Infield: Alex Rodriguez (1994-2016) was the second-greatest shortstop of all time (behind Wagner). This detail gets lost in the always impassioned discussions of A-Rod’s career, which have only grown more impassioned as his steroid use has come to light. People forget that he was a Gold Glove shortstop before he came to the Yankees and moved to third base so that Derek Jeter (much weaker defensively, but an institution with the team) could stay at short. His great successes are often placed within the context of his supposed postseason underachievement, though his postseason numbers are fine (.290 batting average, .396 on-base, .528 slugging) and he has produced as many runs and RBI per postseason at-bat as Jeter. There has been much resentment among fans and media of A-Rod’s legendary quarter-billion dollar contract with the Rangers, but (a.) his level of production in Texas was astronomical, and (b.) the effect of that contract on the Rangers’ payroll capabilities has been dreadfully overstated and misstated. Of course, there was also A-Rod’s admission that he used steroids after signing that contract, so fans can make of that what they will. Put all of that aside and just look at the ballplayer. He joins Aaron and Ruth (pretty fair company) as the only players in history with 2,000 runs and 2,000 RBI. He had 3,115 hits, 696 home runs and three MVP awards. You don't have to like him, but he is on the short list of the greatest players who ever lived. Al Rosen (1947-56) saw the start of his career delayed by World War II and the end of his career hastened by back injuries. The injuries forced him to move from third base to first, and that’s where he’ll play on this team because of roster requirements. In his prime, Rosen was a devastating player for the Indians – from 1950-54 he averaged .298-31-114, leading the AL twice in home runs, twice in total bases and twice in RBI, as well as once each in runs and slugging. The injuries ended his career at age 32. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez (1998-2015) was been a consistent slugger for the Pirates, Cubs and Brewers, good for 25-30 home runs per year like clockwork. He finished with 386 home runs and more than 1,400 RBI. Second baseman Alexei Ramirez (2008-16) was a star in his native Cuba before he came to the U.S. at age 26 to play for the White Sox. He had some nice pop and decent speed (114 home runs, 143 stolen bases) and provided decent defense at either middle infield position.
Outfield: Right fielder Alexis Rios (2004-15) would hit .290-.300 in a good year, with line drive power and decent speed. He hit 169 home runs and stole 253 bases. Center fielder Aaron Rowand (2001-11) played good defense and hit with line drive power. His strikeout-walk ratio wasn’t very good and his speed was just so-so, but he was a quality player for several years. Injuries were an issue, whether they occurred in motorcyle crashes, on-field collisions or face-first dashes into outfield fences. Left fielder Alec Radcliffe, brother of Negro League star Ted “Double-Duty” Radcliffe, was primarily a third baseman but also played some outfield. Radcliffe hit for average and power, but he had a bad temper that caused him to get into fights with players and umpires. He was suspended at least twice by his own brother when Double-Duty was managing the Chicago American Giants. Off the field, Alec was a more quiet man and never got as much attention as his brother.
Catcher: Aaron Robinson (1943-51) was a good lefty hitter who spent a long time in the minors, served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War Ii and didn’t get regular playing time in the majors until he was 30. He didn’t hit for a high average, but he drew plenty of walks and had some power.
Rotation: Amos Rusie (1889-1901) was one of the early fireballers of the era when pitching was starting to resemble the modern game (overhand, no running starts, 60 feet 6 inches). He won 248 games, and he led the league in strikeouts and walks five times apiece. He was taking a regular turn in the rotation with Indianapolis at age 18 and finished with Cincinnati by 30; in between he was a very fine pitcher for the New York Giants, and when he was done he worked as a night watchman at the Polo Grounds. Allie Reynolds (1942-54), a Native American Indian whose teammates called him “Superchief,” won 182 games for the Indians and the Yankees. In 1952, at age 35, he went 20-8 for the Yankees with a league-leading 2.06 ERA. He was a member of six championships teams in New York, and in those six World Series he went 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA. Lefty Art Reinhart (1919-28) won 111 games in the minors but only pitched for a few years in the majors, going 30-18 for the Cardinals and splitting his time evenly between the rotation and the bullpen. He made one appearance in the 1926 World Series, facing five batters, giving up one hit and four walks, with four of those runners scoring. Armando Reynoso (1991-2002) had several fine years pitching in the thin air of Colorado. He won 68 games in his career. Anthony Reyes (2005-09) was a hot pitching prospect for the Cardinals who liked to wear his hat with a perfectly flat brim, like a state trooper or a Canadian Mountie. His career was derailed by injuries and ineffectiveness, but he had some good stuff.
