 2.75 19 3 0 304.2 271 93 114 29 55 205 131 1.0716633791967 Twins 42 38 16 13 0.552 3.04 13 2 0 263.1 269 89 110 21 42 211 114 1.1820600531974 White Sox 42 39 21 13 0.618 2.92 15 3 0 277.1 263 90 106 18 63 142 129 1.1764705881975 White Sox 43 41 20 14 0.588 3.11 12 1 0 303.2 321 105 121 20 77 142 125 1.312664908WHIP for selected years - 1.19ERA for selected years - 3.00

ERA+ for selected years - 123.7

Middle Reliever Burleigh Grimes, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1918 Robins 40 30 19 9 0.679 2.14 19 7 1 269.2 210 64 94 3 76 113 131 1.0624071321920 Robins 40 33 23 11 0.676 2.22 25 5 2 303.2 271 75 101 5 67 131 145 1.1147757261921 Robins 37 35 22 13 0.629 2.83 30 2 0 302.1 313 95 120 6 76 136 138 1.2876530951923 Robins 39 38 21 18 0.538 3.58 33 2 0 327 356 130 165 9 100 119 108 1.3944954131927 Giants 39 34 19 8 0.704 3.54 15 2 2 259.2 274 102 116 12 87 102 108 1.3927469141928 Pirates 48 37 25 14 0.641 2.99 28 4 3 330.2 311 110 146 11 77 97 136 1.1750454271929 Pirates 33 29 17 7 0.708 3.13 18 2 2 232.2 245 81 108 11 70 62 152 1.3565891471930 Bra/Card 33 28 16 11 0.592 4.07 11 1 0 201.3 246 91 119 9 65 73 123 1.544957774WHIP for selected years - 1.27ERA for selected years - 3.03

ERA+ for selected years - 130

I chose Grimes to be my middle reliever for a couple of reasons. First, he was mean as nails on the mound and had the mindset that I think is conducive to coming in out of the bullpen. Second, I liked having a guy who can legally throw the spitter able to come in and have a hand in more games. I think it brings a mental angle into the equation that adds drama. Third, it was between he and Jim Kaat, and I wanted another lefty in my starting rotation.

Setup Pitcher Jessie Orosco, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1983 Mets 62 0 13 7 0.65 1.47 0 0 17 110 76 18 27 3 38 84 247 1.0363636361984 Mets 60 0 10 6 0.625 2.59 0 0 31 87 58 25 29 7 34 85 138 1.0574712641985 Mets 54 0 8 6 0.571 2.73 0 0 17 79 66 24 26 6 34 68 128 1.2658227851986 Mets 58 0 8 6 0.571 2.33 0 0 21 81 64 21 23 6 35 62 153 1.2222222221989 Indians 69 0 3 4 0.429 2.08 0 0 3 78 54 18 20 7 26 79 191 1.0256410261993 Brewers 57 0 3 5 0.375 3.18 0 0 8 56.2 47 20 25 2 17 67 135 1.1387900361997 Orioles 71 0 6 3 0.667 2.32 0 0 0 50.1 29 13 13 6 30 46 189 1.177644711WHIP for selected years - 1.12ERA for selected years - 2.31

ERA+ for selected years - 168.7

I'll be honest. I hated Orosco when he played. However, there are few who were as good at retiring left handed hitters as Orosco, and he was at his best in the clutch. In a league like this one, with so many big left handed bats, you need someone who can come in and get outs.

Closer Hoyt Wilhelm, RHP

1954 Giants 57 0 12 4 0.75 2.1 0 0 7 111.1 77 26 32 5 52 64 194 1.1611161121959 Orioles 32 27 15 11 0.577 2.19 13 3 0 226 178 55 64 13 77 139 173 1.1283185841962 Orioles 52 0 7 10 0.412 1.94 0 0 15 93 64 20 28 5 34 90 191 1.0537634411964 White Sox 73 0 12 9 0.571 1.99 0 0 27 131.1 94 29 35 7 30 95 173 0.9458428681965 White Sox 66 0 7 7 0.5 1.81 0 0 20 144 88 29 34 11 32 106 176 0.8333333331966 White Sox 46 0 5 2 0.714 1.66 0 0 6 81.1 50 15 21 6 17 61 190 0.8261405671967 White Sox 49 0 8 3 0.727 1.31 0 0 12 89 58 13 21 2 34 76 229 1.033707865WHIP for selected years- 1.01ERA for selected years - 1.92

ERA+ for selected years - 189.4

Wilhelm was a closer before there were closers. Saves weren't really as prevalent when he played. However, while he can't match up with today's closers in that regard, it's a reflection on when he played not his pitching. I included his 1959 season, because he was primarily a starter that year and he did quite well.

Lineup

Batting First - Ty Cobb, CF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1909 Tigers 156 573 116 216 33 10 9 107 48 76 - 0.377 0.431 0.517 1941910 Tigers 140 506 106 194 35 13 8 91 64 65 - 0.383 0.456 0.551 2061911 Tigers 146 591 147 248 47 24 8 127 44 83 - 0.420 0.467 0.621 1961912 Tigers 140 553 120 226 30 23 7 83 43 61 - 0.409 0.456 0.584 2001913 Tigers 122 428 70 167 18 16 4 67 58 51 31 0.390 0.467 0.535 1915 Tigers 156 563 144 208 31 13 3 99 118 96 43 0.369 0.486 0.487 1851917 Tigers 152 588 107 225 44 24 6 102 61 55 34 0.383 0.444 0.570 209Avg BA for selected years - .390Avg OBP for selected years - .448

Avg Slugging for selected years - .553

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 198.3

Triple Crown - 1909

MVP - 1911

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1910)

Led League in Slugging in each of above years (except #2 in 1913, 1915)

Led League in OBP in each of above years (except #2 in 1911, #3 in 1912)

Led League in OPS in each of above years (except #2 in 1913)

Led Leaguee in OPS+ in all of above years

Black Ink - 150

Gray Ink - 417

Cobb is one of the best players in history. He is everything I wanted in a leadoff hitter and CF.

Batting Second - Tony Gwynn, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Padres 158 606 88 213 21 10 5 71 59 33 23 0.351 0.410 0.444 1411987 Padres 157 589 119 218 36 13 7 54 82 56 35 0.370 0.447 0.511 1581993 Padres 122 489 70 175 41 3 7 59 36 14 19 0.358 0.398 0.497 1371994 Padres 110 419 79 165 35 1 12 64 48 5 19 0.394 0.454 0.568 1691995 Padres 135 535 82 197 33 1 9 90 35 17 15 0.368 0.404 0.484 1371996 Padres 116 451 67 159 27 2 3 50 39 11 17 0.353 0.400 0.441 1271997 Padres 149 592 97 220 49 2 17 119 43 12 28 0.372 0.409 0.547 156Avg BA for selected years - .366Avg OBP for selected years - .416

Avg Slugging for selected years - .498

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.4

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1993)

Black Ink - 57

Gray Ink - 155

Gwynn is a pure contact hitter put in this spot to move Cobb along. Gwynn actually had pretty good speed earlier in his career (56 SB in '87), and played good defense (5x Gold Glove winner, athough to be fair, only one during years I selected).

Batting Third - Don Mattingly, 1B - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Yankees 153 603 91 207 44 2 23 110 41 8 33 0.343 0.381 0.537 1561985 Yankees 159 652 107 211 48 3 35 145 56 13 41 0.324 0.371 0.567 1561986 Yankees 162 677 117 238 53 2 31 113 53 11 35 0.352 0.394 0.573 1611987 Yankees 141 569 93 186 38 2 30 115 51 13 38 0.327 0.378 0.559 1461988 Yankees 144 599 94 186 37 0 18 88 41 14 29 0.311 0.353 0.462 1281989 Yankees 158 631 79 191 37 2 23 113 51 18 30 0.303 0.351 0.477 1331993 Yankees 134 530 78 154 27 2 17 86 61 9 42 0.291 0.364 0.445 120Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .370

Avg Slugging for selected years - .520

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 142.9

Led League in Batting once (84), Hits twice (84,86) and Doubles three times (84,85,86)

9x Gold Glove winner

1985 AL MVP

OPS+ League leader - 84,86

Black Ink - 23

Gray Ink - 111

Mattingly was targeted from the beginning for my 3 hole, because of his high average and the fact that it seemed like every time he was up, he was smacking a double. His defense was stupendous, and he was a consumate team leader.

At this point, I'd like to note that the above three guys all were among the league leaders each year in most at bats per strikeout.

Batting Fourth - Mike Schmidt, 3B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1974 Phillies 162 568 108 160 28 7 36 116 106 14 138 0.282 0.395 0.546 1581977 Phillies 154 544 114 149 27 11 38 101 104 4 122 0.274 0.393 0.574 1511979 Phillies 160 541 109 137 25 4 45 114 120 12 115 0.253 0.386 0.564 1541980 Phillies 150 548 104 157 25 8 48 121 89 10 119 0.286 0.380 0.624 1721981 Phillies 102 354 78 112 19 2 31 91 73 18 71 0.316 0.435 0.644 1991982 Phillies 148 514 108 144 26 3 35 87 107 17 131 0.280 0.403 0.547 1611987 Phillies 147 522 88 153 28 0 35 113 83 15 80 0.293 0.388 0.548 142Avg BA for selected years - .282Avg OBP for selected years - .395

Avg Slugging for selected years - .575

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 162.4

80,81,86 NL MVP

10x Gold Glove winner

Black Ink - 74

Gray Ink - 224

Mike Schmidt brings my first right handed bat to the plate. He was a clutch power hitter and the best all-around third baseman in history. He led the league in OPS+ six times (3 of above years). He was always among the league leaders in extra-base hits and at bats per homerun.

Batting Fifth - Willie Stargell, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1966 Pirates 140 485 84 153 30 0 33 102 48 16 109 0.315 0.381 0.581 1641969 Pirates 145 522 89 160 31 6 29 92 61 14 120 0.307 0.382 0.556 1631971 Pirates 141 511 104 151 26 0 48 125 83 20 154 0.295 0.398 0.628 1851972 Pirates 138 495 75 145 28 2 33 112 65 15 129 0.293 0.373 0.558 1631973 Pirates 148 522 106 156 43 3 44 119 80 22 129 0.299 0.392 0.646 1861974 Pirates 140 508 90 153 37 4 25 96 87 21 106 0.301 0.407 0.537 1671975 Pirates 124 461 71 136 32 2 22 90 58 6 109 0.295 0.375 0.516 147Avg BA for selected years - .301Avg OBP for selected years - .387

Avg Slugging for selected years - .576

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 167.9

1979 NL MVP

Led League in HR 71, 73

Led League in OPS+ 73, 74

"He didn't just hit pitchers," Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton said. "He took away their dignity."

Batting Sixth - Dave Winfield, DH - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1978 Padres 158 587 88 181 30 5 24 97 55 20 81 0.308 0.367 0.499 1511979 Padres 159 597 97 184 27 10 34 118 85 24 71 0.308 0.395 0.558 1661982 Yankees 140 539 84 151 24 8 37 106 45 7 64 0.280 0.331 0.560 1421983 Yankees 152 598 99 169 26 8 32 116 58 2 77 0.283 0.345 0.513 1381984 Yankees 141 567 106 193 34 4 19 100 53 9 71 0.340 0.393 0.515 1541988 Yankees 149 559 96 180 37 2 25 107 69 10 88 0.322 0.398 0.530 1591992 Blue Jays 156 583 92 169 33 3 26 108 82 10 89 0.290 0.377 0.491 137Avg BA for selected years - .304Avg OBP for selected years - .372

Avg Slugging for selected years - .523

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 149.6

79 NL MVP (tie)

Led League in HR twice (71, 73), OPS+ twice (73, 74).

