The Kid's Warehouse

[The Kid]

Welcome to the warehouse. I first posted my reference/best posts in my Ted Williams thread over in the History of the Game forum. Since some of my work has been recognized (and that I now have no where to put it), Jim Albright (jalbright) has agreed to take my work into the HOF forum. This thread will be a warehouse for my "musings". It will contain posts, most of which will be about HOFers and maybe a borderline HOFer or two.

Index

Page 1

1. Index
2. Introducing Mickey Cochrane
3. Now Introducing Nap Lajoie
4. Now Introducing Jimmy Collins
5. Production Charts
6. Analysis of Baseball's Ethnic Breakdown
7. My Top 10: Catchers
8. My Top 10: 1st Basemen
9. My Top 10: 2nd Basemen
10. My Top 10: 3rd Basemen
11. My Top 10: Short Stops
12. My Top 10: Left Fielders
13. My Top 10: Center Fielders
14. My Top 10: Right Fielders
15. My Top 10: Managers
16. My Top 100 Players UPDATED
17. My All Star Teams, A & B UPDATED
18. My Top 10 Greatest Seasons by a Pitcher; Some Greatest Seasons by a Pitcher by Bill Burgess
19. My Top 10 Greatest Hitting Seasons by a Player; Some Greatest Hitting Seasons by Bill Burgess
20. Win Shares for impressive peaks by 538280; WARP3 for impressive peaks by Bill Burgess
21. My Top 10 1800s Players
22. My Top 10 Negro League Players
23. My All Time Defensive Teams, A&B
24. My All Time Non HOF Team
25. My Top 20 Pitchers

[The Kid]

Introducing Mickey Cochrane: BB Reference (http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cochrmi01.shtml), Baseball Almanac (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=cochrmi01), Baseball Library (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Mickey_Cochrane_1903)

Born: April 6, 1903, Bridgewater, MA
Died: June 28, 1962, Lake Forest, IL

AL catcher, OF, 1925-37
AL manager, 1934-38

Bill James; Nov. 5, 1949 - Still Alive;
Prolific author of BB books, popularized new study of BB stats, called "sabermetrics", amazingly widely-read on BB subjects.

Ranks Cochrane as the 4th best catcher of all time and the 72nd best player in the second edition of his Historical Abstract. His Runs Created, Batting Runs & Runs Generated per 500 At Bats system also ranks Cochrane to be the second greatest offensive catcher ever behind Mike Piazza and ranks him better offensively better than the likes of Johnny Bench and Bill Dickey. The system also ranks Cochrane's 1933 season as the 4th greatest offensive season ever by a catcher.

Ban Johnson; - Died March, 1931
Cinc. spwr.(1887-93)AL Pres.('01-27)
Has Cochrane as his catcher on his all time team most of his life, previously had Lou Criger.

Hugh Fullerton; Died 1945
NYC sp.wr. (1893-30's)
Also had Cochrane as his catcher, but switched to Kling at the end of his career.

Joe McCarthy; Born April 21, 1887 - Died January 13, 1978
NL man. ('26-30),AL man. ('31-46, 48-50)
Had Hartnett as his catcher, but then switched and ended with Cochrane.

Zach Wheat; Born May 23, 1888 - Died March 11, 1972
NL OF 1909-1926, AL OF 1927
Had Cochrane as his catcher his whole life.

Tris Speaker; Born April 4, 1888 - Died December 8, 1958
AL OF (1907-28)
Just like Wheat, Speaker had Cochrane as his catcher his whole life.

Writer James C. Isaminger of the Sporting News wrote this when Cochrane was traded from the A's to the Tigers:

"Take away Mickey Cochrane and you can give a kiss to your catching department. It makes your blood broil when you read the stories saying that Mickey was the 'third best catcher in the league'. Bill Dickey and Rick Ferrell are mentioned as his superiors. Dickey and Ferrell are admittedly great catchers, but Cochrane out towers his rivals like the Empire State building.

Never rate catchers solely on batting averages. The dumbest maskman in the world may hit above the .300 mark. Cochrane is the brainiest catcher in baseball. He can run faster than any other maskman and always hits well above the .300 mark.

Mickey has been criticized for so many rivals stealing, but these critics do not know that there is not a single pitcher on the Athletic staff ever known to watch first base or make a throw to hold runner there. Bases are stolen on the pitchers, not Cochrane.

Anybody doubting that Mickey can't throw is refereed to his amazing plays on bunts. There is no catcher that equals him in grabbing a roller in front of the plate and throwing down to second. No man with a dead arm could do that. In getting a runner sliding into the plate, Mickey has no equal.

Comparable to Buck Ewing
Add to this Mickey's winning personality. He creates a confident atmosphere with his very presence. Players look up to him, respect him.

Older men living today, and Connie Mack is one of them, declare that Buck Ewing was the greatest catcher that ever lived. Mack says that Cochrane is the nearest approach to Ewing he ever saw, although giving honorable mention to Roger Bresnahan.

The Athletics never had a catcher that ever approached Mickey in worth. They had some good catchers, too. Schreck and Powers served Mack behind the plate at the start of his American League career. Schreck himself made famous with his skill of catching Waddell, one of the fastest of pitchers.

Later on came Ira Thomas and Jack Lapp. Ira's arm was a bit brittle, but he was a great general behind the plate, and his mightiest achievement was to outmaster John Kling in the 1910 World Series." (Isaminger goes on to describe how Cochrane came to the A's, but that is a far to long entry to put here.)

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Cochrane's Gold Glove Estimates, according to Matt Souder's PCA system

Yr - EqG - Wins - PCA-BA
1925 - 101 - 0.78 - 0.247
1926 - 104 - 2.75 - 0.351 GG
1927 - 117 - 1.18 - 0.261
1928 - 126 - 1.90 - 0.288
1929 - 132 - 2.32 - 0.302 GG
1930 - 120 - 1.41 - 0.270
1931 - 116 - 1.52 - 0.277
1932 - 131 - 3.61 - 0.358 GG
1933 - 119 - 0.64 - 0.235
1934 - 107 - 1.31 - 0.273
1935 - 105 - 1.21 - 0.269
1936 - 38- 0.16 - 0.228
1937 - 25- 0.19 - 0.247

----------------------------------------------------

In 1931, George Sisler chose his all-time all-star team for Baseball Magazine.

"Beyond a doubt, Gordon Cochrane, of the Athletics, is the greatest catcher I ever saw. Cochrane has fully as much fight as Schalk and just as much confidence in handling pitchers. Schalk was nimble and active. But I'd say Cochrane was even faster. And Cochrane is what Schalk never was, a great hitter.

"They talk a great deal about Lefty Grove, Al Simmons and others, but Cochrane is the spark plug of the World's Champions." (Baseball Magazine, April, 1931, pp. 483-484, The Greatest Players I Ever Saw, Comprising an Interview with George Sisler)

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Cochrane Anecdote.

"Mickey Cochrane, Hall of Famer with the Athletics and later the Tigers, had a legendary temper and an incendiary obsession with winning. Inner fires seemed to consume him- but also to define his skills. He was not an adroit catcher at first. The word his first major league manager, Connie Mack used was 'crude'. Mack, who prized Cochrane's reputation as a minor leaguer and who 'liked him on the train because he listened so eagerly,' was shocked by Cochrane's lack of defensive ability when he first saw him play.

'He was crude at receiving the ball,' Mack told a reporter at the time. 'His stance and crouch were both wrong. And on foul balls he was simply pathetic....

'What can I do with that boy?' I wondered. 'He's trying his heart out but doesn't even look like a catcher. Outfielder, maybe?'

'I was so disappointed, and worked harder with him. He was that eager that you couldn't hurt him if you had a heart. One morning I found him catching flies knocked out to him; after practice he had rookies hitting them. That night he was in my room asking questions.

'By the time we left camp, I knew my worries were over. A misfit in February, he was a star in April. Player and manager these fifty years, I've seen hundreds of men but none ever made such a quick and complete job of correcting weaknesses.'

Cochrane did more than correct his weaknesses; he transformed them. He became the best in his era in taking foul pops. He learned to come out of a low crouch throwing as well as anyone. Cy Perkins, a veteran catcher on the A's who worked with Cochrane, remembered how inept this part of the game was.

