I usually try to stay away from these kinds of articles but, after reading several "Greatest Team Ever" or "Best Team Ever" articles, I decided to write my own. Now, I know this I have only been around for 19 years on God's good green Earth so I do have a bit of bias towards today's players. But, all biases will be put aside and I will judge players based on career and other information.
I will also use the standard team of 25 players, including a full five man starting rotation, full bullpen (closer and all) and bench. I will also try to fuse currently playing ballplayers into this team (if their numbers apply). As well as include a manager, bench coach, hitting/pitching and first/third base coach.
So let's get started with Catcher.
Catcher: Josh Gibson, Homestead Greys (Negro Leagues)
One of the greatest hitting catchers to ever swing the bat that no one knows about. His stats way not be the greatest but it deserves mentioning that in his career it is said that he hit over 800 home runs.
He was posthumously elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Gibson played the majority of his career in the Negro Leagues.
Career (Negro, Mexican, Cuban, and Dominican Leagues for a total of 21 seasons): 2582 AB, 946 Hits, .366 BA, .648 SLG ,173 HR (800*), 646 RBI,
*Rumored
"He had a eye like Ted Williams and the power of Babe Ruth. He hit to all fields."- Monte Irvin
Others up for consideration for catcher: Yogi Berra, Rick Ferrell, Carlton Fisk, Joe Mauer**, Mickey Cochrane
First Base: Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees
The "Iron Horse" is my pick for First Baseman. Beside the fact that Gehrig had a "Iron Man" streak of most consecutive games played, Gehrig won the American League Triple Crown in 1934. He was American League MVP in 1927 and again in 1936. Gehrig was also a seven time All-Star, playing in six of the seven.
He also appeared in seven World Series.
Career stats (17 seasons): 2164 Games, 8001 AB, 2721 Hits, 1888 Runs, 493 HR, 1995 RBI, .340 BA, .447 OBP, .632 SLG, 5090 Total Bases
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939
Others up for consideration for First Baseman: Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Jeff Bagwell, Buck Leonard
Second Base: Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis Cardinals
"Rajah" as he was called, played 23 seasons total. A two time MVP. He won the National League Triple Crown twice: 1922 and 1925. He was also MVP in 1925 and 1927.
He also appeared in two World Series. With St. Louis winning one of the World Series (1926).
Career stats (23 seasons): 2259 Games, 8173 AB, 2930 Hits, 1579 Runs, 301 HR, 1584 RBI, .358 BA, .434 OBP, .577 SLG, 4712 Total Bases.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1942
Others up for consideration for Second Baseman: Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Jackie Robinson, Joe Gordon
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Short Stop: Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates
"The Flying Dutchman" was one of the fastest to ever play the game. You could say that not only did he pioneer the stolen base with 722 SB, but was the founding member of that exclusive club we call the 3000 hit club.
Played in two World Series. With his team winning one of the World Series (1909).
Led the National League in Batting Average a total of eight seasons.
Career stats (21 seasons): 2792 Games, 10430 AB, 3415 Hits, 1736 Runs, 101 HR, 1732 RBI, 722 SB, .327 BA, .391 OBP, .466 SLG, 4862 Total Bases.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936. One of the original "founding" members of the Hall of Fame.
Others up for consideration for Short Stop: Robin Yount, Derek Jeter, Luis Aparicio, Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese
Third Base: Brooks Robinson
The human vacuum cleaner. A wizard with the glove, he caught everything that came his way at the hot corner. An All-Star in 15 of 23 seasons, Brooks Robinson was the complete player at third.
Played in four World Series. With the Orioles winning two of the four. Robinson was the 1970 World Series MVP as well as the 1966 Major League All-Star Game MVP. Won the 1964 American League MVP.
