Spring Is In The Air, So Let's Play Ball! & The JB Random Report All-Time Infield 4/5/12

Ahhh….Springtime. A time where love is in the air, evidenced by the most random of your friends hooking up and everyone else around you wondering “How the Hell did that happen?” The Forsythias blooming and the weather getting warmer, all leading up to the greatest Spring tradition of all, the start of the Major League baseball season. So many big names have changed caps, Albert Pujols being the biggest star to move, Prince Fielder being the fattest star to move, making that Detroit infield look like a softball league.

It is a time where every team is 0-0 and every team has a chance to win, well at least technically. There will be some obscure records broken, and old debates continued: Who’s the best at what position; who should have been traded and when; who had the best arm at the best position, etc. It’s a truer American debate than a lot of what you see these politicians babbling about as they try to get your vote. No ballplayer is trying to do that. So I have decided to end a few of these debates once and for all.

If you are not a baseball fan, you might not wanna read The JB Random Report for the next few weeks, because the blogs are going to be about one topic as I will be compiling the All-Time greatest baseball team ever, to celebrate the month of April and the start of the baseball season.

It will be based on a 27 man regular season roster, not an expanded 40 man one. This is gonna be a tough team to get on. Now, you can feel free to disagree with my choices if you must, but as usual, I am always right. I know that if I field this team in any year, it wins at least 115 games. So this week we will be selecting the infield, and in the coming weeks, the outfield and designated hitters, followed by the pitching staff, then coaching staff.

Now remember two things, we are selecting the best all-around player at each position, so a lot of factors went into each decision. Remember that it’s not all about offense. Also the Gold Glove Award for defense didn’t exist until 1957, so those awards are a factor, but not the only factor in judging defensive prowess. So here it goes…

The JB Random Report All-Time Infield:

At First Base: Lou Gehrig (1923-1939), Batting Average: .340 Home Runs: 493 Runs Batted In: 1995 Hits: 2721. Lou Gehrig teamed with Babe Ruth to form baseball's most devastating hitting combination ever. The Iron Horse had 13 consecutive seasons with both 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, averaging 139 runs and 148 RBI; set an American League mark with 184 RBI in 1931; hit a record 23 grand slams; and won the 1934 Triple Crown. His .361 batting average in seven World Series led the Yankees to six titles. His defense was impeccable, in an era where those stats were not so meticulously kept and Gold Glove awards didn’t exist.

Why Its Not:

Jimmie Foxx? Gehrig had a higher average, more hits, and was a better fielder and would have eclipsed all of Foxx’s offensive records had he not had to end his career prematurely. 

At Second Base: Rogers Hornsby (1915-1937), BA: .341 HR: 301 RBI: 1318 H: 2930. “The Rajah” was the game's best right-handed hitter. He won seven batting titles - including six in a row - topping .400 three times. His career average of .359 is the highest ever in the National League. A two-time MVP and two-time Triple Crown winner, was the player-manager of the Cardinals' first World Championship team in 1926 and was the first National League player to hit 300 home runs.

Why Its Not:

 Anyone else? To be honest, there are no players today, retired or even in the Baseball Hall of Fame at second base that come anywhere near Hornsby’s numbers, with the notable exception maybe, of Craig Biggio who had over 3,000 hits in his career.

At Shortstop: Cal Ripken Jr (1981-2001), BA: .276 HR: 431 RBI: 1695 H: 3184. It took nearly 60 years for someone to break Lou Gehrig’s record of consecutive games played. Cal Ripken Jr. eclipsed “the streak” in 1998 by playing in 2,632 straight games for the Baltimore Orioles, surpassing Gehrig's mark of 2,130. Beyond this amazing record, Ripken put together an all-around great career. A career that included great offensive numbers (over 3,000 hits is a Hall of Fame lock), 2 Gold Gloves, 19 straight All-Star appearances, and two MVPs.

Why Its Not:

Ozzie Smith? No doubt the greatest defensive shortstop ever with 13 Gold Gloves, but he didn’t start hitting until late in his career.

Derek Jeter? Jeter will be the all-time hits leader when his career is over, but it’s too soon to tell if he will be the greatest shortstop ever. If I say that I think he already is, I’d be accused of favoritism, or as I like to call it, Yankeeism.

Honus Wagner? Don’t worry, you’ll see him later.

Ernie Banks? “Let’s play two” But even with 512 homeruns and 1 Gold Glove, he lacks the range and durability of Ripken.

At Third base: Brooks Robinson (1955-1977), BA: .267 HR: 268 RBI: 1357 H: 2848., In his career, Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves at third base. What makes this record even more remarkable is that he did it during an era where he had to hold back defensive specialists Frank Malzone and Clete Boyer who in any other era would have been called the greatest defensive third basemen of their time. And if that were not enough, Robinson held these two greats at bay while setting major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage.

Why Its Not:

Alex Rodriguez? Rodriguez already has better numbers offensively, and will probably end up taking Robinson’s place on this list when his career is over if his defense improves. But he will never be the defensive player that Robinson was. And remember it’s the best all around player at the position that we are looking for. But don’t despair, you’ll see him later.

                      

Mike Schmidt? This is a tough one because Schmidt does have 10 Gold Gloves to go with his 548 Homeruns, but remember he played in an era when there were really no other 3^rd basemen to compare him with, except maybe George Brett in the AL. And Robinson has too many all-time records at the position. Yes his offensive numbers eclipse that of Robinson, but once again, there is more to baseball than that, and Robinson’s numbers were certainly respectable.

At Catcher: Yogi Berra (1946-1963, 1965), BA: .285 HR: 358 RBI: 1430 H: 2150. What Bill Russell was to the NBA, Yogi Berra was to baseball. A three-time American League MVP in a career that featured 14 league pennants and 10 World Series championships, more than anyone. He was both a brilliant catcher and dominant hitter during his 19-year career with the New York Yankees. Berra was named to the American League All-Star team every year from 1948 to 1962. He topped the 100-RBI mark four years in a row.

Why Its Not:

Johnny Bench? Yogi has more hits, a higher average, and played on more pennant winners.

                      

Ivan Rodriguez? Rodriguez will retire with multiple Gold Gloves and better numbers than Yogi, but he will never be a greater winner. He has a better arm, but whereas Rodriguez calls the game with the pitcher, Yogi called it with the entire team on the field, kind of like a point guard in basketball. Fear not however, as you’ll see him again later.