NakamuraAll Time Best: Infield
Every generation has their share of stars. This time around, there are players such as Mauer, Pujols, Suzuki, Lincecum and more. Way back when, there were players such as Ruth, Gehrig and Mays. So who were the true best of the best? Here are my picks. Feel free to leave your top players in the comments.
Catcher: Johnny Bench Hall of Famer. 14 time all star. Two time MVP. 10 time gold glove award winner. Owner of two world series rings. One world series MVP. Anyone who says Bench is overrated is insane. This man could do it all; whether it be catching pop ups, fielding
bunts or throwing out runners at second. He takes the crown for best defensive catcher by a long shot. And with the bat, he is third on the list of most homeruns hit by a catcher. As first ballot hall of famer, Bench got in with 96% of the votes.
Other notable catchers: Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mike Piazza, Bill Dickey
Today's Best: Joe Mauer
First Base: Lou Gehrig. The fact that Gehrig played parts of his career while having lunch with death himself should get him on this list. Everyone knows his accomplishments on the field. His consecutive games played, his powerful bat and his love of the game that shone above all others. This man really needs no introduction or reason to be here. It's a given fact that he is one of the world's greatest.
Other notable first basemen: Jimmie Fox, Eddie Murray, Hank Greenberg
Today's Best: Albert Pujols
Second Base: Joe Morgan. This one is tough. There has never really been a second baseman that controlled the game or dominated their position like Bench and Gehrig did. I thought about Neille Fox and his incredible run with the White Sox. But then you have to think about what Roberto Alomar did for Toronto. And Rod Carew shouldn't go unnoticed either. Where would Jackie Robinson fit into all of this? Joe Morgan was part of the Big Red Machine along with Johnny Bench. Had Pete Rose played fewer positions, he would have most likely made this list as a second baseman. After all, he does hold the record for most career hits.
Other notable second basemen: Pete Rose, Neille Fox, Roberto Alomar, Rod Carew, Jackie Robinson
Today's Best: Chase Utley
Third Base: Mike Schmidt. Although he wasn't exactly uncontested, Schmidt wins this category by a safe margin. He was one of the best defensive third baseman of all time and won 10 gold gloves to prove it. He also won three silver sluggers to show that he was a dangerous force to be reckoned with. A three time MVP, this man was dangerous with a glove and bat.
Other notable third basemen: George Brett, Wade Boggs, Eddie Matthews, Brooks Robinson
Today's Best: Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop: Honus Wagner. Even though his career started over 100 years ago, Honus still has the respect of baseball fans across America. He had a career
batting average of .327. He was the second person to be elected into the hall of fame. Why? Well the 3,415 career hits and the fact that he won a world series in 1909 may have helped. And just to finished everything off, why not have your face on the most expensive baseball card of all time?
Other notable shortstops: Cal Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter
Today's Best: Derek Jeter
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
Catcher: Johnny Bench Hall of Famer. 14 time all star. Two time MVP. 10 time gold glove award winner. Owner of two world series rings. One world series MVP. Anyone who says Bench is overrated is insane. This man could do it all; whether it be catching pop ups, fielding
Johnny Bench
Today's Best: Joe Mauer
First Base: Lou Gehrig. The fact that Gehrig played parts of his career while having lunch with death himself should get him on this list. Everyone knows his accomplishments on the field. His consecutive games played, his powerful bat and his love of the game that shone above all others. This man really needs no introduction or reason to be here. It's a given fact that he is one of the world's greatest.
Today's Best: Albert Pujols
Second Base: Joe Morgan. This one is tough. There has never really been a second baseman that controlled the game or dominated their position like Bench and Gehrig did. I thought about Neille Fox and his incredible run with the White Sox. But then you have to think about what Roberto Alomar did for Toronto. And Rod Carew shouldn't go unnoticed either. Where would Jackie Robinson fit into all of this? Joe Morgan was part of the Big Red Machine along with Johnny Bench. Had Pete Rose played fewer positions, he would have most likely made this list as a second baseman. After all, he does hold the record for most career hits.
Other notable second basemen: Pete Rose, Neille Fox, Roberto Alomar, Rod Carew, Jackie Robinson
Today's Best: Chase Utley
Third Base: Mike Schmidt. Although he wasn't exactly uncontested, Schmidt wins this category by a safe margin. He was one of the best defensive third baseman of all time and won 10 gold gloves to prove it. He also won three silver sluggers to show that he was a dangerous force to be reckoned with. A three time MVP, this man was dangerous with a glove and bat.
Other notable third basemen: George Brett, Wade Boggs, Eddie Matthews, Brooks Robinson
Today's Best: Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop: Honus Wagner. Even though his career started over 100 years ago, Honus still has the respect of baseball fans across America. He had a career
A 1909 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card
Other notable shortstops: Cal Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter
Today's Best: Derek Jeter
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
Baseball Author
Tech Poke
Writing Edition
Anything or Everything?
-Nakamura