Black Ink - 17

Gray Ink - 125

Winfield is a great DH who can also bring his strong arm to RF.

Batting Seventh - Yogi Berra, C - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1950 Yankees 151 597 116 192 30 6 28 124 55 - 12 0.322 0.383 0.533 1351951 Yankees 141 547 92 161 19 4 27 88 44 - 20 0.294 0.35 0.492 1301952 Yankees 142 534 97 146 17 1 30 98 66 - 24 0.273 0.358 0.478 1371953 Yankees 137 503 80 149 23 5 27 108 50 - 32 0.296 0.363 0.523 1401954 Yankees 151 584 88 179 28 6 22 125 56 - 29 0.307 0.367 0.488 1471955 Yankees 147 541 84 147 20 3 27 108 60 6 20 0.272 0.349 0.47 1201956 Yankees 140 521 93 155 29 2 30 105 65 7 29 0.298 0.378 0.534 142Avg BA for selected years - .295Avg OBP for selected years - .364

Avg Slugging for selected years - .502

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 135.9

15x AS, 10x WS Champ (most in history)

Gray Ink - 135

Quote from Yogi Berra Museum - "His prowess at the plate was also legendary. Despite the glamorous shadows around him, first Joe DiMaggio, then Mickey Mantle, it was Yogi who was the most feared hitter on a host of Yankee pennant winners - including an unprecedented five straight world championships - as he led the team in RBI's for seven straight seasons (1949-55). He seldom struck out and was an amazing bad-ball hitter, known to swing at - and hit - pitches near his eyes or burrowing around his ankles."

It should be noticed that when Berra played, Yankee stadium was a pitcher's park. Berra is widely considered one of the best catchers in history. His combination of offense, defense and leadership distinguish him from his peers.

Batting Eighth - Jackie Robinson, 2B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1948 Dodgers 147 574 108 170 38 8 12 85 57 22 37 0.296 0.367 0.453 1181949 Dodgers 156 593 122 203 38 12 16 124 86 37 27 0.342 0.432 0.528 1521950 Dodgers 144 518 99 170 39 4 14 81 80 12 24 0.328 0.423 0.5 1401951 Dodgers 153 548 106 185 33 7 19 88 79 25 27 0.338 0.429 0.527 1541952 Dodgers 149 510 104 157 17 3 19 75 106 24 40 0.308 0.44 0.465 1501953 Dodgers 136 484 109 159 34 7 12 95 74 17 30 0.329 0.425 0.502 1391954 Dodgers 124 386 62 120 22 4 15 59 63 7 20 0.311 0.413 0.505 135Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .413

Avg Slugging for selected years - .497

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 141.1

1949 NL MVP

Led league in batting in 1952, SB twice (47, 49), and was among league leaders in OPS+ throughout his career.

Robinson could easily bat 2nd or 3rd in this, or any lineup. A rare combination of power-speed and an incredible athlete.

"Give me five players like (Jackie) Robinson and a pitcher and I'll beat any nine-man team in baseball." - Manager Chuck Dressen

I decided I'd put 8 guys around him and take my chances :mellow:

It should be noted that this finishes up a L-R-L-R-L-R pitcher's nightmare from 3-8 in the batting order that will be very difficult to send relievers into.

Batting Ninth - Alan Trammell, SS- Bats Right

Trammell YEAR TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+1980  DET 146 560 107 168 21 5 9 65 69 12 63 0.3 0.376 0.404 1131983  DET 142 505 83 161 31 2 14 66 57 30 64 0.319 0.385 0.471 1381984  DET 139 555 85 174 34 5 14 69 60 19 63 0.314 0.382 0.468 1351986  DET 151 574 107 159 33 7 21 75 59 25 57 0.277 0.347 0.469 1201987  DET 151 597 109 205 34 3 28 105 60 21 47 0.343 0.402 0.551 1551988  DET 128 466 73 145 24 1 15 69 46 7 46 0.311 0.373 0.464 1371990  DET 146 559 71 170 37 1 14 89 68 12 55 0.304 0.377 0.449 130Avg BA for selected years - .310Avg OBP for selected years - .373

Avg Slugging for selected years - .469

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 132.6

Gray Ink - 45

4 Gold Gloves

3 Silver Sluggers

A 9-hole hitter batting .310? I'll take it! Trammell was solid with his bat and glove.

Utility Outfielder - Joe Medwick - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1934 Cardinals 149 620 110 198 40 18 18 106 21 - 83 0.319 0.343 0.529 1241935 Cardinals 154 634 132 224 46 13 23 126 30 - 59 0.353 0.386 0.576 1511936 Cardinals 155 636 115 223 64 13 18 138 34 - 33 0.351 0.387 0.577 1561937 Cardinals 156 633 111 237 56 10 31 154 41 - 50 0.374 0.414 0.641 1801938 Cardinals 146 590 100 190 47 8 21 122 42 - 41 0.322 0.369 0.536 1401939 Cardinals 150 606 98 201 48 8 14 117 45 - 44 0.332 0.38 0.507 1311941 Dodgers 133 538 100 171 33 10 18 88 38 - 35 0.318 0.364 0.517 142Avg BA for selected years - .339Avg OBP for selected years - .376

Avg Slugging for selected years - .556

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.3

1937 Triple Crown

1937 NL MVP

Black Ink - 41

Gray Ink - 226

Medwick as a starting OF = great...as my utility guy? AWESOME!

I could DH him or sub him in for Gwynn against a Lefty.

OVERVIEW

My strategy was to get a great defense, have a fast team that could play small ball but also have a couple of boppers in the lineup, and to get value pitchers who could more than hold their own. I know that is oversimplified, but I think I've put together a very solid team that can score runs against any pitching staff and hold potent lineups to minimal damage. I have MANY options as far as lineups. The versatility can only help me match up against the great pitching staffs in the league.

Utility Infielder - Phil Rizzuto - Bats Right

SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG OPS+1941     New York Yankees 133 515 65 158 20 9 3 46 27 36 14 0.307 0.339 0.398 961942     New York Yankees 144 553 79 157 24 7 4 68 44 40 22 0.284 0.338 0.374 1031947     New York Yankees 153 549 78 150 26 9 2 60 57 31 11 0.273 0.345 0.364 1001949     New York Yankees 153 614 110 169 22 7 5 65 72 34 18 0.275 0.34 0.358 881950     New York Yankees 155 617 125 200 36 7 7 66 92 39 12 0.324 0.407 0.439 1221951     New York Yankees 144 540 87 148 21 6 2 43 58 27 18 0.274 0.335 0.346 921953     New York Yankees 134 413 54 112 21 3 2 54 71 39 4 0.271 0.37 0.351 102Scooter was brought on board more because of his leadership and influence in the clubhouse than his bat or glove. Here's a guy who was the MVP in 1950 despite what many would consider pedestrian numbers. He was #2 in the voting the year before. Rizutto could come in and play SS to replace Trammell or I could push Trammell to 2B in a pinch if Robinson went down. Catcher Yogi Berra

1st Base Don Mattingly

2nd Base Jackie Robinson

Shortstop Alan Trammel

3rd Base Mike Schmidt

Left Field Willie Stargell

Center Field Ty Cobb

Right Field Tony Gwynn

Utility Infielder Phil Rizzuto

Utility Outfielder Joe Medwick

Designated Hitter Dave Winfield

Note to the judges:

I think my team is the best out there for a few reasons.

1- It's balanced. I've got solid pitching and a lineup that will manufacture runs.

2- Variation. My pitching staff is very diverse. We've got 'em all - the hard thrower, the finesse guy, the knuckler, even the spitter. Opposing batters will have to be able to hit it all to beat me in a series.

3- Adaptability. As I mentioned before, I've got multiple lineups that I can put on the lineup card.

4- Defense. I made that a big part of who I picked, and I think I've got one of the best defensive teams out there.

5- I actually filled out this whole post :whoosh:

Thanks to all for participating. It was fun!

Thanks to Tim for putting this together and keeping things updated.
Click to expand...
This team is insane, and this team could go very far.
 
Rikishiboy/rcmcaz team---First before we get into it let me say that this was fun and has given me an even greater appreciation of the game.

I am gonna introduce our players in the order we have them batting and the pitching rotation. I will say a bit about each player and list awards and stats they led the league in for the 7 years chosen...only. For the 7 year stats I will list only the stats I want to....plus the required ones of course. I will also try and post some youtube clips.

#1-- Rickey Henderson ---- Considered by many to be the greatest lead off hitter of all time. Bill James was quoted as saying if you could split him in 2 you would have 2 hall of famers. He was nicknamed the man of steel.

gold glove-- 1981

silver slugger-- 1981,85,90

mvp-1990

walks --1982,83,88

obp -- 1980

hits-- 1981

steals--all 7 years

ops-- 1990

runs-- 1981,85

For Henderson I will list his OPS,OBP, and steals (because they really reiterate the threat he caused once on base and thus the distraction he was to pitchers)

1980--134 .420 100

1981--150 .408 56

1982--122 .398 130

1983--139 .414 108

1985--157 .419 85

1988--124 .394 93

1990--188 .439 65

avg---145 .413 91

#2--Roberto Alomar--Despite his habit of making people angry, he was both a great fielder and hitter.

gold gloves -- 1992,93,96,99,00,01

silver slugger-- 1992,96,99,00

runs-- 1999

For Alomar I will list the same categories as Henderson, to reflect his #2 spot in our order.

1992--129 .405 49

1993--141 .408 55

1996--136 .411 17

1997--134 .390 9

1999--139 .422 37

2000--114 .378 39

2001--150 .415 30

avg---135 .404 34

#3--Kirby Puckett--Frank Thomas said "He was a breath of fresh air to the game"

batting title -- 1989

gold glove -- 1986,87,88,89,92

silver slugger-- 1986,87,88,89,92,94

hits--1987,88,89,92

rbi--1994

total bases--1988,92

For the lovable Puckett I will post his OPS and batting average (because with Henderson and Alomar on base I want hits to move them along)

1986--141 .328

1987--132 .332

1988--152 .356

1989--131 .339

1992--138 .329

1994--129 .317

1995--130 .314

avg---136 .331

#4--Hank Greenberg-- Nicknamed Hammerin Hank.

MVP-- 1935,40

rbi--1935,37,40,46

total bases--1935,40

runs--1938

walks--1937

homeruns--1935,38,40,46

slg%--1940

ops--1940

walks--1938

extra base hits--1934,35,37,40

For Greenberg I will list his OPS and Slg % (because he is our clean-up hitter after all)

1934--156 .600

1935--169 .628

1937--172 .668

1938--169 .683

1939--156 .622

1940--171 .670

1946--163 .604

avg---165 .639

#5--Alex Rodriguez-- Nicknamed AROD. Many say he has a legitamate shot at 800 homers. to get this kind of production out of the shortstop position is gold.

Player of the Year--1996,02,07

hank aaron Award--2001,02,03,07

MVP--2003,05,07

gold gloves--2002,03 (as a shortstop)

silver slugger--1996,01,02,03,05,07

batting average--1996

slg%--2003,05,07

ops--2005,07

runs--1996,01,03,05,07

total bases--1996,01,02,07

homeruns--2001,02,03,05,07

rbi--2002,07

extra bases--2001

For Rodriguez I will post his OPS and slg% (because this is what really sets him apart from other shortstops)

1996--160 .631

2000--162 .606

2001--160 .622

2002--158 .623

2003--147 .600

2005--173 .610

2007--177 .645

avg---162 .620

#6 Gary Sheffield---I think he is not as much respected, because he could of been better. Though he has been very very good.

