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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Father Gabe Costa: The Best I Ever Saw …

I once Goodwilled the The Don Costa Concept LP for a nickel…within a week we were de-seeding our weed on it. Since purged with great relish.

With this in mind, I thought that I would use this episode of By The Numbers to present a list of the “best…” I ever saw. In a sense, it is almost a “wish” list.

By the way, the years in question range from 1958 to 2011.

So here we go:

Best fielding second baseman: Admittedly, a bit pre-mature, but I’m picking Robinson Cano.

Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Rocky Colavito…Roberto Clemente was close.

Most powerful hitter: Mickey Mantle…baseball historian Bill Jenkinson puts Mantle only behind Babe Ruth and barely behind Jimmie Foxx.

Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Thurman Munson...oh, that great, lethal “inside-out” swing!

Favorite retire players I met while teaching courses on sabermetrics: Rico Brogna and Steve Balboni…real gentlemen and excellent resource people for the students.

Repoz Posted: October 18, 2011 at 05:05 PM | 66 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: hall of fame, history, sabermetrics

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1. Tim McCarver's Orange Marmalade Posted: October 18, 2011 at 06:07 PM (#3967424)

Roy Hobbs: The best God damn hitter I ever saw.

2. Anonymous Observer Posted: October 18, 2011 at 06:27 PM (#3967442)

Best fielding second baseman: Admittedly, a bit pre-mature, but I’m picking Robinson Cano.

What are the odds that he never saw Bobby Grich or Bill Mazeroski play, considering he saw Clemente and and Robinson play? Or, is Cano really that good? Or is this just him showing a New York bias?

3. JJ1986 Posted: October 18, 2011 at 06:31 PM (#3967452)

What are the odds that he never saw Bobby Grich or Bill Mazeroski play, considering he saw Clemente and and Robinson play?

Plus Mark Ellis is much better than Cano.

4. AROM Posted: October 18, 2011 at 06:48 PM (#3967471)

What are the odds that he never saw Bobby Grich or Bill Mazeroski play, considering he saw Clemente and and Robinson play?

I'd put those odds at exactly zero. Clemente played from 1955-1972, all with the Pirates. Mazeroski played 1956-1972, all with the Pirates. Since he specifies years 1958-2011, you don't even have the possibility of him judging Roberto as a rookie and never seeing another Pirate game. Nope, it just seems he's got a higher opinion of Cano's defense than just about everyone.

Limiting a Cano comparison to a direct contemporary, I don't think he's the best defensive 2B in the AL East Big Money Subdivision (ALEBMS). He's got a better arm than Pedroia but not quite the range, and at 2B the range will affect more plays than the arm.

5. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: October 18, 2011 at 07:00 PM (#3967482)

Or is this just him showing a New York bias?

Nope, it just seems he's got a higher opinion of Cano's defense than just about everyone.

I'm going with he meant to say Frank White and it came out wrong...
I mean even if it was a huge NYY bias you'd still have to say Willie Randolph before you say Cano, right?

All I got is this- Soriano was so BAD- that Cano- a decent enough defensive 2B simply looks super duper in comparison (Just you wait- the first post Jeter Yankee league average regular SS is going to be lauded as a GG caliber player, just you wait)

6. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: October 18, 2011 at 07:03 PM (#3967483)

Looking at the whole list, the Cano thing really stands out, it's a decent list, the Cano part is just an out and out howler, very strange...

7. djrelays Posted: October 18, 2011 at 07:10 PM (#3967488)

I disagree with several of Costa's choices, but none as much as the photo and its caption:

"Willie Mays, left, of the San Francisco Giants, and the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle check over their lineups before the start of All Star baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, October 12, 1958."

First off, I think that's Mays on the left. Next, it's not Yankee Stadium. And if it's the All Star game, it's certainly not in October.

So what is it? There appears to be bunting on the upper deck facade, and it also appears that Mays is the one wearing home whites. It also looks like it might be the roofing from Candlestick Park, so it could be the 1962 World Series or it's an NL-based All Star game, possibly the Candlestick game in 1961.

Any other clues I'm missing, or a better ID of the stadium?

8. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: October 18, 2011 at 07:32 PM (#3967507)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson.
• Bestfielding first baseman: Don Mattingly
• Best fielding second baseman: Robby Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Adrian Beltre
• Best defensive outfielder: Peter Bourjos. Honest.
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez.
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Mike Piazza
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Randy Johnson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Roger Clemens
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Tim Salmon
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Game 3 of the 2002 ALDS

9. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 18, 2011 at 07:53 PM (#3967526)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Bestfielding first baseman: Travis Lee
• Best fielding second baseman: Chico Lind
• Best fielding shortstop: Rey Sanchez
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Young Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: French Fry
• Best defensive catcher: Henry Blanco
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Ichiro
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: John Smoltz
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: <crickets>
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Game 2, 1995 World Series

10. Lassus Posted: October 18, 2011 at 08:03 PM (#3967539)

With mine own eyes: (All performers at peak level)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Jose Reyes
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Willie Randolph
• Best fielding shortstop: Omar Vizquel
• Best fielding third baseman: Craig Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Carlos Beltran
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Raul Mondesi
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: RICKEY
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Tom Seaver
• Best pitcher over a five year span: EDIT: Pedro (Thanks, Walt)
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Keith Hernandez
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Bernie Williams/John Olerud
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Piazza post-9/11 HR game, Sept. 21st, 2001

11. SoSH U at work Posted: October 18, 2011 at 08:05 PM (#3967542)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Paul Molitor
• Bestfielding first baseman: Mike Squires
• Best fielding second baseman: Frank White
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Graig Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Gary Pettis
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Curt Schilling
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: John Valentin
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Sox-Yankee game at New York, 1986 (7-6 final). Honor should probably go to the first (1973, Mets-Braves, the Don Hahn game, but since I was only five, I don't really remember it).

12. Walt Davis Posted: October 18, 2011 at 08:06 PM (#3967547)

Uncle Walt's list:

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson. (well, Moises Alou was exciting in his way)
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez and it's not close
• Best fielding second baseman: probably Pokey Reese; Sandberg on a regular basis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: a tough one, I'll go Schmidt I guess
• Best defensive outfielder: Gary Pettis
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Clemente
• Best defensive catcher: Bench (Pudge might deserve it but I never really saw much of Pudge)
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Rod Carew
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Jack Morris! (OK, Pedro)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro*
• Best relief pitcher: Hoyt Wilhelm!**
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: too soon for Larry Walker?
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Burt Hooton's no-hitter

* I'm not even going to check if Pedro stayed healthy for 5 straight years, 4 years of prime Pedro is still the best pitcher I've seen over a 5-year span. Greatest _pitcher_ ever -- velocity, movement, control, guile, arm angles

** OK, I only caught Wilhelm at the end of his career but somebody needs to mention him. And those were the days -- Wilhelm, George Blanda, Gordie Howe -- when a man in his 40s still had meaning and the punks respected them and .... I'm about to turn 50, ####!

13. The Good Face Posted: October 18, 2011 at 08:15 PM (#3967556)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Ricky!
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Frank White
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Adrian Beltre
• Best defensive outfielder: Devon White
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Cory Snyder/Jesse Barfield (tie)
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: George Brett
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Curt Schilling
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Eric Davis or Lou Whittaker
• My favorite game witnessed in person: My first game ever.

14. AROM Posted: October 18, 2011 at 08:32 PM (#3967578)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Ricky! (Eric Davis honorable mention)
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mark Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Gary Pettis
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Boboone
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Ichiro
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Orel Hershiser (1988 edition)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Randy Johnson
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Buddy Bell
• My favorite game witnessed in person: (tie) Strasburg debut, Orioles/Red Sox 9/28/2011

15. Bob Evans Posted: October 18, 2011 at 09:05 PM (#3967608)

he first post Jeter Yankee league average regular SS is going to be lauded as a GG caliber player, just you wait

An easy guess, seeing as how the duffer he's going to be replacing is a multiple GG'er.

16. oscar madisox Posted: October 18, 2011 at 09:12 PM (#3967615)

With mine own eyes from 1970 to present
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Grich
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Graig Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Edmonds for the spectacular, Paul Blair otherwise
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Ellis Valentine or Dave Parker
• Best defensive catcher: Pudge. Rodriguez, not Fisk
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: I hate to say it, but it has to be Pete Rose.
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Mike Scott (1986) or Ron Guidry (1978)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux or Pedro
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: ARod, postseason aside
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: not really an "all around" player, but Jimmy Wynn gets little love today. Grich, too.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: My first game ever. August 1972. Not sure of the date but my favorite player, Cesar Cedeno, hit a home run at Shea Stadium. Alas, Jim Beauchamp hit two and the Mets won the game.

17. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 18, 2011 at 09:13 PM (#3967616)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mark Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Brandon Inge
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jose Guillen
• Best defensive catcher: Alberto Castillo
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Greg Maddux
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Dennis Eckersley
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Jim Edmonds
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Dave Stewart's 11-inning shutout of the Mariners August 1, 1990

18. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: October 18, 2011 at 09:43 PM (#3967645)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Ricky
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar (this is based on our own observations, and he *looked* great, regardless of the stats0
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith and Cal Ripken
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Young Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Phil Bradley
• My favorite game witnessed in person: An orioles game from the mid 1980's in which Fred Lynn robbed a guy of a HR over the CF fence and then hit a HR in the bottom half of the same inning.

19. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: October 18, 2011 at 09:48 PM (#3967648)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey!
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mark Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Eric Chavez
• Best defensive outfielder: Barry Bonds / Garry Maddox / Ichiro!
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vlad Guerrero
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Albert Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Curt Schilling
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Roger Clemens
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Reggie Smith
• Favorite game witnessed in person: Scutaro v. Rivera (April 15, 2007) 5 Oak-NYY 4.

20. Perry Posted: October 18, 2011 at 10:10 PM (#3967659)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Vince Coleman most exciting, Pujols maybe the best.
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mazeroski
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen or Mike Schmidt
• Best defensive outfielder: Bonds/Cesar Geronimo/Larry Walker
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Rick Ankiel
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pete Rose
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Bob Gibson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Albert Pujols
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Jim Edmonds
• Favorite game witnessed in person: A game in Cincinnati in 1974 or 75 when Jack Billingham beat Tom Seaver 2-1 in 1:37 or something ridiculous like that. On the other side of the coin, a 2002 game at Coors in which the Rockies came from 6 runs down to beat the Yankees 14-11 on a 10th-inning walkoff by Todd Zeile. Or the game against the D-backs in 2006 that was 1-1 after 8, the D-backs scored 7 in the 9th, and the Rockies came back with 6 in the bottom half.

21. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) Posted: October 18, 2011 at 10:10 PM (#3967661)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey!
• Best fielding first baseman: Don Mattingly
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Greg Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: GGBG, Pettis, Winfield.
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Dave Winfield
• Best defensive catcher: Pudge
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Wade Boggs
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Randy Johnson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Rickey!
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Bernie Williams
• Favorite game witnessed in person: South Korea vs Japan, Finals, 2nd World Baseball Classic.

22. TomH Posted: October 18, 2011 at 10:44 PM (#3967671)

I'm quite surprised at how many more Rickey! mentions we have here over Vince Coleman. Yeah, Henderson stole more bases, but
a) he was on base SO much more often (both rate and career)
b) Colemans' success % was insane, given he ran vitrually every chance he got. Run the SB/CS numbers between he and Rickey on a per-reached-first base scale, and you'll be astounded.

23. Rob_Wood Posted: October 18, 2011 at 11:19 PM (#3967682)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Davey Lopes
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Ryne Sandberg
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks Robinson
• Best defensive outfielder: Devon White
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Roger Clemens
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Sandy Koufax
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds/Willie Mays
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Mike Schmidt
• Favorite game witnessed in person: woeful 1985 SF Giants beating unbeatable Dwight Gooden

24. Lassus Posted: October 18, 2011 at 11:58 PM (#3967700)

I really don't think that "best/most exciting base runner" is the same thing as "best/most exciting base-stealer".

25. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: October 19, 2011 at 12:10 AM (#3967708)

I really don't think that "best/most exciting base runner" is the same thing as "best/most exciting base-stealer".

Agreed. And Rickey never struck me as terribly agressive outside his base stealing (few XBH, few IH, don't recall a particular first to third prowess).

My choice above (Molitor) was the best baserunner I've seen. Your choice is probably the most exciting.

26. Morty Causa Posted: October 19, 2011 at 12:43 AM (#3967727)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Mickey or Willie
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mazeroski
• Best fielding shortstop: Mark Belanger
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks/Clete/Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Paul Blair or Jimmy Piersall
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Clemente or Colavito
• Best defensive catcher: Jim Sundberg
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Ted Williams (saw him in '60)
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Koufax
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Clemens
• Best relief pitcher: Eckersley
• Best position player over a career: Willie Mays
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Al Kaline/Yaz
• My favorite game witnessed in person:

27. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:09 AM (#3967797)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Molitor
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Devon White, A Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vlad Guerrero for demonstrative purposes, Bo Jackson
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Randy Johnson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds, no contest
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten” by non BTF community: Tim Raines
• Favorite game witnessed in person: really tough to narrow it down, The Brant Brown "Nooooooooo" game, 9/23/98.

