Players Who Are The Franchise (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Know-It-All]

I was talking to a buddy of mine about what would happen if the Cardinals let Albert Pujols walk (i.e., the Yankees or Red Sox overwhelmed him with money). Pujols is Cardinal baseball - maybe not to the extent that Stan Musial is Cardinals baseball, but it is getting closer as more time passes.

That led to the discussion of players that "are" their organization.

Older player like Gehrig and Ruth were the Yankees, Yaz and Ted Williams were the Red Sox. Since the 1970s and more liberal free agency, it is harder to find guys that are their organization.

Here are the few I came up with -

Pujols - Cardinals

Hoffman - Padres (I know he is a Brewer now, but he'll always be a Padre)

Jeter/Rivera - Yankees

Chipper Jones - Braves

Helton - Rockies

Zambrano - Cubs

Some of those are a bit of a stretch.

Who else do you got?

 

[Michael Brown]

Mets - Wright

Jays - Halladay (not these days perhaps)

Twins - Mauer

Mariners - Ichiro

Like you said, some of these are a bit of a stretch but they're at least close.

 

[hooter311]

Brewers- Ryan Braun

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Brewers- Ryan Braun

I could see Braun and/or Fielder becoming the organization in a few more years. Brewers fans may already feel they are the franchise - that is why the input here will be beneficial. i follow the Cardinals, Royals and Rockies pretty closely. The rest f the teams will require local fan input.I think Braun is an absolute stud. Ask me last year and I would have said Sheets was the Brewers.

 

[Bogart]

Rangers-Mike Young

I wish I could say Josh Hamilton, but he is not there yet. Meanwhile Young has been the ultimate teammate/model employee/community leader. Always a good hitter, he went from a weak armed 2B to an excellent 2B, gold glove SS and now above average 3B.

As good as Young is on the field, he is even better off the field. The amount of charity work he and his wife do is amazing, and all goes under the radar because they want it that way.

 

[hooter311]

Brewers- Ryan Braun

I could see Braun and/or Fielder becoming the organization in a few more years. Brewers fans may already feel they are the franchise - that is why the input here will be beneficial. i follow the Cardinals, Royals and Rockies pretty closely. The rest f the teams will require local fan input.I think Braun is an absolute stud. Ask me last year and I would have said Sheets was the Brewers.

Brewers fans had been anxiously awaiting Braun a year and half before he was called up. He has already been signed to a long term extension. When Fielder tried positioning himself for the same kind of deal, they gave him a two year one. I don't see Fielder in a Brewer's uniform after the 2011 season, if not before that.Sheets had been injury prone for too long to be considered the "face" of the Brewers. Most fans knew he was a goner as soon as his contract was up and he certainly didn't do the club any favors this offseason by not getting the proper treatment for his elbow right away and ultimately costing them a 1st round draft pick.Braun is here to stay the next 6 years+ if not twice that long, he is the face of the franchise and off to a great start to his career.

 

[dparker713]

Most of these players arent the franchise, moreso, the franchise is who they are. What I mean by that is the franchise is bigger than they are. Not so with Pujols or Ichiro. The Yankees in particular have too many stars for any one to be the franchise.

 

[guru_007]

yeah, lots of bad examples here so far. David Wright? Dude hasn't even played 1000 games yet, and his leadership is questioned on a daily basis. Ryan Braun hasn't even played 500 games yet!

Pujols is most certainly Cardinals

I liked the Hoffman example too

Tough for me to put Berkman as the Astros, being that Biggio just retired, but from his contemporaries he deserves consideration.

 

[Shockizzle]

Jeter/Rivera/Posada for the Yankees.

 

[Michael Brown]

yeah, lots of bad examples here so far. David Wright? Dude hasn't even played 1000 games yet, and his leadership is questioned on a daily basis. Ryan Braun hasn't even played 500 games yet! Pujols is most certainly CardinalsI liked the Hoffman example tooTough for me to put Berkman as the Astros, being that Biggio just retired, but from his contemporaries he deserves consideration.

It's moreso how the fans feel about Wright. Ask a Met fan if there's anybody in baseball they'd trade him for outside of Pujols, and they'll pretty much tell you he's untouchable. He was seen as the golden boy on his way up to the majors, has had an incredible first 5 seasons, and many Met fans consider him the one piece of the that you can't really say anything bad about.He's not on the Pujols or Ichiro level obviously, but the question asked who would be considered franchise guys. He certainly qualifies, especially since Carlos Zambrano was mentioned in the OP.As for the Yankees, I disagree on Jeter AND Rivera being considered the franchise. Rivera is my favorite player, but Jeter is universally considered to be THE Yankee of this era. Whether it's the endorsements, the fact that he plays every day, more media exposure, the fact that Rivera's greatness almost looks boring at times...no matter what it is, fans have gravitated to Jeter a lot more than Mo over the years. It's not a 1 and 1A type of thing. Jeter is clearly the guy.

