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iw ant to see this list. should be real good

Now the countdown begins

100. Edd Roush

Pos: CF/OF
Teams:
Chicago White Sox 1913
Indianapolis Hoosiers 1914
Newark Peppers 1915
New York Giants 1916, 1927-1929
Cincinanti Reds 1916-1926, 1931
Biography:
The user of the heaviest bat (48 ounces) in Major League Baseball history comes in at number 100.

Born on May 8, 1893 in Oakland City, Indiana, Roush would be signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1913 where he spent just 9 games.

Following the season Roush along with a handful of other players would jump ship to the Federal League for promises of better wages.

Roush would play well with Indianapolis, before having his first breakout season with Newark in the 1915 season where he would hit nearly .300.  It would be a sign of things to come.

After Major League Baseball crushed the Federal League financially, Roush would be bought by the New York Giants where he struggled, hitting only .188 through his first 39 games.  The Giants would send Roush along with legendary Christy Mathewson to Cincinnati Reds for Buck Herzog and Red Killefer in what would turn out to be one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.

Roush's fortunes almost immediately changed as he would hit .286 with the Reds for the 1916 season.  Roush would end the season at .267, which would prove to be the last time Roush would hit below .300 for over a decade.

The next year Roush would establish himself as one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball, leading the National League with a .341 batting average, and helping the Reds become one of the most improved teams in baseball, as they would win 18 more games then they had the previous season.

Roush is perhaps best remembered for being the man to lead the 1919 Cincinnati Reds over the Black Sox.  Yet Roush's series was largely disappointing, as he would only manage to hit .214

Roush's best season would come the following year in 1920.  That year Roush would hit .339, and would drive in 90 runs in one of the last years of the deadball era.

Roush would adjust well to the new hitter friendly era, continuing to post high batting averages, while providing solid defensive help.

At the end of the 1926 season, the Reds would send Roush back to New York in a move largely done to cut salary.  Roush was well known for being one of the few players to demand increases to his salary having sat out most of the 1922 season, and would sit out the entire 1930 season over a salary dispute.

Roush would return to the Reds after the Giants put him on waivers for the 1931 season, but a year out of baseball had taken its toll on Roush, and it was clear the 38 year old Roush was no longer the same player.

Upon his retirement from the Reds following the '31 season Roush would become a coach, and a figurehead for the Reds.  He threw out the final first pitch ever in Crosley Field history, and was considered by many to be the greatest Reds player ever at the time.

Roush would be inducted by the Veterans Committee into the Hall of Fame in 1962, and would live a long life, dying at the age of 94.  At the time of his death in 1988, Roush was the last surviving player of the Federal League.


-- Edited by pmoehrin on Tuesday 16th of June 2009 03:28:51 PM

I'm still getting a sense of exactly how I want to present this list, but the bio's of players not as well known will probably be much longer then a current player, or one who's much more well known.

97. Rusty Staub

Pos: RF
Teams:
Houston Astros/Colt 45's: 1963-1968
Montreal Expos: 1969-1971, 1979
New York Mets: 1972-1975, 1981-1985
Detroit Tigers: 1976-1979
Texas Rangers: 1980
Biography:
Le Grande Orange Rusty Staub comes in at number 97.

Born Daniel Joseph Staub on April 1, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Staub was signed right out of high school by the expansion Houston Colt 45s.

Staub would spend the entire 62 season in the minors, but was forced up for the 63 season, under the bonus rule, a controversial rule which forced teams to keep a player on their roster if the contract they signed exceeded a certain value.

During the 63 and 64 seasons Staub would struggle even being sent back down to the minors midway though the 64 season.  However despite Staubs struggles, the Colt 45s were a terrible team, allowing them to be patient with their young prospect.

Midway through the 65 season, Staub would begin to show signs of improvement.  Now the starting right fielder, Staub would enter June hitting .200, but would end the season with a .256 average.  The next year, Staub would break out, hitting .280 with 13 home runs, and leading the team in doubles, and RBIs with 81.  The next year, Staub would make his first all-star team, and finishing 5th in the NL batting race with a .333 average.

That the off-season, Staub would be involved in one of the most interesting trades in baseball history.  In hopes of filling in more holes Staub was traded to the expansion Montreal Expos for Jesus Alou, and Donn Clendenon.  However Clendenon would refuse to report to the Astros.  Instead the Astors would send Jack Billingham, Skip Gunn and cash to the Astros to complete the deal.  The deal would actually work out for the Reds eventually, as he would wind up being sent in the same deal that brought Joe Morgan to the Reds for Lee May, where he would team with Don Gullett to form the cornerstone of Cincinnatis rotation.

With Montreal in 69 Staub would have his best season leading the Expos in nearly all major offensive categories, and being the teams only representative in the all-star game.  For his efforts he would earn the nickname Le Grande Orange mainly for his hair, but also for being by far the best player on a terrible Expos team, being the only representative they would have in his three year stint.