16 Gold Gloves.
Career Stats (23 seasons): 2896 Games, 10654 AB, 2848 Hits, 1232 R, 268 HR, 1357 RBI, .267 BA, .322 OBP, .401 OPS, 4270 TB
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983
Others up for consideration for Third Baseman: Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Eddie Matthews, Chipper Jones**
Outfield- Right Fielder: Hank Aaron, Boston/Milwaukee/ Atlanta Braves
To start the Outfield position players off, I'll go from right to left. My starting Right Fielder is "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron. His stats should explain it all, but just in case...
21 time All-Star
1957 National League MVP
1958, 1959, 1960 Gold Glove winner
Career Stats (23 Seasons): 3298 Games, 12364 AB, 3771 Hits, 2174 R, 755 HR, 2297 RBI, .305 BA, .374 OBP, .555 SLG, 6856 TB
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Others up for consideration for Right-fielder: Stan Musial, Mel Ott, Al Kaline, Babe Ruth, Ichiro**
Outfield- Center fielder: Willie Mays, New York/ San Francisco Giants
The "Say Hey" kid, Willie Mays is my starting Center Fielder. Mays besides hitting over 660 Home Runs, finished with a career batting average of .302 and slapped over 3283 hits.
20 time All-Star
1951 Rookie of the Year
1954 National League MVP
1963 Major League All-Star Game MVP
1965 National League MVP
1968 Major League All-Star Game MVP
12 time Gold Glove winner
Career Stats (22 Seasons): 2992 Games, 10881 AB, 3283 Games, 2062 R, 660 HR, 1903 RBI, .302 BA, .384 OBP, .557 SLG, 6066 TB
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979
Others up for consideration for Center-fielder: Ed Delahanty, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Ken Griffey Jr.**
Outfield- Left fielder: Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds/ Philadelphia Phillies
For the last of my starting nine, I changed my Left Field choice several times. First, it was Ty Cobb. Then, it was Joe DiMaggio. Finally, my choice is Charlie Hustle himself, Pete Rose.
All betting and gambling problems, issues, and opinions on what he did aside, he was one of the most dynamic hitters ever to play the game.
1963 Rookie of the Year
1973 National League MVP
17 time All-Star
1981 Silver Slugger
1969,70 Gold Glove winner
Career stats (24 seasons): 3562 Games, 14053 AB, 4256 Hits, 2165 R, 160 HR, 1314 RBI, .303 BA, .375 OBP, .409 SLG, 5752 TB
Others up for consideration for Left-Fielder: Joe Dimaggio, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Reggie Jackson, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Manny Ramirez**
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Starting Rotation
Now we arrive at my starting staff. There are so many great pitchers out there. The starting staff was the hard decisions to make. So lets get started (no pun intended).
No. 1: Walter Johnson, Washington Senators, RHP
The "Big Train" is my number one, my ace. Of course all of the rest of my starting staff are aces. The "Big Train" is my first starter because of the overpowering fastball from that side-arm delivery.
He is also my number one starter, because of his polite and gentlemanly nature. Which was contrary to his competitors.
American League MVP: 1913 AND 1924
American League Pitchers Triple Crown: 1913, 1918, 1924
Most career shutouts: 110
Most career shutouts for a right hander: 110
Most career shutout losses: 65
12 Time American League Strikeouts Leader
5 Time American League ERA Leader
417 wins ranks The Big Train second on the All-Time Wins list
Career stats (21 seasons): 417-279, .599 Win%, 802 Games, 531 Complete Games (CG), 110 Shutouts (SHO), 5914.1 IP, 3509 K, 1363 BB, 2.17 ERA, 1.061 WHIP, 147 ERA+
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936. One of it's founding members.
No. 2: Steve Carlton, Philadelphia Phillies, LHP
Lefty is my number two pitcher. I needed a left handed pitcher and I figured Carlton was one of the best that I could find. A multiple time All-Star and CY Young award winner.