 

[Bogart]

Rangers-Mike YoungI wish I could say Josh Hamilton, but he is not there yet. Meanwhile Young has been the ultimate teammate/model employee/community leader. Always a good hitter, he went from a weak armed 2B to an excellent 2B, gold glove SS and now above average 3B.As good as Young is on the field, he is even better off the field. The amount of charity work he and his wife do is amazing, and all goes under the radar because they want it that way.

If you want to say an employee of the team can be the face, then the Rangers' face is still Nolan Ryan.

 

[Oh Yes!]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

 

[Wrigley]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

 

[shut it down]

Lincecum is heading in that direction.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

yeah, lots of bad examples here so far. David Wright? Dude hasn't even played 1000 games yet, and his leadership is questioned on a daily basis. Ryan Braun hasn't even played 500 games yet! Pujols is most certainly CardinalsI liked the Hoffman example tooTough for me to put Berkman as the Astros, being that Biggio just retired, but from his contemporaries he deserves consideration.

Spot on. I suggested Berkman but was voted down by my buddy. Biggio and Bagwell were who I immediately thought of for the Astros.

 

[Oh Yes!]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

not sure if we have one right now. sosa was the last.

 

[Knobs]

Oakland Athletics: Miguel Tejada Tim Hudson Jason Giambi Mark McGwire Billy Beane.

 

[Wrigley]

Oakland Athletics: Miguel Tejada Tim Hudson Jason Giambi Mark McGwire Billy Beane.

Lots of Roiders on that list

 

[Txns8]

Astros - Berkman

Nationals - Manny Acta

 

[guru_007]

yeah, lots of bad examples here so far. David Wright? Dude hasn't even played 1000 games yet, and his leadership is questioned on a daily basis. Ryan Braun hasn't even played 500 games yet! Pujols is most certainly CardinalsI liked the Hoffman example tooTough for me to put Berkman as the Astros, being that Biggio just retired, but from his contemporaries he deserves consideration.

It's moreso how the fans feel about Wright. Ask a Met fan if there's anybody in baseball they'd trade him for outside of Pujols, and they'll pretty much tell you he's untouchable. He was seen as the golden boy on his way up to the majors, has had an incredible first 5 seasons, and many Met fans consider him the one piece of the that you can't really say anything bad about.He's not on the Pujols or Ichiro level obviously, but the question asked who would be considered franchise guys. He certainly qualifies, especially since Carlos Zambrano was mentioned in the OP.As for the Yankees, I disagree on Jeter AND Rivera being considered the franchise. Rivera is my favorite player, but Jeter is universally considered to be THE Yankee of this era. Whether it's the endorsements, the fact that he plays every day, more media exposure, the fact that Rivera's greatness almost looks boring at times...no matter what it is, fans have gravitated to Jeter a lot more than Mo over the years. It's not a 1 and 1A type of thing. Jeter is clearly the guy.

We'll see about Wright.Let's see how the Mets fans feel when he starts making $14M & $15M/year while hitting 6 homers and driving in 48 rbi's heading into August. And again, I don't see how you can call someone the face of the franchise when they have less than 5 full years under their belt.

 

[JaxBill]

Hanley - Marlins (has to be the franchise, only player with a contract past arbitration)

perhaps eventually...

Longoria - Rays

 

[gump]

Hanley - Marlins (has to be the franchise, only player with a contract past arbitration)

I can't believe you're dissin Mr Marlin like that Bill! Or Luis Castillo!

 

[Please See Mine]

are we saying current players who would be considered the all-time "face of the franchise"?

or guys who are currently the "face of the franchise"?

If it is the latter, I could understand a Chipper or and Ichiro.

All time, though, Aaron and Griffey would probably be ahead of them.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

are we saying current players who would be considered the all-time "face of the franchise"?or guys who are currently the "face of the franchise"?If it is the latter, I could understand a Chipper or and Ichiro.All time, though, Aaron and Griffey would probably be ahead of them.

I was thinking current, which makes it harder since there is so much player movement. So lets go both, as a Cardinal fan I submit -current - Pujolsall-time - Musial

 

[Knobs]

A's all time - Ricky Henderson...lots of great options from the 70's but I'll stick with the all time stolen base leader.

A's current - uhm...Billy Beane. I know he's not a player, but he's the guy people think of when they think current A's players.

How many non A's fans can even name more than three A's players?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

not sure if we have one right now. sosa was the last.

Just give Milton Bradley time

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

A's all time - Ricky Henderson...lots of great options from the 70's but I'll stick with the all time stolen base leader.A's current - uhm...Billy Beane. I know he's not a player, but he's the guy people think of when they think current A's players.How many non A's fans can even name more than three A's players?

Henderson is who I thought of along with Reggie Jackson...but Jackson made his fame in New York.As for current A's players from a non-fan....Kurt SuzukiMark EllisJason Giambi (he is still playing, right?)Brett AndersonBrad Zieglersomething Outman (Josh?)Daric BartonAndrew BaileyThats all I got off the top of my head...pretty weak crew right now.

 

[Knobs]

A's all time - Ricky Henderson...lots of great options from the 70's but I'll stick with the all time stolen base leader.A's current - uhm...Billy Beane. I know he's not a player, but he's the guy people think of when they think current A's players.How many non A's fans can even name more than three A's players?