Following the 71 season, Staub was finally sent to a contender as he was part of a three for one deal that would send Rusty to the New York Mets.  After a broken hand shortened his 72 season, Staub would be one of the cornerstones of the Mets offense for the 73 season, as he helped lead them to their second World Series appearance.  In his only World Series, Staub would be the Mets best hitter.  Batting .423, and leading the Mets with 6 RBIs, on a team that only managed to score 3 runs or more twice in the seven game series.

Following the '75 season the Mets would send Staub in what was one of many horrible trades their inept ownership would make over the next few years to the Detroit Tigers for former World Series hero Mickey Lolich, and prospect Billy Baldwin.  While Lolich would only play one year with the Mets before retiring, and Baldwin would fan out, Staub would once again continue his high caliber play in Detroit, even finishing 5th in MVP voting for the 1978 season.

With Staub performing below expectations for the '79 season, the Expos would reacquire the popular star in the hopes of winning a division crown.  Staub would play better with Montreal then he did with Detroit, although Montreal would finish two games behind the eventual World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates.

Following a quick stint in Texas, Staub would be sent back to New York for the '81 season, where his role would be reduced to a bench player.  Here Staub would once again find a way to excel, as he would become the games premier pinch hitters until his eventual retirement following the '85 season.

To this day Staub is one of only two players the other being Ty Cobb to have hit homeruns before turning 20, and after turning 40, and the only player with 500 or more hits for four different franchises.

The reason I believe Staub has not garnered the support he deserves for induction into the Hall, is a classic example of a player not being given attention to, simply because they did not play for winning teams.  In his 23 year career Staub would only play for teams that finished .500 or better 7 times, and only made one post-season appearance.  His best years were spent largely on horrible teams, and for this Staub was nowhere near given the credit he deserved as being one of the games best players.

Just because somebody had the misfortune of playing for bad teams is not enough reason in my opinion to keep them out of the Hall of Fame, and I hope Rusty finally does make it to Cooperstown.


-- Edited by pmoehrin on Tuesday 16th of June 2009 05:13:14 PM

95. Johnny Mize

Pos: 1B
Teams:
St. Louis Cardinals 1936-1941
New York Giants 1942, 1946-1949
New York Yankees  1949-1953
Biography:
A ten time all-star, Johnny Mize comes in at number 95.

Born on January 7th, 1913 in Demorest, Georgia, Mize would sign with the Cardinals out of Piedmont College.  Mize wasnt considered a top level prospect, and would actually be signed by the Reds following the 34 season, but would never suit up for them, as he was quickly returned to the Cardinals within a month.

Mizes arrival to the bigs would be delayed by the Cardinals already great first baseman Ripper Collins, who just two years earlier had tied for the National League in homers with Mel Ott.  When Collins went down with an injury during the 36 season, Mize would step right in, and perform well enough that the Cardinals decided to keep the 23 year old Mize in favor of the much older Collins.

The next five years in St. Louis would see Mize go on a tear.  Having a .400 or better OBP every year, in addition to driving in at least 100 runs, and would see Mize finish in the top ten in the National League in batting average, home runs, total bases.  Mize would also finish in the top 5 every year in slugging, on base percentage, and OPS, a stat he would lead the National League in every year from 1938-1940.

Following the 1941 season, Mize would be traded to the New York Giants, in a move both done to cut salary and to get better talent in exchange for what the Cardinals viewed as a great but aging veteran.

Mize would continue his dominance right into the '42 season, but following the conclusion of the season would begin serving in World War II.

When Mize returned home in 1946, it appeared he hadnt missed a beat hitting .337 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs in only 101 games.  The next year Mize would have his career high with 51 home runs, tying for the NL lead with Ralph Kiner.  The following year Mize would again tie Kiner for the NL lead with 40 home runs.

During the 1949 season, Mizes skills would begin to decline, and Mize began to complain about the Giants seemingly beginning the process to replace Mize as the starting first baseman.  Near the end of the season the 36 year old Mize would be traded to the New York Yankees, where he would be a solid bench player on a team that would win 5 straight World Series with him.

Mize did not enjoy good relations with sportswriters or most players, and it would take him all the way until 1981, before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

With the invention of sabermetrics, Mizes skills can be much more appreciated today, as his combination of power and average went almost unequaled at the peak of his playing career.

What prevents Mize from being much higher on this list is his service in World War II.  As this list goes on you will see this era be the least represented, as players who lost 3 or 4 years worth of playing time would cost them valuable numbers and dropped their rankings much more then they deserved to be.  Countless others from that era fell short of this list for that very reason.

Although I have Mize at 94, I believe his true ranking to be much higher.  However under the criteria I was using, I think it would be unfair to players in other era to try to infer what his stats from 1943-1945 might have looked like, and then add them to his career total.  Other ranking systems have done this, but I choose not to.

Mize's legacy will be that of a great but underappreciated player, overshadowed by other greats of the era, and hampered by his late start.


-- Edited by pmoehrin on Tuesday 16th of June 2009 06:16:45 PM

I just haven't done it because my laptop is shoot. The posts I made took about an hour a piece to do, and I will resume as soon as I have more free computer time. Worst case scenario I just release the list with no descriptions, but that really isn't my goal.