'It's no wonder Mike didn't know how to catch.,' he told Bob Broeg of The Sporting News. 'He didn't know how to stand or to shift.... He was too high behind the plate, an easier stance from which to throw, but not a good enough target for pitchers who wanted to keep the ball down.

'It's tougher throwing from back there when the ball is down and especially if the catcher's knee is down, but Mike worked on throwing them out from down low until he was blue in that tomato face instead of red. He was great at it.'

He was even better at handling his staff. He let his fire and and temper guide him. In one game, early in his career, when an A's pitcher, Rube Walberg, was experiencing wildness, Cochrane came to the mound, grabbed the young pitcher, spun him around, and then, in full view of everyone, kicked him solidly in the rump. The startled pitcher started to laugh, somehow aware of the absurdity of what Cochrane had done, and, more relaxed, was actually able to resume pitching.

'Many times in my career I asked pitchers whether they did not think they needed a little help, [only] to get surprised look of an insulted artist,' he wrote in Baseball- The Fan's Game. 'Once I asked it of Lefty Grove when we were kids breaking in: 'Get back there and do the catching. I'll do the pitching.' he snapped.

'I went back there and he nearly tore my hand off with fireballs that the hitter still hasn't seen. Lefty had been unconsciously letting up, and when he got sore at me he wanted to to knock me out of the park with every pitch'.

'I used to do that with [George] Earnshaw all the time. He'd get so sore at me he'd try to knock me down with a fastball,' Cochrane wrote. Strategy was never far from anything he did." (Nine Sides Of The Diamond, by David Falkner, 1990, pp. 298-300)

[The Kid]

Now Introducing Nap Lajoie: BB Reference (http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lajoina01.shtml), BB Library (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Nap_Lajoie_1874), BB Reference Bullpen Article (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Nap_Lajoie)

Born: September 5, 1874, Woonsocket, RI
Died: February 7, 1959, Daytona Beach, FL

NL 2B, 1B, 3B, OF, 1896 - 00
AL 2B, 1B, SS, 3B, 1901 - 16
Cleveland Naps manager, 1905 - 09

Sam Crane; September 13, 1894 - November 12, 1955
ML 2B(1880-90), NYC spwr. (1890-1925)

Had Nap as his second baseman his whole career, begining on 1918 and had him until he died.

Billy Murray; April 13, 1864 - March 25, 1937
Pirates man. '07-09, Cards coach, '13

Upon choosing his all time team in 1922, he had this to say about his second baseman: "[Lajoie] was a more terrific hitter then [Eddie] Collins and therefore more dangerous when confronting pitchers. There was nothing flashy about him, but when he was at his best, nothing within 50 feet of him got into the outfield. He was so graceful in his every movment that again and again through the years he made miracle plays look simple.

Babe Ruth; February 6, 1895 - August 16, 1948
AL ('14-34), NL('35), NL coach ('38)

Had Lajoie as his second baseman his whole life. And when one of the best say your the best at a position, then you're probably pretty darn good.

Jimmy Collins; January 16, 1870 - March 6, 1943
NL 3B (1895-00), AL 3B (1901-08)

Had Lajoie as his second baseman from when he named his team in 1943 until he died 16 years later.

Ernest Lanigan; January 4, 1873 - February 6, 1962
Sp. wr.,1887-91,07-11,16, H of F,'46-59

Originaly picked Nap as his second baseman in 1922, and stuck with him, as he did with all his infield, when he was asked to name his team in 1946.

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Nap Lajoie's Gold Glove Estimates, according to Matt Souder's PCA system

Ps---------Yr-------EqG------Wins-----PCA-BA
1B--------1896------37-------0.16-----0.236
1B--------1897------129------2.22-----0.310
2B--------1898------147------2.18-----0.250
2B--------1899------83-------1.70-----0.279
2B--------1900------106------2.90-----0.305
2B--------1901------138------3.62-----0.302
2B--------1902------97-------1.96-----0.274
2B--------1903------123------3.72-----0.319 GG
2B--------1904------142------3.17-----0.288
2B--------1905------68-------1.10-----0.256
2B--------1906------159------5.46-----0.348 GG
2B--------1907------139------4.62-----0.338 GG
2B--------1908------158------6.47-----0.364 GG
2B--------1909------129------3.49-----0.307 GG
2B--------1910------156------3.32-----0.281
1B--------1911------76-------1.36-----0.293
2B--------1912------115------2.34-----0.281
2B--------1913------121------4.50-----0.348 GG
2B--------1914------101------1.44-----0.255
2B--------1915------127------0.87-----0.218
2B--------1916------112------1.02-----0.224

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2B is a demanding position, if one chooses to do it WELL.

1. Be able to co-lead an infield along with the shortstop.
2. Be incredibly versatile and agile.
3. Be able to cover as much ground as the shortstop.
4. Be able to judge groundballs, as to wether they will short hop, stay flat or otherwise.
5. Be able to back up first on a throw down or a dropped third strike.
6. Be aware of the count and number of outs at all time.
7. Be able to catch a runner in a run down.
8. Be able to relay a throw from an outfielder.
9. Be able to hold a runner on second.
10. Be able to back up a throw down to second from the catcher or pitcher.
11. Be able to take throws on first base when a bunt is put down the first base line.

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Lajoie On Playing Second Base

"I play a deep field and change my distance from second base according to the style of pitching. You must size up the man at bat and know the style of the ball the pitcher is to feed to him. It is always best to go in ans meet the ball... I never make up my mind how to take the ball until it is very close, for it may take a jump if you set yourself for the regulation bound.

On working in tandem:

"I always have a perfect understanding with the shortstop and catcher, as to who will cover the base, and play a bit closer when out for a double play."

On taking fly balls:

"A second baseman should go for short flies, and depend on the outfielders for coaching as they are in a better position to judge the ball.

On turning double plays:

If there is no chance for a double play, you should hold the ball... In turning to throw, step in front of the base and throw regardless of the man coming down, as he will generalyy look out for himself and is not anxious to get hit with the ball... I instinctively start for the base as soon as I see the ball is hit to the right of me. It pays to be at the bag in time to help the throw from short or third, for a fraction of a second will lose a double play." (Nine Sides of the Diamond, by David Falkner, 1990, pp. 74-75)

[The Kid]

Now Introducing Jimmy Collins: BB Reference (http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/colliji01.shtml)

Born January 16, 1870, Buffalo, NY
Died March 6, 1943, Buffalo, NY

NL 3B 1895-00, AL 3B (1901-08)
AL manager 1901-06

Jimmy Collins was universally listed, up until the mid 1950s, as the greatest third baseman that ever lived. He was knocked off of his thrown by the great Pie Traynor. Jimmy was the first "fielding third baseman". He developed the style of going in on bunts, and he layed the foundation out for all great fielding third basemen, and from him came those like Brooks Robinson and now David Wright. He was also a great clutch hitter.


Ed Barrow

"[Collins] completely revolutionized third base play. Actually, he was the first modern third baseman, developing the technique of coming in for bunts and playing an alert mobile game at third instead of the accustomed style of the third basmen of the nineties of laying back and not 'moving of a dime'....He had the agility of a cat...He was a sort of third base Hal Chase. Also, he had a keen and astute mind and knew how to match his wits with the crafty players of his day."


Connie Mack

"Jimmy was another Lajoie, slick and fast. He had a great knack of coming up with the ball between hops. He was also a great base runner and a timely hitter."


John McGraw

"I select Jimmy [for my all time team] for his great excellence as a fielder, a hitter, and a man. He was a great fellow on and off the field and a credit to baseball. Jimmy Collins was particularly adept at going in for bunts. The art of bunting had just come into being when Collins was playing third base and he was one of the first to solve this style of play.... [he was] a real pioneer of the modern style of playing third base."

----------------------------------------------------

Jimmy Collins' Gold Glove Estimates, according to Matt Souder's PCA system.

