SI

I can't really argue with this list, how about you guys?

I think that Lee Smith should at least be a backup in the bullpen.

Yogi Berra or Johnny Bench should definitely be in the "reserves" column, if they're going with Gibson as the starter at catcher. Forget Pudge.

And FWIW, you could replace Roger Clemens with Babe Ruth as a starting pitcher...

I agree with that as well. Pudge is overrated

bench should start at catcher besides that no real disputes

I agree with Bench for catcher. Hard to believe Mays, Mantle, Aaron, and Bonds can't crack the starting lineup, but I can't argue with the starters.

... and drop clemens for bob gibson, a better pitcher minus the roids

If Josh Gibson makes the team, how does Satchel Paige not?

Paige over Pedro
Carlton over Koufax
Bonds over Mantle

My Lineup:

1) T. Cobb
2) A. Rodriguez
3) B. Ruth
4) L. Gehrig
5) T. Williams
6) M. Schmidt
7) J. Gibson
8) R. Hornsby
9) W. Johnson

carlton for koufax? no way.

165-87 record
2.76 ERA
2396 K's
137 complete games
1754 hits in...

2324 1/2 innings, and a perfect game

i agree with satchel for pedro but drop mickey for barroid, i couldnt do that mickey was the man

Carlton:

329 wins
3.22 era
4,136 k
254 cg

i'm not sure how the numbers favor koufax (yes, i know he retired early)

The argument I always hear about Koufax is that he was so dominant in the years he played that he is way above the others. If you look at it from a numbers only view I don't see how that is the case. Terrific numbers, yes, but he was on very good teams and he didn't play that long. Carlton played a little too long and it affected his career stats. Some of those Phillies teams that Carlton pitched on were horrible. He won 27 games in 1972 with a team that only won 59 games. And he had a .197 ERA. With that lineup behind them I think either Koufax or Carlton would win!

Don Marco asserts...

 Quote:

The argument I always hear about Koufax is that he was so dominant in the years he played that he is way above the others. If you look at it from a numbers only view I don't see how that is the case. Terrific numbers, yes, but he was on very good teams and he didn't play that long.

Can you name the Hall-of-Fame pitcher whose won-loss record for the first half of his career was four games UNDER .500?

Koufax played 12 years and quit at his peak...at age 30. He was dominant and dependable for maybe FOUR of those years, outstanding but not reliable in two more, and just plain mediocre for the first six years of his career with a won-loss record of 36-40....yes, 36-40.

While I would want Koufax at his peak, I'd have to pick a more durable pitcher. Carlton and Gibbie would be a nice daily double and you could make a solid argument for either one.

tony b.

Where is Mario Mendoza?

Was that guy the perfect example of "good field, no hit" when describing an infielder? How that guy played as long as he did in major league baseball is beyond me.

It might have been Bill James that coined the term "Mendoza Line" for anyone that couldn't hit .200

tony b.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of watching a Phillies game at Citizen's Bank Park with Jayson Stark from ESPN. He has written a fascinating book, detailing the most overrated and underrated players at each position in baseball history.

The most overrated LHP? Koufax...in part, for the reasons you outline. Yankee fans may not like that the left side of his overrated infield consists of Graig Nettles and Phil Rizzuto, but Berra is his most underrated catcher.

The book is very interesting and thought provoking.