Infield: Second baseman Craig Biggio (1988-2007) had a pretty remarkable career. He came up as a catcher, switched – against all odds – to second base and became a Gold Glove winner. Throughout the 1990s, he was on base constantly, hit tons of doubles, stole bases at a high percentage, and once played 162 games and grounded into zero double plays – but no one ever realized what a great player he had become. He finished his career with 3,060 hits, including 668 doubles (fifth all-time). He drew a good number of walks and was hit by a pitch more than anyone since the 19th century, helping him to score 1,844 runs. He stole 414 bases, hit 291 home runs and won four Gold Gloves. While Biggio’s career was marked by long, steady production, third baseman Carloa Baerga (1990-2005) was the opposite – a guy who made his name with a handful of big years in his mid-20s. From 1992-95, Baerga batted between .312-.321, drove in 100 runs twice and scored 100 once, and played in three all-star games. He was never that good again. Still, he had a good career – a .291 average, 134 homeruns, 774 RBI and 731 runs. Lefty Curt Blefary (1965-72) and righty Casey Blake (1999- ) will platoon at first base. Blefary had limited athletic skills but worked hard and did a lot right. He only batted .235, but he drew a lot of walks and hit 112 home runs while bouncing around several teams. Jim Bouton, a teammate on the 1969 Astros, said of Blefary’s competitive nature: “If I had to be in a foxhole I'd like him in there with me. He's the kind who picks up hand grenades and throws them back.” Blake is a .264 hitter with 162 career home runs. Shortstop Clint Barmes (2003- ) is a good glove man and a very ordinary hitter – well, he’d be an ordinary hitter if he would take a walk now and then.
Outfield: Center fielder Cool Papa Bell was a Negro League legend, primarily for the St. Louis Stars, and reputed to be the fastest man in all of baseball during the 1920s and early ‘30s. Satchel Paige used to tell stories about Bell’s speed – how he could hit the light switch and be in bed before the room got dark, or the time he hit a line drive up the middle and the ball hit him in the butt as he slid into second base. Paige once said: “If Cool Papa had known about colleges, or if colleges had known about Cool Papa, Jesse Owens would have looked like he was walking.” He hit for a good average with a little bit of power and played a fine center field. Baseball historian Bill James observed that if Bell had played in the majors, “he would have been a 3,000-hit man, easily.” He retired before the color line fell, but he was a respected scout who helped sign many of the top Negro Leaguers who made the move into the majors following Jackie Robinson. Carlos Beltran (1998- ) has won three Gold Gloves in center, so it will be an open competition with Cool Papa to see which one of these guys stays in center and which one moves to left field. Either way, the defense will be spectacular. Beltran came up with the Royals as a five-tool star, and he got traded to Houston in mid-season 2004 during the final year of his contract. During the postseason that year, Beltran put on a stunning show – he batted .438 with eight home runs in a dozen games, scoring 21 runs, driving in 14 and stealing six bases without getting caught. That earned him a big free agent deal with the Mets, where he continued to produce until injuries began to slow him in 2009-10. He’s in his mid-30s and looking to get his career back on track. As it stands now, he has pushed past 300 home runs and is coming up on 300 stolen bases (at a success rate near 90 pecent). He is over 1,100 in both runs and RBI. Right fielder Chester Brooks was a Negro League star of the 1920s, a consistent .300 hitter who isn't much remembered today in large part because he played for the moribund Brooklyn Royal Giants (which is sort of like a major-leaguer spending his entire career with the St. Louis Browns).
Outfield: Center fielder Cool Papa Bell was a Negro League legend, primarily for the St. Louis Stars, and reputed to be the fastest man in all of baseball during the 1920s and early ‘30s. Satchel Paige used to tell stories about Bell’s speed – how he could hit the light switch and be in bed before the room got dark, or the time he hit a line drive up the middle and the ball hit him in the butt as he slid into second base. Paige once said: “If Cool Papa had known about colleges, or if colleges had known about Cool Papa, Jesse Owens would have looked like he was walking.” He hit for a good average with a little bit of power and played a fine center field. Baseball historian Bill James observed that if Bell had played in the majors, “he would have been a 3,000-hit man, easily.” He retired before the color line fell, but he was a respected scout who helped sign many of the top Negro Leaguers who made the move into the majors following Jackie Robinson. Carlos Beltran (1998- ) has won three Gold Gloves in center, so it will be an open competition with Cool Papa to see which one of these guys stays in center and which one moves to left field. Either way, the defense will be spectacular. Beltran came up with the Royals as a five-tool star, and he got traded to Houston in mid-season 2004 during the final year of his contract. During the postseason that year, Beltran put on a stunning show – he batted .438 with eight home runs in a dozen games, scoring 21 runs, driving in 14 and stealing six bases without getting caught. That earned him a big free agent deal with the Mets, where he continued to produce until injuries began to slow him in 2009-10. He’s in his mid-30s and looking to get his career back on track. As it stands now, he has pushed past 300 home runs and is coming up on 300 stolen bases (at a success rate near 90 pecent). He is over 1,100 in both runs and RBI. Right fielder Chester Brooks was a Negro League star of the 1920s, a consistent .300 hitter who isn't much remembered today in large part because he played for the moribund Brooklyn Royal Giants (which is sort of like a major-leaguer spending his entire career with the St. Louis Browns).