Player of the Year-- 1992

silver slugger--1992,96,03,04

batting average--1992

obp--1996

ops--1996

total bases--1992

For Sheffield I will post his OPS, batting average, and slugging %

1992--170 .330 .580

1996--189 .314 .624

1998--155 .302 .504

2000--176 .325 .643

2001--164 .311 .583

2003--162 .330 .604

2004--141 .290 .580

avg---165 .315 .585

#7 Frank Howard--Nicknamed the Capital Punisher. Considered one of the greatest sluggers and he bats #7 on our team. Drinks Nestle Quik (I love this stuff)

slg %--1968

total bases--1968,69

home runs-- 1968,70

rbi--1970

walks--1970

extra base hits--1968

For Howard--I will post his OPS and slg % ( he was known as a slugger after all)

1962--147 .560

1963--149 .518

1967--153 .511

1968--170 .552

1969--178 .574

1970--170 .546

1971--144 .474

avg---159 .534

#8 Joe Torre--He was a solid catcher, but his calmness is what I value most for my team.

Hutch Award--1971

Player of the year--1971

MVP--1971

gold glove--1965

batting average-- 1971

hits--1971

total bases--1971

rbi--1971

For Torre I will just list his OPS, however he was agood average hitter as well.

1963--125

1964--140

1965--140

1966--156

1967--126

1970--136

1971--171

avg---142

#9 Pie Traynor--Regarded as the best defensive 3b before Brooks Robinson, would of won lots of gold gloves if the award was around then.

triples--1923

For Traynor I will post his OPS and average

1923--125 .338

1926--109 .317

1927--114 .342

1928--118 .337

1929--111 .356

1930--124 .366

1932--118 .329

avg---117 .341

infielder off the bench--Del Pratt--Like Traynor he would of won lots of gold gloves as well and as a guy off the bench defense is important. Another thing we like about Pratt is he can play all the infield positions.

rbi--1916

For Pratt I will just post his OPS

1912--125

1913--120

1914--130

1915--118

1916--121

1920--108

1921--116

avg---120

outfielder off the bench--Richie Ashburn--My dads favorite player of all time. Most prolific hitter of the 50's. He was considered one of the best ever defensively, regularly led the league in fielding %. He could easily fill in for any of my outfielders and when you need a pinch hit he is your man.

batting average--1955,58

obp--1954,55,58

hits--1951,53,58

triples--1958

stolen bases--1948

walks--1954,58

For Ashburn I will post his OPS,batting average, and OBP

1948--122 .333 .410

1951--121 .344 .393

1953--111 .330 .394

1954--117 .313 .441

1955--142 .338 .449

1956--110 .303 .384

1958--136 .350 .440

avg---123 .330 .416

That concludes our batters as an overview we have great obp and speed at the top in Henderson and Alomar. Solid hitting with power in the #3 spot in Puckett. Super power with good average through the middle in Greenberg, Rodriguez, Sheffield, and Howard,. Plus we finish it off with some more solid hitters for the bottom of the order. The team is also very solid defensively both on the field and coming off the bench. Our bench guys can also hold there own in the starting line-up and deserve to start, but their versatility helps our team the best from the bench. The team also consists of men with varying characters both good and bad...if they feed off each others strengths they could be great....again!!!

Now it is time for the pitchers..stats are era and whip only.

#1-- Tom Seaver--It was said Blind people come to the park just to hear him pitch. Hank Aaron said he was the toughest pitcher he ever faced. He is the only Met with his uniform retired. Received highest percentage of votes for Hall of Fame entree. Nicknamed Tom Terrific.

cy young--1969,73,75

tsn pitcher of the year--1969,75

era--1971,73

wins--1971,73,77

strikeouts--1971,73,75,76

shutouts--1977

complete games--1973

strikeout to walk ratio--1973,77

SI sportman of the year--1969

Hickok Belt--1969

1968--2.20 .980

1969--2.21 1.039

1971--1.76 .946

1973--2.08 .976

1975--2.38 1.088

1976--2.59 1.063

1977--2.58 1.014

avg---2.26 1.015

#2--Eddie Plank--#5 on the all-time hits batsmen list, so be careful batters. Nick named Gettysburg eddie. First Lefty to reach 300 wins.

whip--1915

complete games--1905

shutouts--1907

1904--2.17 1.111

1905--2.26 1.044

1907--2.20 1.068

1908--2.17 1.014

1909--1.76 1.044

1910--2.01 1.091

1915--2.08 .991

avg---2.09 1.052

#3 Early Wynn---If batters did not get plunked by Plank, now they gotta deal with Wynn. He is one of the most intimidating pitchers in history and even said he would deck his own mother to help win a game.

cy young--1959

ml player of the year--1959

tsn pitcher of the year--1959

wins--1954,59

innings--1951,54,59

1943--2.91 1.227

1951--3.02 1.217

1952--2.90 1.299

1954--2.73 1.138

1955--2.82 1.248

1956--2.72 1.167

1959--3.17 1.256

avg---2.90 1.222

#4 Mike Cuellar--One of the best curve balls in the game.

cy young--1969

wins--1970

complete games-- 1970

1966--2.22 1.078

1968--2.74 1.154

1969--2.38 1.005

1970--3.48 1.149

1971--3.08 1.122

1972--2.57 1.079

1974--3.11 1.259

avg---2.80 1.121

#5 Sam McDowell--one of the best fastballs in the game but, more importantly he is the player Sam Malone is based on from the hit tv show Cheers.

Tsn pitcher of the year--1970

era--1965

strikeouts--1965,66,68,69,70

shutouts--1966

1964--2.70 1.431

1965--2.18 1.136

1966--2.87 1.194

1967--3.85 1.371

1968--1.81 1.082

1969--2.94 1.137

1970--2.92 1.203

avg---2.75 1.222

middle reliever Lindy McDaniel--Could close, long relief, and start when asked...he was successful at all 3. In 1963 he came into agame picked off willie Mays from first, struck out the next batter (last of the inning) and then came up to bat...homer game over.He wasarguably the most underrated player in the last 40 years.

sportsingnews reliever of the year--1960 (1st year of award)

fireman of the year--1960

saves--1960,63

games finished--1963

1960--2.09 .937

1963--2.86 1.239

1965--2.59 1.259

1966--2.66 1.134

1970--2.01 .994

1972--2.25 1.162

1973--2.86 1.229

avg---2.47 1.136

Set up man Mike Stanton

1991--2.88 1.064

1994--3.55 1.467

1996--3.66 1.335

1997--2.57 1.260

2001--2.58 1.357

2002--3.00 1.295

2004--3.16 1.338

avg---3.06 1.302

Closer--Jeff Reardon--Held the all time saves record for a bit. Had a cool beard.Nicknamed the Terminator, great name for a closer.

Rolaids relief--1985

saves--1985

1980--2.61 1.296

1981--2.18 .981

1982--2.06 1.128

1985--3.18 1.072

1988--2.47 1.137

1990--3.16 1.130

1991--3.03 1.180

avg---2.67 1.132

That does it for our pitchers our starters consists of imposing guys and guys with great talent. Our relievers did what was expected of them very well. I also think it was important to get guys who actually did what we drafted them to do.

Again we had lots of fun with this...and please note we focused entirely on what they did in the 7 years chosen. Anything they accomplished outside of that box..was ignored.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
ChrisCooleyFan said:
Horvy said:
Pitcher stuff put up now....I'll have to do batters tonight/tomorrow, but they're coming

Note: I'm sure this isn't the best way to get the ERA+ for the 7 years that were picked, but I'm just taking an average.

Manager John McGraw

Starting Pitcher #1 Robin Roberts, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1950 Phillies 40 39 20 11 0.645 3.02 21 5 1 304.1 282 102 112 29 77 146 135 1.181951 Phillies 44 39 21 15 0.583 3.03 22 6 2 315 284 106 115 20 64 127 127 1.1051952 Phillies 39 37 28 7 0.8 2.59 30 3 2 330 292 95 104 22 45 148 141 1.0211953 Phillies 44 41 23 16 0.59 2.75 33 5 2 346.2 324 106 119 30 61 198 152 1.1111954 Phillies 45 38 23 15 0.605 2.97 29 4 4 336.2 289 111 116 35 56 185 136 1.0251955 Phillies 41 38 23 14 0.622 3.28 26 1 3 305 292 111 137 41 53 160 121 1.1311958 Phillies 35 34 17 14 0.548 3.24 21 1 0 269.2 270 97 112 30 51 130 122 1.19WHIP for selected years - 1.106ERA for selected years - 2.97

ERA+ for selected years - 133.4

Black Ink - 64

Gray Ink - 249

Bill James writes "The Cy Young Award began in 1956. The best pitchers in the National League from 1950-1955 were:

1950 Robin Roberts

1951 Sal Maglie

1952 Robin Roberts

1953 Robin Roberts

1954 Robin Roberts

1955 Robin Roberts

In 1951, the one year when Roberts does not rank as the best pitcher in the league, he trails Sal Maglie by a margin so thin (27.75-27.71) that the word "insignificant" hardly does it justice, and actually ranks first in the league ahead of Maglie 27.96-27.75, wheen his contributions as a hitter are considered. He also ranks ahead of any American League Pitcher in every season except 1952, when Roberts was 28-7, but crosstown rival Bobby Shantz was the American League MVP."

James also claimed that "Roberts threw about as hard as Bob Feller or Walter Johnson or Bob Gibson, possibly as hard."

Starting Pitcher #2 Dazzy Vance, RHP

Year Team LG W L PCT G SH SV IP H R ER SO BB ERA WHIP ERA+1924 BRO NL 28 6 0.824 35 3 309 238 89 74 262 77 2.16 1.019 1741925 BRO NL 22 9 0.71 31 4 265 247 115 104 221 66 3.53 1.181 1181927 BRO NL 16 15 0.516 34 2 273 242 98 82 184 69 2.7 1.139 1461928 BRO NL 22 10 0.688 38 4 280 226 79 65 200 72 2.09 1.064 1911929 BRO NL 14 13 0.519 31 1 231 244 110 100 126 47 3.9 1.260 1191930 BRO NL 17 15 0.531 35 4 259 241 97 75 173 55 2.61 1.143 1891931 BRO NL 11 13 0.458 30 2 219 221 99 82 150 53 3.37 1.251 113WHIP for selected years - 1.143ERA for selected years - 2.85

ERA+ for selected years - 150

NL MVP - 1924

Triple Crown - 1924

Led NL in ERA 3x

Black Ink - 66

Gray Ink - 171

His HOF Bio:

"Although he didn't play his first full season until age 31, Arthur Dazzy Vance was the dominant National League pitcher of the 1920s. After a decade in the minors, Vance joined the Dodgers in 1922 and used his blazing fastball to win 187 games for them over the next 11 seasons. He was named MVP in 1924 and pitched a no-hitter the next year. He led the league in wins twice and ERA three times and is the only pitcher to top the National League in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons."

