Best Of’s – Baseball’s Mount Rushmore For Each Position
I recently wrote an article for each State’s Mount Rushmore for the 21st Century. It sparked a lot of reaction and intelligent debate, which is the goal of any article. And I’ll be honest, it was fun to compile.
So, with baseball starting soon, I decided to compile another Mount Rushmore. This Mount Rushmore covers every position in baseball, along with a few other categories.
Let’s take a look. And as always, tell me how I’m wrong!
Starting Pitcher (Righty)
Walter Johnson – Hall of Famer (inaugural class); 1-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 3-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; career leader in Shutouts; led the League in Wins 6 times; led the League in ERA 5 times; led the League in Strikeouts 12 times; 417 career Wins; 2.17 career ERA; 3,509 career Strikeouts; 3-3 career World Series record with a 2.52 ERA
Christy Mathewson – Hall of Famer (inaugural class); 1-time World Series winner; 2-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; led the League in Wins 4 times; led the League in ERA 5 times; led the League in Strikeouts 5 times; 373 career Wins; 2.13 career ERA; 2,507 career Strikeouts; 5-5 career World Series record with a 0.97 ERA; 3-0 with 3 Complete Game Shutouts in 1905 World Series
Bob Gibson – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 2-time World Series MVP; 1-time MVP; 2-time Cy Young Award winner; 9-time Gold Glover; 9-time All-Star; led the League in Wins 1 time; led the League in ERA 1 time; led the League in Strikeouts 1 time; 251 career Wins; 2.91 career ERA; 3,117 career Strikeouts; 7-2 career World Series record with a 1.89 ERA; large reason for mound being lowered in 1969
Cy Young – Hall of Famer; 1-time World Series winner; 1-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; career leader in Wins; led the League in Wins 5 times; led the League in ERA 2 times; led the League in Strikeouts 2 times; 511 career Wins; 2.63 career ERA; 2,803 career Strikeouts; 2-3 career World Series record with a 2.36 ERA; Cy Young Award is named after, you guessed it, him
Honorable Mentions – Greg Maddux, Tom Seaver, Roger Clemens
Starting Pitcher (Lefty)
Sandy Koufax – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 3-time World Series winner; 2-time World Series MVP; 1-time MVP; 3-time Cy Young Award winner; 3-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; 7-time All-Star; led the League in Wins 3 times; led the League in ERA 5 times; led the League in Strikeouts 4 times; 165 career Wins; 2.76 career ERA; 2,396 career Strikeouts; 4-3 career World Series record with a 0.95 ERA
Randy Johnson – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 5-time Cy Young Award winner; 1-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; 10-time All-Star; led the League in Wins 1 time; led the League in ERA 4 times; led the League in Strikeouts 9 times; 303 career Wins; 3.29 career ERA; 4,875 career Strikeouts; 3-0 career World Series record with a 1.04 ERA
Steve Carlton – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 4-time Cy Young Award winner; 1-time Pitching Triple Crown winner; 1-time Gold Glover; 10-time All-Star; led the League in Wins 4 times; led the League in ERA 1 time; led the League in Strikeouts 5 times; 329 career Wins; 3.22 career ERA; 4,136 career Strikeouts; 2-2 career World Series record with a 2.56 ERA; won 27 games for 1972 Phillies team that won 59 total games
Warren Spahn – Hall of Famer; 1-time World Series winner; 1-time Cy Young Award winner; 17-time All-Star; led the League in Wins 8 times; led the League in ERA 3 times; led the League in Strikeouts 4 times; 363 career Wins; 3.09 career ERA; 2,583 career Strikeouts; 4-3 career World Series record with a 3.05 ERA
Honorable Mentions – Lefty Grove, Tom Glavine, Carl Hubbell, Clayton Kershaw
Relief Pitcher
Mariano Rivera – Hall of Famer (only unanimous); 5-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time ALCS MVP; 5-time Rolaids Relief winner; 13-time All-Star; career leader in Saves; led the League in Saves 3 times; 2.21 career ERA; 652 Saves; 8-1 career postseason record with a 0.70 ERA and 42 Saves
Rollie Fingers – Hall of Famer; 3-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time MVP; 1-time Cy Young Award winner; 4-time Rolaids Relief winner; 7-time All-Star; led the League in Saves 3 times; 341 career Saves; 2.90 career ERA; 4-4 career postseason record with a 2.35 ERA and 9 Saves