Bullpen: Addison Reed (2011- ) saved 101 games for the White Sox between 2012-14. He has pitched mostly set-up since then, but has done some closing as needed. His ERAs have been up and down, but he strikes out 10 batters per nine innings. Arthur Rhodes (1991-2011 ) was in the Orioles’ bullpen at age 21, and he pitched well into his 40s – he had Tommy John surgery at age 37 and returned as an outstanding lefty specialist. Allen Russell (1915-25) had 42 saves. Of course, Russell’s were figured retroactively because saves were not a recognized statistic way back then, but it still shows that he finished a lot of games on a regular basis while working as a swingman for the Yankees and the Red Sox. A.J. Ramos (2011- ) became the Marlins closer in 2015, and he could eventually take over that role on this team. He went to Texas Tech, in his hometown of Lubbock, and like our current closer, he strikes out 10 batters per nine innings. Al Reyes (1995-2008) is no relation to Anthony Reyes, but they were teammates with the Cardinals at one point. He pitched for seven teams and was generally decent enough over the course of a 13-year career. Andy Rincon (1980-82) was a promising pitcher for the Cardinals whose career was ended by injury at age 23. Rincon pitched very well in four starts at the end of the 1980 season, and he got off to a good start in the rotation in 1981. In his fifth start that year, Rincon suffered a broken arm when he was struck by a line drive off the bat of Phil Garner. He missed the rest of the season, and when he came back the following season he found that he could no longer throw strikes. After a handful of games, he was done. Allen Ripley (1978-82) won 23 games for the Red Sox, Giants and Cubs.
Bench: Third baseman Anthony Rendon (2013- ) is a productive hitter, and we're not just talking about the day in 2017 when he went 6-for-6 with three home runs and 10 RBI (though that was pretty amazing). Surrounded by a solid Washington Nationals team, he scored 111 runs in his first full season and is always a threat. Like Rendon, First baseman Anthony Rizzo (2011- ) will soon be pushing for a starting job. Drafted by the Red Sox, he was part of a package of young players shipped to San Diego in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez. Then San Diego dealt him to the Cubs for Andrew Cashner. Then, at age 22 and with his third organization, Rizzo emerged as one of the top sluggers in the game. He is a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy in the prime of his career, and he helped the Cubs win that elusive World Series. At this point, he's a monstrous lefty stick off the bench. His Cubs teammate, second baseman Addison Russell (2015- ) stands next to him on the field and will sit next to him on this bench, at least for now. A young player with lots of skills, he is still putting his full game together but has the potential to be awfully good. Outfielder Art Rebel (1938-45) had 2,000 hits in the minors but only played briefly in the majors for a few games in 1938 with the Phillies and for 26 games with the Cardinals in 1945. When he comes to the plate, the PA will blare Billy Idols’ “Rebel Yell.” Reserve catcher Anthony Recker (2011- ) is struggling to bat .200, but he's got a little bit of power.
Manager: Al Reach had an undistinguished playing career and he managed a few games for Philadelphia in 1890. His biggest impact on the sport came through the sporting goods company he founded, which was a rival to Spalding and was eventually purchased by Spalding. In addition to manufacturing athletic equipment, the company published the Reach Guide, one of the most important and influential annual baseball publications of its time.
Outfield: Right fielder Alexis Rios (2004-15) would hit .290-.300 in a good year, with line drive power and decent speed. He hit 169 home runs and stole 253 bases. Center fielder Aaron Rowand (2001-11) played good defense and hit with line drive power. His strikeout-walk ratio wasn’t very good and his speed was just so-so, but he was a quality player for several years. Injuries were an issue, whether they occurred in motorcyle crashes, on-field collisions or face-first dashes into outfield fences. Left fielder Alec Radcliffe, brother of Negro League star Ted “Double-Duty” Radcliffe, was primarily a third baseman but also played some outfield. Radcliffe hit for average and power, but he had a bad temper that caused him to get into fights with players and umpires. He was suspended at least twice by his own brother when Double-Duty was managing the Chicago American Giants. Off the field, Alec was a more quiet man and never got as much attention as his brother.
Catcher: Aaron Robinson (1943-51) was a good lefty hitter who spent a long time in the minors, served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War Ii and didn’t get regular playing time in the majors until he was 30. He didn’t hit for a high average, but he drew plenty of walks and had some power.