4 time CY Young award winner
10 time All-Star
1972 National League Pitching Triple Crown winner
4136 K ranks Lefty fourth on the All-Time strikeout list
1981 Gold Glove winner
Career stats (24 seasons): 329-244, .574 Win%, 741 Games, 5217.1 IP, 4136 K, 1833 BB, 254 CG, 3.22 ERA, 155 ERA+, 1.247 WHIP
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1994
No. 3: Cy Young, Cleveland Spiders/St. Louis Cardinals/ Boston Red Sox/ Cleveland Naps, RHP
Denton True Young, otherwise known as Cy Young, is my third starter. The guy had his own award named after his namesake and his profession: pitching, just to restate the obvious.
I could of swapped Young out with Johnson, that's how interchangeable these guys are.
1901 American League Pitching Triple Crown
All-Time Leader in Wins with 511
All-Time Leader in Innings Pitched with 7354.1 IP
All Time Leader in Complete Games with 749
Career stats (22 seasons): 511-316, .618 Win%, 906 Games, 749 CG, 2803 K, 1217 BB, 2.63 ERA, 138 ERA+, 1.130 WHIP
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937
No. 4: Lefty Grove, Philadelphia Athletics/ Boston Red Sox, LHP
Robert Moses Grove, my second left hander in my rotation. Played for arguably the greatest team of all time, the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics. But that's a story for another time.
6 time All-Star
1930 and 1931 American League Pitching Triple Crown winner
1931 American League MVP
A 138 ERA+ ranks him third all time for adjusted ERA.
Career stats (17 seasons): 300-141, .680 Win%, 616 Games, 298 CG, 3940.1 IP, 2266 K, 1339 BB, 3.06 ERA, 138 ERA+, 1.278 WHIP
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1947
No. 5: "G.C." Pete Alexander, Philadelphia Phillies, RHP
My last starting pitcher in the rotation is: Pete Alexander. Who? You may ask. Does the Name Grover Cleveland Alexander ring a bell? Pete is his actual first name. "Ol' Pete" is my fifth starter because he was one of the most dynamic pitchers of his day, however overshadowed by Walter Johnson and Cy Young.
3 time National League Pitching Triple Crown winner (1915, '16, '20)
His 373 wins ranks him third all time for wins
His 90 Shutouts ranks him second all time
Bouts of epilepsy, alcoholism, and a line drive to the head shortened his career.
Career stats (20 seasons): 373-208, .642 Win%, 696 Games, 5190.0 IP, 2198 K, 951 BB, 2.56 ERA, 135 ERA+, 1.121 WHIP
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938
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While I am on the subject of pitching I will complete my bullpen as well.
Bullpen:
Long Relief: Warren Spahn, Boston/ Milwaukee Braves, LHP (Real life role: Starting Pitcher)
Long Relief: Nolan Ryan, New York (NL)/ California Angels/ Houston Astros/Texas Rangers, RHP (Real life role: Starting Pitcher)
Middle Relief: Don Drysdale, Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, RHP (Real life role: Starting Pitcher)
Middle Relief: Tom Seaver, New York Mets, RHP (Real life role: Starting Pitcher)
Set-Up: Sparky Lyle, Boston Red Sox/ New York Yankees, LHP
Set-up: Mariano Rivera**, New York Yankees, RHP (Real life role: closer)
Closer: Hoyt Wilhelm, New York Giants, RHP
Bench players:
Reggie Jackson, Left Handed Batter (LHB), Outfielder, New York Yankees
"Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Right Handed Batter (RHB), Outfielder, Chicago White Sox
Mike Schmidt, RHB, Third Baseman/infielder, Philadelphia Phillies
George Herman "Babe" Ruth, LHB, Outfielder, Boston Red Sox/ New York Yankees
Mickey Cochrane, LHB, Catcher, Philadelphia Athletics
I almost forgot! Manager! I need a Manager to well, manage this team. As well as coaches
Manager: Connie Mack
Bench Coach: Bobby Cox**
First Base Coach: Sparky Anderson
Third Base Coach: Joe Torre**
Pitching Coach: Jim Bunning
Hitting Coach: Lou Boudreau
**denotes: still active manager or player
That would be my "greatest ever" team. Filled with legendary talent to the gills.
Some constructive criticism would be nice.
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