Baseball's Best ... in three acts

Sunday, October 31 2010 @ 06:00 PM EDT

This is meant to be a debate, a beer-driven barroom discussion, a starting point for conversation; it’s an old argument, “who are the greatest players in MLB history?” – but  here, it’s divided into three sub-arguments:

·         Who are the greatest players ever at each position?

·         Who are the greatest players of my (your) lifetime at each position?

·         Who are the greatest active players at each position?

Note, “my lifetime” began in 1966, so for instance, I could technically slot Sandy Koufax into the LHSP position, but I am roughly defining that column (see table, next page) as “guys I remember." Define that differently for yourself if you like, but post your parameters so we know what they are.)

Now, onward to the projected lineup cards; although this is a matter of opinion, so you can’t technically tell me I’m “wrong” about any of these selections, please do let me know who you think I missed or overrated, or whatever …

 A few overall notes:

·         In all three categories, I chose the manager I’d most want managing my team, almost – but not quite – regardless of record. Billy Martin could manage any club to contention, and with this roster, might win 140 in a season. Scioscia has always struck me as underappreciated

·         It’s  a bit surprising how little power comes out of the RF positions after Ruth, but can you really argue with Gwynn and Ichiro? Or at another traditional power spot, at 1B over Carew?

·         The most consistent power position is actually one you might not expect to be, CF – Mays, Junior Griffey and likely-2010-AL-MVP Hamilton? Wow …

·         But even with Griffey’s 600+ homers and the boomsticks of Gonzalez and Hamilton, there is a surprising lack of big-scary-bat power in the mu-lifetime and active outfields.

·         Even as an admitted long-time Yankee fan, I had to hold my nose just a tiny bit at the active left side of the infield. I suppose you can make a decent argument for Hanley Ramirez over Jeter, but who’s a legitimate alternative to A-Rod at 3B? Beltre? Zimmerman? Mark Reynolds? Michael Young? I think not …

·         The most obvious slam-dunk active selection was behind the plate, where active candidates can be divided into two categories: Joe Mauer and Everyone Else.

·         On the other side of that, the weakest active positions, speaking relatively, of course, appear to be 2B and LF. Not a single projectable Morgan, Hornsby, Rickey or Stan the Man in the whole gang, is there? Or did I miss someone?

·         Designated hitter (DH) is not just a place to insert the best player who didn’t win a regular spot, but someone who was actually an active DH.— Baines, Baylor, Kingman, Molitor, Ortiz all drew consideration. But the obvious leaders in the clubhouse (literally) are Edgar Martinez in the first two columns and Vlad Guerrero amongst the actives. Objections>

·         Closer (CL) has been around in some form as a position for somewhat longer than DH, but in its modern form, the same man, Mo Rivera, is the greatest active, of my lifetime, and in the history of the sport. This is the only position where that “triple play” happens. The only place I see where that could change someday is at 1B -- Pujols will almost certainly take over as greatest of my lifetime (sorry, Rod) -- but will he match or surpass Larrupin' Lou?

Players I would have loved to have made room for, but couldn’t justify a change:

·         Alan Trammell, my favorite player of all time, falls just a notch behind Yount in rankings shortstops of my lifetime.

·         George Brett might be one of the top two third basemen of all time, but like Trammell to Yount, he’s just a noodge behind Schmidt.

·         Hank Aaron isn’t on the Greatest of All-Time team? What? Really? So you tell me – does he beat out Ruth or Musial?

·         My lifetime has apparently been stuffed with some of the greatest RHSP like, ever – and maybe Seaver, my favorite pitcher of all time, could give way to Nolan Ryan, Jim Palmer, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens or a number of others. Honestly, I was tempted to slot Tom Terrific into the “all-time” column too, but finally admitted to myself that Big Train Johnson was just … more accomplished. (That’s not to admit “better”!!)

·         Speaking of Johnsons, make this list five years ago and Randy Johnson is in Cliff Lee’s slot, no question.

Additional apologies to …

·         All Negro League stars – Josh, Cool Papa, Satchel, we’re looking primarily at you – as we are limiting the candidates to MLB veterans at this point …

·         Ryne Sandberg, who might belong in Morgan’s spot …

·         Mike Piazza, one of the greatest catchers of all-time, but no Johnny Bench …

·         Again, everyone out there who’s thinking “Billy Martin? What?” True, Billy was a firestorm, and Sparky, Earl and others are a bit perplexed by being passed over, but take a look at his actual record some time ….

·         Tony LaRussa, who must be thinking, “I didn’t get the lifetime OR active nod? What the hell?” Scioscia, more or less the anti-Martin, beats out fellow SoCal great Joe Torre for that slot …

·         There have been lots of great closers in baseball history, but The Very Best Ever No Question, he’s still active …

Your  turn, Bauxites. Take a seat at the bar, order up (I’ll have a Sam Adams, my fourth) and let me know where you disagree …

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