Bruce Sutter – Hall of Famer; 1-time World Series winner; 4-time Rolaids Relief winner; 6-time All-Star; led the League in Saves 5 times; 300 career Saves; 2.21 career ERA; 2-0 career postseason record with a 3.00 ERA and 3 Saves
Dennis Eckersley – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time ALCS MVP; 1-time MVP; 1-time Cy Young Award winner; 2-time Rolaids Relief winner; 6-time All-Star; led the League in Saves 2 times; 390 career Saves; 3.50 career ERA; 1-3 career postseason record with a 3.00 ERA and 15 Saves
Honorable Mentions – Goose Gossage, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith
Catcher
Ivan Rodriguez – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time NLCS MVP; 1-time MVP; 7-time Silver Slugger; 13-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; .296 career Batting Average; 311 career Home Runs; arguably the best defensive Catcher in MLB history
Yogi Berra – Hall of Famer; 10-time World Series winner (a record); 3-time MVP; 18-time All-Star; .285 career Batting Average; 358 career Home Runs
Johnny Bench – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 2-time MVP; Rookie of the Year; 10-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; led the League in HRs 2 times; led the League in RBIs 3 times; .267 career Batting Average; 389 career Home Runs
Mike Piazza – Hall of Famer; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 10-time Silver Slugger; 12-time All-Star; .308 career Batting Average; 427 career Home Runs (a record 396 as a Catcher); arguably the best offensive Catcher in MLB history
Honorable Mentions – Carlton Fisk, Roy Campanella, Mickey Cochrane, Yadier Molina
1st Baseman
Albert Pujols – Future Hall of Famer; 2-time World Series winner; 1-time NLCS MVP; 3-time MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 6-time Silver Slugger; 2-time Gold Glover; 10-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 2 times; led the League in RBIs 1 time; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; led the League in Slugging 3 times; .300 (current) career Batting Average; 656 career Home Runs; only active player to make the list (as of 2020)
Stan Musial – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 3-time World Series winner; 3-time MVP; 24-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 7 times; led the League in RBIs 2 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 6 times; led the League in Slugging 6 times; .331 career Batting Average; 475 career Home Runs
Lou Gehrig – Hall of Famer; 6-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 1-time Triple Crown winner; 7-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 3 times; led the League in RBIs 5 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 5 times; led the League in Slugging 2 times; .340 career Batting Average; 493 career Home Runs; had career cut short due to ALS Disease (which was later named after him)
Jimmie Foxx – Hall of Famer; 2-time World Series winner; 3-time MVP; 1-time Triple Crown winner; 9-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in HRs 4 times; led the League in RBIs 3 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 3 times; led the League in Slugging 5 times; .325 career Batting Average; 534 career Home Runs
Honorable Mentions – Harmon Killebrew, Ernie Banks, George Sisler
2nd Baseman
Rogers Hornsby – Hall of Famer; 1-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 2-time Triple Crown winner; led the League in Batting Average 7 times; led the League in HRs 2 times; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 9 times; led the League in Slugging 9 times; .358 career Batting Average; 301 career Home Runs; hit over .400 in 3 seasons
Joe Morgan – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 1-time Silver Slugger; 5-time Gold Glover; 10-time All-Star; led the League in On Base Percentage 4 times; .271 career Batting Average; 368 career Home Runs
Napoleon Lajoie – Hall of Famer; 1-time Triple Crown winner; led the League in Batting Average 5 times; led the League in HRs 1 time; led the League in RBIs 3 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 2 times; led the League in Slugging 4 times; .338 career Batting Average; 82 career Home Runs; holds modern day record with .426 Batting Average in 1901
Eddie Collins – Hall of Famer; 4-time World Series winner; 1-time MVP; led the League in Stolen Bases 4 times; .333 career Batting Average; 47 career Home Runs
Honorable Mentions – Ryne Sandberg, Jeff Kent, Roberto Alomar
Shortstop