Rotation: Amos Rusie (1889-1901) was one of the early fireballers of the era when pitching was starting to resemble the modern game (overhand, no running starts, 60 feet 6 inches). He won 248 games, and he led the league in strikeouts and walks five times apiece. He was taking a regular turn in the rotation with Indianapolis at age 18 and finished with Cincinnati by 30; in between he was a very fine pitcher for the New York Giants, and when he was done he worked as a night watchman at the Polo Grounds. Allie Reynolds (1942-54), a Native American Indian whose teammates called him “Superchief,” won 182 games for the Indians and the Yankees. In 1952, at age 35, he went 20-8 for the Yankees with a league-leading 2.06 ERA. He was a member of six championships teams in New York, and in those six World Series he went 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA. Lefty Art Reinhart (1919-28) won 111 games in the minors but only pitched for a few years in the majors, going 30-18 for the Cardinals and splitting his time evenly between the rotation and the bullpen. He made one appearance in the 1926 World Series, facing five batters, giving up one hit and four walks, with four of those runners scoring. Armando Reynoso (1991-2002) had several fine years pitching in the thin air of Colorado. He won 68 games in his career. Anthony Reyes (2005-09) was a hot pitching prospect for the Cardinals who liked to wear his hat with a perfectly flat brim, like a state trooper or a Canadian Mountie. His career was derailed by injuries and ineffectiveness, but he had some good stuff.
Bullpen: Addison Reed (2011- ) saved 101 games for the White Sox between 2012-14. He has pitched mostly set-up since then, but has done some closing as needed. His ERAs have been up and down, but he strikes out 10 batters per nine innings. Arthur Rhodes (1991-2011 ) was in the Orioles’ bullpen at age 21, and he pitched well into his 40s – he had Tommy John surgery at age 37 and returned as an outstanding lefty specialist. Allen Russell (1915-25) had 42 saves. Of course, Russell’s were figured retroactively because saves were not a recognized statistic way back then, but it still shows that he finished a lot of games on a regular basis while working as a swingman for the Yankees and the Red Sox. A.J. Ramos (2011- ) became the Marlins closer in 2015, and he could eventually take over that role on this team. He went to Texas Tech, in his hometown of Lubbock, and like our current closer, he strikes out 10 batters per nine innings. Al Reyes (1995-2008) is no relation to Anthony Reyes, but they were teammates with the Cardinals at one point. He pitched for seven teams and was generally decent enough over the course of a 13-year career. Andy Rincon (1980-82) was a promising pitcher for the Cardinals whose career was ended by injury at age 23. Rincon pitched very well in four starts at the end of the 1980 season, and he got off to a good start in the rotation in 1981. In his fifth start that year, Rincon suffered a broken arm when he was struck by a line drive off the bat of Phil Garner. He missed the rest of the season, and when he came back the following season he found that he could no longer throw strikes. After a handful of games, he was done. Allen Ripley (1978-82) won 23 games for the Red Sox, Giants and Cubs.
Bench: Third baseman Anthony Rendon (2013- ) is a productive hitter, and we're not just talking about the day in 2017 when he went 6-for-6 with three home runs and 10 RBI (though that was pretty amazing). Surrounded by a solid Washington Nationals team, he scored 111 runs in his first full season and is always a threat. Like Rendon, First baseman Anthony Rizzo (2011- ) will soon be pushing for a starting job. Drafted by the Red Sox, he was part of a package of young players shipped to San Diego in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez. Then San Diego dealt him to the Cubs for Andrew Cashner. Then, at age 22 and with his third organization, Rizzo emerged as one of the top sluggers in the game. He is a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy in the prime of his career, and he helped the Cubs win that elusive World Series. At this point, he's a monstrous lefty stick off the bench. His Cubs teammate, second baseman Addison Russell (2015- ) stands next to him on the field and will sit next to him on this bench, at least for now. A young player with lots of skills, he is still putting his full game together but has the potential to be awfully good. Outfielder Art Rebel (1938-45) had 2,000 hits in the minors but only played briefly in the majors for a few games in 1938 with the Phillies and for 26 games with the Cardinals in 1945. When he comes to the plate, the PA will blare Billy Idols’ “Rebel Yell.” Reserve catcher Anthony Recker (2011- ) is struggling to bat .200, but he's got a little bit of power.
Manager: Al Reach had an undistinguished playing career and he managed a few games for Philadelphia in 1890. His biggest impact on the sport came through the sporting goods company he founded, which was a rival to Spalding and was eventually purchased by Spalding. In addition to manufacturing athletic equipment, the company published the Reach Guide, one of the most important and influential annual baseball publications of its time.
No comments:
Post a Comment