28. mex4173 Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:35 AM (#3967808)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Kenny Lofton (basestealer)/ Chase Utley or Albert Pujols (baserunner)
• Bestfielding first baseman: Lyle Overbay
• Best fielding second baseman: Chase Utley
• Best fielding shortstop: John McDonald (Omar Vizquel with much more career)
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vladimir Guerrero
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Ichiro
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Randy Johnson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Alex Rodriguez
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Larry Walker
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Either July 25 or July 28, 1996, Red Sox @ Twins, got a Mike Stanley home run ball. I can't decide which game based only on the game logs.

My answers skew to the boring side because of my age.

29. Roger McDowell spit on me! Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:43 AM (#3967811)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Mark Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks Robinson
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Ollie Brown
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Dave Stewart
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Greg Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: When not injured, Fred Lynn. Otherwise, Tim Raines
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Game 4, 1990 ALCS - Clemens ejected

30. Sam M. Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:44 AM (#3967812)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Molitor/Reyes
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez, not close
• Best fielding second baseman: Bobby Grich
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith (close over Belanger)
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks Robinson (very close over Schmidt and Rolen)
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Ellis Valentine
• Best defensive catcher: Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro Martinez
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Ron Cey (I don't think a lot of the guys others have mentioned have really been "forgotten," though they are better players than Cey, of course)
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Game 6, 1986 World Series

31. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:57 AM (#3967820)

With my own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey!/Alfredo Griffin
• Bestfielding first baseman: Will The Thrill
• Best fielding second baseman: Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie
• Best fielding third baseman: Matt Williams
• Best defensive outfielder: Jim Edmonds
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vladimir Guerrerro
• Best defensive catcher: empty
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Tony Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Jason Schmidt (2002-2004)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: I never thought Jim Edmonds got the attention he deserved, but that's just me.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN198806220.shtml

32. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:58 AM (#3967821)

delete

33. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: October 19, 2011 at 03:59 AM (#3967823)

delete... can't quickly figure out how to post a link, but the Giants beat the Pads 8-7 behind Will Clark's 7 RBIs.

34. Guapo Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:01 AM (#3967824)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Ryan Zimmerman
• Best defensive outfielder: Gary Pettis
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Rick Ankiel
• Best defensive catcher: Yadier Molina
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: vs LHP: Edgar Martinez / vs RHP: George Brett
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Greg Maddux
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Dale Murphy
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Tough one. It's either Game 2, 2009 World Series or Strasburg's debut.

35. Walt Davis Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:04 AM (#3967825)

On throwing arm, he didn't get to show it off from the OF, but I think I might go with Dunston.

36. Sam M. Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:08 AM (#3967827)

On throwing arm, he didn't get to show it off from the OF, but I think I might go with Dunston.

Well, if you're going to expand it outside the OF, I'd love to see a contest between prime Dunston and Johnny Bench. That would be fun.

37. Blastin Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:10 AM (#3967828)

With mine own eyes (I'm 25 but only really started watching in 1991):
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey, even the older version.
• Bestfielding first baseman: Mattingly
• Best fielding second baseman: Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie
• Best fielding third baseman: Beltre or Ventura
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Maddux (I watched too many NYY-Bos games not to see a lot of Pedro Ls, mostly not his fault)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez (having said that....)
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Olerud. Oh we know him but who else talks about him?
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Most impressive performance was Pedro's 17ks against the Yanks in Sept 99. BEST game was Game 1 of the 2000 subway series, the 13 inning game with Jose Vizcaino's hit. Ended at 1:30 am or something, we were in the upper deck, freezing, but happy at the end.
Favorite was probably seeing game 4 the year before though since that was the clincher.

38. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:32 AM (#3967836)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Jose Reyes and Rickey
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith
• Best fielding second baseman: Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: I'm finding this one difficult to answer because I don't want to just answer it as who was most underrated. Jay Bell seems pretty forgotten and he had a better career than most remember. So I'll go with Jay Bell.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: This is pathetic but it's the Mel Hall walk-off home run game on Memorial Day.