Starting Pitcher #3 Hal Newhouser, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1942 Tigers 38 23 8 14 0.364 2.45 11 1 5 183.2 137 50 73 4 114 103 161 1.3701944 Tigers 47 34 29 9 0.763 2.22 25 6 2 312.1 264 77 94 6 102 187 161 1.1731945 Tigers 40 36 25 9 0.735 1.81 29 8 2 313.1 239 63 73 5 110 212 195 1.1151946 Tigers 37 34 26 9 0.743 1.94 29 6 1 292.2 215 63 77 10 98 275 188 1.0711947 Tigers 40 36 17 17 0.5 2.87 24 3 2 285 268 91 105 9 110 176 132 1.3261948 Tigers 39 35 21 12 0.636 3.01 19 2 1 272.1 249 91 109 10 99 143 145 1.2791949 Tigers 38 35 18 11 0.621 3.36 22 3 1 292 277 109 118 19 111 144 124 1.329WHIP for selected years- 1.227ERA for selected years- 2.51

ERA+ for selected years - 158

AL MVP - 1944, 1945

Triple Crown - 1945

Black Ink - 47

Gray Ink - 180

Starting Pitcher #4 Eddie Cicotte, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1909 Red Sox 27 17 13 5 0.722 1.97 10 1 2 159.2 117 35 58 3 56 82 126 1.0871913 White Sox 41 30 18 12 0.6 1.58 18 3 1 268 224 47 77 2 73 121 186 1.1081914 White Sox 45 30 11 16 0.407 2.04 15 4 3 269.1 220 61 96 0 72 122 131 1.0851916 White Sox 44 19 15 7 0.682 1.78 11 2 5 187 138 37 56 1 70 91 155 1.1121917 White Sox 49 35 28 12 0.7 1.53 29 7 4 346.2 246 59 76 2 70 150 174 0.9131919 White Sox 40 35 29 7 0.806 1.82 30 5 1 306.2 256 62 77 5 49 110 175 0.9961920 White Sox 37 35 21 10 0.677 3.26 28 4 2 303.1 316 110 128 6 74 87 115 1.287WHIP for selected years - 1.077ERA for selected years - 2.01

ERA+ for selected years - 151.7

Starting Pitcher #5 Jim Kaat, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1962 Twins 39 35 18 14 0.563 3.14 16 5 1 269 243 94 106 23 75 173 130 1.1821561341964 Twins 36 34 17 11 0.607 3.22 13 0 1 243 231 87 100 23 60 171 111 1.1975308641965 Twins 45 42 18 11 0.621 2.83 7 2 2 264.1 267 83 121 25 63 154 126 1.2495266941966 Twins 41 41 25 13 0.658 2.75 19 3 0 304.2 271 93 114 29 55 205 131 1.0716633791967 Twins 42 38 16 13 0.552 3.04 13 2 0 263.1 269 89 110 21 42 211 114 1.1820600531974 White Sox 42 39 21 13 0.618 2.92 15 3 0 277.1 263 90 106 18 63 142 129 1.1764705881975 White Sox 43 41 20 14 0.588 3.11 12 1 0 303.2 321 105 121 20 77 142 125 1.312664908WHIP for selected years - 1.19ERA for selected years - 3.00

ERA+ for selected years - 123.7

Middle Reliever Burleigh Grimes, RHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1918 Robins 40 30 19 9 0.679 2.14 19 7 1 269.2 210 64 94 3 76 113 131 1.0624071321920 Robins 40 33 23 11 0.676 2.22 25 5 2 303.2 271 75 101 5 67 131 145 1.1147757261921 Robins 37 35 22 13 0.629 2.83 30 2 0 302.1 313 95 120 6 76 136 138 1.2876530951923 Robins 39 38 21 18 0.538 3.58 33 2 0 327 356 130 165 9 100 119 108 1.3944954131927 Giants 39 34 19 8 0.704 3.54 15 2 2 259.2 274 102 116 12 87 102 108 1.3927469141928 Pirates 48 37 25 14 0.641 2.99 28 4 3 330.2 311 110 146 11 77 97 136 1.1750454271929 Pirates 33 29 17 7 0.708 3.13 18 2 2 232.2 245 81 108 11 70 62 152 1.3565891471930 Bra/Card 33 28 16 11 0.592 4.07 11 1 0 201.3 246 91 119 9 65 73 123 1.544957774WHIP for selected years - 1.27ERA for selected years - 3.03

ERA+ for selected years - 130

I chose Grimes to be my middle reliever for a couple of reasons. First, he was mean as nails on the mound and had the mindset that I think is conducive to coming in out of the bullpen. Second, I liked having a guy who can legally throw the spitter able to come in and have a hand in more games. I think it brings a mental angle into the equation that adds drama. Third, it was between he and Jim Kaat, and I wanted another lefty in my starting rotation.

Setup Pitcher Jessie Orosco, LHP

Year Team G GS W L PCT ERA CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP1983 Mets 62 0 13 7 0.65 1.47 0 0 17 110 76 18 27 3 38 84 247 1.0363636361984 Mets 60 0 10 6 0.625 2.59 0 0 31 87 58 25 29 7 34 85 138 1.0574712641985 Mets 54 0 8 6 0.571 2.73 0 0 17 79 66 24 26 6 34 68 128 1.2658227851986 Mets 58 0 8 6 0.571 2.33 0 0 21 81 64 21 23 6 35 62 153 1.2222222221989 Indians 69 0 3 4 0.429 2.08 0 0 3 78 54 18 20 7 26 79 191 1.0256410261993 Brewers 57 0 3 5 0.375 3.18 0 0 8 56.2 47 20 25 2 17 67 135 1.1387900361997 Orioles 71 0 6 3 0.667 2.32 0 0 0 50.1 29 13 13 6 30 46 189 1.177644711WHIP for selected years - 1.12ERA for selected years - 2.31

ERA+ for selected years - 168.7

I'll be honest. I hated Orosco when he played. However, there are few who were as good at retiring left handed hitters as Orosco, and he was at his best in the clutch. In a league like this one, with so many big left handed bats, you need someone who can come in and get outs.

Closer Hoyt Wilhelm, RHP

1954 Giants 57 0 12 4 0.75 2.1 0 0 7 111.1 77 26 32 5 52 64 194 1.1611161121959 Orioles 32 27 15 11 0.577 2.19 13 3 0 226 178 55 64 13 77 139 173 1.1283185841962 Orioles 52 0 7 10 0.412 1.94 0 0 15 93 64 20 28 5 34 90 191 1.0537634411964 White Sox 73 0 12 9 0.571 1.99 0 0 27 131.1 94 29 35 7 30 95 173 0.9458428681965 White Sox 66 0 7 7 0.5 1.81 0 0 20 144 88 29 34 11 32 106 176 0.8333333331966 White Sox 46 0 5 2 0.714 1.66 0 0 6 81.1 50 15 21 6 17 61 190 0.8261405671967 White Sox 49 0 8 3 0.727 1.31 0 0 12 89 58 13 21 2 34 76 229 1.033707865WHIP for selected years- 1.01ERA for selected years - 1.92

ERA+ for selected years - 189.4

Wilhelm was a closer before there were closers. Saves weren't really as prevalent when he played. However, while he can't match up with today's closers in that regard, it's a reflection on when he played not his pitching. I included his 1959 season, because he was primarily a starter that year and he did quite well.

Lineup

Batting First - Ty Cobb, CF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1909 Tigers 156 573 116 216 33 10 9 107 48 76 - 0.377 0.431 0.517 1941910 Tigers 140 506 106 194 35 13 8 91 64 65 - 0.383 0.456 0.551 2061911 Tigers 146 591 147 248 47 24 8 127 44 83 - 0.420 0.467 0.621 1961912 Tigers 140 553 120 226 30 23 7 83 43 61 - 0.409 0.456 0.584 2001913 Tigers 122 428 70 167 18 16 4 67 58 51 31 0.390 0.467 0.535 1915 Tigers 156 563 144 208 31 13 3 99 118 96 43 0.369 0.486 0.487 1851917 Tigers 152 588 107 225 44 24 6 102 61 55 34 0.383 0.444 0.570 209Avg BA for selected years - .390Avg OBP for selected years - .448

Avg Slugging for selected years - .553

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 198.3

Triple Crown - 1909

MVP - 1911

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1910)

Led League in Slugging in each of above years (except #2 in 1913, 1915)

Led League in OBP in each of above years (except #2 in 1911, #3 in 1912)

Led League in OPS in each of above years (except #2 in 1913)

Led Leaguee in OPS+ in all of above years

Black Ink - 150

Gray Ink - 417

Cobb is one of the best players in history. He is everything I wanted in a leadoff hitter and CF.

Batting Second - Tony Gwynn, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Padres 158 606 88 213 21 10 5 71 59 33 23 0.351 0.410 0.444 1411987 Padres 157 589 119 218 36 13 7 54 82 56 35 0.370 0.447 0.511 1581993 Padres 122 489 70 175 41 3 7 59 36 14 19 0.358 0.398 0.497 1371994 Padres 110 419 79 165 35 1 12 64 48 5 19 0.394 0.454 0.568 1691995 Padres 135 535 82 197 33 1 9 90 35 17 15 0.368 0.404 0.484 1371996 Padres 116 451 67 159 27 2 3 50 39 11 17 0.353 0.400 0.441 1271997 Padres 149 592 97 220 49 2 17 119 43 12 28 0.372 0.409 0.547 156Avg BA for selected years - .366Avg OBP for selected years - .416

Avg Slugging for selected years - .498

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.4

Led League in Batting Avg. each of above years (except #2 in 1993)

Black Ink - 57

Gray Ink - 155

Gwynn is a pure contact hitter put in this spot to move Cobb along. Gwynn actually had pretty good speed earlier in his career (56 SB in '87), and played good defense (5x Gold Glove winner, athough to be fair, only one during years I selected).

Batting Third - Don Mattingly, 1B - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1984 Yankees 153 603 91 207 44 2 23 110 41 8 33 0.343 0.381 0.537 1561985 Yankees 159 652 107 211 48 3 35 145 56 13 41 0.324 0.371 0.567 1561986 Yankees 162 677 117 238 53 2 31 113 53 11 35 0.352 0.394 0.573 1611987 Yankees 141 569 93 186 38 2 30 115 51 13 38 0.327 0.378 0.559 1461988 Yankees 144 599 94 186 37 0 18 88 41 14 29 0.311 0.353 0.462 1281989 Yankees 158 631 79 191 37 2 23 113 51 18 30 0.303 0.351 0.477 1331993 Yankees 134 530 78 154 27 2 17 86 61 9 42 0.291 0.364 0.445 120Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .370

Avg Slugging for selected years - .520

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 142.9

Led League in Batting once (84), Hits twice (84,86) and Doubles three times (84,85,86)

9x Gold Glove winner

1985 AL MVP

OPS+ League leader - 84,86

Black Ink - 23

Gray Ink - 111

Mattingly was targeted from the beginning for my 3 hole, because of his high average and the fact that it seemed like every time he was up, he was smacking a double. His defense was stupendous, and he was a consumate team leader.

At this point, I'd like to note that the above three guys all were among the league leaders each year in most at bats per strikeout.

Batting Fourth - Mike Schmidt, 3B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1974 Phillies 162 568 108 160 28 7 36 116 106 14 138 0.282 0.395 0.546 1581977 Phillies 154 544 114 149 27 11 38 101 104 4 122 0.274 0.393 0.574 1511979 Phillies 160 541 109 137 25 4 45 114 120 12 115 0.253 0.386 0.564 1541980 Phillies 150 548 104 157 25 8 48 121 89 10 119 0.286 0.380 0.624 1721981 Phillies 102 354 78 112 19 2 31 91 73 18 71 0.316 0.435 0.644 1991982 Phillies 148 514 108 144 26 3 35 87 107 17 131 0.280 0.403 0.547 1611987 Phillies 147 522 88 153 28 0 35 113 83 15 80 0.293 0.388 0.548 142Avg BA for selected years - .282Avg OBP for selected years - .395

Avg Slugging for selected years - .575

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 162.4

80,81,86 NL MVP

10x Gold Glove winner

Black Ink - 74

Gray Ink - 224

Mike Schmidt brings my first right handed bat to the plate. He was a clutch power hitter and the best all-around third baseman in history. He led the league in OPS+ six times (3 of above years). He was always among the league leaders in extra-base hits and at bats per homerun.