Catcher: Charlie Bennett (1878-93) was a pretty solid 19th-century catcher – a .256 hitter with a good number of doubles and triples, and some home run pop as well. His best seasons were for the Detroit Wolverines, and he became a local hero. The Tigers eventually played in a ballpark named after him, and he throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day every year for Detroit until his death in 1927.
Rotation: Chief Bender (1903-17) went 212-127 in his career, mostly for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s team, and his career ERA was 2.46. Bender grew up in a hardscrabble life on an impoverished Indian reservation in Minnesota but came of age at the famous Carlisle School for Indians. An articulate and artistic man, he caught Mack’s eye and was pitching for the A’s before his 19th birthday. He was known for his gentlemanly demeanor, but also for his competitive fire, and he pitched very well for the A’s in five World Series (three of which they won). His name was Charles Albert Bender, but like almost all Native Americans who played at that time, he was immediately nicknamed “Chief.” He was proud of his heritage but hated the nickname, because he said he wanted to be identified as a pitcher, not an Indian. Connie Mack always called him “Albert,” and Bender preferred to sign autographs as “Charles Bender,” but he ultimately gave in – recognizing that people used the nickname as a form of affection – and agreed to let the word “Chief” appear on his headstone. (We’re guessing he would have been less than thrilled if he had seen that The Sporting News headlined his obit: “Chief Bender Answers Call to Happy Hunting Ground.” Ouch.) Negro League star Chet Brewer had a long career, with his prime years coming in the 1930s. He was not overpowering, but had good command of a variety of pitches and was smart on the mound. In addition to his career in the Negro Leagues, he pitched in Mexico, Cuba and throughout Latin America. Charlie Buffinton (1882-92) was one of those 19th-century warhorses who used to log 400 innings a year during the period when pitchers were making the transition from underhand to overhand. In 1884, pitching for Boston, he started 67 games, completed 63 of them, logged 587 innings and had a record of 48-16. He won 233 games in his career and was done by his early 30s. Chris Bosio (1986-96) won 94 games for the Brewers and Mariners, including a no-hitter for Seattle in 1993. Bosio will most likely move to the C.B. bullpen once Clay Buchholz has logged enough starts for the Red Sox to move into this rotation, which seems inevitable. Meanwhile, another young pitcher, Chad Billingsley (2006- ), has the fifth spot in the rotation. Billingsley is the same age as Buchholz, but he has spent the better part of six years in the Dodgers’ rotation and had 59 career wins. If Billingsley and Buchholz continue to develop this team’s rotation will prosper.
Bullpen: Craig Breslow (2005- ), a Yale-educated lefty, gets the first crack at the closer role, though he has just six saves as he approaches his 30th birthday. On the other hand, his career ERA is 2.87, so we’ll give him a shot. Cory Bailey ( 1993-2002) was generally pretty good in a major-league career that spanned 172 games – a 3.96 ERA. Clay Buchholz (2007- ) was one of the best starters in the American League in 2010, and he looks to break in to the CB rotation very soon, but for now he’s working middle relief and picking up spot starts on this pitching staff. It’s called “payin’ yer dues.” Cy Blanton (1934-42) won 18 games for the Pirates in 1935 and led the NL in ERA. He won 68 games in his career. Curt Barclay (1957-59) pitched well for the New York Giants as a 25-year-old rookie, but a shoulder injury ended his career two years later with a record of 10-9. Clyde Barfoot (1922-26) won 314 games in the minors but just eight in the majors. Cy Barger (1906-15) was born Eros Bolivar Barger, and he attended Transylvania University. No foolin’. He won 46 games in his career, but that’s beside the point. He had us at Transylvania.
Bench: Whichever platoon first baseman isn’t starting – Casey Blake or Curt Blefary – will be the first pinch-hitter off the bench. Third baseman Clete Boyer (1955-71) was one of the best defensive third basemen who ever lived. He will work as Baerga’s defensive replacement, and he’ll get some starts at third, too. Boyer, brother of Ken (and Cloyd), wasn’t a great hitter, but he did knock 162 home runs and won five pennants and two World Series titles with the Yankees. Utility infielder Charley Bassett (1884-92) was a fine defensive player. Outfielder Carson Bigbee (1916-26) played for the Pirates in the era between Honus Wagner the the Waner boys. He was a .300 hitter once the lively ball arrived, but his career average was .287 without much power. Backup catcher Cliff Bolton (1931-41) provides a lefty stick off the bench, and he could hit a bit.