Ps-------Yr------- EqG------Wins---- PCA-BA
3B-------1895----110------1.03----- 0.252
3B-------1896-----90------ 2.08-----0.335 GG
3B-------1897----133------ 3.80-----0.367 GG
3B-------1898----152------ 4.17-----0.360 GG
3B-------1899----151------ 3.79-----0.346 GG
3B-------1900----142------ 3.90-----0.360 GG
3B-------1901----138------ 3.82-----0.361 GG
3B-------1902----108------ 2.67-----0.344 GG
3B-------1903----133------ 3.65-----0.360 GG
3B-------1904----157------ 3.29-----0.322 GG
3B-------1905----131------ 2.11-----0.293
3B-------1906-----34------ 0.21-----0.234
3B-------1907----133------ 1.22-----0.251
3B-------1908----118------ 0.90-----0.243

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(Sitting) Jimmy Collins, Beaneaters 3B, 1900
------BB Reference Data (http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/colliji01.shtml)

[The Kid]

Production Charts: Career Production of Great Players. (OBP+SLG)

Babe Ruth: 1.164
Ted Williams: 1.116
Lou Gehrig: 1.072
Jimmie Foxx: 1.037
Hank Greenberg: 1.017
Rogers Hornsby: 1.011
Mickey Mantle: 0.978
Joe DiMaggio: 0.977
Stan Musial: 0.976
Johnny Mize: 0.959
Mel Ott: 0.947
Ty Cobb: 0.945
Dan Brouthers: 0.942
Willie Mays: 0.941
Joe Jackson: 0.940
Hank Aaron: 0.929
Tris Speaker: 0.928
Frank Robinson: 0.926
Al Simmons: 0.915
Mike Schmidt: 0.907
Mickey Cochrane: 0.897
Wade Boggs: 0.888
Eddie Matthews: 0.885
Roger Connor: 0.883
Pete Browning: 0.869
Honus Wagner: 0.857
George Brett: 0.856
Yaz: 0.841
Cap Anson: 0.838
George Sisler: 0.837
Nap Lajoie: 0.837
Yogi Berra: 0.830
Rickey Henderson: 0.820
Joe Morgan: 0.819
Johnny Bench: 0.818
Buck Ewing: 0.807

[The Kid]

Analysis of Baseball's Ethnic Breakdown:

"1. Why has the % of domestic American blacks in BB, plunged from 27% in 1975, to 17% in 1992, to 8% for last season?

2. Since blacks pitched magnificently in the Negro leagues, why have so few blacks been attracted to the pitchers guild in the MLs.

Breakdown of
Current Major Leaguers

Country Players
Dominican Republic 79
Puerto Rico 38
Venezuela 37
Mexico 17
Japan 11
Canada 10
Cuba 10

Today, Hispanic players comprise 28% of MLers

http://baseball-fever.com/showpost.p...&postcount=462

African-Americans currently make up about 8 percent of current major-league rosters, less than half the 17.25 percent of 1959, the first year every major-league team was integrated. African-Americans made up nearly 30 percent of major-league rosters in the mid 70's. In 2006, Latinos and Hispanics comprised 30 percent of opening day rosters, while Asians accounted for 2.5 percent.

This figure is likely to increase since 47.6% of minor leaguers, to start 2004, were born outside the United States.

Moreover (this courtesy of our member Wee Willie):

2005 - 9% African-American, 29% Hispanic, 30% foreign-born, 25% born in Latin America
2004 - 9% African-American, 26% Hispanic, 29% foreign-born
2002 - 10% African-American, 28% Hispanic, 26% foreign-born
2001 - 13% African-American, 26% Hispanic, 25% foreign-born
2000 - 13% African-American, 26% Hispanic, 24% foreign-born
1999 - 13% African-American, 26% Hispanic
1998 - 15% African-American, 25% Hispanic
1997 - 17% African-American, 24% Hispanic
1996 - 17% African-American, 20% Hispanic
1995 - 19% African-American, 19% Hispanic
1994 - 18% African-American, 18% Hispanic
1993 - 16% African-American, 16% Hispanic
1992 - 17% African-American, 14% Hispanic
1991 - 18% African-American, 14% Hispanic
1990 - 17% African-American, 13% Hispanic, 10% foreign-born
1980 - 22% African-American, 12% Hispanic, 9% foreign-born
1977 - 25% African-American
1975 - 27% African-American, 7% foreign-born
1970 - 25% African-American, 10% foreign-born
1965 - 8% foreign-born
1960 - 4% foreign-born
1959 - 17% African-American (first year every team was integrated)
1955 - 5% foreign-born
1954 - 7% African-American
1950 - 2% African-American, 4% foreign-born

Below are the # of teams that were integrated on opening day each year from 1947 to 1960:

1947 - 1 (1 NL)
1948 - 3 (1 NL, 2 AL)
1949 - 3 (1 NL, 2 AL)
1950 - 5 (3 NL, 2 AL)
1951 - 5 (3 NL, 2 AL)
1952- 6 (3 NL, 3 AL)
1953 - 6 (3 NL, 3 AL)
1954 - 11 (7 NL, 4 AL)
1955 - 13 (7 NL, 6 AL)
1956 - 13 (7 NL, 6 AL)
1957 - 14 (8 NL, 6 AL) (1st year NL was completely integrated)
1958 - 14 (8 NL, 6 AL)
1959 - 15 (8 NL, 7 AL)
1960 - 1st year all of MLB integrated on opening day

This shows actually how slow MLB was to integrate, even after Robinson joined the Dodgers. Six years after 1947, most MLB teams still didn't have an African-American. 1954 was actually when integration started to really make headway, and it wasn't until six years AFTER that when all teams were integrated.

We have nearly a third of all Major League players- and most of the best players- coming almost entirely from three countries (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico) with a population of roughly 25 million TOTAL. There are over 300 million Americans today, yet Americans comprise only ~66% of MLB roster spots, with individuals from those three tiny contries comprising almost all the other spots.
America has lost a great deal of interest in baseball. And no, attendance records (which are not reflective of level of interest but rather a huge relative increase in the level of disposable income, leisure time, and access to major league games) and the number of little leaguers (usually forced/compelled today by their parents to play) are not meaningful. These indica bear little to no significance, and the proof is in the pudding at the top levels and what we as a country produce. It's patently obvious that American kids would rather sit in front of the computer, play video games, watch tv, or play football or basketball than play baseball"

[The Kid]

Form Chart:

Catchers:

Pre-1910: Jack Clements, "Deacon" Jim McGuire, Red Charlie Dooin, Buck Ewing, Mike "King" Kelly, Charlie Bennett, Charles "Pop" Snyder, Marty Bergen, Bill Bergen, Johnny Kling, Roger Bresnahan, Chief Zimmer, Duke Farrell, John Warner, Wilbert Robinson, Doc Bushong, Moses Fleetwood Walker.

1910-60: Hank Severeid, Bob O'Farrell, Bill Killefer, Ray Schalk, Wally Schang, Johnny Bassler, Walker Cooper, Sherman Lollar, Jim Hegan, Jimmy Archer, Muddy Ruel, Steve O'Neil, Billy Sullivan, Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, Gabby Hartnett, Al Lopez, Ernie Lombardi, Walker Cooper, Rick Ferrell, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Del Crandall, Smokey Burgess.

1960-present: Ted Simmons, Lance Parrish, Jim Sundberg, Jerry Grote, Johnny Bench, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, Thurman Munson, Mike Piazza, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Bill Freehan, Benito Santiago, Charles Johnson, Bob Boone, Mike Matheny.