Honus Wagner – Hall of Famer (inaugural class); 1-time World Series winner; led the League in Batting Average 8 times; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 4 times; led the League in Slugging 6 times; .328 career Batting Average; 101 career Home Runs; hit over .300 in 15 consecutive seasons
Cal Ripken, Jr. – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 8-time Silver Slugger; 2-time Gold Glover; 19-time All-Star; .276 career Batting Average; 431 career Home Runs; played in a record 2,632 consecutive games
Derek Jeter – Hall of Famer (missed unanimous by 1 vote); 5-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 5-time Silver Slugger; 5-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; led the League in Hits 2 times; .310 career Batting Average; 260 career Home Runs
Alex Rodriguez – Future Hall of Famer?; 1-time World Series winner; 3-time MVP; 10-time Silver Slugger; 2-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 5 times; led the League in RBIs 2 times; led the League in Slugging 4 times; .295 career Batting Average; 696 career Home Runs; Note – roughly half of these stats are while he was playing Third Base
Honorable Mentions – Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Barry Larkin
3rd Baseman
Mike Schmidt – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 3-time MVP; 6-time Silver Slugger; 10-time Gold Glover; 12-time All-Star; led the League in HRs 8 times; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 3 times; led the League in Slugging 5 times; .267 career Batting Average; 548 career Home Run
Eddie Mathews – Hall of Famer; 2-time World Series winner; 12-time All-Star; led the League in HRs 2 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; .271 career Batting Average; 512 career Home Runs
Chipper Jones – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time MVP; 2-time Silver Slugger; 8-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; .303 career Batting Average; 468 career Home Runs
Brooks Robinson – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time MVP; 16-time Gold Glover; 18-time All-Star; led the League in RBIs 1 time; .267 career Batting Average; 268 career Home Runs; arguably the best defensive infielder in MLB history
Honorable Mentions – George Brett, Wade Boggs, Adrian Beltre
Left Fielder
Barry Bonds – Future Hall of Famer?; 7-time MVP (a record); 12-time Silver Slugger; 8-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; career leader in Home Runs and Walks; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in HRs 2 times (including a record 73 in 2001); led the League in RBIs 1 time; led the League in Walks 12 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 10 times; led the League in Slugging 7 times; .298 career Batting Average; 762 career Home Runs
Ted Williams – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time MVP; 19-time All-Star; career leader in On Base Percentage; led the League in Batting Average 6 times; led the League in HRs 4 times; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in Walks 8 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 12 times; led the League in Slugging 9 times; .344 career Batting Average; 521 career Home Runs; last player to bat over .400 in a season (1941); Note – he lost 3 years in the prime of his career due to World War II
Rickey Henderson – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 1-time ALCS MVP; 1-time MVP; 3-time Silver Slugger; 1-time Gold Glover; 10-time All-Star; career leader in Stolen Bases and Runs; led the League in Stolen Bases 12 times; led the League in Runs 5 times; led the League in Walks 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; .279 career Batting Average; 297 career Home Runs; 1,406 career Stolen Bases
Al Simmons – Hall of Famer; 2-time World Series winner; 3-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in RBIs 1 time; led the League in Hits 2 times; .334 career Batting Average; 307 career Home Runs
Honorable Mentions – Carl Yastrzemski, Manny Ramirez, Lou Brock
Center Fielder
Willie Mays – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 2-time MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 12-time Gold Glover; 24-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 4 times; led the League in Runs 2 times; led the League in Walks 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 2 times; led the League in Slugging 5 times; .302 career Batting Average; 660 career Home Runs; arguably the best defensive outfielder in MLB history
