Could you put a competitive lineup together of players but only using them in their final year?
In a group of mostly greater old players, could some average players who retired early crack the team?
Both are strong options.
These guys both had really strong seasons before calling it quite.
Posey was always a better defensive catcher than Nilsson.
While both were All-Stars, Posey even won a Silver Slugger.
First Baseman: Will Clark (2000 Baltimore Orioles/St.
His great contact ability never really went away but his power did.
Oddly, he hit less home runs around the same time everyone else did.
With St. Louis, he hit .345/.426/.655 in 51 games.
The Cardinals needed a first baseman after Mark McGwire got hurt.
They even had the balls to trade him to their biggest rivals, the New York Giants.
Since he retired, the trade was off.
The 1956 Dodgers went 93-51 and made it to the seventh game of the World Series.
Jackie had a great last year but his last at bat was striking out to end the season.
Weaver was one of the players suspended for life for throwing the 1919 World Series.
For this exercise, that’s neither here nor there.
The eight players weren’t suspended until three games were left in the 1920 season.
He has some trouble staying on the field his last three seasons.
This is kind of what happened with Tony Gwynn.
He could always hit.
Some guys never lose the skill but instead they lose their durability.
If the DH had existed in 1960, how long would Ted Williams have played for?
I bet he could have still been a decent hitter even at 50.
Julio Franco was still a productive hitter when he was 46.
By the end, Williams was a pretty awful left fielder.
It was similar toBarry Bondsin his last season.
An absolute force swinging a bat but a total clown show in left field.
I obviously chose Teddy Ballgame but Bonds would be on the bench with Nilsson for sure.
Of course, PED’s played a major role but that last season by Bonds was insane.
Center Field: B.J.
Both Upton brothers had very good careers that still feel underwhelming.
They were both so talented that falling short of the Hall of Fame seems like a disappointment.
Upton was the 2nd overall pick in the 2002 draft that was stacked with talent.
He just never got any better than that.
Maybe the better option for this team would beHappy Felschwho was another member of the 1919 Black Sox team.
Plus, unlike Weaver or my next pick, Felsch did actively help to throw the Series.
I don’t have a huge issue with him being out of the Hall of Fame.
He did play a great World Series in 1919 but he also took money and agreed to cheat.
There’s not really any coming back from that.
He was an All-Star, won the Silver Slugger and even finished 6th in the AL MVP voting.
I think I’m going to have him bat cleanup on this team.
Here’s the lineup:
1.
Jackie Robinson - 2B
2.
Shoeless Joe Jackson - RF
3.
Ted Williams - LF
4.
David Ortiz - DH
5.
Will Clark - 1B
6.
Chipper Jones - 3B
7.
Buster Posey - C
8.
Upton - CF
9.
Buck Weaver - SS
This team would be able to mash with anyone.
Defense would be an issue especially on the left side of the field.