Batting Fifth - Willie Stargell, LF - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1966 Pirates 140 485 84 153 30 0 33 102 48 16 109 0.315 0.381 0.581 1641969 Pirates 145 522 89 160 31 6 29 92 61 14 120 0.307 0.382 0.556 1631971 Pirates 141 511 104 151 26 0 48 125 83 20 154 0.295 0.398 0.628 1851972 Pirates 138 495 75 145 28 2 33 112 65 15 129 0.293 0.373 0.558 1631973 Pirates 148 522 106 156 43 3 44 119 80 22 129 0.299 0.392 0.646 1861974 Pirates 140 508 90 153 37 4 25 96 87 21 106 0.301 0.407 0.537 1671975 Pirates 124 461 71 136 32 2 22 90 58 6 109 0.295 0.375 0.516 147Avg BA for selected years - .301Avg OBP for selected years - .387

Avg Slugging for selected years - .576

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 167.9

1979 NL MVP

Led League in HR 71, 73

Led League in OPS+ 73, 74

"He didn't just hit pitchers," Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton said. "He took away their dignity."

Batting Sixth - Dave Winfield, DH - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1978 Padres 158 587 88 181 30 5 24 97 55 20 81 0.308 0.367 0.499 1511979 Padres 159 597 97 184 27 10 34 118 85 24 71 0.308 0.395 0.558 1661982 Yankees 140 539 84 151 24 8 37 106 45 7 64 0.280 0.331 0.560 1421983 Yankees 152 598 99 169 26 8 32 116 58 2 77 0.283 0.345 0.513 1381984 Yankees 141 567 106 193 34 4 19 100 53 9 71 0.340 0.393 0.515 1541988 Yankees 149 559 96 180 37 2 25 107 69 10 88 0.322 0.398 0.530 1591992 Blue Jays 156 583 92 169 33 3 26 108 82 10 89 0.290 0.377 0.491 137Avg BA for selected years - .304Avg OBP for selected years - .372

Avg Slugging for selected years - .523

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 149.6

79 NL MVP (tie)

Led League in HR twice (71, 73), OPS+ twice (73, 74).

Black Ink - 17

Gray Ink - 125

Winfield is a great DH who can also bring his strong arm to RF.

Batting Seventh - Yogi Berra, C - Bats Left

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1950 Yankees 151 597 116 192 30 6 28 124 55 - 12 0.322 0.383 0.533 1351951 Yankees 141 547 92 161 19 4 27 88 44 - 20 0.294 0.35 0.492 1301952 Yankees 142 534 97 146 17 1 30 98 66 - 24 0.273 0.358 0.478 1371953 Yankees 137 503 80 149 23 5 27 108 50 - 32 0.296 0.363 0.523 1401954 Yankees 151 584 88 179 28 6 22 125 56 - 29 0.307 0.367 0.488 1471955 Yankees 147 541 84 147 20 3 27 108 60 6 20 0.272 0.349 0.47 1201956 Yankees 140 521 93 155 29 2 30 105 65 7 29 0.298 0.378 0.534 142Avg BA for selected years - .295Avg OBP for selected years - .364

Avg Slugging for selected years - .502

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 135.9

15x AS, 10x WS Champ (most in history)

Gray Ink - 135

Quote from Yogi Berra Museum - "His prowess at the plate was also legendary. Despite the glamorous shadows around him, first Joe DiMaggio, then Mickey Mantle, it was Yogi who was the most feared hitter on a host of Yankee pennant winners - including an unprecedented five straight world championships - as he led the team in RBI's for seven straight seasons (1949-55). He seldom struck out and was an amazing bad-ball hitter, known to swing at - and hit - pitches near his eyes or burrowing around his ankles."

It should be noticed that when Berra played, Yankee stadium was a pitcher's park. Berra is widely considered one of the best catchers in history. His combination of offense, defense and leadership distinguish him from his peers.

Batting Eighth - Jackie Robinson, 2B - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1948 Dodgers 147 574 108 170 38 8 12 85 57 22 37 0.296 0.367 0.453 1181949 Dodgers 156 593 122 203 38 12 16 124 86 37 27 0.342 0.432 0.528 1521950 Dodgers 144 518 99 170 39 4 14 81 80 12 24 0.328 0.423 0.5 1401951 Dodgers 153 548 106 185 33 7 19 88 79 25 27 0.338 0.429 0.527 1541952 Dodgers 149 510 104 157 17 3 19 75 106 24 40 0.308 0.44 0.465 1501953 Dodgers 136 484 109 159 34 7 12 95 74 17 30 0.329 0.425 0.502 1391954 Dodgers 124 386 62 120 22 4 15 59 63 7 20 0.311 0.413 0.505 135Avg BA for selected years - .322Avg OBP for selected years - .413

Avg Slugging for selected years - .497

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 141.1

1949 NL MVP

Led league in batting in 1952, SB twice (47, 49), and was among league leaders in OPS+ throughout his career.

Robinson could easily bat 2nd or 3rd in this, or any lineup. A rare combination of power-speed and an incredible athlete.

"Give me five players like (Jackie) Robinson and a pitcher and I'll beat any nine-man team in baseball." - Manager Chuck Dressen

I decided I'd put 8 guys around him and take my chances :excited:

It should be noted that this finishes up a L-R-L-R-L-R pitcher's nightmare from 3-8 in the batting order that will be very difficult to send relievers into.

Batting Ninth - Alan Trammell, SS- Bats Right

Trammell YEAR TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+1980  DET 146 560 107 168 21 5 9 65 69 12 63 0.3 0.376 0.404 1131983  DET 142 505 83 161 31 2 14 66 57 30 64 0.319 0.385 0.471 1381984  DET 139 555 85 174 34 5 14 69 60 19 63 0.314 0.382 0.468 1351986  DET 151 574 107 159 33 7 21 75 59 25 57 0.277 0.347 0.469 1201987  DET 151 597 109 205 34 3 28 105 60 21 47 0.343 0.402 0.551 1551988  DET 128 466 73 145 24 1 15 69 46 7 46 0.311 0.373 0.464 1371990  DET 146 559 71 170 37 1 14 89 68 12 55 0.304 0.377 0.449 130Avg BA for selected years - .310Avg OBP for selected years - .373

Avg Slugging for selected years - .469

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 132.6

Gray Ink - 45

4 Gold Gloves

3 Silver Sluggers

A 9-hole hitter batting .310? I'll take it! Trammell was solid with his bat and glove.

Utility Outfielder - Joe Medwick - Bats Right

Yr Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS+1934 Cardinals 149 620 110 198 40 18 18 106 21 - 83 0.319 0.343 0.529 1241935 Cardinals 154 634 132 224 46 13 23 126 30 - 59 0.353 0.386 0.576 1511936 Cardinals 155 636 115 223 64 13 18 138 34 - 33 0.351 0.387 0.577 1561937 Cardinals 156 633 111 237 56 10 31 154 41 - 50 0.374 0.414 0.641 1801938 Cardinals 146 590 100 190 47 8 21 122 42 - 41 0.322 0.369 0.536 1401939 Cardinals 150 606 98 201 48 8 14 117 45 - 44 0.332 0.38 0.507 1311941 Dodgers 133 538 100 171 33 10 18 88 38 - 35 0.318 0.364 0.517 142Avg BA for selected years - .339Avg OBP for selected years - .376

Avg Slugging for selected years - .556

Avg OPS+ for selected years - 146.3

1937 Triple Crown

1937 NL MVP

Black Ink - 41

Gray Ink - 226

Medwick as a starting OF = great...as my utility guy? AWESOME!

I could DH him or sub him in for Gwynn against a Lefty.

OVERVIEW

My strategy was to get a great defense, have a fast team that could play small ball but also have a couple of boppers in the lineup, and to get value pitchers who could more than hold their own. I know that is oversimplified, but I think I've put together a very solid team that can score runs against any pitching staff and hold potent lineups to minimal damage. I have MANY options as far as lineups. The versatility can only help me match up against the great pitching staffs in the league.

Utility Infielder - Phil Rizzuto - Bats Right

SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG OPS+1941     New York Yankees 133 515 65 158 20 9 3 46 27 36 14 0.307 0.339 0.398 961942     New York Yankees 144 553 79 157 24 7 4 68 44 40 22 0.284 0.338 0.374 1031947     New York Yankees 153 549 78 150 26 9 2 60 57 31 11 0.273 0.345 0.364 1001949     New York Yankees 153 614 110 169 22 7 5 65 72 34 18 0.275 0.34 0.358 881950     New York Yankees 155 617 125 200 36 7 7 66 92 39 12 0.324 0.407 0.439 1221951     New York Yankees 144 540 87 148 21 6 2 43 58 27 18 0.274 0.335 0.346 921953     New York Yankees 134 413 54 112 21 3 2 54 71 39 4 0.271 0.37 0.351 102Scooter was brought on board more because of his leadership and influence in the clubhouse than his bat or glove. Here's a guy who was the MVP in 1950 despite what many would consider pedestrian numbers. He was #2 in the voting the year before. Rizutto could come in and play SS to replace Trammell or I could push Trammell to 2B in a pinch if Robinson went down. Catcher Yogi Berra

1st Base Don Mattingly

2nd Base Jackie Robinson

Shortstop Alan Trammel

3rd Base Mike Schmidt

Left Field Willie Stargell

Center Field Ty Cobb

Right Field Tony Gwynn

Utility Infielder Phil Rizzuto

Utility Outfielder Joe Medwick

Designated Hitter Dave Winfield

Note to the judges:

I think my team is the best out there for a few reasons.

1- It's balanced. I've got solid pitching and a lineup that will manufacture runs.

2- Variation. My pitching staff is very diverse. We've got 'em all - the hard thrower, the finesse guy, the knuckler, even the spitter. Opposing batters will have to be able to hit it all to beat me in a series.

3- Adaptability. As I mentioned before, I've got multiple lineups that I can put on the lineup card.

4- Defense. I made that a big part of who I picked, and I think I've got one of the best defensive teams out there.

5- I actually filled out this whole post :thumbup:

Thanks to all for participating. It was fun!

Thanks to Tim for putting this together and keeping things updated.
Click to expand...
This team is insane, and this team could go very far.
Click to expand...
I would have to agree...I dont know much about the pitchers, but the hitting is top notch.
 
Lineup with 7 year averages:

BT = Batting Title HT = HR Title

Player B AVG OBP SLG ops+ HR SB BT HTTris Speaker L 0.381 0.469 0.565 179 9 23 1 1Honus Wagner R 0.356 0.420 0.523 181 6 49 8 0Nap Lajoie R 0.376 0.418 0.532 180 5 23 5 1Ralph Kiner R 0.285 0.411 0.58 160 44 2 0 7Jason Giambi L 0.297 0.439 0.583 167 38 0 0 0Edgar Martinez R 0.331 0.441 0.571 163 27 1 2 0Chuck Klein L 0.343 0.400 0.600 152 32 9 1 4Harmon Killebrew R 0.273 0.395 0.562 161 45 1 0 6Lombardi Ernie R 0.325 0.384 0.499 144 14 0 2 0 1. T Speaker Exceptional OBP and a 180 OPS+ with some .469 peak OBP.

2. H. Wagner Best pure hitter at SS ever, heck at most any position.. 5x SB Champ. 181 OPS+

3. N Lajoie That’s three 180+ OPS+ guys. Hit over .375 five times.

4. R. Kiner 7 Straight HR crowns while averaging over .410 OBP. Nice Cleanup.

5. J Giambi A 167 OPS+ and great .439 OBP will make it tough to pitch around Kiner.



6. E.Martinez 163 OPS + and .441 OBP. He’ll knock runs in, and get on for the power guys up next

7. C. Klein 4 HR titles, a triple crown and one of his eras best line drive hitters. Even a SB crown.

8. Killebrew Averaged 45 HRs in his peak. 573 overall. Still an OBP of .395 here.

9. Lombardi HOFer that with .325 avg and almost 145 OPS – far from an easy out

All but Martinez and Giambi are in the hall and their offensive peak numbers compare to many HOFers. BT is Batting Titles, HT HR Titles. 6 players won at least one batting title, with 19 overall in the starting lineup, two batting titles winners on the bench as well. 19 HR titles, with five batters having at least one (two were deadballers though).

