Infield: Shortstop Miguel Tejada (1997- ) played in more games and had more at-bats than any other player in the first decade of the 21st century. He’s durable – in fact, his consecutive game streak of 1,152 games is the fifth longest in history – and he’s productive, too. More than 450 doubles, more than 300 home runs, over 1,200 in both runs and RBI, plus an MVP award. Not bad numbers for a shortstop. Meanwhile, over at first base, Mark Teixeira (2003- ) is in mid-career and piling up numbers. He’s a switch-hitter who knocks the crap out of the ball and plays Gold Glove defense. Second baseman Manny Trillo (1973-89) once went 89 games without an error, covering 479 consecutive chances, which at the time was a record. When he made an error to break the streak, he flung his glove to the ground and kicked it across the infield. He was a .263 hitter with no power, walks or speed to speak of, but he was an adequate enough hitter and a good enough fielder to last for a long time. Third baseman Mark Teahen (2005- ) isn’t any kind of star, but he’s a functional player. He’ll hit .270 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs and maybe 10 stolen bases, draw a few walks.
Outfield: Left fielder Mike Tiernan (1887-99) had a career batting average of .311, and while it’s not always easy to interpret batting stats from the 19th century, we know that he led the National League in several statistical categories in various years, including home runs, runs, slugging percentage and walks. Right fielder Michael Tucker (1995-2006) had nine straight years between 11-15 home runs. In six of those seasons, he was also in double-digits in stolen bases, though only once did he have more than 20. You pretty much knew what you were going to get out of him. Center fielder Milt Thompson (1984-96) was kind of similar to Tucker – more speed and less power, but he was a guy who would hit .270 and give you enough production to hold down a position for a year or two until a better player came along.
Catcher: Mickey Tettleton (1984-97) was a terrific player, but it took baseball folks forever to figure that out, partly because of injuries during his 20s and partly because people were still obsessed with batting average at that time. When he finally became a regular, he averaged about 100 walks and 30 home runs until he was 35 years old. He claimed he got his power from eating Fruit Loops every morning, and he had an odd batting stance – from either side of the plate – in which he stood straight up with his arms relaxed and his bat parallel to the ground at about waist level.
Rotation: Mike Torrez (1967-84) was a durable righty who would take his turn every fourth or fifth day and would win 15-20 games like clockwork. Finished with 185 victories. Never a star (in fact, he never appeared in an all-star game), but a dependable starter. He had two complete game victories for the Yankees in the 1977 World Series; he joined the Red Sox the following season but still found a way to help the Yanks get back to the Series, giving up the legendary home run to Mr. Bucky F. Dent in the one game playoff to determine the AL East title. Mark Thurmond (1983-90) was a lefty who came up as a starter with San Diego and had a good year on the 1984 pennant-winning Padres (14-8, 2.97) but shortly thereafter switched to the bullpen. We need him in the rotation here. Mike Thurman (1997-2002) pitched for the Expos, but not very successfully. Mike Thompson (1971-75) was a wild righty who went 1-15 for three teams. Around the strike zone enough to give up a hit per inning, but also wild enough to walk seven batters per nine innings. Not a good combination. Mark Thompson (1994-2000) had a 5.74 ERA, which isn’t as bad as it sounds because he spent most of his career in Colorado, but which still isn’t good. (Yes, it’s a confusing rotation – two Mikes, two Marks, two Thompsons, a Thurman and a Thurmond.)
Bullpen: Closer Mike Timlin (1991-2008) won 75 games and saved 141. He is seventh all-time in games pitched (1,058), and he was on four World Series champions (two in Toronto, two in Boston). Efficient, but not overpowering. Matt Thornton (2004- ) is a 6-foot-6 lefty who throws smoke. He's done some fine work in the set-up role for the White Sox. Mike Trombley (1992-2002) came out of Duke University and had a fine career as a durable set-up guy. Matt Turner (1993-94) had a really good rookie year for the Marlins, got traded to Cleveland and got off to a great start in ’94 – and then was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. He survived the cancer, but his career didn’t. He never pitched in the majors again, and was not very successful in his to come back through the minors. Mike Trujillo (1985-89) knocked around Boston, Seattle and Detroit for a few years. Mike Thompson (2006-07) is a different guy than the Mike Thompson who is in the rotation. He’s not a very good pitcher either. Myles Thomas (1926-30) went 7-4 for the 1927 Yankees. He was able to do this not because he pitched well, but because the Yankees scored almost 1,000 runs that season while no one else in the AL scored 850.
Bench: Backup catcher Mike Tresh (1938-49) couldn’t hit, but he had a good glove and will serve as Tettleton’s defensive sub. Marcus Thames (2002- ) has a ton of power but doesn’t bring much else to the table. That said, he’s got power, so he will see some starting time in the outfield, especially against lefties. (Worth noting: His first name is Marcus and his middle name is Markley.) Mike Tyson (1972-81) was nothing at all like the heavyweight champ of the same name. This guy was a 5-foot-9 middle infielder with no stick but a decent glove. Because he seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time “adjusting himself” at home plate, he was affectionately known among young Cardinals fans as “Ol’ Jock Itch.” Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo (2008- ) doesn't hit much, but it’s great fun to say his name. We couldn’t have an MT team without the legendary first baseman Marvelous Marv Throneberry (1955-63), who became the iconic symbol of the hapless expansion Mets. There are many stories of his exploits on the field, but the most famous is the time he tripled but was called out for missing both first and second base. (When the next batter hit a home run, Casey Stengel followed him around the bases and pointed at each bag, just to be sure.)