Ty Cobb – Hall of Famer (inaugural class); 1-time MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 1-time Triple Crown winner; career leader in Batting Average; led the League in Batting Average 12 times; led the League in HRs 1 time; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in Runs 5 times; led the League in Hits 8 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 7 times; led the League in Slugging 8 times; led the League in Stolen Bases 8 times; .366 career Batting Average; 117 career Home Runs
Mickey Mantle – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 7-time World Series winner; 3-time MVP; 1-time Triple Crown winner; 1-time Gold Glover; 20-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 4 times; led the League in Runs 5 times; led the League in Walks 5 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 3 times; led the League in Slugging 4 times; .298 career Batting Average; 536 career Home Runs
Joe DiMaggio – Hall of Famer; 9-time World Series winner; 3-time MVP; 13-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in HRs 2 times; led the League in RBIs 2 times; led the League in Slugging 2 times; .325 career Batting Average; 361 career Home Runs; hit in a record 56 consecutive games in 1941; Note – he lost 3 years in the prime of his career due to World War II
Honorable Mentions – Ken Griffey, Jr., Duke Snider, Tris Speaker, Mike Trout
Right Fielder
Babe Ruth – Hall of Famer (inaugural class); 7-time World Series winner; 1-time MVP; 2-time All-Star; career leader in Slugging Percentage; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 12 times; led the League in Runs 8 times; led the League in Walks 11 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 10 times; led the League in Slugging 13 times; led the League in pitching Wins 1 time; .342 career Batting Average; 714 career Home Runs; 94-46 career pitching record with a 2.28 ERA; 3-0 career World Series record with a 0.87 ERA; I happen to believe he’s the best player in MLB history
Hank Aaron – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time MVP; 3-time Gold Glover; 25-time All-Star (a record); career leader in RBI; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in HRs 4 times; led the League in RBIs 4 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 4 times; led the League in Slugging 3 times; .305 career Batting Average; 755 career Home Runs; held the career HR record for 33 years
Frank Robinson – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 2-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 2-time MVP; 1-time Rookie of the Year; 1-time Triple Crown winner; 1-time Gold Glover; 14-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 1 time; led the League in HRs 1 time; led the League in RBIs 1 time; led the League in On Base Percentage 2 times; led the League in Slugging 4 times; .294 career Batting Average; 586 career Home Runs; 1st player to win an MVP in both Leagues
Roberto Clemente – Hall of Famer (special selection); 2-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time MVP; 12-time Gold Glover; 15-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 4 times; career cut short due to fatal plane crash
Honorable Mentions – Reggie Jackson, Mel Ott, Tony Gwynn
Designated Hitter
David Ortiz – Future Hall of Famer; 3-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time ALCS MVP; 7-time Silver Slugger; 10-time All-Star; led the League in HRs 1 time; led the League in RBIs 3 times; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; led the League in Walks 1 time; .286 career Batting Average; 541 career Home Runs
Edgar Martinez – Hall of Famer; 5-time Silver Slugger; 7-time All-Star; led the League in Batting Average 2 times; led the League in RBIs 1 time; led the League in On Base Percentage 3 time; .312 career Batting Average; 309 career Home Runs; 1st primary Designated Hitter to be inducted into the Hall of Fame
Paul Molitor – Hall of Famer (1st ballot); 1-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 4-time Silver Slugger; 7-time All-Star; led the League in Hits 3 times; led the League in Runs 3 times
Harold Baines – Hall of Famer; 1-time Silver Slugger; 6-time All-Star; led the League in On Base Percentage 1 time; .289 career Batting Average; 334 career Home Runs; arguably the worst player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame
Honorable Mentions – Don Baylor, Jim Thome, Frank Thomas
Manager
Joe McCarthy – Hall of Famer; 7-time World Series winner; 9 pennants; 2,125-1,333 record, 61.5% winning percentage
Casey Stengel – Hall of Famer; 7-time World Series winner; 10 pennants; 1,905-1,842 record, 50.8% winning percentage
