So we spent some time this week discussing who should be each team's "Mr. Franchise" (the full discussion is in this thread) and given the results, tried to fill out a full standard-Hall-of-Names 25-man roster.
The lineup and bench were no problem -- four legitimate Hall of Famers didn't even make the roster...
but the pitching staff runs short. We have only seven arms available,
five more Hall of Famers, one who certainly will be in six years or so,
and another -- well, as you'll see, a projection, at best.
So how can we make this team better? Note that four of the six listed
as not making the team all played primarily the same position, OF, with
three primarily in RF alone..
Can we fill out the pitching staff somehow? Your thoughts ...?
| Leadership | Team | Name | Comment |
| Owner | Angels | Gene Autry |
Only non-player on the list; but really, did Ryan deserve to be "Mr." for two franchises? |
| Player/Manager | Reds | Pete Rose |
Apologies to Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan. But really, could it be anyone else? |
| Lineup |
Team | Name | Comment |
| C | Expos/Nats | Gary Carter |
Sincere apologies to Tim Raines! |
| 1B | Yankees | Lou Gehrig |
Apologies to Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. |
| 2B | White Sox |
Nellie Fox |
Apologies to Luke Appling and Fronk Thomas. |
| SS | Cubs | Ernie Banks |
That's right, the Iron Man himself, Cal Ripken Jr., is headed to the bench, if he makes the team at all! |
| 3B | Phillies |
Mike Schmidt |
Does he really deserve to beat out Brett? Yes, yes he does. |
| LF | Red Sox |
Ted Williams |
"Yastrzemski" is too hard to spell! |
| CF |
Giants |
WIllie Mays |
Apologies to Mel Ott and Carl Hubbell, but Willie was argbuably Mr. Giant on two coasts. (No complaining, Barry Bonds!) |
| RF | Braves |
Hank Aaron |
Walker has been a great RF. Clemente and Kaline are in the discussion. But Hammerin' Hank deserves the spot. |
| DH | Mariners | Edgar Martinez |
Apologies to Ken Griffey Jr. (too much time in Cincy!) ... Edgar is the only "natural" DH in the discussion. |
| Bench |
Team | Name | Comment |
| C/UTIL | Astros | Craig Biggio |
Apologies to Jeff Bagwell -- and, oh what the hell, for a third franchise, to Nolan Ryan, too. |
| IF | Dodgers | Jackie Robinson |
Apologies to Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Steve Garvey, many others! |
| COR IF |
Royals | George Brett |
Easiest "Mr. Franchise" decision in the entire major leagues. |
| IF | Blue Jays |
Tony Fernandez |
Apologies to Joe Carter and Dave Stieb; Fernandez's versatility nets him bench spot over Ripken. |
| IF/OF | Brewers | Robin Yount |
Apologies to Paul Molitor. |
| UTIL | Reds | Pete Rose |
Also manager; All-Star at five different positions. |
| Pitching Staff |
Team | Name | Comment |
| RHP |
Mets | Tom Seaver |
193 wins with Mets, 118 elsewhere -- but he IS the Mets. |
| LHP | Diamonbacks | Randy Johnson | Pitched longer in Seattle, but two Cy Young Awards and a World Series ring in Arizona. Apologies to Luis Gonzalez. |
| RHP | Senators/Twins | Walter Johnson |
Possibly greatest pitcher in history of game; apologies to Harmon Killebrew and, less so, to Kirby Puckett. |
| RHP | Rangers | Nolan Ryan |
Double-dips as team president, role he holds now for Rangers. Could arguably be Mr. Astro or Mr. Angel as well. |
| RHP | Cardinals | Bob Gibson |
Apologies to Stan Musial. Dizzy Dean and Lou Brock. |
| RHP | Indians | Bob Feller |
Apologies to Lou Boudreau. |
| LHP | Devil Rays |
David Price |
Admittedly, based on projection as much as anything, but kid is already face of the franchise. |
| Pitcher | TBD | Vacant | |
| Pitcher | TBD | Vacant | |
| Pitcher | TBD | Vacant |
Can't believe they didn't even make the team? Maybe we can trade someone to fill out the three vacant spots on the 10-man pitching staff?
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20081128014232605