My All Time Team: Matt Baggette (aka Best.Team........EVER!!)

 

My team may have what seem like some odd choices. But it's my team. And it's better than everyone else's, so :P

My lineup:

1. 2B—Roberto Alomar

Perhaps this is  a unique choice right off the bat, but Alomar was the best player I ever got to see play, at every aspect of the game. He could hit for average, he had some power, he could steal bases and on defense, oh man. Was there anyone more fun to watch play defense? He won 10 gold gloves, the most ever for a second basemen. With over 200 homers and almost 500 stolen bases, Robby is a great choice to lead things off, as he could get things started with a homer, or get on and wreak havoc on the bases with his speed. With a career slash line of .300/.371/.443/.814 and insane defense, you've got yourself one of the best second basemen of all time at the top of a killer lineup.

2. LF—Stan Musial

He wasn't called Stan “The Man” for nothing. 3,630 hits. And he split them in half at home and on the road. That's right, 1,815 hits at home and on the road. He was a league leader in hits 6 times, doubles 8 times, triples 5 times, and batting average 7 times. His career batting average of .331 is insane. His 475 home runs, 725 doubles(third all time) , and 177 triples make him an extra base hitting machine.

3. CF--Willie Mays

Arguably the greatest player of all time. Amazing on defense with 11 gold gloves. One of four players in the 500 home run (660 in fact) and 3000 hit club. He played for 22 years and almost all of them were spectacular. How anyone could have anyone else in centerfield is beyond me.

4. 1B—Lou Gehrig

Lou was an RBI machine. 5^th all time with 1,995. Because of this he is my clean up hitter. Heck he was the clean up hitter on those Yankees teams not Ruth. His 185 RBI, yes 185, in 1931 is the second best single season RBI total only to Hack Wilson's 191 in 1930. He drove in over 150 runs 7 times. He is the only choice to hit clean up. He also had a career fielding percentage of .991. So he was pretty solid around the bag too.

5. DH—Hank Aaron

Some would say (myself among them) that he is still the Home Run king with his 755. His 2,297 RBI's are the most ever. (So how is Gehrig clean up and not Aaron Matt? How? Huh? How!!?) He played longer than Gehrig did. He was the epitome of consistency. Having him behind Gehrig just makes my team even more awesome.

6. RF—Roberto Clemente

There are so many great outfielders to choose from. This pick as has much to with defense as anything. It's not to say that Clemente wasn't a good offensive player, as he was with exactly 3,000 hits. He never hit more than 29 homers in any season and only drove in 100 or more twice, so there are others that hit for more power then he did. But he could hit. He had 4 200 hit seasons. His defense was great, his arm was insane. 17^th all time in outfield assist with 266. He had a cannon for an arm. I wouldn't have wanted to try to stretch a single into a double or double to a triple on his arm.

7. SS—Cal Ripken Jr.

No it's not just because he is my favorite player of all time. Yes the streak was great. But his numbers speak for themselves. 431 home runs, 3,184 hits. He is also one of only 14 players with over 600 doubles all time. He was a two time MVP. His defense is underrated. He was always in such great position that it didn't seem like he had to make many highlight reel plays - he was right where he needed to be from the start. He completely redefined the position.

8. C—Johnny Bench

How's this for a #8 hitter? A catcher that can hit homers (389 for his career). He was one of the best offensive catchers of all time. Then there is his defense. Throwing out 43% of base stealers for his career. He was close to and over 50% in multiple seasons.

9. 3B—Brooks Robinson

Yes Schmidt was better with the bat. But Brooks wasn't awful on offense. He had 2,848 hits for his career. And 268 home runs. Brooks glove is what gets him on this team more than anything. 16 gold gloves. Tied for second most all time. He had great range. Made some insane plays that are seen in highlight films all the time. Nothing would get through this left side of the infield.

Rotation

Bob Gibson

An innings eater, a strikeout pitcher, and oh yeah, he wasn't afraid to throw at you. My number one starter is gonna intimidate you before you ever get in the box. He had 20 or more complete games 7 times. His 1.12 ERA in 1968 was just pure insanity. 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA in the postseason. 2 time World Series MVP, set a record for strikeouts in a World Series game with 17. Also won 9 gold gloves.

