Saturday, April 21, 2018

BBA: Sign up the team


So the latest Blog Bat Around was suggested by Zippy over at Torren' Up Cards. If you have seen others, I won't get into too much detail. Just click the link if you want the ground rules. Let's just right into it.

Catcher:

From the start, I have a tough call with the backstop. But I am going to go with a guy that has 13 rings, 18 All Star appearances and 3 MVPs. There was none better during his era.

Honorable Mention: Gary Carter

First Base:

Going with Moose at first. Five World Series rings and an 8 time All Star - it's tough to put any of the other autos I have above him, even if their might be some room for argument.

Honorable Mentions: Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, Pete Rose

Second Base:

This one is tough. There just isn't enough hard data to decide if the honorable mention could take this spot. Different eras and different leagues. If we Iguchi had a full MLB career, who knows. But I am going with the HOF member with 9 All Star appearances, even if the other has a WS ring.

Honorable Mention: Tadahito Iguchi

Shortstop:

Weakest position I have in the autograph binder, so let's go with BoSox fav Bucky "F***ing" Dent. He is a three time All Star with 2 World Series rings, nabbing the MVP award in one of those two fall classics.

Honorable Mentions: Alexei Ramirez, Ozzie Guillen

Third Base:

The only "not on card" auto in this post, since I own it, he has to got the spot. You would be hard pressed to find anyone that played 3rd base better. You can argue Schmidt's batting numbers, but position wise, Robinson set the bar everyone is trying to beat: 18 All Star appearances, 16 Gold Gloves, 2 World Series wins, an AL MVP and a World Series MVP, and a first ballot HOFer with 92% of the vote.

Honorable Mentions: Robin Ventura, Joe Crede

Outfield:

Two of these are no brainers for the readers. Kaline's HOF career with 18 All Star games, a World Series win and 10 Gold Gloves. Then you have Raines with seven mid summer appearances, 3 WS rings and 4 times stolen base leader. And when you see a few of the honorable mentions, you my question my selection of Harold Baines. But Harold deserves a spot in the hall (in my opinion) and would be the third player in the grass on my team. Six All Star appearances and a ring in 2005 - he gets the third spot.

Honorable Mentions: Minnie Minosa, Juan Pierre, Boog Powell, Aaron Rowand, Sandy Alomar

DH/PH:

He didn't make first base cuz I could put the Big Hurt here. Why are you even reading this? Of all the roster spots, this was the easiest.

Honorable Mentions: Harold Baines

Starting Pitcher:

Before I even post an image, let go with the Honorable Mentions, cuz holy shit - you try and pick from this list:

Steve Stone, Chris Sale, Jack McDowell, Ralph Branca, Curt Simmons, Clayton Kershaw, Mark Buehrle, Billy Pierce, Orlando Hernandez


Ultimately, I am going with Bullet Bob. Sure - his career is not much. Just 9 All Star games, 2 World Series rings with the MVP award in both, another MVP award in the regular season, 9 Gold Gloves, 2 Cy Young awards and a no hitter. BIG WHOOP! In the future, there is a chance Kershaw could take his spot in the rotation, but maybe not. I can really only think of a couple guys that would take this position that sign and can be easier autographs to acquire: Koafax or Ryan. But unless luck shines upon me, or one of your readers are generous (please don't be - I could never repay the kindness), Gibson will be my starter.

Middle Relief:

Yes, one of these was more a starter and the other a closer, but they did have some relief appearances, so that is my excuse to work them out of the pen. El Duque had a famous relief appearance during the 2005 playoffs, getting the ChiSox out of a bases loaded/no one out jam. Foulke was part of the famous White Flag trade and worked with Bobby Howry in closing out games in the 90s.

Honorable Mentions: Cliff Politte, Brandon McCarthy, Addison Reed, Erik Johnson, Gerry Staley. Alex Colome

Closer:

This spot is probably the easiest to debate, and some of the honorable mentions could get the nod. I'm going with Roberto, though. Of all the closer autographs, he has the most saves, and his stats are equal or better then the ones mentioned below. But I would put any of the players mentioned here on the mound in the 9th with confidence.

Honorable Mentions: Bobby Thigpen, Keith Foulke, Dustin Hermanson

So there you have my team. Ya know - I bet one of the readers of my post, or any of the others BBAs, has a Strat-O-Matic and can find out which blogger has the best autograph team. Someone with plenty of time and no life should really get on that.

7 comments:

  1. Another good team. It would be fun to find the best BBA team on the Strat-o-matic. Wish I had one.

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  2. Boy Robinson sure is popular. Very nice team.

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  3. I remember reading about Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain and praying for rain. Your outfield of Baines, Kaline and Raines reminded me of them. Overall, that's a pretty stout team and I really like your OF. Maybe Baines, Kaline and Raines will pop the champagne?

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  4. Shortstop might be your weakest position... but I f'n love that Dent. Great lineup. I'm loving these posts.

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  5. Great team. Aesthetically speaking, The Big Hurt might have my all-time favorite autograph.

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  6. i mentioned this on twitter already but the Yogi and Kaline autos are gorgeous. I had to come back for another peek.

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