Tigers Centennial Team From 1969

[moldyoldie]

In honor of baseball's centennial in 1969, each major league team selected their all-time team. I can't remember who did the selecting, but if memory serves, the Tigers all-time team was as follows:

1B - Hank Greenberg
2B - Charley Gehringer
3B - George Kell
SS - Bill Rogell
OF - Harry Heilmann
OF - Ty Cobb
OF - Al Kaline
C - Mickey Cochrane
RHP - Denny McLain
LHP - Hal Newhouser

Since then, I think a strong argument can be made for Alan Trammell replacing Rogell at SS, either Bill Freehan or Lance Parrish replacing Cochrane at C, and Jack Morris replacing McLain at RHP. I'm sure McLain's 31-win season the year before had a lot to do with his selection.

A weaker argument can be made for Mickey Lolich replacing Newhouser at LHP.

Any changes you'd make from 1969?

If such a team was selected today, it would probably include DH and Relief Pitcher. In that case I'd select:

DH - Willie Horton
RP - John Hiller

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'd agree with all of your changes, mo. I'd take Freehan over Parrish, but not by too much. Cochrane simply didn't do enough in a Tiger uniform to keep the position over Freehan or Parrish.
Lolich was good, but I'd stick with Prince Hal.
Who else was bandied about for rhp at the time?

[KCGHOST]

I absolutely have to take Tommy Bridges as the RHP. Freehan for the catching slot. Trammell is way ahead of any other Tiger SS. Sam Crawford is worthy of a strong honorable mention for one of the outfield slots. It should be noted that Kaline, Heilmann, and Crawford were all RF's.

[HDH]

I have to go with Sam Crawford over Al Kaline. Crawford played most of career as a RF but, during the 07-09 World Series seasons, Ty Cobb was in RF and Crawford played in CF. They switched beginning in 1910. There are 3 RH that I think could represent the Tigers:

RH George Mullin
RH Hooks Dauss
RH Jack Morris

[moldyoldie]

Who else was bandied about for rhp at the time?
I recall Tommy Bridges (per KCGHOST), George Mullin, and Schoolboy Rowe being mentioned at the time. I confess not being familiar with Hooks Dauss, now I am.;)

[KCGHOST]

I recall Tommy Bridges (per KCGHOST), George Mullin, and Schoolboy Rowe being mentioned at the time. I confess not being familiar with Hooks Dauss, now I am.;)


Hooks was basically a modestly above average pitcher in his era. He can only get serious consideration if W/L records is all you look at.