Sparky Anderson – Hall of Famer; 3-time World Series winner; 5 pennants; 2,194-1,834 record, 54.5% winning percentage; 2-time Manager of the Year
Joe Torre – Hall of Famer; 4-time World Series winner; 6 pennants; 2,326-1,997 record, 53.8% winning percentage; 2-time Manager of the Year
Honorable Mentions – Bobby Cox, John McGraw, Tony LaRussa
General Manager
Theo Epstein – Future Hall of Famer; 3-time World Series winner; built the teams that broke both the Red Sox (86 years) and Cubs (108 years) curses
Branch Rickey – Hall of Famer; 4-time World Series winner; broke the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson
John Schuerholz – Hall of Famer; 2-time World Series winner; built the Braves team that won their Division 14 consecutive years
Ed Barrow – Hall of Famer; 11-time World Series winner; was part of Yankees organization from 1920-1945
Honorable Mentions – Brian Cashman, Pat Gillick, Sandy Alderson
Owner
Dan Topping/Del Webb – 10-time World Series winners; owned the Yankees for 20 years, a stretch in which they won 10 World Series and 15 pennants
Jacob Ruppert – Hall of Famer; 8-time World Series winner; as Yankees owner he purchased Babe Ruth from Red Sox
George Steinbrenner – 7-time World Series winner; nicknamed “The Boss”…this makes him worthy, right?
Ted Turner – 1-time World Series winner; owned the Braves team that won their Division 14 consecutive years
Honorable Mentions – John Henry, Charles Comiskey, Walter O’Malley
Commissioner
Bud Selig – Hall of Famer; presided over baseball for 24 years; during his time in office, the following things were added/changed – Wild Card teams, the 3 Division format, 4 more teams, interleague play, the MLB Network, Jackie Robinson Day, a plethora of new stadiums, and PED testing (sort of); one of the more underrated people in baseball history
Ford Frick – Hall of Famer; presided over baseball for 15 years; largely responsible for baseball’s expansion, in both the number of teams (4 more) and the expansion towards the west coast
Bowie Kuhn – Hall of Famer; presided over baseball for 16 years; largely responsible for baseball’s expansion (4 more); MLB went to a 2 Division format his first year in office; added the Designated Hitter
Happy Chandler – Hall of Famer; presided over baseball for 7 years; was influential in breaking the color barrier; established a pension fund for retired players, funded by media contracts he negotiated
Honorable Mentions – Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, Peter Ueberroth, Rob Manfred
Other
Alexander Cartwright – Hall of Famer; yeah, he invented baseball (allegedly)
Jackie Robinson – Hall of Famer; broke the color barrier
Curt Flood – Largely responsible for free agency
Bill James – Inventor of Sabermetrics…love it or hate it, it’s had a profound impact on baseball
Honorable Mentions – Marvin Miller, Bob Uecker, Pete Rose
So, there they are. Now, tell me how I’m wrong and who I missed!!!
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21 thoughts on “Best Of’s – Baseball’s Mount Rushmore For Each Position”
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Ichiro Suzuki…?
Ichiro was a great, great hitter. No doubt about it. I had considered him for the list, but like other positions, who would I take off? He was the same type of hitter as Tony Gwynn, but Gwynn led the League in Batting EIGHT times. I couldn’t remove him.
Pete deserves a spot on this list. It’s terrible how baseball treats him.
Rose was tough, since he played over 500 games at 5 different positions. So wasn’t sure where to put him. I did put him in the “Other” category at the end of the list. And I do happen to agree with you about the way he’s been treated by baseball – https://www.big3sportsblog.com/how-is-pete-rose-still-not…/
Knock A-Rod off of the shortstops, and put Ozzie Smith on.
Ozzie Smith was the best defensive Shortstop in history, possibly the best defensive player period. But A-Rod’s overall game was simply too good. In his prime (when he was playing Shortstop specifically), he could do everything.
Manny Ramirez can be removed. Great hitter, as a dh he could have been in the top handful. Unfortunately, he was an overpaid, overused, very under talented leftfielder. As a lifelong red sox fan since a youngster in the 70s, watching him play defense made me sick
I can’t believe you’re against ManRam on the list! He was a large part in breaking their 86 year Curse (World Series MVP in 2004) and helped bring you another one in 2007. He was pitiful in the outfield, but one of the best hitting outfielders in history.