39. AJM Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:36 AM (#3967839)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Jose Reyes
• Best fielding first baseman: John Olerud
• Best fielding second baseman: Chase Utley
• Best fielding shortstop: Omar Vizquel
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vlad Guerrero
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Manny Ramirez*
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro Martinez
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Jeff Bagwell**
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Hmm, the only game I can remember where something notable happened was Cody Ross hitting a 3-run walk off homer to give the Marlins an 8-7 win. Also, I happened to attend the game with Chris Dial. (Well, I was also at a WS clinching game, but the Yankees beat the Mets, so it's not one of my favorites)

*I’d say Bonds or Pujols, but I figure the chance for an IBB for them is much higher.
**My first thought was Beltran, but he’s still playing so it’s hard to forget about him.

40. Hugh Jorgan Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:52 AM (#3967846)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Raines
• Bestfielding first baseman: Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Grich
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Graig Nettles
• Best defensive outfielder: Fred Lynn(heaps of bias here)
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Parker
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Boggs
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Dewey
• My favorite game witnessed in person: June 1975, Ryan no-hitter at the Big A, don't remember the opponent, I was 11 at the time.

41. PreservedFish Posted: October 19, 2011 at 05:54 AM (#3967867)

With mine own eyes:
• Best/most exciting base runner: Vince Coleman
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Pokey Reese
• Best fielding shortstop: Rey Ordonez
• Best fielding third baseman: Robin Ventura
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Albert Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Randy Johnson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Tony Phillips
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Mets doubleheader in which Robin Ventura hit 2 grand slams and Benny Agbayani became a folk hero.

42. esseff Posted: October 19, 2011 at 05:59 AM (#3967868)

#7: Definitely looks like the underside of the Candlestick roof.

The bunting is a pretty good match for this photo from Game 2 pregame at the 1962 World Series. As is what we can see of the uniforms.

43. bumpis hound Posted: October 19, 2011 at 06:01 AM (#3967869)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey
• Bestfielding first baseman: JT Snow
• Best fielding second baseman: Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Vizquel
• Best fielding third baseman: Rolen. Matt Williams gets Honorable Mention.
• Best defensive outfielder: Darrin Lewis
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Vlad, altho Glenallen Hill has the best throw I've seen, from RF
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Lincecum
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Not all-around, but it's criminal how little Jose Rijo is remembered
• My favorite game witnessed in person: I've been to like a thousand games. Short list: Bonds' 500, 600, 700, 756, 71-73, SB #500. The game before the Brian Johnson game. Giants clinching NLW in '97, pennant in '02. Opening day '11.

44. Dan Evensen Posted: October 19, 2011 at 06:04 AM (#3967872)

I'll skip to the good stuff.

My favorite game witnessed in person: May 15th, 2003: Braves 15, Padres 6

My Dad and I were doing a quick trip to a few baseball parks on the west coast, and we stopped by for this Thursday afternoon game. I'll never forget how empty Jack Murphy Stadium (or whatever they called it at the time) was, especially from our upper deck vantage point -- there couldn't have been 10,000 people there, regardless of what the official attendance figure was. The National Anthem was sung by four nicely dressed ladies who sang with deep male voices -- I think they mixed up the lipsynching tape.

On the drive in, we heard on the radio all about how tired the Padres bullpen was. We had no idea what we were in for. I was keeping score, and just about fell off my chair when the Padres announced that starting catcher Wiki Gonzalez was coming in to pitch the top of the 9th inning. As if that weren't enough, Gonzalez wound up being the most effective San Diego pitcher of the day.

Jesse Orosco also pitched, in his 24th (and final) season.

Try as I might, I'll never, ever be able to forget that one.

45. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: October 19, 2011 at 06:34 AM (#3967884)

Bernie Williams is a good "Most Forgotten," but to be original I'll go with Ray Lankford.

46. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: October 19, 2011 at 07:19 AM (#3967894)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson
• Best/most exciting base runner not named “Rickey Henderson”: Willie Wilson
• Best fielding first baseman: J.T. Snow
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Rey Ordonez
• Best fielding third baseman: Greg Craig Khreigh Nettles/Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Raul Mondesi (most accurate: Dwight Evans)
• Best defensive catcher: Charles Johnson
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Ichiro Suzuki
• Batter I would want up if I needed a home run: Manny Ramirez
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: John Smoltz (amazingly, a hard luck 15-4 record in the playoffs)
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best relief pitcher not named “Mariano Rivera”: Dan Quisenberry
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: seems like Belle and Bagwell are too recent to count, and Baerga didn’t last, so Robin Yount
• Favorite game witnessed in person: Been at dozens of postseason games, one no-hitter, and Pete Rose’s #4192... but for sustained tension, I’ll go with Chien-Ming Wang’s not-a-perfect game. The reason: I began blabbing to everyone with me that Wang looked unhittable as of the 2nd (!) inning. So my nerves got their money's worth.