My Guess... Mark McGuire..

Wow he should be higher on this list.

I knew people would not be happy about me putting Brooks Robinson at #93, and I expected that.

Virtually everything I had to say I said in my piece on Robinson, but I'll reiterate and that is my opinion of him is that he is overrated.

My view on Robinson is great defensive player, good offensive player.

You look at Robinson as compared to a player like Ron Santo who in his own right is a damn good defensive third baseman, and you'll find that Santo is better in every major offensive category then Robinson, yet Robinson is regarded by most as being by far and away the better player.

My opinion is that the difference is almost slim to none.

Why Robinson is so well known is because he was a great player on some great Oriole teams, and he has accounted for some of the greatest highlights in baseball history.

I'm glad people know him, unlike some others on this list but the fact that he was on the all-century team I thought was a joke, considering that I don't think he was even the best third baseman of his era.

Also this is not a be all end all list.  The difference between Brooks Robinson and the guy I have at #70 is almost nothing, so if people want to put him much higher, I really don't have a problem with that.

My suggestion is to view this list more as a guideline then anything, because everyone is going to have something different.

I stand by my choice of putting Robinson at 93, because I do think I can name 92 players who were better then him.

Still he is a Hall of Fame caliber player as I think everyone in the top 100 should be in the Hall.

By the way Ron Santo was the final player cut from the list, as I had him ranked at #101.

91. Arky Vaughan

Pos: SS
Teams:
Pittsburgh Pirates 1932-1941
Brooklyn Dodgers 1942-1943, 1947-1948
Biography:
One of the most forgotten players in history Arky Vaughan comes in at number 91.

From the day he broke into the bigs, Vaughan established himself as one of the premeir middle infielders in the game, hitting over .300 in his rookie year.  A feat he would achieve every year as a player for the Pirates.

The following year Vaughan would take full advantage of the spacious Forbes Field, leading the league in triples with 19, and establishing himself as arguably the best shortstop in the game.

Vaughan's best year would come in 1935, arguably the finest season ever by a shortstop.

That year Vaughan would lead the National League in batting, slugging percentage, OBP, walks, and OPS.  Only Tony Gwynn has ever been able to lead the NL with a higher batting average since Vaughan's .385 batting average.

Vaughan's spectacular play would continue throughout his career until being traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers before the 1942 season, where his fortunes changed.  Vaughan was regarded as being a very quiet and reserved player, a very stark contrast to the current Dodger manager Leo Durocher.  Because of many disagreements with Durocher as well as pitcher Bobo Newsome, Vaughan decided that he would rather quit then play another game for the Dodgers.

At the age of 31, and still at the top of his game, Vaughan would walk away from the game.

He would remain away until 1947 when Leo Durocher was finally suspended as Dodger manager, but 3 full years away from the game had taken their toll on the now 35 year old Vaughan who was nowhere near the player he once was, and only served in a part time role for his final two years.

Still his return to the Dodgers would lead to his only World Series appearance in '47.

On August 30, 1952 while fishing in the Northern California wilderness, a storm picked up overturning Vaughan's boat, and drowning him and a friend.  Vaughan was only 40 years old.

Arky Vaughan has been argued by baseball historian Bill James as being the second greatest shortstop of all time after Honus Wagner, and it's a shame that Vaughan is not more well known.

The reason I think Vaughan is not more well known is because he is a classic victim of being a quiet reserved player in a small market.  This was also shown in his election to the Hall of Fame which didn't happen until 1985.

Again this is a situation of where I think his true ranking to be much higher because he walked away from the game for a full three years, while he still could have been a top player.


-- Edited by pmoehrin on Tuesday 26th of May 2009 07:39:32 PM

Just a correction, I actually had Arky Vaughan at number 91, not number 92.

Number 92 will be revealed shortly.

-- Edited by pmoehrin on Sunday 3rd of May 2009 04:41:40 PM

90. Ryne Sandberg

Pos: 2B
Teams:
Philadelphia Phillies 1981
Chicago Cubs 1982-1994, 1996-1997
Biography:
The greatest 2nd baseman of the 1980's, and one of the greatest of all time, Ryno comes in at number 90.

Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1978 draft out of high school, and made his debut as a September call up in the strike shortened '81 season.

Sandberg came to a team that already had a loaded infield with an all star caliber player at all four infield positions, however with the aging Larry Bowa, and Sandberg's natural position being shortstop, it appeared that it was only a matter of time before he would get his chance.

It would never come as Larry Bowa began bickering with the Phillies front office, and demanded to be traded.  A deal was arranged between the Cubs and the Phillies to swap shortstops, as Ivan DeJesus went to the Phillies in exchange for both Bowa, and Sandberg.  The Phillies included Sandberg as a sweetner mainly because they didn't see much star potential in him.

New Cubs general manager Dallas Green thought differently having seen the potential Sandberg had while manager of the Phillies up until the '81 season, and having the knowledge that he could squeeze a guy like Sandberg out of what was viewed as a player of player swap at the time.

