Throughout the years, we have seen every side of baseball and thousands of players hit the Major League ranks. It’s difficult to put just one guy at each position to form an All-Star Team. But what if you were given the chance to take all the baseball players who ever lived and put them on one baseball team together? I was given that opportunity.
Before I start, remember this article was written to create an all-time All-Star team. These aren’t necessarily the top players to ever suit up. Instead, it’s all about forming the best team and players at specific positions.
Starting Pitcher: Tom Seaver (311-205, 2.86 ERA and 3,640 Strikeouts)
Over the course of his 20-year MLB career, Tom Terrific maintained a 2.86 ERA with a 311-205 record. He won three Cy Young awards, earned 12 trips to the All-Star Game and won a World Series with the Miracle Mets in 1969. He also recorded 3,640 strikeouts and was inducted into the Hall of Fame with 99 percent of the vote.
Starting Pitcher: Cy Young (511-316, 2.63 ERA and 7,356 innings pitched)
Isn’t it obvious enough? The prestigious award was named after the famous Cy Young. In Young’s 22-year career, he had a 511-316 record with a 2.63 ERA. In 1901, he won the Triple Crown and in 1937 he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To put Young’s career in perspective, he pitched over 400 innings in a single season five times in his career and tallied 300-plus innings pitched in his first 15 MLB seasons. Young won 20-plus games 15 times and threw a ridiculous 749 complete games. Those are just insane numbers.
Safe to say this guy is a well-known name in baseball and all sports for that matter. He’s among the best baseball players in the history of the game.
Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander (145-84, 3.50 ERA and 1,764 strikeouts)
Obviously he’s not that good at baseball, but he’s dating a supermodel. So what else matters? I of course am kidding. The six-time All-Star has won both the AL MVP and Cy Young awards. In 2009, 2011, and 2012 he led the American League in strikeouts and has thrown two no-hitters.
Starting Pitcher: Nolan Ryan (324-292, 3.19 ERA and 5,714 strikeouts)
Nolan Ryan made his debut in 1966, and he definitely made a name for himself. The righty had a 27-year career and a 324-292 record with a 3.19 ERA. He also put up a Major League record 5,714 strikeouts, which is nearly 1,000 more than the second player (Randy Johnson) on the all-time list. His seven career no-hitters are still the most in MLB history and more than nearly half the franchises. And this is also the best picture he has ever taken. The camera loves you, Nolan.
And likely one of the greatest videos ever made.
Starting Pitcher: Walter Johnson (417-279, 2.17 ERA and 3,509 strikeouts)
Hall of Famer Walter Johnson has some records that have yet to be broken. He remains the all-time career leader in shutouts (110) and is second in wins with 417. The thing I admire most about Joshnson is the attitude he displayed towards the game. Sources say he was a gentle soul who was competitive, but in a friendly way. That’s someone every team deserves. Johnson also earned two AL MVP awards and led the league in strikeouts 12 times.
Relief Pitcher: Mariano Rivera (82-60, 2.21 ERA, 1,173 strikeouts and 652 saves)
Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all time. He played in 1,115 games in his 19-year career and had a ridiculous ERA of 2.21. He’s a 13-time All-Star, five-time World Series champion and was even crowned the 1999 World Series MVP. I think you all can relate to me when I say we are still in shock he has retired. Nothing but respect for the Sandman.
Relief Pitcher: Trevor Hoffman (61-75, 2.87 ERA, 1,133 strikeouts and 601 saves)
Hoffman, who was an original member of the Florida Marlins back in 1993, made his name known in Southern California with the San Diego Padres. He held the all-time saves title until Rivera broke it, but Hoffman is considered one of the best relief pitchers of all-time. He earned seven trips to the All-Star game and finished second in the NL Cy Young voting twice.
Relief Pitcher: Dennis Eckersley (197-171, 3.50 ERA, 2,401 strikeouts and 390 saves)
Not only is Dennis Eckersley sixth on all-time saves list, he was also the first reliever to make the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. After making the transition from starting to relieving, Eck was downright dominating.
He posted a 0.61 ERA with 73 strikeouts and four walks during a Cy Young-winning 1990 campaign for the Oakland Athletics. The greatest single-season for a closer in MLB history. More importantly, he was one of the pioneers in MLB mustaches.
