| 1st Base Don Mattingly (Yankees) Beautiful smooth stroke and a slick fielder. One of the few Yankees we would openly admitt liking. Class on the field and off of it. If it wasn't for the bad back later in his career, he'd be a Hall of Famer... |
| 2nd Base Joe Morgan (Reds) One of the major cogs in the 70's Big Red Machine, another team we didn't like. Every kid who played ball that decade mimicked his spastic arm motion at the plate. Could hit and field with the best, and his knowledge for the game and delivery now bring the game to life for a new generation. |
| 3rd Base Robin Ventura (White Sox - Mets) Ventura's short stint with the Mets was enough for the Pub to fully back him. Solid defender who you'd never want to face with the sacks full (Mr. Active GS), has overcome injury to still put up solid numbers late in his career. The type of guy you wish was your neighbor. |
| Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles) Teach your children well CSN once sang. That being the case, have them read up on Cal for lessons on persistance and sportsmanship. Another class act on the All-Whitey team, and just may be the captain. |
| Catcher Gary Carter (Expos - Mets) Liked him as an Expo, loved him with the Mets. Career stats just may be good enough to put him in the Hall (he was elected in 2004). 1986 "curtain calls" enraged many but not us. Had the first hit in the comeback 10th inning victory over the Red Sox in that 86' Series, and always had a smile on his face. |
| Left Field Joe Rudi (A's) Sleeper selection by the Pub. This guy was the ultimate in cool on those powerful Athletics teams of the early 70's. Guy could field with the best of them and looked like a surfer dude as well. Plus the cool name, a can't miss! |
| Center Field Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners - Reds) So many greats to choose from. The main attraction to Jr. other than his great fielding ability and sweet swing is this. He took less money to play in his hometown. He gets dogged there after being injured and even though he doesn't like it, still trys to keep quiet and play the game. |
| Right Field Hank Aaron (Braves) 755. Played at the highest level and did so as a black man in a white man's game. Through the death threats and hatred while playing in the deep south, broke Babe Ruth's record in a game I watched as a kid in 1974. Had the opportunity to meet him in little league, and he made me feel like a superstar. |
| DH Reggie Jackson (A's and Yankees) Who could ever forget Mr. October in the World Series? A charasmatic power hitter with a sweet swing, Reggie almost invented watching his handy work leave the yard. Not a fan of that unless #44 was the guy that launched it. |
| Righty Pitcher Nolan Ryan (a Texan) Not the best pitcher of all-time, but holds the record for career K's. Seven no-hitters, and got better with age. Another textbook guy on preparedness and persistance. What you think of in a power pitcher. |
| Lefty Pitcher Al Leiter (Mets) Another guy that isn't the best in his trade (this list not intended for that), but we love him for his grit and emotion in the big game. Jersey guy (Central Regional) once struck out a Pub buddy (Al "the walk" Walker.. "Dude,he threw me three pitches and I didn't see any of em"). Nice career in the booth when he's done on the mound. |
| Closer Goose Gossage (Yankees) All the ingrediants for a great closer... Cool mustache, great windup, the stare or snarl, a power pitcher with the perfect amount of wildness. Claim to fame made with the Yankee teams of the late 70's. The Goose was always the guy you imitated when you were gonna throw it as hard as you could. |
| Skipper Sparky Anderson (Reds) Tough catagory with so many to select from. Came up with Sparky due to his cool name, the job he did with the Reds and Tigers, and the way he managed. He's the guy you think of in an old time skipper. |
| The Pub's All-Time Favorite Team |
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