Sandberg was inserted into the only position where the Cubs did not have a full time starter as Sandberg moved from short to third for the 1982 season.

Although Sandberg did not have a great year his first full year in the league, his 32 steals, and great defensive play put the Cubs on notice that he probably do more good at a more challenging position.

That offseason the Cubs would sign long time Dodger third baseman Ron Cey, and would move Sandberg over to second.

Sandberg would put up similar offensive numbers he had in the '83 season, and built his reputation as a defense first bat second type player, which helped him to his first ever gold glove award.  An award he would win nine straight times.

The idea of Sandberg as a defense first bat second player would change in one game during the 1984 season.

The date was June 23, 1984.  The game was the National Game of the Week on NBC, and the surprising Cubs took on their fierce rivals, and National League powerhouse St. Louis Cardinals.  The game is argubly the greatest game ever played between the two rivals.

The game would forever put Ryne Sandberg on the map.  In the ninth inning the Cubs trailed the Cardinals 9-8 who had their future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter on the mound.

Sandberg would lead off the inning with a solo Home Run to send it into extra innings, but he was just getting started.

In the top of the tenth Willie McGee would drive in Lonnie Smith, and would later score to put the Cards up 11-9 going into the bottom of the tenth.

With two outs in the bottom of the tenth, and a runner on Sandberg came up once again to face Sutter.  Sandberg would hit his second home run of the guy to tie it a second time.

The Cubs would go on to win the game in the 11th on a single by Dave Owen.

Sandberg would go on to lead the National Leauge in both runs, triples, and winning his first of seven silver slugger awards.  Sandberg would also win his only MVP garnering 97% of the vote.

Sandberg's legacy is unquestioned.  Perhaps no other modern 2nd baseman has had a greater combination of power, speed, and defense quite like Sandberg.

In 2005 Sandberg was inducted on the first ballot, and still works in the Cubs organization currently serving as the manager for the Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs double A affiliate, and has been discussed as a potential replacement for Lou Pinella.

-- Edited by pmoehrin on Friday 8th of May 2009 05:29:03 PM

He is waaaaay too low on the list..... but once again I am speaking with bias here. He was the Ernie Banks of the 80s and 90s for the Cubs. And just a little something that really means nothing but amuses me: He and Michael Jordan were the two biggest sport stars in the city of Chicago during the same time. They both wore number 23. And they both stepped away from their respective sports at about the same time only to come back at essentially the same time. And they both have had there numbers retired by their teams.

in my opinion Sandberg is one of the top 4 2nd baseman of all time aong with Rogers Hornsby, Joe Morgan, and Eddie Collins

88. Joe Cronin

Pos: SS
Teams:
Pittsburgh Pirates 1926-1927
Washington Senators 1928-1934
Boston Red Sox 1935-1945

Biography:
One of the finest middle infielders of the 1930's, Joe Cronin comes into the list at number 88.

Born on October 12, 1906 in San Francisco, Cronin was signed out of High School by the Pirates, and made his debut with the team in during the 1926 season.

Before the 1928 season, Cronin would actually be bought out by a minor league team in Kansas City from the Pirates.  Later that season the Washington Senators would in turn buy him out, and by the end of the season, Cronin was the team's starting shortstop.

Two years later Cronin would have his finest season hitting .346 with over 120 RBI's, and runs scored.

In 1933 Cronin would lead the Senators to their second World Series appearance in franchise history.  By now Cronin had some administrative say with the Senators, as he had married team owner's Clark Griffith's niece, and was the manager of the Senators.

Following the 1934 season, Cronin would be sold to the Boston Red Sox for what was at the time the largest contract ever in baseball history as Tom Yawkey got his new shortstop and manager for a hefty sum of $225,000.

The addition of Cronin gave the Red Sox instant credibility, and with the backing of Yawkey's checkbook, Cronin would help lead the Red Sox back to the top of the American League.

As player manager of the Red Sox, they would only finish below .500 three times, but always played second fiddle to the Yankees.

Despite his greatness as a hitter, it's after his playing career ended for which Cronin is perhaps best known for.

Following his retirement in 1945 from baseball, Cronin would help lead the Red Sox to their first World Series since 1918 only to lose a heartbreaker to the Cardinals in seven games.

Following the 1948 season, Cronin would leave his post as manager of the Red Sox to take up a front office position with the Red Sox becoming their general manager, a position he would hold for a decade until becoming the American League President in 1959.

In 1956 Cronin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in one of the smallest classes in history as the only other person inducted that year was Hank Greenberg.

Cronin's repuation has come under some fire from his days as general manager of the Red Sox.  As GM of the Red Sox Cronin passed on many african amerian players including Willie Mays, and did not make a single deal involving an african american player.  In 1959 following Cronin's departure the Red Sox become the last team in baseball to intergrate with the debut of Pumpsie Green in July of 1959.

In 1984 the Red Sox would retire his number 4.  In September of that year Cronin passed away at the age of 77.

My guess: Luis Aparicio.