General Thoughts – Really a lot of options with this lineup, but as I have it, these are my thoughts:

• In this incarnation, you have small ball at the top – can hit and run, move guys along. Then you have a gauntlet of power hitters and sluggers, all with near or above .400 OBPs with two thumpers down in the lineup, really stretching things out.

• In most games, at least one of the first three will get on base for Kiner, followed by two OBP kings with pop and average from our era leading to two more HR sluggers in Klein and Killebrew. That is a near impossible top 8 to navigate.

• There is no weakness in this lineup, top to bottom. Even Lombardi hits .325 with 144 OPS+ in the 9 slot.

• Could certainly play with the lineup. Lajoie 5th, Edgar Martinez and his OBP third, for example.



Defense:

They say you built a team’s defense up the middle. When you have arguably the best defensive players ever at both Middle Infield spots AND Center Field, that covers a heck of a lot of ground.

Kiner is slow but not bad in Left, with Klein an underated defensive player who still holds the single season record for OF Assists. Paired next to all time Assist and Double Play man Tris Speaker in the OF and you have some impressive arms out there.

The corners see a drop off where Killebrew was merely serviceable and Giambi inconsistent with some ok years and some fairly bad years – but there is a reason that throughout history, teams have very successfully put players worse than Giambi at first and been ok. Considering the middle of the infield, this is not much a concern.

On the bench is Hernandez, one of if not the best defensive first basemen in the history of the game. A very solid, professional hitter, he won’t hurt us at the plate when he makes frequent late game appearances as a D replacement.

Lombardi was certainly better known for his bat than his defense, but it is not a liability.

Once again, for some average play along with Giambi at first, our defense, especially in terms of creating outs, should be exceptional. Wagner, Lajoie and Speaker up the middle will take a LOT of hits away, and Klein is a plus defensive player as well. With our pitching staff, we think that our defensive strengths easily compensate for a shaky 1B.



Player Profiles:

Nap Lajoie 2B

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1901 Philadelphia A's R 694 14 0.426 0.463 0.643 200 1.106 48 14 27

1902 Cleveland Blues R 454 7 0.379 0.421 0.569 175 0.990 35 5 19

1903 Cleveland Naps R 608 7 0.344 0.379 0.518 169 0.896 41 11 21

1904 Cleveland Naps R 638 6 0.376 0.413 0.552 205 0.965 49 15 29

1906 Cleveland Naps R 694 0 0.355 0.392 0.465 169 0.857 48 9 20

1910 Cleveland Naps R 722 4 0.384 0.445 0.514 199 0.960 51 7 26

Widely regarded as one of the top 2-3 Second Basemen to ever play the game. Exceptional glove who did everything not well, but great. Even led the league in homers one year. Perfect #3 hitter – deadball era meant few home runs, but exceptional average and tons of extra base hits.

Exceptional with the glove, one of if not the greatest ever.

Objective Quotes:

The best player in the American League before the rise of Ty Cobb, Napolean Lajoie is considered one of the two or three greatest second baseman to ever play the game. His fame was so great that the Cleveland team was renamed in his honor. As a hitter, he is considered one of the best right-handers in history, and as second basemen only Rogers Hornsby and Joe Morgan rival his all-around offensive skill. In the field he was considered the finest fielding keystoner of the first 50 years of the 20th century. – Baseball Page

One of the most powerful and consistent righthanded hitters of the dead-ball era, Lajoie is often rated the greatest second baseman in baseball history. – Baseball Library

He was the American League's answer to Honus Wagner. Both player were considered to be the dominant defensive players of their respective leagues. – historica baseball.com - That’s a nice double play combo btw.

Accomplishments:

HOF 1937 – The 6th Player Elected (Only Ruth, Cobb, W Johnson, C. Matthewson and H Wagner before)

1901 Triple Crown

5 Batting Titles

3 RBI Crowns

1 HR Title

3x SLG Crown (9x Top 3)

5x Doubles Leader (4x 2nd)

6x OPS+ at least 169 (3 Times 199+)

Honus Wagner, SS

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1900 Pittsburgh Pirates R 676 4 0.381 0.434 0.573 175 1.007 45 22 38

1903 Pittsburgh Pirates R 661 5 0.355 0.414 0.518 161 0.931 30 19 46

1904 Pittsburgh Pirates R 591 4 0.349 0.423 0.520 187 0.944 44 14 53

1905 Pittsburgh Pirates R 653 6 0.363 0.427 0.505 174 0.932 32 14 57

1907 Pittsburgh Pirates R 611 6 0.350 0.408 0.513 186 0.921 38 14 61

1908 Pittsburgh Pirates R 675 10 0.354 0.415 0.542 205 0.957 39 19 53

1909 Pittsburgh Pirates R 630 5 0.339 0.420 0.489 176 0.909 39 10 35

Still widely considered the greatest SS to ever play the game. As impressive as the offensive stats are, his defense was legendary. Once, while reaching for some chew at SS he took his glove off – didn’t realize the ball was about to be pitched. A sharp grounder went his war. He picked it up with his one free (and bare) hand as the other was in his back pocket getting chew and in one motion threw the baserunner out at first.

Objective Quotes:

The man some consider the best all-around player in baseball history. Wagner retired with more hits, runs, RBI, doubles, triples, games, and steals than any other National League player. – The Baseball Page

"I believe he could have been the number one player at any position he might have selected." - John McGraw

Branch Rickey declared that Wagner was the greatest player he had ever seen.

Career Highlights:

HOF 1936 – First Class Evah.

8 Batting Titles (Four other times top 5)

6x Slugging Leader (Six other times top 5)

8x OPS Leader

7x Doubles Leader (6 other top 5)

3x Triples Leader (6 other times top 3)

7x Extra Base Leader

5x SB Crown

5x OPS+ 175+

First signed Louisville Slugger Bat

Most Expensive Baseball Card Ever

Tris Speaker, CF

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1912 Boston Red Sox L 720 10 0.383 0.464 0.567 188 1.031 53 12 52

1913 Boston Red Sox L 657 3 0.363 0.441 0.533 181 0.974 35 22 46

1916 Cleveland Indians L 681 2 0.386 0.470 0.502 185 0.972 41 8 35

1920 Cleveland Indians L 710 8 0.388 0.483 0.562 173 1.045 50 11 10

1922 Cleveland Indians L 543 11 0.378 0.474 0.606 179 1.080 48 8 8

1923 Cleveland Indians L 734 17 0.380 0.469 0.610 182 1.079 59 11 8

1925 Cleveland Indians L 545 12 0.389 0.479 0.578 166 1.057 35 5 5

Still considered by many/most to be the greatest defensive CF in the history of the game, he also brought with him exceptional offensive skills – 6th highest career batting average. A legends legend who was as much a doubles machine as he was a defensive genius.

Objective Quotes:

Generally regarded as the best defensive center fielder to ever play the game – The Baseball Page

Tris Speaker's .345 lifetime batting average and revolutionary defensive play made him one of Cobb's few rivals as the greatest player of the 1910s." - National Baseball Hall of Fame

Career Highlights:

HOF – 7th Player Elected (8th was Cy Young)

1912 MVP

1 Batting Title (9x Top 3)

4x OBP Crown (15x top 5)

1 SLG Crown (12x top 5)

CAREER Doubles leader (792)

8x Doubles Leader

1x HR Crown

8x OPS+ Over 170

6th best Career BA ever – That’s in 22 seasons!

Holds MLB records for putouts and assists for an OF.

Ralph Kiner, LF

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1947 Pittsburgh Pirates R 701 51 0.313 0.417 0.639 173 1.055 23 4 13

1948 Pittsburgh Pirates R 705 40 0.265 0.391 0.533 146 0.924 19 5 14

1949 Pittsburgh Pirates R 702 54 0.310 0.432 0.658 186 1.089 19 5 65

1950 Pittsburgh Pirates R 712 47 0.272 0.408 0.590 156 0.998 21 6 26

1951 Pittsburgh Pirates R 705 42 0.309 0.452 0.627 184 1.079 31 6 27

1952 Pittsburgh Pirates R 666 37 0.244 0.384 0.500 141 0.884 17 2 39

1953 Chi/Pitt R 701 35 0.279 0.391 0.512 136 0.903 20 3 2

One of the most overlooked and underrated players ever, perhaps because of his short career. But few have had 7 years like his. 7 CONSECUTIVE HR CROWNS… while getting on base at over a .411 clip during that time.

Objective Quotes:

Kiner was baseball's greatest home run hitter during the years after WWII. Although his career was curtailed by a bad back, the powerful righthanded slugger had a ratio of homers to at-bats exceeded only by Babe Ruth. – Baseball Library

Second only to Yogi Berra in nonsensical semi-baseball related talk.

Career Highlights:

HOF 1975

6x All Star 1948-1953

4x top 5 MVP

7x HR Crown (7 CONSECUTIVE years)

3x SLG Leader (6x Top 5)

3x OPS Leader (5 Time Top5)

14.6 HR/Game Career – 6th best ever (including the roiders)

Harmon Killebrew, 3B

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1964 Minnesota Twins R 682 49 0.270 0.377 0.548 153 0.924 11 1 0

1969 Minnesota Twins R 709 49 0.276 0.427 0.584 177 1.011 20 2 8

1961 Minnesota Twins R 665 46 0.288 0.405 0.606 161 1.012 20 7 1

1967 Minnesota Twins R 689 44 0.269 0.408 0.558 174 0.965 24 1 1

1970 Minnesota Twins R 665 41 0.271 0.411 0.546 159 0.957 20 1 0

1966 Minnesota Twins R 677 39 0.281 0.391 0.538 157 0.929 27 1 0

1963 Minnesota Twins R 600 45 0.258 0.349 0.555 147 0.904 18 0 0

Another overlooked star – his final years, while helping one part of his legend (573 non roid HRs) also killed his average, but he was a workable defensive 3B who was the best HR hitter of his era. In his 7 year peak for this draft, he averages 45 HRs and almost .400 OBP in one of the greatest pitching eras ever. Would be a fantastic #4 hitter… even a better #5. We have him slotted at 7 or 8..

For all those that detract from how good he was in his prime, consider this:

At the age of 31, he had more HRs at that age than Babe Ruth (380). He was then injured, had a sporadic good/great season after, but his power quickly went south leaving him at 573 (according to Baseball Library)

Objective Quotes:

"(Harmon) Killebrew was the most prolific home run hitter of the 1960s." - Jonathan Fraser Light in The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball (1997)

"He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. And I don't mean infielders, I mean outfielders." - Ossie Bluege

Career Highlights:

HOF 1984

1969 MVP (6x Top 5)

11x All Star

6x HR Crown (10x Top 3)

1x OBP Crown - 5x Top 5 OBP (not too exciting, but the fact his this era had very low numbers, and guy got on base)

1x SLG Leader (8x Top 3) 573 Career HRs (9th all time, including roiders)

3x RBI Crown

Chuck Klein, RF

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1929 Philadelphia Phillies L 719 43 0.356 0.407 0.657 153 1.065 45 6 5

1930 Philadelphia Phillies L 757 40 0.386 0.436 0.687 159 1.123 59 8 4

1931 Philadelphia Phillies L 691 31 0.337 0.398 0.584 152 0.982 34 10 7

1932 Philadelphia Phillies L 748 38 0.348 0.404 0.646 165 1.05 50 15 20

1933 Philadelphia Phillies L 711 28 0.368 0.422 0.602 176 1.025 44 7 15

1934 Chicago Cubs L 521 20 0.301 0.372 0.51 136 0.882 27 2 3

1936 Philadelphia Phillies L 691 25 0.306 0.358 0.512 124 0.871 35 7 6

Another forgotten great whom some in baseball circles overly punish due to his (significant and real) home field advantage at the Baker Bowl. Even in that context, Klein was one of the best line drive hitters of his era who’s career was really hurt by injuries just before his trade to the Cubs. With a very good but very short peak, Klein’s combination of pure hitting with significant pop – and very solid defense – was enough to get him in the hall. Those looking only at numbers in relation to his park, imo, do Klein a true disservice as his peers and those who saw him play seem to suggest that he was indeed a great, great hitter for both average and power demonstrated in the XBH totals during his peak.