47. Ron J Posted: October 19, 2011 at 09:28 AM (#3967908)

With mine own eyes: (All performers at peak level)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey! (Rose didn't have the speed but got every available base without taking stupid risks. Lou Pinella was exciting because he combined aggression with lack of speed)
• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez (tempted to put Boog Powell just to make it clear that my fanboyism begins and ends with the Orioles of the 1969 era)
• Best fielding second baseman: Bobby Grich (clearly better than Davey Johnson -- high praise indeed)
• Best fielding shortstop: Mark Belanger
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks Robinson
• Best defensive outfielder: Paul Blair
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Ellis Valentine? Ollie Brown? Jesse Barfield I guess
• Best defensive catcher: Johnny Bench (?) Gary Carter in his prime was awfully good and I saw a lot more of him than Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Barry Bonds (If the world ends after the at bat, Tony Gwynn)
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro (I almost went with Randy Johnson here)
* Favorite (non excellent) pitcher: Blake Stein (fascinating to watch. Simply could not throw his best stuff for strikes. Moved too much. Moved so much he often didn't get the call even when he did throw a strike)
* Least favorite pitcher to watch: Bill Gullickson (I hate nibblers who actually have good stuff)
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Bobby Grich
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Young Vida Blue in Yankee stadium.

48. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: October 19, 2011 at 12:22 PM (#3967934)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey
• Best fielding first baseman: Albert Pujols
• Best fielding second baseman: Pokey Reese
• Best fielding shortstop: Omar Vizquel
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Darin Erstad
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Dwight Evans
• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Nomar
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: #### it, Curt Schilling
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Dwight Evans again
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Game 7, 2007 ALCS (exciting for seven innings, then the Sox put it away with a big, fun rally)

49. JJ1986 Posted: October 19, 2011 at 12:39 PM (#3967941)

• Best/most exciting base runner: Chase Utley
• Best fielding first baseman: Mientkiewicz
• Best fielding second baseman: Mark Ellis
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie
• Best fielding third baseman: Scott Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Devon White
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Yadier? It's really hard to tell.
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Maddux
• Best relief pitcher: Wagner for the regular season
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: I thought Larry Walker first, but he's already listed here twice so he can't be that forgotten. I'm thinking Mark Grace, as much as I dislike him.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Mets Game 161, 2007. Next day was the worst.

50. BDC

Posted: October 19, 2011 at 01:02 PM (#3967955)

All these seen in person:

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson

• Best fielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez

• Best fielding second baseman: Manny Trillo

• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith

• Best fielding third baseman: Mike Schmidt

• Best defensive outfielder: Gary Pettis

• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield

• Best defensive catcher: Ivan Rodriguez

• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Nomar Garciaparra

• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Steve Carlton

• Best pitcher over a five year span: Tom Seaver

• Best relief pitcher: Lee Smith. I've seen Mariano Rivera pitch a lot, but he hasn't had a great record against Texas

• Best position player over a career: Joe Morgan

• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Fred Lynn. Though I guess he's not forgotten in Boston.

• My favorite game witnessed in person: Heck, it was probably last Monday in Arlington, the Nelson Cruz walkoff grand slam. Honorable mention for the Phillies' home openers in 1974 and 1984, both won on late HRs by Mike Schmidt (against Tug McGraw and Nolan Ryan, respectively).</div>

51. Morty Causa Posted: October 19, 2011 at 02:23 PM (#3968015)

Best fielding shortstop: Mark Belanger

Yeah, that was my choice, too. Belanger, according to WAR, has almost the same value total as Ozzie with only about 60% of the playing time. If Belanger had only been a halfway decent hitter for a shortstop, he'd have had more playing time and HOF career.

Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Fred Lynn. Though I guess he's not forgotten in Boston.

He didn't live up to his promise (or the hype), but he nonetheless had a very good career, despite it's being fragmented by injuries.