Negro Leagues:
Josh Gibson (1929-1946)
Louis "Santop" Loftin (1909-26)
Bruce Petway (1906-25);
Frank Duncan (1920-48)
Larry Brown (1919-49)
James Raleigh "Biz" Mackey (1920-47, '50)
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Bil James' Top Catchers: 1. Yogi Berra 2. Johnny Bench 3. Roy Campanella 4. Mickey Cochrane 5. Mike Piazza 6. Carlton Fisk 7. Bill Dickey 8. Gary Carter 9. Gabby Hartnett 10. Ted Simmons 11. Joe Torre 12. Bill Freehan 13. Ivan Rodriguez 14. Thurman Munson 15. Elston Howard 16. Roger Bresnahan 17. Buck Ewing 18. Darrell Porter 19. Lance Parrish 20. Wally Schang 21. Bob Boone 22. Ernie Lombardi 23. Gene Tenace 24. Tim McCarver 25. Darren Daulton 26. Tom Haller 27. John Roseboro 28. Smodky Burgess 29. Rick Ferrell 30. Del Crandall 35. Ray Schalk 47. Johnny Bassler 48. Johnny Kling 49. Charlie Bennett
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My slate of candidates for Top 10 Catchers:

1. Mickey Cochrane - Could do it all. Great leader.

2. Johnny Bench - Could do it all, but just below Cochrane.

3. Josh Gibson - Great defense, amazing power.

4. Yogi Berra - "Its deja vu all over again".

5. Bill Dickey - Possibly the greatest catcher of his era.

6. Ivan Rodriguez - Greatest defensive catcher of all time.

7. Buck Ewing - Greatest handler of pitchers ever.

8. Roy Campanella - Great hitter, great D, very good at pitcher handling.

9. Mike Piazza - Possibly the greatest power hitting catcher of all time.

10. Carlton Fisk - Great power hitter, the best catcher of his era.

[The Kid]

1B: Form Chart:

Pre-1900: Joe Start, Roger Connor, Charles Comiskey, Wes Fisler, Dan Brouthers, Jake Beckley, Fred Tenney, Ed Konetchy, Jake Daubert, Adrian "Cap" Anson, Dave Orr, Henry Larkin, Cal McVey

Frank Chance, Stuffy McInnis, Jim Bottomley, Jack Fournier, Lu Blue, Hal Chase, George Sisler, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Bill Terry, Johnny Mize, Ted Kluszewski, Gil Hodges, Vic Power, Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Wes Parker, Steve Garvey, Cecil Cooper, Cecil Fielder, Kent Hrbek, Tony Perez, Keith Hernandez, Eddie Murray, Don Mattingly, Will Clark, Mark McGwire, Jeff Bagwell, Frank Thomas, Rafael Palmeiro, Carlos Delgado, Jason Giambi, JT Snow, Todd Helton, Darien Erstad, Albert Pujols; Negro Leagues: Buck Leonard, Ben Taylor.
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Bill James' Top 40 1Bmen: 1. Gehrig 2. Foxx 3. McGwire 4. Bagwell 5. Murray 6. Mize 7. Killebrew 8. Greenberg 9. McCovey 10. F.Thomas 11. Anson 12. Mattingly 13. Perez 14. W.Clark 15. D.Allen 16. Hernandez 17. Cepeda 18. Brouthers 19. Palmeiro 20. N.Cash 21. McGriff 22. R.Connor 23. M.Vernon 24. Sisler 25. Chance 26. B.Terry 27. B.Powell 28. C. Cooper 29. D.Camili 30. G.Hodges 31. Garvey 32. M.Grace 33. B.Watson 34. T.Kluszewski 35. J. Fournier 36. J. Bottomley 37. W.Joyner 38. H.Trosky 39 B.White 40. K.Hrbek 51. Mo Vaughn 55. Cecil Fielder 61. Jake Daubert 68. Stuffy McInnis 76. Hal Chase 77. Lu Blue 85. Charlie Grimm 95. Wes Parker
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My Top 10 1B

1. Lou Gehrig - 1925-39 - No need to explain.

2. Jimmie Foxx - 1926-42, '44-45 - Lefty Gomez once said "He had muscles in his hair". Great slugger, the most dominate slugger of his era.

3. George Sisler - 1915-30 - '20-22 - The greatest fielding first baseman ever, a few times called the greatest hitter ever by those who saw him.

4. Bill Terry - 1924-36 - One of the greatest fielding first baseman ever since Sisler, great average man at the plate.

5. Hank Greenberg - 1933-41, '45-47 - One of the greatest RBI men to play the game. Good glove.

6. Cap Anson- 1871-97 - all time bat, only ave. glove. Great leadership qualities.

7. Jeff Bagwell-1991-present - heavy bat, good glove. 1MVP, I GG, 4 All-Stars.

8. Harmon Killebrew- 1954 - 1975 - Heavy bomber/adequate glove too.

9. Frank Thomas- 1990-present - Amazing peak, '91-97.

10. Dan Brouthers - 1879-96 - Led league in 29 traditional offensive stats. All time "Deadball Slugger.

[The Kid]

2B: Form Chart

Pre-1900: Ross Barnes, Jack Burdock, Fred Pfeffer, Cupid Childs, Bid McPhee, Jimmy Williams, Fred Dunlap, Hardy Richardson, Sol White, Frank Grant, Bud Fowler, Gene DeMontreville.

Larry Doyle, Johnny Evers, Bobby Lowe, Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Rogers Hornsby, George Cutshaw, Charlie Gehringer, Frankie Frisch, Jackie Robinson, Rod Carew, Joe Morgan, Nellie Fox, Bobby Grich, Bill Mazeroski, Red Schoendiest, Ryne Sandberg, Robbie Alomar, Craig Biggio, Jeff Kent, Alfonso Soriano; Negro Leagues: Elwood "Bingo" DeMoss
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Bill James' Top 2B: 1. Joe Morgan 2. Eddie Collins 3. Rogers Hornsby 4. Jackie Robinson 5. Craig Biggio 6. Nap Lajoie 7. Ryne Sandberg 8. Charlie Gehringer 9. Rod Carew 10. Roberto Alomar 11. Frankie Frisch 12. Bobby Grich 13. Lou Whitaker 14. Billy Herman 15. Nellie Fox 16. Joe Gordon 18. Bobby Doerr 19. Tony Lazzeri 25. Johnny Evers 28. Red Schoendienst 29. Bill Mazeroski 30. Bid McPhee 48. Jeff Kent 56. Bobby Lowe
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My Top 10 2B

1. Rogers Hornsby - I'm ready to duke it out with any Morgan supporters here. Bring it on!

2. Nap Lajioe - Possibly the greatest slugger of the early 20th century. Could do it all with the bat. Great fielder, too.

3. Joe Morgan - Amazing base stealer, great hitter and great fielder.

4. Eddie Collins - Fastest 2B of all time, over 3000 hits.

5. Charlie Gehringer - A great all around hitter, could hit for power very well for a second baseman.

6. Rod Carew - Didn't hit for as much power as he could have, but who's to gripe? Greatest average hitting 2B of all time, second fastest and a good fielder.

7. Craig Biggio - So much consistency. A hit man. Reached 3000 hits.

8. Roberto Alomar - Greatest fielding second baseman of all time.

9. Jeff Kent - RBIs to go!

10. Jackie Robinson - Overcame so much, and still possibly the most lethal base stealer 2B ever. Knows how to make Yogi Berra mad!

[The Kid]

3B: Form Chart:

Pre-1900:
Ezra Sutton, Levi Meyerle, Bob Ferguson, Arlie Latham, Ned Williamson, John McGraw, Jimmie Collins, Bill Nash, Jim Davis, Lave Cross, Denny Lyons, Deacon White, Jerry Denny, Bill Joyce, Levi Meyerle

Harry Steinfelft, Tommy Leach, Frank Baker, Bill Bradley, Willie Kamm, Ossie Bluege, Pie Traynor, Billy Cox, Eddie Mathews, Ken Boyer, Clete Boyer, Ron Santo, Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Bill Madlock, Paul Molitor, Eric Chavez, Scott Rolen;

Negro Leagues: Judy Johnson, Ray Dandridge, Oliver Marcell
----------------------------------------------------
Bill James' Top 3Bmen: 1. Mike Schmidt 2. George Brett 3. Eddie Mathews 4. Wade Boggs 5. Frank 'Home Run' Baker 6. Ron Santo 7. Brooks Robinson 8. Paul Molitor 9. Stan Hack 10. Darrell Evans 11. Sal Bando 12. Ken Boyer 13. Craig Nettles 14. Al Rosen 15. Pie Traynor 16. Ron Cey 17. Jimmy Collins 18. Bob Elliot 19. Buddy Bell 20. Tommy Leach 21. Heine Groh 22. Robin Ventura 23. Matt Williams 24. Eddie Yost 25. Ken Caminiti 29. Larry Gardner 45. Ned Williamson 46. Bill Bradley 48. Bill Madlock 62. Willie Kamm 66. Ossie Bluege
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My Top 10 3B

1. Mike Schmidt - A bat untouched by any other third baseman in history. A great glove, too.

2. George Brett - Great bat, nearly hit .400 for a season in his career. Very good glove.

3. Eddie Matthews - Power that only a third baseman like Schmidt could out do. Average to slightly above average glove.

4. Wade Boggs - The greatest average hitter of his league almost his whole career. Didn't hit as many homers as he could have. Very good glove.