Has been a personal fav of mine since I had an awesome baseball computer sim back in like 1987 where he kicked ### along with Pie Traynor and Home Run Baker.

Objective Quotes:

One of the most prodigious sluggers of the late 1920s and early 1930s, Chuck Klein was a star from the day he joined the Phillies in July 1928. – The Baseball Library

Klein was also a superb defensive right fielder who still holds the modern single-season mark with 44 assists in 1930. – Baseball Hall .org

Career Highlights:

HOF 1980

MVP 1932

Triple Crown 1933

4 HR Titles (7x top 5)

4x XBH Leader (6x top 5)

1 Batting Title (3x top 3)

3x SLG Leader (5x Top 5)

2x OPS Crown

1x OPS+ Crown (4x Top 3, that is park and era adjusted)

2x Doubles Leader (4x Top 5)

1x SB Leader.

5 Consecutive years 150+ OPS+ (before getting injured)

Edgar Martinez, DH

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1992 Seattle Mariners R 592 18 0.343 0.404 0.544 164 0.948 46 3 1

1995 Seattle Mariners R 714 29 0.356 0.479 0.628 185 1.107 52 0 4

1996 Seattle Mariners R 638 26 0.327 0.464 0.595 166 1.059 52 2 3

1997 Seattle Mariners R 678 28 0.33 0.456 0.554 165 1.009 35 1 2

1998 Seattle Mariners R 677 29 0.322 0.429 0.567 158 0.995 47 1 1

1999 Seattle Mariners R 608 24 0.337 0.447 0.554 152 1.001 35 1 7

2000 Seattle Mariners R 665 37 0.324 0.423 0.579 157 1.002 31 0 3

2001 Seattle Mariners R 581 23 0.306 0.423 0.543 160 0.966 40 1 4

Someone all of us (hopefully) had a chance to watch – one of the finest pure RH hitters of our generation. Widely considered the greatest DH ever. 4 years at least 165 OPS+ and 7 at least 155. Not the greatest at any one aspect, but great average, better OPS and a ton of XBHs created the epitome of a professional hitter. Won’t make the hall because he was a DH, but his hitting is certainly better than many already in there.

Consider this: Since 1946, only two Hall of Famers have finished with an on-base percentage better than Martinez's .418: Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle.

7x All Star

2 Batting Titles (6x .320 or above)

3x OBP Leader (7 Top 3, 10 Top 5)

2x Doubles Leader (4x top 5)

1x OPS+ Leader (4x Top 3, 6x Top 5)

Jason Giambi, 1B

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

2001 Oakland Athletics L 671 38 0.342 0.477 0.66 198 1.137 47 2 2

2000 Oakland Athletics L 669 43 0.333 0.476 0.647 187 1.123 29 1 2

2002 New York Yankees L 694 41 0.314 0.435 0.598 172 1.034 34 1 2

2005 New York Yankees L 545 32 0.271 0.44 0.535 161 0.975 14 0 0

1999 Oakland Athletics L 695 33 0.315 0.422 0.553 153 0.975 36 1 1

2006 New York Yankees L 579 37 0.253 0.413 0.558 148 0.971 25 0 2

2003 New York Yankees L 690 41 0.25 0.412 0.527 148 0.939 25 0 2

While the guy is a roider, you can’t take away the fact that Giambi has one of if not the best eye of his generation outside of Bonds, and a great hitting stroke. While never a huge HR King Kong guy, King Thong continually rapped 35+ homers with good to great average and sick OBP. Again, won’t make the hall, but he his peak years fit right very well into his lineup as he compares favorably – or better than – many offensive players taken rounds before him. Plus, we have a defensive replacement so as not to worry during those late inning close games. His OPS+ numbers really say a lot,

Career Highlights:

MVP 2000 (1x Runner Up as well)

5x AS

3x OBP Crown (5x Top 5)

2x OPS+ Leader, (6x Top 3)

5x 35+ HRs

2x Over 185 OPS+, 6X 150+

Ernie Lombardi, C

Team PA HR AVG OBP SLG ops+ OPS 2B 3B SB

1935 Cincinnati Reds R 372 12 0.343 0.379 0.539 147 0.918 23 3 0

1938 Cincinnati Reds R 572 19 0.342 0.391 0.524 153 0.915 30 1

1942 Boston Braves R 380 11 0.33 0.403 0.482 161 0.886 14 0 1

1945 New York Giants R 445 19 0.307 0.387 0.486 141 0.873 7 1 0

1936 Cincinnati Reds R 435 12 0.333 0.375 0.496 139 0.871 23 2 1

1940 Cincinnati Reds R 439 14 0.319 0.382 0.489 138 0.871 22 0 0

1932 Cincinnati Reds R 482 11 0.303 0.371 0.479 130 0.851 22 9 0

The first catcher to win two batting titles, Lombardi is yet another forgotten hall of famer. An MVP with 8 AS appearances he was a winner, helping the Reds make back to back WS in 1939 and 1940, winning the latter. Otis may get jealous, but his hands were so large that he could hold five baseball in each of them (you’ve probably seen the pic). An average defensive player, we simply saw too much offensive ability to overlook. .325 and 144 OPS+ for the 9 hole? We’ll take it.

FWIW, he caught Van Der Meer’s back to back no-nos.

Objective Quotes:

He could hit a ball as hard as anybody I ever saw, and that includes Ruth and Foxx.”

— Billy Herman

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I transfered this a week ago so I have no idea which owner belongs to which team.

Manager Joe TorreStarting Pitcher #1 Bob FellerStarting Pitcher #2 Chief BenderStarting Pitcher #3 Jack ChesbroStarting Pitcher #4 Wes FerrellStarting Pitcher #5 Ted LyonsMiddle Reliever Jason IsringhausenSetup Pitcher Sparky LyleCloser Dan QuisenberryCatcher Roy Campenella1st Base Will Clark2nd Base Frankie FrischShortstop Robin Yount3rd Base Brooks RobinsonLeft Field Pete RoseCenter Field Duke SniderRight Field Babe RuthUtility Infielder Tony PerezUtility Outfielder Zach WheatDesignated Hitter Eric DavisGreat outfield with the Babe, Duke, and Pete Rose. Light hitting infield historically but a pretty damn good defensive unit that help the pitching staff. Not a great pitching staff and you don't even need a 4th starter with Chesbro. Feller had walk issues but he was better than Gibson and if he wouldn't have missed time fighting wars for his country, may have been top five ever. Nice utility OF with Wheat and I'd play Davis in LF instead of Rose.

Overall grade: 8.6

Manager Joe McCarthyStarting Pitcher #1 Grover AlexanderStarting Pitcher #2 Curt SchillingStarting Pitcher #3 Mike MussinaStarting Pitcher #4 Hippo VaughnStarting Pitcher #5 Billy PierceMiddle Reliever Rick AguileraSetup Pitcher John FrancoCloser Mariano RiveraCatcher Ted Simmons1st Base Albert Pujols2nd Base Rod CarewShortstop Vern Stephens3rd Base Wade BoggsLeft Field Albert BelleCenter Field Willie MaysRight Field Sammy SosaUtility Infielder Tony PhilipsUtility Outfielder Bernie WilliamsDesignated Hitter Mo VaughnAwesome ace with Alexander and maybe the best closer ever in Rivera. Pitching staff isn't great outside of those top two guys though. Bonus points (.5) for Carew at 2B and a first five of Boggs, Carew, Mays, Pu-Pu, and Sosas will score you some runs. Love Simmons at C, he was very underrated.

Overall score: 7.0

Manager **** WilliamsStarting Pitcher #1 Sandy KoufaxStarting Pitcher #2 Cy YoungStarting Pitcher #3 Dwight GoodenStarting Pitcher #4 Orel HershiserStarting Pitcher #5 Bob VealeMiddle Reliever **** RadatzSetup Pitcher Dave RighettiCloser Goose GossageCatcher Bill Dickey1st Base Willie McCovey2nd Base Rogers HornsbyShortstop Cal Ripken3rd Base Bill MadlockLeft Field Lou BrockCenter Field Al KalineRight Field Vlad GuerreroUtility Infielder Luis AparicioUtility Outfielder Tony ConigliaroDesignated Hitter Jim RiceWow, great pitching staff with Young, Gooden, and Sandy leading the way and having Orel as your 4th starter must be nice. Gossage is one of the top five closers ever, Righetti as your set-up guy is juicy. Almost maxed your score with that staff.Hornsby a top five ever, you got great value with Kaline and McCovey, and Jim Rice cleans up nicely. This is a top tier team.

Overall score: 9.1

Manager Earl WeaverStarting Pitcher #1 Warren SpahnStarting Pitcher #2 Jim PalmerStarting Pitcher #3 John SmoltzStarting Pitcher #4 Bret SaberhagenStarting Pitcher #5 Roy HalladayMiddle Reliever Ron PerranoskiSetup Pitcher Mike MarshallCloser Lee SmithCatcher Mickey Cochrane1st Base Todd Helton2nd Base Joe MorganShortstop Luke Appling3rd Base Eddie MatthewsLeft Field Ted WilliamsCenter Field Earl AverillRight Field Sam CrawfordUtility Infielder Ozzie SmithUtility Outfielder Orlando CepedaDesignated Hitter Andre DawsonBonus points for Crawford and that outfield is pretty steller. Mathews a great value at 3B, love Dawson as the DH and having Ozzie as your utility IF was the right call. Appling very solid, Morgan a stud, Cochrane a uber hitting stud. Very good hitting team here, can't see it getting much better. (4.9 out of 5.0) Pitching staff is very solid and Spahn is an ace for sure and Palmer and Smoltz give you a great 2/3 punch. Don't care for Halliday as your 5th starter but I like Marshall as your set-up guy and Smith as your closer.

Overall Score: 9.0

Manager Casey StengelStarting Pitcher #1 Randy JohnsonStarting Pitcher #2 Joe WoodStarting Pitcher #3 Fergie JenkinsStarting Pitcher #4 Bob LemonStarting Pitcher #5 Lou WarnekeMiddle Reliever Dan PlesacSetup Pitcher Rob NennCloser Billy WagnerCatcher Mike Piazza1st Base Lou Gehrig2nd Base Ryne SandbergShortstop Ernie Banks3rd Base Home Run BakerLeft Field Minnie MinosoCenter Field Jim EdmondsRight Field Manny RamirezUtility Infielder Maury WillsUtility Outfielder Elmer FlickDesignated Hitter Jeff BagwellLove your manager and your first baseman. Manny is nice value in the OF, Randy is a great ace but this team lacks a lot. Sandberg may be the most overrated player in baseball history besides Phil Rizzuto, Jim Edmonds shouldn't be a starting CF, and Smoky Joe Wood just doesn't have the 7 years needed to be a #2 although he has a couple of ace years. Not crazy about this team.
Overall score 6.7
Click to expand...
Manager Sparky AndersonStarting Pitcher #1 Steve CarltonStarting Pitcher #2 Don SuttonStarting Pitcher #3 Don NewcombeStarting Pitcher #4 Denny McLainStarting Pitcher #5 Vida BlueMiddle Reliever John TudorPitcher Jimmy KeySetup Pitcher Mike TimlinCloser Trevor HoffmanCatcher Thurman Munson1st Base Bill Terry2nd Base Charlie GehringerShortstop Nomar Garciaparra3rd Base Ron SantoLeft Field Barry BondsCenter Field Harry HeilmannRight Field Frank RobinsonUtility Outfielder Jose CansecoDesignated Hitter Dave ParkerGotta be a Tigers fan here. Bonds, Frank Rob, and Heilman is the best OF in this league I'll bet but you're killing me with Nomar at SS. Oof. You have two aces, a #5 with a boatload of upside, and a tremendous closer. Canseco and Parker are good guys to have to pinch hit, love it.