Manager: Charlie Brown. Yes, the comic strip guy. He loves the game and its strategies. Let’s see how he does running a team that doesn’t depend on his own sad-sack pitching, with a dog at shortstop and Lucy in the outfield. (The only C.B. ever to manage in the majors was Charlie Buffinton, who was briefly a player-manager. He can help out.)
Rotation: Chief Bender (1903-17) went 212-127 in his career, mostly for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s team, and his career ERA was 2.46. Bender grew up in a hardscrabble life on an impoverished Indian reservation in Minnesota but came of age at the famous Carlisle School for Indians. An articulate and artistic man, he caught Mack’s eye and was pitching for the A’s before his 19th birthday. He was known for his gentlemanly demeanor, but also for his competitive fire, and he pitched very well for the A’s in five World Series (three of which they won). His name was Charles Albert Bender, but like almost all Native Americans who played at that time, he was immediately nicknamed “Chief.” He was proud of his heritage but hated the nickname, because he said he wanted to be identified as a pitcher, not an Indian. Connie Mack always called him “Albert,” and Bender preferred to sign autographs as “Charles Bender,” but he ultimately gave in – recognizing that people used the nickname as a form of affection – and agreed to let the word “Chief” appear on his headstone. (We’re guessing he would have been less than thrilled if he had seen that The Sporting News headlined his obit: “Chief Bender Answers Call to Happy Hunting Ground.” Ouch.) Negro League star Chet Brewer had a long career, with his prime years coming in the 1930s. He was not overpowering, but had good command of a variety of pitches and was smart on the mound. In addition to his career in the Negro Leagues, he pitched in Mexico, Cuba and throughout Latin America. Charlie Buffinton (1882-92) was one of those 19th-century warhorses who used to log 400 innings a year during the period when pitchers were making the transition from underhand to overhand. In 1884, pitching for Boston, he started 67 games, completed 63 of them, logged 587 innings and had a record of 48-16. He won 233 games in his career and was done by his early 30s. Chris Bosio (1986-96) won 94 games for the Brewers and Mariners, including a no-hitter for Seattle in 1993. Bosio will most likely move to the C.B. bullpen once Clay Buchholz has logged enough starts for the Red Sox to move into this rotation, which seems inevitable. Meanwhile, another young pitcher, Chad Billingsley (2006- ), has the fifth spot in the rotation. Billingsley is the same age as Buchholz, but he has spent the better part of six years in the Dodgers’ rotation and had 59 career wins. If Billingsley and Buchholz continue to develop this team’s rotation will prosper.
Bullpen: Craig Breslow (2005- ), a Yale-educated lefty, gets the first crack at the closer role, though he has just six saves as he approaches his 30th birthday. On the other hand, his career ERA is 2.87, so we’ll give him a shot. Cory Bailey ( 1993-2002) was generally pretty good in a major-league career that spanned 172 games – a 3.96 ERA. Clay Buchholz (2007- ) was one of the best starters in the American League in 2010, and he looks to break in to the CB rotation very soon, but for now he’s working middle relief and picking up spot starts on this pitching staff. It’s called “payin’ yer dues.” Cy Blanton (1934-42) won 18 games for the Pirates in 1935 and led the NL in ERA. He won 68 games in his career. Curt Barclay (1957-59) pitched well for the New York Giants as a 25-year-old rookie, but a shoulder injury ended his career two years later with a record of 10-9. Clyde Barfoot (1922-26) won 314 games in the minors but just eight in the majors. Cy Barger (1906-15) was born Eros Bolivar Barger, and he attended Transylvania University. No foolin’. He won 46 games in his career, but that’s beside the point. He had us at Transylvania.
Bench: Whichever platoon first baseman isn’t starting – Casey Blake or Curt Blefary – will be the first pinch-hitter off the bench. Third baseman Clete Boyer (1955-71) was one of the best defensive third basemen who ever lived. He will work as Baerga’s defensive replacement, and he’ll get some starts at third, too. Boyer, brother of Ken (and Cloyd), wasn’t a great hitter, but he did knock 162 home runs and won five pennants and two World Series titles with the Yankees. Utility infielder Charley Bassett (1884-92) was a fine defensive player. Outfielder Carson Bigbee (1916-26) played for the Pirates in the era between Honus Wagner the the Waner boys. He was a .300 hitter once the lively ball arrived, but his career average was .287 without much power. Backup catcher Cliff Bolton (1931-41) provides a lefty stick off the bench, and he could hit a bit.
Manager: Charlie Brown. Yes, the comic strip guy. He loves the game and its strategies. Let’s see how he does running a team that doesn’t depend on his own sad-sack pitching, with a dog at shortstop and Lucy in the outfield. (The only C.B. ever to manage in the majors was Charlie Buffinton, who was briefly a player-manager. He can help out.)
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