Relief Pitcher: Craig Kimbrel (15-8, 1.47 ERA, 441 strikeouts and 166 saves)
I put Kimbrel on here because someone asked me what one of my biggest fears in the world was, and I answered with “facing Craig Kimbrel in an at-bat.” Kimbrel leads his league in saves with 27 and he throws ridiculously hard. This year’s All-Star has a 1.47 ERA with 441 strikeouts in his career. He’s also led the NL in saves in each of the last three seasons. If Kimbrel’s success continues, it won’t be too long before he tops “Mo” as the all-time saves leader. While he isn’t quite a “legend” yet, he definitely will be.
Relief Pitcher: Lee Smith (71-92, 3.03 ERA, 1,251 strikeouts and 478 saves)
While Smith isn’t a Hall of Famer, he has been called one of the most dominant closers in MLB history. He earned seven trips to the All-Star Game, posted 30-plus saves 10 times and finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting four times.
Relief Pitcher: Rich Gossage (124-107, 3.01 ERA, 1,502 strikeouts and 310 saves)
According to Bleacher Report, “Goose” Gossage was one of the best closers in the league from 1975-1985. The Hall of Famer also accumulated a 3.01 ERA in his 22-year career. Now retired, Goose has a Youth Sports Complex named after him in his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Catcher: Yadier Molina (.284 average, 96 homers, 576 RBI’s and 242 doubles)
I don’t have any tattoos, but I can imagine it takes a guy who doesn’t fear pain to get one on his neck. The name “Molina” has to be one of the most popular in the sport of baseball. Yadier is not only a two-time World Series champion, but he is one of the most feared players behind and at the plate. He has earned six Gold Glove awards and has been named to six All-Star teams. Over his 11-year career, Molina has a .284 batting average and 96 bombs. He also just kind of scares me a lot.
Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez (.296 average, 311 homers, 1,332 RBI’s and 572 doubles)
Looking at “Pudge” Rodriguez’s resume, you tend to lose all confidence that you’ve had in yourself. The catcher has been in 14 All-Star uniforms, won 13 Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards and won the AL MVP award two times. He also won the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
Shortstop: Derek Jeter (3,403 hits, .311 average, 258 homers, 1,258 RBI’s and 354 stolen bases)
The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Derek Jeter. This is his last year as a member of the Yankees, and it’s sad to see him go. The Captain doesn’t just have an impressive resume when it comes to the ladies, but he also has an impressive resume on the field. Over two decades Jeter has 14 All-Star appearances, five World Series titles, five Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers and was the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year. He has been with the Yankees his entire career and holds many records for active players in MLB.
Second Base: Jackie Robinson (1,518 hits, .311 average, 137 homers, 734 RBI’s and 197 stolen bases)
When I was asked to name the most influential person in sixth grade, Jackie Robinson’s name came to mind first. I always admired Jackie for breaking the color barrier in MLB, in part because I hoped someday someone could break the gender barrier.
In addition to changing the history of America’s Favorite Pastime, Robinson batted .311 with 1,518 hits, 137 home runs and stole 197 bases . He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and left a legacy that still stands in MLB today.
Third Base: Brooks Robinson (2,848 hits, .267 average, 268 homers and 1,357 RBI’s)
No relation to Jackie, this Robinson was among the best fielders in the history of the game. He won a ridiculous 16 Gold Glove awards and earned 18 All-Star appearances in a lengthy 23-year career…all with the Baltimore Orioles. That’s just something you don’t see today, ask LeBron James. Overall, Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame with nearly 92 percent of the vote in 1983.
Shorstop/Third Base: Cal Ripken Jr. (3,184 hits, .276 average, 431 homers and 1,695 RBI’s)
The Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr. holds the most unreachable record in all of sports. And that is the record for 2,632 consecutive games played. He is a 19-time All-Star, two-time MVP and earned eight Silver Slugger awards. His No. 8 jersey is retired and he remains one of the best shortstops to ever step foot on a Major League Baseball field.
Second Base: Joe Morgan (2,517 hits, .271 average, 268 homers, 1,133 RBI’s and 689 stolen bases)
Hall of Famer Joe Morgan had it all. He won two MVP awards and was selected to 10 All-Star teams. Having him turn a double-play for my team would be masterful, as he won five Gold Glove awards.