Top tier team

Overall score: 9.2

Manager Tommy LasordaStarting Pitcher #1 Tom SeaverStarting Pitcher #2 Eddie PlankStarting Pitcher #3 Early WynnStarting Pitcher #4 Sam McDowellStarting Pitcher #5 Mike CuellarMiddle Reliever Lindy McDanielSetup Pitcher Mike StantonCloser Jeff ReardonCatcher Joe Torre1st Base Hank Greenberg2nd Base Roberto AlomarShortstop Alex Rodriguez3rd Base Pie TraynorLeft Field Ricky HendersonCenter Field Kirby PuckettRight Field Gary SheffieldUtility Infielder Del PrattUtility Outfielder Richie AshburnDesignated HitterFrank HowardVery solid IF and I like your OF although I have to subtract for choosing too many modern day players. Seaver and Plank is a great start to a pitching staff but the rest of it is meh and I'm not sure where you wasted your pick.Overall score: 6.8

Manager Billy SouthworthStarting Pitcher #1 Roger ClemensStarting Pitcher #2 Greg MadduxStarting Pitcher #3 Ed WalshStarting Pitcher #4 Red RuffingStarting Pitcher #5 Carl MaysMiddle Reliever Paul QuantrillSetup Pitcher John WettelandCloser Rollie FingersCatcher Ivan Rodriguez1st Base **** Allen2nd Base Craig BiggioShortstop Derek Jeter3rd Base Sal BandoLeft Field Tim RainesCenter Field Dale MurphyRight Field Bobby BondsUtility Infielder Frank WhiteUtility Outfielder Cesar CedenoDesignated Hitter Frank ThomasLove that pitching staff! Maddux, Clemens, Ed Walsh? That's not even fair. Bring in Wettland and Fingers to get the job done and this team would be very tough to beat. Love the #### Allen pick and Frank Thomas is gold but you are very pitching centered here. Looks like great D and great pitching but not enough sticks.

Overall score: 8.8

Manager Walter AlstonStarting Pitcher #1 Walter JohnsonStarting Pitcher #2 Pedro MartinezStarting Pitcher #3 Rube WaddellStarting Pitcher #4 Ron GuidryStarting Pitcher #5 Babe AdamsMiddle Reliever Decon PhillipeSetup Pitcher Tom BurgmeierCloser Troy PercivalCatcher Gabby Hartnett1st Base Johnny Mize2nd Base Tony LazzeriShortstop Arky Vaughn3rd Base Scott RolenLeft Field Joe JacksonCenter Field Hack WilsonRight Field Lance BerkmanUtility Infielder Gil McDougalUtility Outfielder Andruw JonesDesignated Hitter Jim ThomeAnother great pitching staff, maybe better than the last team. Lots of big bats with Hack, Shoeless Joe, and Lance. Not the best hitting teams but the defense and pitching are great here and I like the hitters more than I like the last team which is very similiar. Overall score: 9.1

Manager Bobby CoxStarting Pitcher #1 Lefty GroveStarting Pitcher #2 Bob GibsonStarting Pitcher #3 Gaylord PerryStarting Pitcher #4 Jim BunningStarting Pitcher #5 Luis TiantMiddle Reliever Todd WorrellSetup Pitcher Armando BenitezCloser Tug McGrawCatcher Johnny Bench1st Base Carlos Delgado2nd Base Bobby GrichShortstop Lou Boudreau3rd Base Bob ElliotLeft Field Al SimmonsCenter Field Mickey MantleRight Field Paul WanerUtility Infielder Steve GarveyUtility Outfielder Al OliverDesignated Hitter George FosterWhy do you have Carlos Delgado starting at 1b? Very good pitching staff but this team outside of Mantle and Bench is gonna hit about .210. Overall score: 6

Manager John McGrawStarting Pitcher #1 Robin RobertsStarting Pitcher #2 Dazzy VanceStarting Pitcher #3 Hal NewhouserStarting Pitcher #4 Eddie CicotteStarting Pitcher #5 Burleigh GrimesMiddle Reliever Jim KaatSetup Pitcher Jessie OroscoCloser Hoyt WilhelmCatcher Yogi Berra1st Base Don Mattingly2nd Base Jackie RobinsonShortstop Alan Trammel3rd Base Mike SchmidtLeft Field Willie StargellCenter Field Ty CobbRight Field Tony GwynnUtility Infielder Phil RizzutoUtility Outfielder Joe MedwickDesignated Hitter Dave WinfieldMcGraw is the greatest manager ever, Cobb the greatest hitter ever, Schmidt the greatest 3Bman ever. Medwick is underrated, Winfield and Gwynn are solid modern era guys, and Berra was a great catcher. This team has a lot of speed and just the right amount of power. Pitching staff is above average but they will also give up quite a few hits with a high OAV group.

Overall score: 9.0

Manager Jim LeylandStarting Pitcher #1 Nolan RyanStarting Pitcher #2 Catfish HunterStarting Pitcher #3 David ConeStarting Pitcher #4 Kevin BrownStarting Pitcher #5 Tim HudsonMiddle Reliever Scott ShieldsSetup Pitcher Alejandro PenaCloser Francisco RodriguezCatcher Gary Carter1st Base Rafael Palmiero2nd Base Jeff KentShortstop Omar Visquel3rd Base George BrettLeft Field Carl YastzremskiCenter Field Ken Griffey, Jr.Right Field Ichiro Suzuki Utility Infielder Fred McGriffUtility Outfielder David JusticeDesignated Hitter Darryl StrawberryWay too many modern era guys. Did you miss the memo about this being an all-time draft? There is no way this team could compete with teams with players from the golden era so there is no need for me to go on.Overall score: 5

Manager Miller HugginsStarting Pitcher #1 Carl HubbellStarting Pitcher #2 Mordecai BrownStarting Pitcher #3 Lefty GomezStarting Pitcher #4 Stan CovaleskiStarting Pitcher #5 Joe McGinnityMiddle Reliever Red FaberSetup Pitcher Steve HoweCloser Bruce SutterCatcher Ernie Lombardi1st Base Jason Giambi2nd Base Nap LajoieShortstop Honus Wagner3rd Base Harmon KillebrewLeft Field Ralph KinerCenter Field Tris SpeakerRight Field Chuck KleinUtility Infielder Keith HernandezUtility Outfielder Goose GoslinDesignated Hitter Edgar MartinezAwesome pitching staff, really great stuff. Three fingers, an underrated Stan Coveleski as your #4 and sniffy Howe as your set-up guy. How the hell did you get Wagner and Lajoie? Edgar as your DH?

This team is almost perfect.

Overall score 9.7

Manager Tony LaRussaStarting Pitcher #1 Christy MathewsonStarting Pitcher #2 Whitey FordStarting Pitcher #3 Tom GlavineStarting Pitcher #4 Roy OswaltStarting Pitcher #5 Dave StewartMiddle Reliever Jeff NelsonSetup Pitcher Ron DibbleCloser Tom HenkeCatcher Jorge Posada1st Base George Sisler2nd Base Alfonso Soriano, 2BShortstop Miguel Tejada3rd Base Paul MolitorLeft Field Reggie JacksonCenter Field Joe DiMaggioRight Field Roberto ClementeUtility Infielder Bill MazeroskiUtility Outfielder Bobby MurcerDesignated Hitter Juan GonzalezVery solid pitching staff and I really like Stewart as a #5 starter. Don't love your infield but I really love your OF with Reggie, Joltin Joe and Roberto. Man that group can cover some ground for your pitching staff. Like this team quite a bit.

Overall score: 8.8

Manager Billy Martin

Starting Pitcher #1 Addie Joss

Starting Pitcher #2 Don Drysdale

Starting Pitcher #3 Johann Santana

Starting Pitcher #4 Spud Chandler

Starting Pitcher #5 Dave Stieb

Middle Reliever John Hiller

Setup Pitcher Kent Tekulve

Closer Dennis Eckersley

Catcher Carlton Fisk

1st Base Jimmie Foxx

2nd Base Eddie Collins

Shortstop Joe Cronin

3rd Base Chipper Jones

Left Field Billy Williams

Center Field Jimmy Wynn

Right Field Larry Walker

Utility Infielder Burt Campaneris

Utility Outfielder Kenny Loftin

Designated Hitter Mark McMgwire
Click to expand...
Some really nice mashers on this team with double x, Fisk, and McGwire. Good defensive subs with Bert and Kenny, and Collins is one of the best ever at 2B. Love the front end of your staff with Joss, Drysdale, and Santana but the rest is meh. Good draft here.

Overall score: 8.7

Manager Connie MackStarting Pitcher #1 Juan MarichalStarting Pitcher #2 Dizzy DeanStarting Pitcher #3 Phil NeikroStarting Pitcher #4 Bert BlylevenStarting Pitcher #5 Jack MorrisMiddle Reliever Roberto HernandezSetup Pitcher Keith Foulke, RPCloser Randy MyersCatcher Elston Howard1st Base Eddie Murray2nd Base Lou WhitakerShortstop Barry Larkin3rd Base Mel OttLeft Field Stan MusialCenter Field Fred LynnRight Field Hank AaronUtility Infielder Larry DoyleUtility Outfielder Larry DobyDesignated Hitter David OrtizBonus points for Connie Mack, maybe the greatest ambassador to the game ever. Your infield is pretty underrated as you have Whitaker who should be in the HOF, Murray who is underated even in his own era, and Mel Ott slugging at 3B. Stan the man is a nice #3 hitter and Ortiz hitting behind him must be nice. Don't love your pitching staff but I like your ace and your 4/5 are both borderline HOFers. Pretty solid team here.

Overall score: 8.4

Edit for sp

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Doctor Detroit said:
I transfered this a week ago so I have no idea which owner belongs to which team.

Code: 
Manager Bobby CoxStarting Pitcher #1 Lefty GroveStarting Pitcher #2 Bob GibsonStarting Pitcher #3 Gaylord PerryStarting Pitcher #4 Jim BunningStarting Pitcher #5 Luis TiantMiddle Reliever Todd WorrellSetup Pitcher Armando BenitezCloser Tug McGrawCatcher Johnny Bench1st Base Carlos Delgado2nd Base Bobby GrichShortstop Lou Boudreau3rd Base Bob ElliotLeft Field Al SimmonsCenter Field Mickey MantleRight Field Paul WanerUtility Infielder Steve GarveyUtility Outfielder Al OliverDesignated Hitter George Foster
Why do you have Carlos Delgado starting at 1b? Very good pitching staff but this team outside of Mantle and Bench is gonna hit about .210. Overall score: 6
Click to expand...
Well that is a kick in the ####.Delgado had 7 pretty good seasons I thought. Ah well.....
 
Well, I was hoping to do work on this on my vacation, but so far, only TWO out of 16 people have given me summaries to work with.

Let's make this simpler: don't bother with the summaries, or even with posting stats. Just give me the years for each player. I can get the rest on my own. But please give me the years. TIA

 
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