5. Pie Traynor - A very good bat, but an absolutely amazing glove.

6. Jimmy Collins - The first great third baseman, and the greatest ever to play third until Traynor. A near perfect mix of glove and bat.

7. Brooks Robinson - The greatest glove to ever come out of third. Pretty good hitter.

8. Ron Santo - Should be in the Hall. A great all around batter with a great glove.

9. Paul Molitor - A great batter, the Wade Boggs of the 70s but faster. If he could field, he could be #5-6 on the list.

10. Judy Johnson - The best 3B in Negro League history, great glove and good bat.

[The Kid]

SS: Form Chart:

Pre-1900: George Wright, Ed McKean, John Montgomery Ward, Jack Glasscock, Herman Long, Hughie Jennings, George Davis, Bill Dahlen, Tommy Corcoran, Freddie Parent, Dickey Pearce

Honus Wagner, Joe Tinker, Bobby Wallace, George McBride, Roger Peckinpaugh, Everett Scott, Joe Sewell, Luke Appling, Art Fletcher, Bill Dahlen, Donie Bush, Rabbit Maranville, Glenn Wright, Arky Vaughn, Lou Boudreau, Joe Cronin, Marty Marion, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Luis Aparicio, Ernie Banks, Maury Wills, Robin Yount, Cal Ripken, Alan Trammell, Dave Concepcion, Barry Larkin, Omar Vizquel, Julio Franco, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Alexander Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada;

Negro Leagues: John "Pop" Lloyd, John Beckwith, Willie Wells.
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Bill James' Top SS: 2001 Abstract
1. Honus Wagner 2. Arky Vaughan, 3. Cal Ripken 4. Robin Yount 5. Ernie Banks 6. Barry Larkin 7. Ozzie Smith 8. Joe Cronin 9. Alan Trammell 10. Pee Wee Reese 11. Luke Appling 12. Lou Boudreau 13. Luis Aparicio 14. George Davis 15. Jim Fregosi 16. Phil Rizzuto 17. Alex Rodriguez xx. Derek Jeter xx. Nomar Garciaparra 18. Hughie Jennings 19. Maury Willis 20. Johnny Pesky 21. Vern Stephens 23. Joe Sewell 24. Tony Fernandez 25. Bert Campaneris 26. Dave Concepcion 27. Al Dark 28. Dave Bancroft 29. Cecil Travis 30. Dick Groat 31. Jay Bell 32. Rico Petroceli 33. Joe Tinker 34. Herman Long 35. Monte Ward 36. Bobby Wallace 37. Dick Bartell 38. Rabbit Maranville 39. Johnny Logan 40. Travis Jackson 60. Glenn Wright 61. Omar Vizquel
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My Top 10 SS

1. Honus Wagner - No explanation needed, the best hitter, fielder, runner in league from 1900-10.

2. Alex Rodriguez - Many, many times called the best player in the game today. May finish with 800+ homers.

3. John Henry "Pop" Lloyd - Greatest SS ever produced by Negro L. Black Wagner.

4. Arky Vaughan - Hit very well in high-offensive era.

5. Ernie Banks - First showed that a slim guy with whiplash bat speed could slug good. Led the way for hitters like Daryll Strawberry.

6. Joe Cronin - Average glove, good bat. Clutch.

7. Cal Ripken, Jr. - Great production for mostly bad teams. Great athelete, and prooved a big man can play short.

8. Herman Long - Two words: runs scored.

9. Hughie Jennings - During his peak, with Orioles, hit .335, .388, .401, .355. .328.

10. Barry Larkin - Nice glove/bat combo. 12 All-Star games, 3 GG, 9 Silver Sluggers, I MVP; 5 Top 10 SB, 3 Top 10 BB, 4 Top 10 BA., 2 Top 10 SLG., 2 Top 10 OPS+.

[The Kid]

Form Chart: LF

Pre-1900: Harry Stovey, Ed Delahanty, Jesse Burkett, Jim O'Rourke, Tip O'Neill, Abner Dalrymple

Sherry Magee, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds, Ricky Henderson, Carl Yasztrzemski, Joe Jackson, Al Simmons, Billy Williams, Ralph Kiner, Fred Clarke, Zack Wheat, Jimmy Sheckard, Duffy Lewis, Joe "Ducky" Medwick, Willie Stargell, Manny Ramirez.
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Bill James' Top LF: 1. Ted Williams 2. Stan Musial 3. Barry Bonds 4. Rickey Henderson 5. Carl Yasztrzemski 6. Joe Jackson 7. Al Simmons 8. Tim Raines 9. Willie Stargell 10. Minnie Minoso 11. Billy Williams 12. Ed Delahanty 13. Joe Medwick 15. Lou Brock 16. Goose Goslin 18. Ralph Kiner 19. Frank Howard 20. Albert Belle 22. Fred Clarke 23. Zack Wheat 24. Jimmy Sheckard 33. Bobby Veach 50. Ken Williams 52. Lefty O'Doul 55. Willie Horton 61. Riggs Stevenson 85. Duffy Lewis
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My Top 10 LF

1. Ted Williams - Hitting puts him on top, good arm.

2. Barry Bonds - Pre-1999 Bonds only. Five tool player, especially his combo of speed and power.

3. Stan Musial - Just a notch below Williams and Bonds, great bat and good fielding to compliment a very good arm.

4. Joe Jackson - Possibly the greatest defensive LF of all time. Great bat, a five tool player.

5. Carl Yastrzemski - Great defense, amazing hitting.

6. Rickey Henderson - Probably the fastest man to ever play the game. Good fielding and surprising power.

7. Zack Wheat - Great average hitter, could fit into any era he played in. Good power and good glove.

8. Billy Williams - Very similiar to Wheat, but with better fielding and worse average.

9. Al Simmons - Great hitter, great fielder. One of the top three outfielders of his era.

10. Ed Delahanty - Great early deadball era slugger.

[The Kid]

CF: Form Chart

Pre-1900: Jimmie McAleer, Bill Lange, Jimmy Ryan, George Gore, Harry Wright, Paul Hines, Lip Pike, Tom Brown, George Van Haltren, Dummy Hoy, Billy Hamilton, Hugh Duffy, Ollie Pickering, Pete Browning, Curt Welch, Dickey Johnson, Mike Griffin

1900-1940: Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Eddie Roush, Max Carey, Clyde Milan, Clarence "Ginger" Beaumont, Oscar "Happy" Felsch, Chick Stahl, Johnny Mostil, Benny Kauff, Lloyd Waner, Earl Averill, Hack Wilson, Wally Berger, Earle Combs.

1940-1970: Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider, Richie Ashburn, Pete Reiser, Larry Doby, Jim Piersall, Jim Landis, Bill Virdon, Vada Pinson, Jimmy Wynn, Bobby Thompson, Curt Flood.

1970-present: Ken Griffey, Jr., Brett Butler, Andruw Jones, Tori Hunter, Mike Cameron, Jim Edmonds, Mark Kotsay, Dale Murphy, Kirby Puckett, Bernie Williams, Carlos Beltran, Johnny Damon, Fred Lynn, Cesar Cedeno, Steve Finley, Andre Dawson, Al Oliver, Bobby Murcer, and Eric Davis, Willie McGee, Willie Wilson, Mickey Rivers and Kenny Lofton.

Negro Leaguers: Oscar Charleston, "Cool Papa" Bell, Christobal Carlos Torriente, Spot Poles, Pete Hill, Clint "Hawk" Thomas, Chino Smith, Martin Dihigo
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Bill James' Top CF: 1. Willie Mays 2. Ty Cobb 3. Mickey Mantle 4. Tris Speaker 5. Joe DiMaggio 6. Duke Snider 7. Ken Griffey Jr. 8. Kirby Puckett 9. Billy Hamilton 10. Jimmy Wynn 15. Edd Roush 16. Richie Ashburn 23. Max Carey 26. Jimmy Ryan 35. Clyde Milan 38. Pete Browning 39. Ginger Beaumont 40. George Gore 46. Pete Reiser 47. Dummy Hoy 64. Bill Lange 67. Happy Felsch 75. Cy Williams 96. Bill Virdon 99. Johnny Mostil 100. Amos Strunk
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My Top 10 CF

1. Willie Mays - Great bat, great glove, great legs. Could do everything, from hitting for avergage to hitting for power.