First Base: Lou Gehrig (2,721 hits, .340 average, 493 homers, 1,995 RBI’s and 534 doubles)
Quite literally one of the great players in the history of any sport, Gehrig was downright dominating during a 17-year career with the Yankees. His .340 career batting average is among the best of all-time. In addition to that, Gehrig won the Triple Crown in 1934, was a member of six World Series champions and won the AL home run crown three times.
Outfield: Ty Cobb (4,189 hits, .366 average, 117 homers, 1,938 RBI’s and 897 stolen bases)
Ty Cobb was once one of the most-hated athletes in the United States. He played all-out on the baseball field and fans of opposing teams didn’t like it all too well. Heck, neither did players on other teams.
With that said, Cobb still remains one of the greatest players of all-time. He held the all-time hits record until Pete Rose broke it some 60 years after the fact. In addition to that, Cobb won 12 batting titles, earned the Triple Crown 1909 and still possesses the highest batting average in the history of the game.
Outfield: Tony Gwynn (3,141 hits, .338 average, 135 homers, 1,138 RBI’s and 319 stolen bases)
Recently, a prominent member of the baseball family was taken away from us. Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, was not only a great guy on the field, but off of it as well. On the field he accumulated a .338 batting average and 3,141 hits. The 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee stayed with the San Diego Padres throughout his career where he sported his famous No. 19 jersey.
Outfield: Barry Bonds (2,935 hits, .298 average, 762 homers, 1,996 RBI’s and 514 stolen bases)
Let’s all relax now. I know your first thought in your head is “steroids,” but even when he was with the Pirates and the term PEDs wasn’t spoken, he had Hall of Fame numbers. And he still deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and on my roster. Not only is Bonds the single season and all-time home run king, he finished his career with the most walks and intentional walks in the history of the game. In addition to that, Bonds racked up over 500 stolen bases and won four consecutive NL MVP awards.
Outfield: Mickey Mantle (2,415 hits, .298 average, 536 homers, 1,509 RBI’s and 344 doubles)
Mickey Mantle is one of the most recognizable names in the history of sports, not just baseball. In 18 seasons the guy racked up an impressive amount of honors to brag about. In those 18 seasons, he made the postseason 12 times, earned so many All-Star appearances that you have to include all your toes and fingers to count. Mantle also won the Triple Crown in 1956 and earned three MVP awards. Too bad Mantle’s knees couldn’t hold up, as he started to decline at the age of 32 due to injuries.
Outfield: Babe Ruth (2,873 hits, .342 average, 714 homers, 2,214 RBI’s and 506 stolen bases)
He’s that wimpy deer you heard about in The Sandlot and a legend above anything else when it comes to America’s Favorite Pastime. George Herman Ruth is the one guy that everyone recognizes. Whether you bring a girl to a game who has never seen a baseball game in her life, or bring your son to his first Little League experience, they have heard of him. Babe Ruth was selected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
To put into perspective Ruth’s utter domination, he was the American League ERA champion as a pitcher in 1916 and led the league with 54 home runs just six years later.
Outfield: Willie Mays (3,283 hits, .302 average, 660 homers, 1,903 RBI’s and 338 stolen bases)
Say Hey Kid is still among the greatest players to ever put on a baseball uniform. He earned a ridiculous 24 All-Star appearances and won 12 Gold Glove awards during a Hall of Fame career. Moving out west with the Giants in 1958, Mays became the face of baseball in a region that was just getting used to having hometown teams. Mays still ranks fourth on the all-time list with 660 homers.
Outfield: Hank Aaron (3,771 hits, .305 average, 755 homers, 2,297 RBI’s and 624 doubles)
Aaron, who many still consider the all-time home run king, earned 25 All-Star appearances during his playing career. The reason why Aaron’s single-season achievements don’t match his overall performance was that he played so well for such a long period of time. Hammerin’ Hank hit 30-plus homers a total of 15 times and drove in 100-plus runs 11 times.
He still holds the MLB records in RBI’s, total bases and extra-base hits. While not the all-around player of some on this list, Aaron was simply one of the greatest power hitters to step on to a baseball diamond.
Photo: courtesy of MSN