Henderson is who I thought of along with Reggie Jackson...but Jackson made his fame in New York.As for current A's players from a non-fan....Kurt SuzukiMark EllisJason Giambi (he is still playing, right?)Brett AndersonBrad Zieglersomething Outman (Josh?)Daric BartonAndrew BaileyThats all I got off the top of my head...pretty weak crew right now.

You either play fantasy baseball or are a diehard baseball fan. Giambi is thankfully on the DL and hopefully he never comes back. He had the lowest B.A. in the majors.

 

[boubucarow]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

not sure if we have one right now. sosa was the last.

There is no standout player to be the face of this team and neither is Sweet Lou. Actually the face is probably Santo since he is still an announcer for the team. And also Sandberg is a AA manager and could be the face again soon.

 

[Knobs]

When I think think all time Cubs I think Sandberg.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The nice thing about the Phils is that no one really fits this description. A bunch of guys make major contributions of studliness.

Now, if I had to pick one who is the best bet to stay with the franchise for his entire career and become emblematic of its success in this era, it's Utley.

 

[dparker713]

The nice thing about the Phils is that no one really fits this description. A bunch of guys make major contributions of studliness.Now, if I had to pick one who is the best bet to stay with the franchise for his entire career and become emblematic of its success in this era, it's Utley.

I guess you mean right now. Cause all-time is easy for the Phils - Mike Schmidt.Mets don't really have a face right now, though Wright and Santana might in a few years. All-time, Tom Seaver.Yanks - Jeter, RuthAstros - Berkman, Biggio/BagsRoyals - ____, Brett

 

[hooter311]

Lifetime:

Twins- Kirby Puckett

 

[Wrigley]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

not sure if we have one right now. sosa was the last.

There is no standout player to be the face of this team and neither is Sweet Lou. Actually the face is probably Santo since he is still an announcer for the team. And also Sandberg is a AA manager and could be the face again soon.

I was just trying to put a face to the team today.If we're talking all time, we're talking Sandberg, Santo, Banks, Jenkins, and maybe even Dawson.

 

[Billy Bats]

The nice thing about the Phils is that no one really fits this description. A bunch of guys make major contributions of studliness.Now, if I had to pick one who is the best bet to stay with the franchise for his entire career and become emblematic of its success in this era, it's Utley.

Utley was my reaction when I read the thread title, thinking he meant current day. But like dparker said Schmitty is the all-time right now. But Utley, and a few others, are currently building a legend here in Philly. So a whole new generation who never seen Michael Jack play, will run with a current day Phil, and rightfully so if they add more rings.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I was just trying to put a face to the team today.If we're talking all time, we're talking Sandberg, Santo, Banks, Jenkins, and maybe even Dawson.

Come up with all of the names you want, he's called Mr Cub for a reason.

 

[Wrigley]

I was just trying to put a face to the team today.

If we're talking all time, we're talking Sandberg, Santo, Banks, Jenkins, and maybe even Dawson.

Come up with all of the names you want, he's called Mr Cub for a reason.

Lets play two

 

[Capella]

Rays don't really have one all-time, for obvious reasons. 10 years from now though, that will be Longoria.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

I was just trying to put a face to the team today.

If we're talking all time, we're talking Sandberg, Santo, Banks, Jenkins, and maybe even Dawson.

Come up with all of the names you want, he's called Mr Cub for a reason.

Lets play two

Ernie Banks is a great choice...but, when I think Cubs, I think of Harry Caray and that bastage Rick Sutcliffe. God, I hated him.

 

[Finless]

Zambrano - Cubs a bit of a stretch.

stretch

Sweet Lou?

not sure if we have one right now. sosa was the last.

Just give Milton Bradley time

 

[kaa]

The Indians apparently consider Hafner the franchise. They gave him a contract that basically makes him untradable. That contract made it impossible to pay their 2 Cy Young award winners. "Pronkville" is the name the franchise gave to a section of seats. His OPS is over .900 this year.

Hey, the team is a real hitting machine. They score a lot of runs. They can't get anyone out, and held the worst record in the AL for most of the year, but Hafner is their guy.

 

[Limp Ditka]

The Indians apparently consider Hafner the franchise. They gave him a contract that basically makes him untradable. That contract made it impossible to pay their 2 Cy Young award winners. "Pronkville" is the name the franchise gave to a section of seats. His OPS is over .900 this year.Hey, the team is a real hitting machine. They score a lot of runs. They can't get anyone out, and held the worst record in the AL for most of the year, but Hafner is their guy.

Everyone knows the face of the franchise is Ricky Vaughn

 

[Wrigley]

The Indians apparently consider Hafner the franchise. They gave him a contract that basically makes him untradable. That contract made it impossible to pay their 2 Cy Young award winners. "Pronkville" is the name the franchise gave to a section of seats. His OPS is over .900 this year.

Hey, the team is a real hitting machine. They score a lot of runs. They can't get anyone out, and held the worst record in the AL for most of the year, but Hafner is their guy.

Everyone knows the face of the franchise is Ricky Vaughn