52. SandyRiver Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:10 PM (#3968179)

Watching baseball on TV is one of my earliest memories, back to 1949, I think, when I was three, though remembering players awaited the mid-50s.
• Best/most exciting base runner: Willie Mays - IMO, no one ever did 1st-to-3rd faster.
• Best fielding first baseman: Hernandez
• Best fielding second baseman: Maz
• Best fielding shortstop: Belanger
• Best fielding third baseman: Clete Boyer
• Best defensive outfielder: Paul Blair
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Colavito (Accuracy was optional. No one was better than Rocco at throwing from deep right and reaching the 3b-side dugout on the fly.)
• Best defensive catcher: Bench. Yogi is close.
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Stan the Man (thru mid-1958, after that, Pujols)
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Whitey Ford
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro Martinez
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera. Wilhelm very close, but their use pattern was so different as to make evaluation dicey.
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Clete's big bro (or Dewey)
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Actually a doubleheader, Memorial Day 1962, 1st re-visit to NYC for the Dodgers, Mets lose 2, not surprisingly, 13-6 and 6-5. Best single moment was Mets TP in G2. 1st game featured Wills' switch HR (career #2 and #3), plus Koufax CG that featured about 12H, 10K, 6BB - 43 batters, haven't seen a pitch count but my estimate starts at 175. With use like that, any surprise his arm got fried?

53. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:31 PM (#3968212)

• Best defensive catcher: Bench. Yogi is close.

I've never thought of Berra as a particularly good defensive catcher, but he was before my time and the WS clips don't tell me much.
Was he great at blocking pitches, or throwing, or what?

Also, I'd like to change my "Batter I would want up..." vote to George Brett. That just suddenly occurred to me last night, and I want it on the record.

54. AROM Posted: October 19, 2011 at 04:33 PM (#3968218)

#52,

BB-ref has pitch counts for the Dodgers in those years. You can look it up in the game logs. Sandy threw 159 (a season high) in that one.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=koufasa01&t=p&year=1962

55. jwb Posted: October 19, 2011 at 06:56 PM (#3968400)

oscar, Here ya go.

56. SandyRiver Posted: October 19, 2011 at 07:54 PM (#3968445)

Thanks, AROM. Should've known those Mets had no plate discipline to avg over 4 pitches per PA, even when Sandy was wild.

Yogi didn't seem to let much get by him (on the field), and IIRC he had a rep for calling a good game/working well with the staff.

57. Morty Causa Posted: October 19, 2011 at 08:00 PM (#3968455)

Then there's Casey Stengel on why he was such a success with the Yankees: "I never play a game without my man", he said, pointing at Berra.

58. oscar madisox Posted: October 19, 2011 at 08:06 PM (#3968462)

Thanks jwb. That's the one.

Damn, those were Beauchamp's first two homers of the year. After that game, I should have realized that being an Astros fan meant I was in for a lifetime of disappointments.

59. Sunday silence Posted: October 19, 2011 at 09:14 PM (#3968512)

that Billingham v Seaver game was 1973...jes sayin

60. Mefisto Posted: October 19, 2011 at 10:12 PM (#3968544)

With my own eyes:

• Best/most exciting base runner: Mays
• Bestfielding first baseman: Wes Parker (never saw Hernandez much)
• Best fielding second baseman: Trillo
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Brooks. Matt Williams gets Honorable Mention.
• Best defensive outfielder: Mays
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Brett
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Koufax
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Koufax
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Mays or Bonds.
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Bobby Bonds
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Last day of the 1962 season. Giants needed to win and have the Dodgers lose to force a tie. Mays homered in the bottom of the 8th to give the Giants a 2-1 win, and St. Louis beat LA on a homer in the ninth by Gene Oliver. The whole crowd stayed in Candlestick for the LA 9th and they piped Vin Scully's broadcast over the loudspeakers.

61. Booey Posted: October 20, 2011 at 04:37 AM (#3969068)

I've only been following baseball since 1987, but here goes...

• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey
• Bestfielding first baseman: Mattingly maybe? First base defense is hard to judge by eye.
• Best fielding second baseman: Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie
• Best fielding third baseman: Probably Rolen
• Best defensive outfielder: Edmonds was the most fun to watch. Young Andruw was probably best.
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Maybe Vlad?
• Best defensive catcher: Pudge
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Pujols
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro 1999-2000
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Randy Johnson, either 1997-2001 or 1998-2002. Pedro never stayed healthy for 5 full super dominant seasons, nor did he eat innings like the Unit (nor was he 7 feet tall with a mullet, a pedo-stache, and the face of a giant rat).
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Bonds, and all apologies to A-Rod and Pujols, it's not even close.
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Albert Belle. When he was hot, dude was just plain dominant. He was always my pick as the '90's player most likely to win the Triple Crown; not Bonds, Thomas, Manny, Griffey, Piazza, etc, but Belle. Check out his first half season in '96 or his second half in '95 and '98. Ridiculous. I kept waiting for the season when he would put those halves together and finish something like .360 with 65 homers and 180 RBI. Never happened, unfortunately.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: Actually only been to 3 MLB games in person, all in the last two seasons. I have to go with a Pads/Cards game at Petco in May of this year, only because my girlfriend and I both got hit with Pujols batting practice homers that we tried to catch without gloves, her in the upper leg and me in the chest. We had some nasty bruises for a week, but it was well worth it.

62. Ron J Posted: October 20, 2011 at 07:02 AM (#3969091)

#31 Good call on Griffin for most exciting. In certain moods he'd go "run until tagged out" -- but he'd catch the other side unprepared a decent percentage of the time.

Of course he didn't actually spend much time on base.

63. asdf1234 Posted: October 20, 2011 at 07:22 AM (#3969093)

I don't have much recollection of baseball prior to 1990, so apologies to Mex and co from the previous generation.

• Most exciting base runner: Rickey
• Best base runner: Pujols
• Best fielding first baseman: Pujols
• Best fielding second baseman: No idea. Maybe Grudz or Polanco when he was young.
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Beltre/Rolen, though Inge might be the most spectacular.
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Ankiel, though Barfield and Guillen are close
• Best defensive catcher: Molina
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Gwynn
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: Pedro
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Pedro
• Best relief pitcher: Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Salmon, though Abreu will almost certainly eclipse him in about five years
• My favorite game witnessed in person: a Pedro start from 99 or 2000--he struck out 9 or 10 through 5, then exited prematurely after the Sox gained a significant lead. Next best is the 22-inning game between the Padres & Rockies from a few years back, though that's more a favorite for the story than the experience. That game was like being roped into going to a double feature of Spawn and Transformers 2 with your least favorite nephew.

64. toratoratora Posted: October 20, 2011 at 07:45 AM (#3969099)

Off the top of my head
• Best/most exciting base runner: Rickey Henderson. In a landslide. Although, in his own way, Posada is kind of exciting...
• Bestfielding first baseman: Keith Hernandez. Landslide part two.
• Best fielding second baseman: Grich or Frank White.
• Best fielding shortstop:It's probably Ozzie, but I grew up in Baltimore and didn't/don't watch much NL ball, so the best I've seen over an extended period was the Blade.
• Best fielding third baseman: Going against the local religion (Brooks) I'm picking Nettles.
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Barfield. The man had a cannon.
• Best defensive catcher: Bench
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Late career Bonds. Or early career Thomas.
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win:Catfish. I jest. I jest. It's really Gibson
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Unit.
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds and it's not even close.
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Larry Walker. Though I'm tempted to say Jim Thome except is says all around player.
• My favorite game witnessed in person: The Bloody Sock game

65. Something Other Posted: October 20, 2011 at 09:05 AM (#3969104)

• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Carlos Beltran

He's still playing, you say? See what I mean!

66. chisoxcollector Posted: October 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM (#3969108)

Started watching baseball in 1986 or so, and became a full fledged junkie in 1990.
• Best/most exciting base runner: Tim Raines
• Bestfielding first baseman: J.T. Snow
• Best fielding second baseman: Roberto Alomar
• Best fielding shortstop: Ozzie Smith
• Best fielding third baseman: Robin Ventura
• Best defensive outfielder: Andruw Jones
• Strongest throwing arm from the outfield: Jesse Barfield
• Best defensive catcher: Charles Johnson
• Batter I would want up if I needed a hit: Frank Thomas
• Pitcher I would want on the mound if I needed a win: John Smoltz
• Best pitcher over a five year span: Randy Johnson
• Best relief pitcher: Mariano Rivera
• Best position player over a career: Barry Bonds
• Best all-around player who seems “most forgotten”: Robin Ventura
• My favorite game witnessed in person: The "Blackout" game, 2008 Tiebreaker between ChiSox and Twins.

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