2. Ty Cobb - 4,189 hits, 892 SB, .366, 12 BA. titles in 13 yrs., 10th in Relative SLG., 1st. in Relative BA. The greatest CF before Willie came.

3. Oscar Charleston - The Willie Mays of the Negro Leagues. Good manager.

4. Tris Speaker - Played CF incredibly shallow because he had the legs to get all the way back for deep ones. Greatest defensive CF, and a great hitter.

5. Joe DiMaggio - could run, hit and field amazingly. A great slugger, too. Yankee Stadium probably took away from his HR totals more than any other player in history.

6. Mickey Mantle - Had the potential to be the best ever, but limited do to injuries.

7. Cool Papa Bell - Possibly the fastest man ever to play ball.

8. Duke Snider - The Duke could run, throw, hit and field. Probably the best power hitter to play in Ebbets Field.

9. Mark DiHigo - Probably the most versatile player in history.

10. Ken Griffey, Jr. - One of those rare outfielders who could field so gracefully and well and still hit for great power.

[The Kid]

RF: Form Chart

Pre-1900: Willie Keeler, Jimmy Fogarty, Sam Thompson, Mike Tiernan, Oyster Burns

Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Mel Ott, Pete Rose, Tony Gwynn, Reggie Jackson, Roberto Clemente, Paul Waner, Sam Crawford, Al Kaline, Dave Winfield, Harry Heilmann, Tony Oliva, Vlad Guerrero, Gavvy Cravath, Chuck Klein, Harry Hooper, Roger Maris, Dale Murphy, Sammy Sosa, Ross Youngs, Daryl Strawberry, Larry Walker, Ichiro Suzuki.
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Bill James' RF: 1. Babe Ruth 2. Hank Aaron 3. Frank Robinson 4. Mel Ott 5. Pete Rose 6. Tony Gwynn 7. Reggie Jackson 8. Roberto Clemente 9. Paul Waner 10. Sam Crawford 11. Al Kalilne 13. Dave Winfield 14. Dave Parker 16. Harry Heilmann 21. Tony Oliva 26. Rocky Colavito 28. Roger Maris 29. Gavy Cravath 33. Sam Rice 36. Jose Canseco 37. Sam Thompson 39. Kiki Cuyler 40. Chuck Klein 45. Sammy Sosa 46. Ross Youngs 47. Darryl Strawberry 50. Babe Herman 51. Carl Furillo 57. Jackie Jensen 62. Harvey Kuenn 97. Jim Lemon
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My Top 10 RF

1. Babe Ruth - No explantation needed.

2. Hank Aaron - One of the most consistent sluggers the game has ever seen. Good, rangy glove. Ran well.

3. Sam Crawford - A slugger who played his career in the shadow of the man to his right. Never really declined. The best triples hitter ever. I find the fact that he played from the 19th century all the way through the deadball era very interesting.

4. Frank Robinson - One of the most dominant, if not the most dominant, AL hitter of his era. Ran pretty well, fair glove.

5. Roberto Clemente - Could do it all. Ran very well. Amazing arm.

6. Mel Ott - Always led a very good Gaints team. Hit plenty of homers, but was very helped by the incredebly short right field wall in the Polo Grounds. Never spent a day in the minors.

7. Paul Waner - Big Poison. The better of the Waner boys. Great average hitter. Good glove.

8. Tony Gwynn - One of the best avg. hitters of all time. A very good glove. Amazing athelete despite his large belly.

9. Harry Heilmann - His speed puts him down here. Great average hitter. Ty Cobb apprentice.

10. Wee Willie Keeler - He hit 'um where they 'aint. Great leadoff hitter, and a great bunter.

[The Kid]

My Top 10 Managers

1. Connie Mack - A great, friendly person, too. Around forever. Two dynasties May his scorecard wave forever.

2. John McGraw - A cheater as a player, but a clean manager. Led some amazing Gaints teams.

3. Casey Stengel - Led the Yankees on a run for the centuries.

4. Ned Hanlon - Invented inside BB, spread it through McGraw, Jennings, Robinson, etc.

5. Billy Martin - A traveler who could win anywhere.

6. Miller Huggins - That "grand little fellow" was a great tacttical man. Helped Lou Gehrig with his fielding.

7. Earl Weaver - 6 division titles. Finished in the top 2 twelve times.

8. Whitey Herzog - Ditto Martin.

9. Tony Larussa - WS titles. 5 divisions in 4 years with Oakland.

10. Joe Torre - Mr. late 90s. Just so, so good when it comes to division titles. Not this year, though.

[The Kid]

My Top 100 Position Players

1. Willie Mays
2. Ty Cobb
3. Babe Ruth
4. Honus Wagner
5. Ted Williams
6. Hank Aaron
7. Mickey Mantle
8. Barry Bonds
9. Rogers Hornsby
10. Oscar Charlston
11. Stan Musial
12. Tris Speaker
13. Lou Gehrig
14. George Sisler
15. Joe Jackson
16. Josh Gibson
17. Nap Lajioe
18. Mike Schmidt
19. Joe DiMaggio
20. Rickey Henderson
21. Mickey Cochrane
22. Eddie Collins
23. Jimmie Foxx
24. Pop Lloyd
25. Frank Robinson
26. Joe Morgan
27. Alex Rodriguez
28. Dan Brouthers
29. George Brett
30. Ken Griffey, Jr.
31. Eddie Matthews
32. Wade Boggs
33. Yogi Berra
34. Carl Yastrzemski
35. Arky Vaughan
36. Hank Greenburg
37. Cool Papa Bell
38. Ivan Rodriguez
39. Tony Gwynn
40. Johnny Bench
41. Sam Crawford
42. Bill Dickey
43. Roberto Clemente
44. Buck Ewing
45. Cap Anson
46. Ernie Banks
47. Billy Williams
48. Zach Wheat
49. Mel Ott
50. Cal Ripken, Jr.
51. Harry Hielman
52. Harmon Killebrew
53. Willie Keeler
54. Rod Carew
55. Buck Leonard
56. Paul Molitor
57. George Kelly
58. Duke Snider
59. Roy Campanella
60. Pete Rose
61. Mule Suttles
62. Ray Dandridge
63. Turkey Stearnes
64. Christobal Torriente
65. John McGraw
66. John Beckwith
67. Al Simmons
68. Jimmy Collins
69. Willie Stargell
70. Tim Raines
71. Paul Waner
73. Larry Doby
74. Paul Waner
75. Joe Torre
76. Jimmie Wynn
77. Pie Traynor
78. Dick Allen
79. Ron Santo
80. Sherry Magee
81. Ed Delehanty
82. Roger Connor
83. Billy Hamilton
84. Jackie Robinson
85. Willie McCovey
86. Reggie Jackson
87. Robin Yount
88. Dick Allen
89. Sherry Magee
90. Will Clark
91. Brooks Robinson
92. Albert Belle
93. Charlie Gheringer
94. Jeff Bagwell
95. Sammy Sosa
96. Joe Cronin
97. Bobby Doerr
98. Dale Murphy
99. Dave Parker
100. Gavvy Cravath

[The Kid]

My All-Time All-Star Teams, A & B

A Team

1B Lou Gehrig
2B Rogers Hornsby
3B Mike Shmidt
SS Honus Wagner
LF Ty Cobb
CF Willie Mays
RF Babe Ruth
C Mickey Cochrane
DH Ted Williams

SP Walter Johnson
SP Cy Young
SP Christy Mathewson
SP Warren Spahn
SP Lefty Grove
Long R: Tom Seaver
Short R: Roger Clemens
Short R: Satchel Paige
Closer: Hoyt Wilhelm

Man.: Connie Mack
Ass. Man.: John McGraw

Bench:
Willie Keeler
Tony Gwynn
Joe Morgan
Martin Dihigo
Jackie Robinson
"King" Kelly