Bob Feller

The rotation of the Bob's! Feller made his Major League debut at 17 years old. His fastball was able to beat a motorcycle to home plate. A different time,but 3 times he pitched over 300 innings. His numbers are eye popping. 36 complete games in 1946 - no one even makes 36 starts now. Led the league in strikeouts 7 times, innings pitched 5 times, and wins 6 times. Who knows what his numbers would have been if he hadn't missed three full seasons and most of another to join the War effort in World War 2. Feller had more complete games with 279 then he had wins, 266 for his career.

Warren Spahn

One of, if not the best left handed pitcher of all time. 13, that's right 13, 20-win seasons. Insane. A career ERA just over 3 at 3.09. He was another innings eater, going over 200 17 times. Led the league in complete games 9 times.

Walter Johnson

The Big Train, woo woo. You want to talk about an innings eater, my goodness. 9 straight seasons with over 300 innings pitched, leading the league 5 times in that span. A complete game machine with 531, like Feller more than his career wins of 417. He holds a record of 110 shutouts that will never be touched. 11 times his ERA was under 2.

Greg Maddux

The only one of my rotation I actually got to see pitch. The Mad Dog was not a flame thrower. But the guy could put the ball anywhere he wanted too. He was the best pitcher I have ever seen pitch in my lifetime. While it was the NL, the numbers he was able to put up in the “Steroid Era” of the 90s are just crazy. From 1992-1998 his highest ERA was 2.72. Twice with ERA's in the 1's during that run. From 1988-2006 he was under 200 innings pitched once, and that one time he pitched 199.1. Also, the dude was the best fielding pitcher I have ever seen, with 18 gold gloves.
 

Bull Pen

Long Men

Jim Palmer

In this pen Palmer can be used as both a long man (though I would doubt with my starters that will be needed much ) and in the middle of games to get out of jams. Palmer wasn't a great strikeout guy, but he could come out of the pen and use his high fastball to get out of stuff. Also Palmer was a great fielder.

Pedro Martinez

Unlike Palmer, Pedro can come in and just blow people away with a career SO/9 of 10.0. He can also be used as a long man on this team if needed. Even with his small size he was an intimidating presence on the mound.

Lefty Specialist/Set up man

Randy Johnson

Tall, ugly, threw super hard. Nasty slider. RJ will be able to come in and just shut the door. My team won't use him just to get lefties out,but get righties out too. Think Andrew Miller. Strikeouts everywhere with him. SO/9 of 10.6 (highest of all time).

Sandy Koufax

5 truly domiante years. And another arm out of the pen that will be able to strikeout anyone. He could easily be one of my starters. And can for sure be use for more than just getting out lefties. He walked hardly anyone. Just another weapon for the best bullpen ever.

Set up Man

Trevor Hoffman

Probably the second best closer of all time. A great change up. 601 career saves. There isn't much better to have setting up then Hoffman. The game would pretty much be over once the ball is handed to Hoffman with who my closer is waiting.

Closer

Mariano Rivera

A member of the Evil Empire, yes. But the best closer of all time. Need I say more? Ok a little more. 2.21 career ERA, record 652 saves.

 

Bench

OF- Rickey Henderson

You want a pinch runner on the bench? How about the guy with the most steals of all time? Also can put Rickey in any outfielder spot once he stays in the game. Can also be used as a pinch hitter that has the chance to go yard, as he hit 297 homers

OF- Babe Ruth

Everyone else probably has Ruth in their starting line up. I have the Sultan of Swat on my bench ready to come up and get a big pinch hit home run. Ruth had an AB per HR of 11.8, second of all time. Ruth can also pitch if there was some crazy extra inning game (Chris Davis, anyone?).

OF-Ken Griffey JR

The sweetest swing I ever saw. His defense was great, with 10 gold gloves. The best defensive replacement you can have. 630 homers on the bench waiting to come through late in the game. Also could steal a base or two.

Super Utility-Pete Rose

Pinch hit with him,he's got more hits than anyone ever. Put him anywhere in the field he played all over. He played every game like it was game 7. His intensity and drive would be nothing but a plus coming off the bench.

Backup Catcher-Ivan Rodriguez

On a normal team you want your back up catcher to be a real good catch and throw guy. Well why not have a guy that threw out 46% of base stealers for his career? Not only was Pudge great at controlling the running game,he was a pretty good hitter. Over 300 home runs and the MVP in 1999.

This roster is amazing. And you are all jealous of it's awesomeness.

-Matt Baggette @mlb930