86. Joe Medwick

Pos: LF/OF
Teams:
St. Louis Cardinals 1932-1940, 1947-1948
Brooklyn Dodgers 1940-1943, 1946
New York Giants 1943-1945
Boston Braves 1945

Biography:
One of the leaders of the famed Gashouse Gang, and the last man man to win the Triple Crown in the National League, "Ducky" Joe Medwick comes in at number 86.

Born November 24, 1911 in Carteret, New Jersey, Medwick would make his debut in 1932.  The proud product of St. Louis' farm system, Medwick's impact on the Cardinals was almost immediate.  In 1933 Medwick was inserted as the Cardinals starting left fielder, and would find himself as one of the building blocks of the most potent offense in the National League.  Medwick fit right in with the colorful Cardinals, and was given the nickname "Ducky" by the fans because of his slight waddle when he moved.

The following year, Medwick would help lead the Cardinals back to the World Series, where they would face the Detroit Tigers.  It was during this World Series where Mediwck would become involved in one of the most unusual situations in baseball history.

In the sixth inning with the score 9-0 in favor of the Cardinals, Medwick slid hard into third base, getting tangled up with Tigers third baseman Marv Owen.  Tiger fans responded by pelting Medwick with garbage as he took his place out in left field.  In reaction to the Detroit's crowd harsh treatment of Medwick commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis decided to remove Medwick from the game for his own personal safety.  To offset the decision Landis also ordered Owen to be removed from the game.

The decision would prove to have no impact on the game, as the Cardinals easily won the game and the series 11-0.

Without question, Medwick's finest season came in 1937.  That year Medwick hit .374 with 31 homers, and drove in 154 runs, good enough to lead the NL in all three categories, giving him the Triple Crown.  As mentioned before Medwick is the last man to ever win the NL triple crown.

(As I write this, I kid you not, during the Mets game the announcers have incorrectly cited Medwick's triple crown year as coming in '34.)

In the middle of the 1940 season, with his performance slipping slightly the Cardinals elected to sell him to the Brooklyn Dodgers for a record $125,000.

In this regard the Cardinals were well ahead of their time, as they applied many of the concepts that "moneyball" preaches today, by selling off their top stars when they started to slip, in order to make way for younger and better talent.

Although no longer the same player he was in St. Louis, Medwick was productive in Brooklyn, and helped lead the team to the 1941 pennant.

Medwick's performance would continue to steadily decline for the rest of his career, and would spend the last couple of years bouncing around, before finally returning to St. Louis as a part time player where he would end his career.

In 1968, Joe Medwick was elected to the Hall of Fame on his eight ballot, and was named #79 on the Sporting News list of Greatest Players.  Medwick was also a finalist for the All-Century team, and was named the New Jersey athlete of the century in 1999.

-- Edited by pmoehrin on Tuesday 26th of May 2009 07:33:22 PM

84. Ivan Rodriguez

Pos: C
Teams:
Texas Rangers 1991-2002
Florida Marlins 2003
Detroit Tigers 2004-2008
New York Yankees 2008
Houston Astros 2009-present

Biography:
One of only two full time catchers on this list, Ivan Rodriguez comes in at number 84.

Born November 30,1971 in Puerto Rico Rodriguez started out his little league career as a pitcher, but was moved to catcher because his father thought he threw too hard, and it represented too big of an advantage for his team.

Rodriguez would sign with the Rangers while still in High School at the age of 16, and after tearing through the minors was brought up to the Rangers in the middle of the 1991 season at the tender age of 19.

Rodriguez would quickly quiet doubters who thought he was too young by hitting a solid .260, while providing spectacular defense.  Rodriguez's performance was good enough to earn him 4th in the rookie of the year voting, despite only playing half a season.

The following season Rodriguez would make his first of what has been 14 all-star selections, and win his first of what has been 13 gold glove awards.

Considered a defense first, bat second player Rodriguez would shed that reputation in the 1994 season with a .298 batting average, and 14 homers in a strike shortened season, earning him his first silver slugger award.

Pudge's best year came in 1999, when he hit .332 and had career highs in home runs with 32, RBI's with 113, and stolen bases with 25.  His efforts that year were good enough to become the first catcher since Thurman Munson to win the MVP award.

As a catcher Rodriguez has broken multiple records, but his greatest one may come this year.  As of now he is only 15 games shy of breaking the all-time record for most games played by a catcher currently held by Carlton Fisk.

Ivan Rodriguez should be in an conversation when it comes to who is the greatest catcher of all-time, and I have no doubt that he will one day make his way to Cooperstown.

82. Willie McCovey

Pos: 1B
Teams:
San Francisco Giants 1959-1973, 1977-1980
San Diego Padres 1974-1976
Oakland Athletics 1976

Biography:
A six time all-star, and a member of the 500 home run club, "Stretch" Willie McCovey comes in on the list at number 82.

Born January 10, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama, McCovey was signed out of High School by the Giants in 1955.

Although McCovey was one of the first African American players to never play in the Negro Leagues, McCovey still experienced some of the racism of the times.  When playing in the AA Southern League, McCovey was prohibited from playing in certain cities.

