The weather is beginning to warm up and I can't wait until the dredge of the NBA playoffs finally concludes so baseball can officially take center stage.
A statement was made to me recently that currently, there are more of the game's greatest players playing at one time than at any point in the history of baseball. This sparked an on-going discussion to actually choose the greatest baseball team of all-time. Much like MLB tried to do an all-century team, I felt like I would have to rise to the challenge. Although this squad will not include the same mistakes as MLB, such as selecting Ken Griffey Jr. over Barry Bonds.
The parameters are quite simple: one player per position, two starting pitchers - one right-hander and one left and an extra hitter just to piss off the purists. There are many possibilities, so feel free to criticize my list and submit your own. Please make sure when criticizing, backup why your choice is better than mine with some facts.
Bench was the heart and soul of the "Big Red Machine" in Cincinnati during the 1970's. He was a three-time MVP in 1970, 72 and 76. He won ten gold gloves behind the plate and is credited with inventing the one-handed catching style that is prevalent today. You couldn't run on him and you couldn't pitch to him is key situations. Bench was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
This choice requires a small amount of cheating, but Ruth did play 32 games at first base over the course of his career. On this team he can play first just to stay in the lineup when he is not pitching.
The statistical anomalies never end when it comes to talking about Ruth. He shattered all of the game's offensive records and then continued to improve upon them. Ruth had multiple seasons where he homered more that any other team in the league. He single-handedly saved baseball after the Black Sox scandal and his name is synonymous with the game.
Ruth inexplicably only won one MVP and that came in 1923 when he hit .393 with 41HRs and 131RBIs. He is second only to Henry Aaron in home runs and RBIs and is third behind Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson in walks and runs. He also won 18 games in 1915 and then 23 in 1916 and 24 in 1917. Regardless of the level of competition or the composition of the baseball, no player dominated his era like Ruth. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.
Joe Morgan was the spark plug on the same dominating Reds teams as the aforementioned Johnny Bench. Morgan was a two-time NL MVP in 1974 and 1976. He turned what normally is a defensive position into an offensive weapon. Besides his gaudy offensive numbers, Morgan also won five gold glove awards. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Schmidt is mostly known for his power at the hot corner, but his underrated defense did garner him ten gold gloves to go along with his 548 HRs. He was a three-time MVP in 1980, 81 and 86. He also won the World Series MVP in 1980. Schmidt turned third base into an offensive position and with his numbers it is amazing how often he was booed at the Vet. Schmidt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
There is absolutely no reason for a man with A-Rod's size and offensive prowess to be playing shortstop. Long gone are the times of the defensive shortstop, yet despite all of his mind-boggling numbers he has won two gold gloves. He was named the 2003 AL MVP and is the youngest player ever to reach the 350 HR mark. He is only 28 years old only his switch to third base will diminish his legacy as the greatest middle infielder ever.
A few years ago, Bonds would not even be worthy of nomination. In his past few seasons, no player since Babe Ruth has dominated and changed the game like Bonds has. Only his surly attitude keeps him form regularly being mentioned as one of the best ever. He is the only six-time MVP 1990, 92, 93, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
He has won eight gold gloves and is currently re-writing the books for intentional walks. He is the only player that has 400 stolen bases and 400 HRs not to mention he has 500 of each. In 2001 he set the single season home run record at 73. In April he passed his Godfather, Willie Mays, for third all-time in home runs.
There is little question of who the greatest center fielder of all-time is. Even DiMaggio fans have to give a tip of the cap to the Mays. He was a two-time MVP in 1954 and 1965. He won 12 gold gloves and is currently fourth all-time in home runs. Mays revolutionized the game with his unmatched mixture of speed and power. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
It is very easy to see why Henry Aaron is my choice for right field. He is in the top five in six statistical categories. He was the 1957 NL MVP and won three gold gloves. He is the home run leader with 755, even though he never has a season where he hit more than 47. His .305 career batting average shows that he was much more that just a home run hitter. He was inducted into the hall of Fame in 1982.
The diminutive Rickey Henderson makes this list because it can be argued that he is the greatest offensive weapon of all-time. Henderson stats are so good that he beat out the likes of Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle and Pete Rose for this coveted spot. Henderson is the all-time leader in walks, runs, stolen bases, lead off home runs and third person references. He was the 1990 AL MVP and even garnered a gold glove in 1981. His 130 stolen bases in 1982 is one of the few records that can be guaranteed to never be broken. He is the greatest table setter of all time and if he ever would quit playing A-ball he will be a sure-fire Hall of Famer.
Gibson is the best big-game pitcher of all-time. He also ranks as one of the most intimidating pitchers of all-time. Gibson was a two-time NL Cy Young award winner in 1968 and 1970. He was the NL MVP in 1968 and was the World Series MVP in 1964 and 1967 where he one three games in each series. He also won nine gold glove awards as a pitcher.
What sets Gibson apart is 1968. Something needs to be said when the league changes a rule because of your performance. Gibson finished his MVP year with a 22-9 record, 268 Ks against only 62 walks, and a ridiculous ERA of 1.12 in 304.2 IP. That means for an entire season Gibson surrendered only 38 earned runs. The next season MLB lowered the height of the pitching mound. Gibson was inducted into the hall of Fame in 1981.
Spahn is the game's all-time winingest left-handed pitcher. My team has a slight bias towards him since he was a Brave and is often overlooked when greatest pitchers are being discussed. He won the Cy Young award in 1957 when he led the Braves to their only championship.
He also pitched two no-hitters - one at the age of 39 and the other at the age of 40. In fact at the age of 42 Spahn finished the season with a 23-7 record and a 2.60 ERA. Long before Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens made pitching at the age of 40 seem like something that has never been accomplished before. Spahn was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
This team should be able to win a few games. I'll name myself and then throw out some bats and some balls and let 'em play. Feel free to enter a team that will try to compete with this one.
