Infield: First baseman Miguel Cabrera (2004- ) is a hitting machine, with numbers so consistent that they recall Eddie Murray in the 1980s. At the start of the season, pencil him in for 160 games, a .320 average with 35 doubles, 33 home runs, 115 RBI and 65 walks. If he deviates from those numbers, it won't be by much. Michael Cuddyer (2001- ), a local boy from here in Chesapeake, arrived in the majors as a third baseman but ultimately established himself in the outfield. He can play at any of the corners, but this team needs him at third. He's a consistent .270 hitter who hustles and has power, and he's batted .365 in 19 postseason games. His hobby is magic - how cool is that? Shortstop Monte Cross (1892-1907) was a good glove man who couldn't hit (though he does have the distinction of hitting the majors' first home run of the 20th century). Second baseman Miguel Cairo (1996- ) is fairly similar to Monte Cross, a light-hitting glove man who has lasted a long time. In fact, he's still playing regularly in 2011, even though he's one of those guys who seems like he retired five years ago.
Outfield: Center fielder Max Carey (1910-29) led the league in steals 10 times. He was a good hitter who drew some walks, and on a good team he would score 100 or more runs. When he finally made it to the World Series at age 35, he batted .458 including a 4-for-5 day in Game 7, to lead the Pirates to the 1925 title. He was a fantastic defensive center fielder, but then, so is Mike Cameron (1995- ). For now, Cameron will shift to right, but either one would supply Gold Glove defense in center. As a hitter, Cameron bats .250 and he is in the top 10 in all-time strikeouts (yeah, that surprised us, too). But he also has more than 250 home runs and almost 300 steals at an 80 percent success rate. He's scored 1,000 runs but it looks like he may run out of gas before he reaches 1,000 RBI. Left fielder Marty Cordova (1995-2003) was the AL's Rookie of the Year in '95 (.277 with 24 home runs) and continued to play well for several seasons. He once missed a ballgame because he fell asleep on his tanning bed and was so badly burned that he was unable to play.
Catcher: Mickey Cochrane (1925-37) is one of the best and most fascinating players of all time. He was a .320 hitter with power and a great batting eye (217 strikeouts and 857 walks - that'll do, kid), a smart, fiery ballplayer and a respected leader. He played on five pennant winners and three World Series champions. He was still a fine player at age 34 when his career was ended by a beanball that almost killed him.
Rotation: Mort Cooper (1938-49) was a star for the Cardinals, a three-time 20-game winner, NL MVP in 1942 and helped St. Louis to three pennants and two championships. On Oct. 6, 1943, Cooper got word that his father had died. He pitched a complete game that day to beat the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series. His brother Walker was the catcher. They went home for the funeral, then rejoined the team and helped the Cardinals win the Series. Cuban lefty Mike Cuellar (1959-77) won 185 games, most of them as part of Earl Weaver's great pitching staff in Baltimore with Palmer and McNally. He made 12 postseason starts with a 2.85 ERA. Matt Cain (2005- ) is just getting started, but we like where he's headed. Mike Caldwell (1971-84) was a tough lefty who always looked like he needed a shave, and he wore a dirty cap pulled down low over his face. He won 137 games in his career. Matt Clement (1998-2006) threw hard and wild. He gave up a lot of walks, led the league in wild pitches three times but was difficult to hit and struck out almost eight batters per game. Shoulder injuries stopped his career at age 31, and after several aborted comebacks he went home and became basketball coach at his old high school.
Bullpen: Mark Clear (1979-90) gave up very few hits, lots of walks and lots of strikeouts. He was an effective pitcher for a decade, sometimes closing and sometimes in middle relief. (When he and Chuck Rainey would warm up side-by-side, the broadcaster would say "It's Clear and Rainey in the Boston bullpen," and everyone would laugh.) Clear starts out as the team's closer. Matt Capps (2005- ) could take that role away from him. He seems to have rebounded from a ghastly 2009 season and is getting people out again. Well over 100 saves and still going strong. Another contemporary reliever, Manuel Corpas (2006- ) could eventually insert himself into the closer mix as well. Mark Clark (1991-2000) was primarily a starter, and he had some good seasons, so he'll be ready to make spot starts if Clement breaks down or takes a line drive off the noggin. Mike Corkins (1969-74) was a swingman on the expansion Padres. Lefty Mike Cvengros (1922-29) had a decent major-league career and then went back and won another 100 games in the minors. Lefty Mike Cosgrove (1972-76) never quite mastered the strike zone.
Bench: Mark Carreon (1987-96) and Melky Cabrera (2005- ) are solid backup outfielders. Corner infielder Merv Connors (1937-38) played 2,100 games in the minors, batting .295 and hitting 400 home runs, and in his brief time in the majors he hit well. In 24 games with the White Sox in '38, he batted .355 and slugged .710, but oddly enough, that was his last shot in the majors. Merl Combs (1947-52) was an infielder who batted .202. Mike Colbern (1978-79) is the backup catcher, but we don't think Cochrane is sweating any.
Manager: Mickey Cochrane, player-manager. He won two pennants and a World Series in that capacity with Detroit. This is his team.
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