Fortunately for McCovey he would quickly move up in the Giants farm system, slugging 29 homers for the Pacific Coast League's Phoenix Giants in his first three months with the club in 1959.

Despite the Giants already having an established first baseman in future Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, McCovey's bat was far too good to let languish in the minors, and he was brought up in late July.

In his first game on July 30, 1959 McCovey went 4-4 against future Hall of Famer and Phillies starter Robin Roberts.  It would be a sign of things to come that year, as McCovey hit .354 with 13 homers, and drove in 38 runs in only 54 games.  For his late season efforts McCovey was named the Rookie of the Year.

McCovey would have a sophomore slump in 1960, only hitting .238, but would rebound over the next two years as he and Cepeda battled for the starting first base position all the while.

Because McCovey was a left handed batter, as opposed to the righty Cepeda McCovey would serve as a platoon player during this time period, with Cepeda usually playing left field when McCovey was in the game.

'62 would also come to be the year of McCovey's most defining moment.

That year the Giants won their first NL pennant in San Francisco, after a season long battle with the Dodgers, with the Giants clinching the pennant on the final day of the season.  With the win, the Giants would go on to face the defending World Series champion New York Yankees.

The Series was a hard fought battle which came down to the 7th game.  In the ninth inning, McCovey came to bat with the Giants trailing 1-0, Matty Alou on third, Willie Mays on second, and Ralph Terry, the same man who gave up a World Series home run to Bill Mazeroski just two years ago on the mound.

McCovey would hit a hard line drive right at 2nd baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the '62 World Series.

Had the hit been as much as one foot to the right, left, or above the head of Richardson, the Giants would have at the very least tied the game, and with the great running ability of Mays at second would have probably won.

A recap of the '62 World Series can be found below in this great 8 minute clip.

http://mivid.net/video/2564/1962-World-Series--Yankees-v-Giants--Republic-of-Baseball

The Giants had finally had enough of the battle between McCovey and Cepeda for the starting first base position, and decided to go with Cepeda as the full time starting 1st baseman, moving McCovey to left field full time.

McCovey would take full advantage of his first full season, leading the National League with 44 home runs, and appearing in his first all-star game.

An injury suffered by Cepeda during the 1965 season would see McCovey move back to first base, where he would remain for the remainder of his career.

The following year believing Cepeda was no longer the same player, the Giants would send Cepeda in a mid-season deal to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Ray Sadecki in what would be one of the most lopsided deals in history.

Cepeda would go on to win the 1967 NL MVP, while Sadecki never became anything more then a mediocre starter.

The move did leave McCovey as the only option the Giants had for first base, as McCovey was a horrible defensive player, and incapable of playing the outfield.

The peak of McCovey's career came in 1969.  That year McCovey would have career highs in home runs with 45, RBI's with 126, and hit over .300 for the first time in his career since his '59 campaign.

His efforts lead to him narrowly beating out Tom Seaver for his first and only MVP award.

McCovey's production would quickly drop after the 1970 season, leading San Francisco to trade the aging McCovey to San Diego, who in turned traded the .203 hitting McCovey to Oakland during the 1976 season.

Coming off a year where he only hit .204, the Giants took advantage of the new free agency market and would give the 39 year old McCovey one last chance.

McCovey would respond with one final great season, as he hit a respectable .280 with 28 homers, and drove in 86 runs.  His performance was good enough to be named the NL comeback player of the year.

Following his retirement in 1980, McCovey was elected into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1986, and was ranked 56th on the Sports News list of the 100 greatest players of all time.

The name McCovey is still known today, as at beautiful "Insert Phone Company name here" Park, the area beyond the right field fence in right is known as McCovey cove.

McCovey has since had his number 44 retired by the Giants, and still remains involved with the club serving as a senior adviser.


-- Edited by pmoehrin on Friday 29th of May 2009 09:47:33 PM

Babe Ruth?

Hank Aaron?

Or maybe Steve Balboni?

Hank Aaron could be around like 20ish around there maybe?

82. Johnny Bench

Pos: C
Teams:
Cincinnati Reds 1967-1983

Biography:
The other, and highest ranking full-time catcher on the list, Johnny Bench comes in at number 82.

Born December 7, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bench was a two sport star in both Baseball, and Basketball in High School, and was the class valedictorian.

Bench was drafted by Cincinnati in the 2nd round of the 1965 draft, and was a late season call up for the 1967 season.  Although Bench bench only hit .163, many including Ted Williams were already considering him one of the greatest defensive catcher they had ever seen.

That off season, the Reds traded away their current starting catcher Johnny Edwards to St. Louis, to allow Bench to win the job outright out of spring training for the 1968 campaign.

In '68 Bench proved to be not only the best defensive catcher in the NL with his first of 10 gold glove awards, but also the best offensive catcher, as he led all NL catchers with 15 homers, and hit a very respectable .275 in a year, where the league batted .243.  All of this helped Bench to his first of 14 All-star appearances, and won him the 1968 Rookie of the Year award.