I can’t believe that Nolan Ryan didn’t make the list even as honorable mention.
I’ve had a lot of questions about Nolan Ryan (on Facebook). He could have been included, but who would have been taken off the list? I would entertain an argument for Clemens, but the others? No. He was a great pitcher, but I happen to think he was a little overrated. I know that sounds crazy, but I do. I actually wrote about something pertaining to that a couple months ago – https://www.big3sportsblog.com/best-ofs-most-overrated-hall-of-famers/
A-Rod needs off the list and move Jeter to the honorable mentions. I think you put the offensive output way above the defensive play of the player. Although Ozzie and Omar do not have the stats on offense, their defensive play of far great than A-Rod or Jeter. Griffey needs to be 1 of the 4. He was the player of the 90s and all around stud. And Roberto Alomar is a top 4 2nd baseman. He was a 5 tool player.
Where is Pedro!?
Stats and accolades aside (which he has regardless), I can’t think of another pitcher who had a chance at a perfect game every time he took the mound. Best stuff I have ever seen.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the feedback! I considered him, as I’m a huge fan of him. Injuries and career length are what kept him off though. If it was a list of best 7ish year stretches, he may have been #1.
As a White Sox fan, you pick Baines for DH then insult him. Okay? Frank Thomas never gets his due. Thomas, Thome & Molitor are the best hitters on your DH list. David Ortiz is not even in the Top 150 WAR for position players all-time while Thomas & Thome are practically in the Top 50. And Piazza over Fisk behind the plate? Oh Please.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the feedback.
There were a lot of comments (on Facebook) regarding Frank Thomas. He was one person I admit getting wrong. He should have been on there over Baines (who as noted, I believe is the most undeserving Hall of Famer in history). I initially saw Thomas as a 1st Baseman, but realized after the fact he actually played more Designated Hitter than 1st Base. That was my bad.
I won’t dispute your DH list…except for Ortiz. I can’t think of a way to argue against him being the best of all-time. 3-time World Series winner; 1-time World Series MVP; 1-time ALCS MVP; 7-time Silver Slugger; 10-time All-Star; 541 career Home Runs, all while playing the overwhelming majority of his career as a DH.
Piazza & Fisk was tough. Fisk was an excellent defensive catcher, no doubt about it. But Piazza, although awful at throwing out runners, was absolutely the best offensive catcher in history.
Show me the man who would rather have Harold Barnes in their team than Frank Thomas, and I’ll show you a very confused individual! And if a short career didn’t stop DiMaggio, it shouldn’t stop Jackie Robinson… put him at 1st, move Musial to left field, and get away from the embarrassment of having Al Simmons on your all time team?
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the feedback.
There were a lot of comments (on Facebook) regarding Frank Thomas. He was one person I admit getting wrong. He should have been on there over Baines. I initially saw Thomas as a 1st Baseman, but realized after the fact he actually played more Designated Hitter than 1st Base. That was my bad.
Despite missing 3 years to the war, DiMaggio played 13 years (and won 9 World Series), so I don’t think career length was a concern of his. I did put Jackie on the Mount Rushmore as #2 in the Other category, so he was present.
And no love for Al Simmons?! 🙂
Personally any player that got busted with steroids shouldn’t be on the list, and I would like to see Jackie, Ozzy, Junior and Campy on there top 4 of there respected positions
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the feedback. The steroids guys were tough, but I included them because they are ultimately part of MLB’s history. Also, me making the decision on the “alleged users” was an issue I didn’t want to tackle. There are so many of them.
I’m happy to see 3 Orioles in the list. (And of course unhappy that we’ve had such a long run without a championship with none in sight.)
Thanks for reading, and thanks for the feedback. The 3 Orioles listed (Ripken & the Robinsons) were easy, and there were actually 3 more that were in contention – Palmer, Murray, and Weaver. Not a bad history!