Rankings/List

This is the fifth article in a series dedicated to selecting all-time teams for all 30 current MLB franchises. To view the others, click http://bleacherreport.com/users/67791-Schmitters

Team Name: Chicago Cubs

Year Established: 1870

City: Chicago

Ballpark: Wrigley Field

Previous Nicknames: White Stockings (1870-1889), Colts (1890-1987), Orphans (1898-1901)

League: National League

Division: NL Central

Other Leagues: National Association (1870-1875)

Have you ever looked at a box score or turned on the TV to a baseball game and seen a name you never expected to see?

A name you hadn't seen in several years?

I had a moment like that just last week. I looked at a Royals box score and was flabbergasted at their starting pitcher.

"What?! Bruce Chen's still pitching?!"

Obviously, players who come back to the majors after several years away get some mainstream exposure.

I thought it would be a fun idea to look through the minor leagues and see what former major leaguers are still kicking around.

Ruth and Gehrig have always been the Pippen and Jordan of baseball. They were the best 3-4 hitting punch ever. Most think Ruth is the best player to ever pick up a baseball bat and the Iron Horse is always in the conversation as well.

Nobody in the majors dominates as much a they did in the 20th century, but there are strong duos in both the American and National League.

Another cool thing is that it is the all-star break, so when combining the stats they look like a player's the one season.

So I've been thinking to myself that this has to start getting interesting soon.

Like mass amounts of movement and time to start thinking that you are either in or you are out.

Eh, not the case.

In fact, probably the least movement ever, and some of the movement that I've created is debatable to begin with.

Three teams made positive moves and two teams made negative moves. But if I had the chance, I'd create another group that told us this team is actually worse than everyone and anything else and the Indians would be the only member of that group.

This is my second Minor League report, and I hope it will keep you updated on all the latest that is going on with the very best Toronto Blue Jay prospects.

Las Vegas 51's (AAA)- (33-44, last in PCL Pacific South Division)

Things have not been going well for the 51's in their first year of being affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays as they have the second worst winning percentage in the entire league. There have been only a few positives on this team so far.

NOTE: Stats and records updated thru Sunday afternoon, June 29.

1. Los Angeles Angels (40-32)

Out of the top five teams in the majors, (Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Tigers), the Angels are the hottest team, no doubt.

They are the only team to have won seven of their last ten games, and are currently on a four-game winning streak. They just took over the AL West lead by a half-game over the slumping Texas Rangers.  

Every season, there are free agents who are expected to be superstars for the team they sign with.

Then there are those free agents who are less publicized, but still are able to make a significant impact on their new team. Here are some of the top underrated free agent signings of 2009.

Orlando Hudson/Los Angeles Dodgers

Nothing too much here, just a brief look towards Autumn and the 2009 MLB Playoffs. Also included are the projected final standings, and playoff predictions.

American League

1. Boston Red Sox

2. Los Angeles Angels

3. Minnesota Twins(yes, I said the Twins)

4. New York Yankees

5. Tampa Bay Rays

6. Texas Rangers

7. Detroit Tigers

8. Toronto Blue Jays

9. Chicago White Sox

10. Seattle Mariners

11. Oakland Athletics

12. Baltimore Orioles

13. Kansas City Royals

Team of the Week: Tampa Bay Rays (pictured above), for the second time in three weeks

Bust of the Week: Philadelphia Phillies, for the second straight week

As the MLB and its 29...err, 30...teams (sorry, Nats fans) approach the middle of the season, it's all about how well they can perform with the title races tightening and the summer sun heating up.

When Derek Jeter woke up in his Trump Plaza penthouse this morning, he officially (and unbelievably) began the 35th year of his insanely awesome life.

A first-round selection in the 1992 draft, Jeter has been nothing less than the face of the New York Yankees since 1996 when, at 21, he captured the American League Rookie of the Year award and a World Series title.