Manager: Milt Thompson seems to be doing a fine job as the Phillies’ hitting coach. He’ll be player-manager here.
Outfield: Left fielder Mike Tiernan (1887-99) had a career batting average of .311, and while it’s not always easy to interpret batting stats from the 19th century, we know that he led the National League in several statistical categories in various years, including home runs, runs, slugging percentage and walks. Right fielder Michael Tucker (1995-2006) had nine straight years between 11-15 home runs. In six of those seasons, he was also in double-digits in stolen bases, though only once did he have more than 20. You pretty much knew what you were going to get out of him. Center fielder Milt Thompson (1984-96) was kind of similar to Tucker – more speed and less power, but he was a guy who would hit .270 and give you enough production to hold down a position for a year or two until a better player came along.
Catcher: Mickey Tettleton (1984-97) was a terrific player, but it took baseball folks forever to figure that out, partly because of injuries during his 20s and partly because people were still obsessed with batting average at that time. When he finally became a regular, he averaged about 100 walks and 30 home runs until he was 35 years old. He claimed he got his power from eating Fruit Loops every morning, and he had an odd batting stance – from either side of the plate – in which he stood straight up with his arms relaxed and his bat parallel to the ground at about waist level.
Rotation: Mike Torrez (1967-84) was a durable righty who would take his turn every fourth or fifth day and would win 15-20 games like clockwork. Finished with 185 victories. Never a star (in fact, he never appeared in an all-star game), but a dependable starter. He had two complete game victories for the Yankees in the 1977 World Series; he joined the Red Sox the following season but still found a way to help the Yanks get back to the Series, giving up the legendary home run to Mr. Bucky F. Dent in the one game playoff to determine the AL East title. Mark Thurmond (1983-90) was a lefty who came up as a starter with San Diego and had a good year on the 1984 pennant-winning Padres (14-8, 2.97) but shortly thereafter switched to the bullpen. We need him in the rotation here. Mike Thurman (1997-2002) pitched for the Expos, but not very successfully. Mike Thompson (1971-75) was a wild righty who went 1-15 for three teams. Around the strike zone enough to give up a hit per inning, but also wild enough to walk seven batters per nine innings. Not a good combination. Mark Thompson (1994-2000) had a 5.74 ERA, which isn’t as bad as it sounds because he spent most of his career in Colorado, but which still isn’t good. (Yes, it’s a confusing rotation – two Mikes, two Marks, two Thompsons, a Thurman and a Thurmond.)
Bullpen: Closer Mike Timlin (1991-2008) won 75 games and saved 141. He is seventh all-time in games pitched (1,058), and he was on four World Series champions (two in Toronto, two in Boston). Efficient, but not overpowering. Matt Thornton (2004- ) is a 6-foot-6 lefty who throws smoke. He's done some fine work in the set-up role for the White Sox. Mike Trombley (1992-2002) came out of Duke University and had a fine career as a durable set-up guy. Matt Turner (1993-94) had a really good rookie year for the Marlins, got traded to Cleveland and got off to a great start in ’94 – and then was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. He survived the cancer, but his career didn’t. He never pitched in the majors again, and was not very successful in his to come back through the minors. Mike Trujillo (1985-89) knocked around Boston, Seattle and Detroit for a few years. Mike Thompson (2006-07) is a different guy than the Mike Thompson who is in the rotation. He’s not a very good pitcher either. Myles Thomas (1926-30) went 7-4 for the 1927 Yankees. He was able to do this not because he pitched well, but because the Yankees scored almost 1,000 runs that season while no one else in the AL scored 850.
Bench: Backup catcher Mike Tresh (1938-49) couldn’t hit, but he had a good glove and will serve as Tettleton’s defensive sub. Marcus Thames (2002- ) has a ton of power but doesn’t bring much else to the table. That said, he’s got power, so he will see some starting time in the outfield, especially against lefties. (Worth noting: His first name is Marcus and his middle name is Markley.) Mike Tyson (1972-81) was nothing at all like the heavyweight champ of the same name. This guy was a 5-foot-9 middle infielder with no stick but a decent glove. Because he seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time “adjusting himself” at home plate, he was affectionately known among young Cardinals fans as “Ol’ Jock Itch.” Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo (2008- ) doesn't hit much, but it’s great fun to say his name. We couldn’t have an MT team without the legendary first baseman Marvelous Marv Throneberry (1955-63), who became the iconic symbol of the hapless expansion Mets. There are many stories of his exploits on the field, but the most famous is the time he tripled but was called out for missing both first and second base. (When the next batter hit a home run, Casey Stengel followed him around the bases and pointed at each bag, just to be sure.)
Manager: Milt Thompson seems to be doing a fine job as the Phillies’ hitting coach. He’ll be player-manager here.
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