B Team

1B George Sisler
2B Nap Lajioe
3B Eddie Matthews
SS Arky Vaughan
LF Joe Jackson
CF Tris Speaker
RF Hank Aaron
C Bill Dickey
DH Mickey Mantle

SP Sandy Koufax
SP Kid Nichols
SP Bob Feller
SP Steve Carlton
SP Juan Marichal
Long R: Pete Alexander
Short R: Greg Maddux
Short R: Hal Newhouser
Closer: Rube Waddell

Man.: Casey Stengel
Ass. Man.: Tony Larrusa

Bench:
Joe DiMaggio
John Beckwith
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Bill Lange
Randy Johnson
Alex Rodriguez

[The Kid]

My slate of candidates for Best Seasons Ever for a Pitcher:

----Name---------Year------W-L------ShO---ERA+--Inn-----SO--WS
1. Johnson--------1913-----36-7-------11----258---346----243--54
2. Carlton---------1972----27-10-------8-----182---346----310--40
3. Martinez--------2000----18-6--------7-----285---217----284--29
4. Wood-----------1912----34-5-------10-----178---344----258--44
5. Alexander-------1915----31-10------12-----225---376----241--43
6. Koufax ---------1965----26-8--------8-----160---336----382--33
7. Gibson ---------1968----22-9--------13----258---305----268--36
8. Brown----------1906----26-6--------10----254---277----144--35
9. Matty----------1909----25-6---------8----223---275----149--34
10. Luis Tiant-----1968----21-9---------9----185---258-----264-28

*Red signifies that the player is NOT an HOFer.

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Some of the Greatest Pitching Seasons Ever


------Name----------yr.---ERA+--Inn.---W-L---ShO--CG-Ratio*-WS*-TPR--PCA

Pedro Martinez-----2000---285---217---18-6----7----4--.617--29--7.3
Greg Maddux--------1995---259---209---19-2---10----3--.609--30--6.2
Walter Johnson-----1913---258---346---36-7---11---29--.667--54--8.0
Bob Gibson---------1968---258---305---22-9---13---28--.771--36--7.0
Mordecai Brown-----1906---253---277---26-6---10---27--.812--35--4.9
Dwight Gooden------1985---226---276---24-4----8---16--.791--33--7.0
Grover Alexander---1915---224---376---31-10--12---36--.757--43--7.0
Christy Mathewson--1909---223---275---25-6----8---26--.735--34--5.8
Lefty Grove--------1931---218---289---31-4----4---27--.787--42--6.3
Cy Young-----------1901---217---371---33-10---5---38--.768--41--5.7
Ron Guidry---------1978---208---273---25-3----9---16--.759--31--5.7
Addie Joss---------1908---205---325---24-11---9---29--.741--35--5.0
Jack Taylor--------1902---203---324---22-11--10---33--.830--32--5.1
Dean Chance--------1964---199---278---20-9---11---15--.825--32--4.6
Spud Chandler------1943---197---253---20-4----5---20--.810--29--5.0
Hal Newhouser------1945---194---313---25-9----8---29--.864--36--6.6
Mort Cooper--------1942---193---279---22-7---10---22--.811--29--5.0
Carl Hubbell-------1933---193---309---23-12--10---22--.820--33--5.1
Tom Seaver---------1971---193---286---20-10---4---21--.795--32--5.7
Randy Johnson------2002---190---260---24-5----8----4--.827--29--6.3
Ed Walsh-----------1910---189---369---18-20---7---33--.733--36--5.8
Warren Spahn-------1953---187---266---23-7----5---24--.805--31--5.3
Lefty Gomez--------1934---185---281---26-5----6---25--.803--31--4.3
Luis Tiant---------1968---185---258---21-0----9---19--.779--28--3.6
Vida Blue----------1971---183---312---24-8----8---24--.787--30--4.8
Jack Coombs--------1910---182---353---31-9---13---35--.886--37--4.2
Steve Carlton------1972---182---346---27-10---8---30--.817--40--6.8
Rube Waddell-------1905---180---328---26-11---7---27--.882--35--5.7
Orvie Overall------1909---179---285---20-11---9---23--.845--30--4.5
Joe Wood-----------1912---178---344---34-5---10---35--.816--44--6.9
Joe McGinnity------1904---178---408---35-8----9---38--.836--42--4.3
Dazzy Vance--------1924---176---309---28-6----3---30--.798--36--6.0
Dizzy Dean---------1934---170---324---30-7----3---29--.867--37--5.3
Stan Coveleski-----1917---167---298---19-14---9---24--.820--29--2.4
Roger Clemens------1986---166---254---24-4----1---10--.762--29--4.9
Ed Walsh-----------1908---163---464---40-15--11---42--.789--47--8.1
Jack Chesbro-------1904---158---454---41-12---6---48--.854--53--4.6
Denny McLain-------1968---157---336---31-6----6---28--.812--33--4.4
Sandy Koufax-------1965---156---335---26-8----8---27--.728--33--4.8
Dave McNally-------1968---154---273---22-10---5---18--.782--26--3.2
Orel Hershiser-----1988---148---267---23-8----8---15--.865--25--3.7
Bob Feller---------1946---145---371---26-15--10---36--.887--32--4.7
George Uhle--------1926---143---318---27-11---3---32--.934--32--3.9
Robin Roberts------1952---141---330---28-7----3---30--.814--32--3.7
Urban Shocker------1922---140---348---24-17---2---29--.873--29--3.7
Don Newcombe-------1956---130---268---27-7----5---18--.793--27--3.1
Nolan Ryan---------1972---120---284---19-16---9---20--.948--24--2.0
Whitey Ford--------1961---117---283---25-4----3---11--.882--22--0.9*ratio = Relative Onbase Ave.; Opponent's Onbase Ave / L. onbase ave

[The Kid]

My slate of Candidates for Best Hitting Seasons by a Position Player

----------------Rel.SLG-Rel.OBP--Rel.BA.-OPS+-INK--PCA-----WS--TPR
1. Ruth, 1920----2.08----1.47-----1.27---256---16--28.83---51--10.0
2. Ruth,1921-----2.07----1.43-----1.29---239---16--24.79---53---9.8
3. Bonds, 2001---2.04 ---1.57-----1.27---262---09--20.82---54--12.2
4. Ruth, 1923----1.96----1.55-----1.39---239---16--22.2----55--11.2
5. Bonds, 2002---1.96----1.77-----1.45---275---09--20.6----49--11.2
6. Williams, 1941-1.88----1.61-----1.52---235---16--22.1----42---8.8
7. Gehrig,1927---1.91----1.34-----1.30---221---07--17.17---44---9.1
8. Yaz, 1967-----1.77----1.38-----1.38---195---21--16.81---42---6.5
9. Wagner,1908--1.76----1.38-----1.48---205---19--18.42---59--10.2
10. Cobb,1911---1.73----1.38-----1.53---196---22--20.74---47---6.4

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Some of the Greatest Hitting Seasons Ever