In 1970, Bench would become the first catcher since the Tigers Rudy York in 1943 to lead a league in Homers, as Bench had one of his finest offensive years ever hitting .293, with 45 dingers, and drove in 148 ruuns, also good enough to lead the National League.

Combined with his gold glove defense behind the plate, Bench was a near unanimous choice for the 1970 NL MVP, and helped lead the Reds to the World Series where they proceeded to run into a brick wall named Brooks Robinson.

Bench would have an off year in 1971, only batting .238, but would rebound the next year in what I believe to be his best year ever.

That year Bench once again led the National League in home runs with 40, and in RBI's with 125, but also walked 100 times.  That year Bench would win his second MVP award, and would again help the Reds to their second World Series appearance in three years, but would once again fall, this time to the Oakland A's in seven games.

In game 5 of the Series, Bench would suffer a somewhat embarrassing moment as on a 3-2 with runners on second and third, the A's appeared to call for an intentional walk to Bench.  The call was a bluff, and the A's pitcher Vida Blue blew a fastball past Bench striking him out.  The Reds would go on to win the game 1-0.

Perhaps Bench's finest moments came during the 1976 World Series.  The Yankees themselves had a great catcher in Thurman Munson who would later be voted the season's MVP, and the series was hyped somewhat as a showdown between the two great catchers.

The Reds lead by Bench would end the showdown even before it started, as Bench hit over .500 for the Series with two homeruns, and was named the series MVP.

It should also be noted that while Bench's performance is remembered, Munson himself also had a great series, as he two hit over .500  Unfortunately for Munson he was just about the only Yankee who produced, as the team hit .222

Munson might have even been on this list, had he not been tragically killed in a plane crash during the 1979 season.

It was also around this time that Bench's great durability was beginning to take a toll on him.  From 1968 through 1975 Bench would play in at least 140 games every year, a feat he would only match one more time during the 1977 season.

For years Bench complained about the toll catching everyday was taking on his body, but because of his great defensive play the Reds were very reluctant to move him out from behind home plate.  This no doubt shortened his career and significantly reduced his offensive output.

In 1980, the Reds would trade for Braves starting catcher Joe Nolan, ending Bench's full time duties behind the plate.

From 1981 until the end of his career the greatest catcher in history would only play 13 games behind the plate.

In 1982, Bench would become Cincinnati's full time starting third baseman, but years of being behind the plate had sucked nearly all the life out of his once potent bat.

Bench would manage to have one last great moment in his career.

On September 17, 1983 in front of a sold out Riverfront Stadium crowd the Reds would have Johnny Bench night.

In a pregame speech Bench thanked the crowd, and simply promised that he would play as hard as he could that night.

In the third inning, Bench would connect off Astros starter Mike Madden for the 389th and final home run of his career.  The game would also mark the final time Bench would mark the final start of his career, fittingly as a catcher.

Upon retiring Bench has had his #5 jersey retired by the Reds, was elected on his first ballot to the Hall of Fame with 96% of the vote, and was named the starting catcher on the all-century team.

Bench remains involved with baseball, and still makes sporadic public appearances.

Johnny Bench was easily the toughest choice on this list.  I have a hard time accepting the greatest catcher of all time being ranked at number 82.

The reason he is on this list, was because above all else I tried to stay consistent.

Is 5 great years, and 5 good years as a catcher the same as 10-15 great years as a position player?

It's tough to say.

As I've said many times in retrospect, my mythology of choosing this list was really unfair to catchers in my opinion.

Catchers offensive stats were boosted much more then other positions, but it can't account for the every day wear and tear that shortens catchers careers, which brings me back to the question is 5 great years, and 5 good years as a catcher the same as 10-15 great years as a position player.

There is no question that all of these should be remembered, and perhaps one day I will do another list specifically for catchers in response to the lack of catchers on this list.

With that being said there is one other player on this list who did spend part of his career as a catcher, and was even an all-star as a catcher, before being converted to another position, but he will not be revealed for quite some time.

-- Edited by pmoehrin on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 05:35:54 AM

81. Fred McGriff

Pos: 1B
Teams:
Toronto Blue Jays 1986-1990
San Diego Padres 1991-1993
Atlanta Braves 1993-1997
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998-2001, 2004
Chicago Cubs 2001-2002
Los Angeles Dodgers 2003

Biography:

Already one of the most debatable Hall of Famers of all time even though he isn't eligible, the Crime Dog, Fred McGriff comes in at number 81.

Born on Halloween, 1963 in Tampa, Florida, McGriff was drafted by the New York Yankees in the eight round of the 1981 draft, McGriff was part of what has come to be one of the most lopsided deals in history, as he along with Mike Morgan, and Dave Collins were sent to Toronto in exchange for Tom Dodd, and Dale Murray.

Murray would never emerge as anything more then a spot starter, while Dodd would have a very undistinguished career with only 13 at-bats.

Collins would continue to put up decent numbers, while a young Mike Morgan would go on to have a very solid career, pitching for what seemed like every team in the Majors, but it's McGriff who makes this deal so lopsided.

McGriff would be called up in '86, but would play his first full season in 1987, as the Blue Jays DH.

His first year in Toronto showed decent power with 20 homers, but a high propensity to strikeout, and a low batting average kept out of more then a platoon role for most of the year.

That offseason, Toronto would send starting first baseman Willie Upshaw to Cleveland for cash, opening up the door for McGriff to be the full time first baseman.

1988 would be McGriff's breakout year as he hit .282 with 34 homers, and drove in 82 runs.

The following year McGriff would lead the AL with 36 home runs, and would lead the AL in OPS.  His efforts were good enough to win his first silver slugger award, and finished 6th in MVP voting.

That year the Blue Jays would also win the American League East title, but would be done in by the eventual World Champion Oakland A's in five games, as McGriff had a very forgetful postseason, hitting only .143

McGriff would improve in nearly every offensive category the following year, even batting over .300 for the first time in his career.

That offseason, McGriff would be involved in a huge blockbuster deal, that would see him along with Tony Fernandez go to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Joe Carter, and Roberto Alomar.  The move was made largely because of the presence of John Olerud.

Alomar, and Carter would go on to be building blocks of the Blue Jays two consecutive World Series titles, while San Diego would never receive the full benefit of McGriff, and Fernandez.

The league switch had no effect on McGriff as he drove over 100 runs for the first time in his career as a member of the Padres, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting for the third straight time.

1992 would be one McGriff's best years, as he led the NL in home runs with 35 and drove in 104 runs, winning his second silver slugger award.

That year McGriff would also make his first all-star team, despite finishing in the top 25 in MVP voting the previous 4 years.

In 1993 the Padres would get off to a bad start, and management decided to have a fire sale.  On July 18th, the Padres would send Fred McGriff along to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for three minor leaguers.  On that same day an omen of what was to come would happen.


Fortunately nobody would be hurt in the blaze, although the game would be delayed for two days.

In his first day in Atlanta McGriff would hit a two run home run, leading Atlanta to the first of what would be many wins.

At the time of the deal, the Braves were 53-40 and 8 games behind the Giants.  After the acquisition of McGriff the Braves would go on an incredible run going 51-18 after acquiring McGriff, and winning the NL west title on the final day of the regular season, as San Francisco would set the record for the best record of any team to not win a division going 103-59.

In his 68 games with the Braves McGriff would bat .310, and hit 19 home runs, winning his third silver slugger award, and finishing 4th in the MVP voting.

In the postseason, the Braves would be done in by the Phillies who would go on to lose the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays in 6 games on a game winning home run by the man who the Blue Jays got in return for McGriff, Joe Carter.

1994 would prove to be McGriff's best year.  Despite the year being shortened due to a players strike, McGriff would hit .318 with 34 home runs, and 94 RBI's in only 113 games.

McGriff would be at the center of the Braves 1995 World Series title run, appearing in his third all-star game, and finishing in the top 25 in MVP voting for the 8th consecutive year.

In the World Series McGriff would belt two home runs, as the Braves would win their first World Championship in Atlanta, with Tom Glavine being named World Series MVP.

Before the 1998 season, McGriff would go home to Tampa, singing with his hometown Devil Rays, being about the only good player on some of the worst teams baseball has ever seen.

McGriff would spend the last couple years of his career bouncing around several teams, before an injury plagued season with the Dodgers effectively ended his career.

The Devil Rays would bring him back for one more shot at 500 home runs for the 2004 season, but after 27 games, McGriff only had 2 home runs, and was hitting .181.  Not even the Devil Rays could afford such a bat in their lineup, and he was promptly released ending his career just 7 home runs shy of 500.

Because of his experience in both the American and National leagues, along with an explosion of new ballparks, and inter league play, McGriff is the proud co-holder along with Ken Griffey Jr. of one of the most unusual records in Major League history, having homered in the most ballparks of any player with 43 different parks falling victim to the Crime Dog.

Perhaps Fred McGriff will be remembered best not for what he did on the field, but for a commercial.

To this day, Fred McGriff is the king of the graveyard time slot endorsing the Tom Emanski defensive drills video.

The commercial was shoot back in 1991, when McGriff was still a Padre.

Since then Emanski has since gone into seclusion, with his current whereabouts unknown, as he is wanted by the IRS for backed taxes.  It's believed Emanski's wealth is around $75 million.

In my view McGriff is a slam dunk Hall of Famer.  While he was not the best first baseman of his era most people point to the steroid era for inflating his numbers.  Yet he had already led the league in home runs twice before 1994 (the believed beginning of the steroid era by most)

The best argument against McGriff is better then syndrome.  At no point during McGriff's career could you make the argument that McGriff was the unquestioned best first baseman.

I think this argument is a poor one, and only one that has come in recent years.

If this argument was applied to everyone in the Hall of Fame, half the players inducted should be thrown out.

My view on McGriff is one of the most under appreciated players of his era, who I hope will one day make it to Cooperstown.

He is up for induction next year, but the way the Hall of Fame voting has gone recently I doubt he will get in on the first try.

-- Edited by pmoehrin on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 05:35:07 AM