----------------Rel.SLG-Rel.OBP--Rel.BA.-OPS+-INK--PCA-----WS--TPR
Ruth, 1920-------2.08----1.47-----1.27---256---16--28.83---51--10.0
Ruth,1921--------2.07----1.43-----1.29---239---16--24.79---53---9.8
Mantle,1956------1.78----1.36-----1.35---210---18--22.96---49---8.8
Ruth, 1923-------1.96----1.55-----1.39---239---16--22.2----55--11.2
Williams, 1941---1.88----1.61-----1.52---235---16--22.1----42---8.8
Bonds, 2004------1.83----1.76-----1.32---260---09--21.8----53--12.5
Bonds, 2001------2.04 ---1.57-----1.27---262---09--20.82---54--12.2
Ruth, 1924-------1.86----1.43-----1.30---220---16--20.8----45---8.5
Cobb,1911--------1.73----1.38-----1.53---196---22--20.74---47---6.4
Bonds, 2002------1.96----1.77-----1.45---275---09--20.6----49--11.2
Hornsby,1922-----1.78----1.31-----1.37---207---23--20.37---42---9.2
Musial,1948------1.83----1.35-----1.44---200---20--20.30---46---7.3
Cobb, 1917-------1.78----1.39-----1.54---209---16--19.7----46---8.4
Lajoie, 1901-----1.53----1.38-----1.73---200---23--18.94---42---7.4
Morgan, 1975-----1.37----1.31-----1.22---169---?----?------44---9.8
Morgan, 1976-----1.33----1.32-----1.20---187---?----?------37---7.5
Foxx,1932--------1.85----1.35-----1.31---205---14--18.54---40---7.2
Wagner,1908------1.76----1.38-----1.48---205---19--18.42---59--10.2
Speaker, 1912----1.44----1.39-----1.54---188---06--18.13---51---7.1
Medwick, 1937----1.37----1.24-----1.42---180---24--17.47---40---5.2
Cash, 1961-------1.41----1.46-----1.37---201---07--17.30---42---8.3
T.Williams,1949--1.71----1.38-----1.30---192---19--17.24---40---6.6
Gehrig,1927------1.91----1.34-----1.30---221---07--17.17---44---9.1
J.Jackson, 1911--1.49----1.38-----1.49---193---00--17.13---39---6.8
Yaz,1967---------1.77----1.38-----1.38---195---21--16.81---42---6.5
F.Robinson, 1966-1.28----1.31-----1.68---199---18--16.48---41---6.8
H.Duffy, 1894----1.42----1.26-----1.58---177---20--16.44---33---4.0
Delahanty, 1899--1.44----1.33-----1.59---189---16--16.36---41---5.4
Babe Herman,1930-1.51----1.26-----1.29---170---00--16.26---32---3.5
Wagner, 1900-----1.36----1.28-----1.56---175---10--16.05---34---4.3
Hack Wilson,1930-1.61----1.26-----1.17---178---13--15.81---35---4.9
Carew, 1977------1.45----1.35-----1.40---178---10--15.74---37---6.3
Vaughan, 1935----1.38----1.48-----1.31---190---09--15.72---39---7.6
Kiner, 1951------1.18----1.31-----1.60---184---12--15.64---35---5.1
Sisler,1920------1.63----1.29-----1.43---181---08--15.40---33---7.6
Al Rosen, 1953---1.28----1.23-----1.60---180---14--15.33---42---6.5
Burkett, 1901----1.42----1.35-----1.49---181---11--15.21---38---5.8
Aaron, 1959------1.36----1.24-----1.59---181---10--15.21---38---7.2
Mize, 1937-------1.33----1.24-----1.55---172---00--14.95---34---3.3
Terry, 1930------1.32----1.25-----1.38---158---07--14.46---32---5.5
Klein,1930-------1.53----1.21-----1.27---159---06--14.17---28---5.6
Sisler, 1922-----1.49----1.34-----1.47---170---13--14.08---29---5.2
Zimmerman, 1912--1.36----1.19-----1.54---169---16--13.16---34---5.0
Ott, 1929--------1.11----1.22-----1.49---165---02--13.15---31---5.8
Simmons,1930-----1.68----1.20-----1.32---176---07--12.94---36---4.5
Averill, 1936----1.30----1.16-----1.48---159---04--12.86---27---4.0
DiMaggio,1937----1.62----1.16-----1.32---168---07--12.78---39---5.9
Clemente, 1967---1.13----1.24-----1.52---170---07--12.59---35---5.6
Brett, 1980------1.44----1.38-----1.66---202---07--12.43---36---7.4
Greenberg, 1937--1.19----1.22-----1.60---172---04--12.38---33---5.5
Snider, 1954-----1.28----1.20-----1.58---170---03--12.33---39---4.2
J.Robinson, 1949-1.30----1.23-----1.35---159---06--12.22---36---6.5
Heilmann, 1921---1.34----1.24-----1.51---167---07--12.13---28---3.4
Mays, 1954-------1.30----1.22-----1.63---175---08--12.11---40---6.8
Rose, 1969-------1.39----1.27-----1.38---158---07--11.94---37---3.7
B.Williams, 1970-1.24----1.10-----1.49---147---07--11.88---29---3.5
O'Doul, 1929-----1.35----1.30-----1.46---159---07--11.83---31---5.1
T.Davis, 1962----1.31----1.13-----1.34---148---11--11.70---36---3.6
Crawford, 1911---1.38----1.23-----1.46---163---00--11.49---32---2.2
Keeler, 1897-----1.42----1.28-----1.49---164---07--11.28---32---4.0
Manush, 1928-----1.34----1.15-----1.44---154---00--11.08---35---2.9
Lindstrom, 1930--1.25----1.07-----1.28---132---00--10.78---32---4.7
Z.Wheat, 1924----1.32----1.25-----1.40---163---00--10.67---35---4.5
Z.Wheat, 1925----1.22----1.13-----1.30---142---00--10.61---27---2.5
P.Waner, 1927----1.27----1.22-----1.33---155---13--10.45---36---3.4
Gehringer, 1936--1.22----1.15-----1.31---142---02--10.37---34---5.9
Reiser, 1941-----1.32----1.18-----1.54---165---13--10.22---34---4.7
Colavito, 1961---1.13----1.17-----1.46---157---01--10.10---33---4.0
J.Rice, 1978-----1.20----1.08-----1.55---158---17--10.08---36---4.0
KiKi Cuyler,1930-1.13----1.15-----1.17---133---03---9.82---29---3.0
Trosky, 1936-----1.14----1.01-----1.46---148---04---9.66---21---1.9
Oliva, 1964------1.30----1.10-----1.45---150---12---9.43---27---3.2
K.Williams, 1922-1.16----1.13-----1.57---164---08---8.95---30---4.3
J.Tobin, 1921----1.20----1.05-----1.19---119---02---8.24---25---0.5

[The Kid]

Win Shares:
as compiled by Chris (538280)

Wagner 1905-1909: 237
Ruth 1920-1924: 233
Bonds 2000-2004: 227
Williams 1941-1949: 220
Cobb 1909-1913: 207
Mantle 1956-1960: 205
Morgan 1972-1976: 197
Gehrig 1927-1931: 193
Musial 1943-1948: 192
Hornsby 1921-1925: 188

WARP3-this has a LQ adjustment and it adjusted for the 162 game vs. 154 game schedule in case you don't know

Bonds 2000-2004: 71.7
Ruth 1920-1924: 71.5
Williams: 1941-1948: 69.0
Morgan 1972-1976: 66.3
Hornsby 1921-1925: 63.6
Wagner 1905-1909: 62.8
Musial 1943-1948: 61.3
Mantle 1956-1960: 61.1
Gehrig 1927-1931: 57.3
Cobb 1909-1913: 54.4

[The Kid]

1800s Form Chart:

Form Chart:

Catchers:
Jack Clements, "Deacon" Jim McGuire, Moses Fleetwood Walker, Buck Ewing, Mike "King" Kelly, Charlie Bennett, Charles "Pop" Snyder, Marty Bergen, Duke Farrell, John Warner, Moses Fleetwood Walker, Wilbert Robinson, Doc Bushong, Connie Mack.

1B
Joe Start, Roger Connor, Charles Comiskey, Wes Fisler, Dan Brouthers, Jake Beckley, Fred Tenney, Ed Konetchy, Adrian "Cap" Anson, Dave Orr, Henry Larkin, Cal McVey

2B
Ross Barnes, Jack Burdock, Fred Pfeffer, Cupid Childs, Bid McPhee, Jimmy Williams, Fred Dunlap, Hardy Richardson, Sol White, Frank Grant, Bud Fowler, Gene DeMontreville, Bobby Lowe.

SS
George Wright, Ed McKean, John Montgomery Ward, Jack Glasscock, Herman Long, Hughie Jennings, George Davis, Bill Dahlen, Tommy Corcoran, Freddie Parent, Dickey Pearce

3B:
Ezra Sutton, Levi Meyerle, Bob Ferguson, Arlie Latham, Ned Williamson, John McGraw, Jimmie Collins, Bill Nash, Jim Davis, Lave Cross, Denny Lyons, Deacon White, Jerry Denny, Bill Joyce, Levi Meyerle

LF
Harry Stovey, Ed Delahanty, Jesse Burkett, Jim O'Rourke, Tip O'Neill, Abner Dalrymple

CF:
Jimmie McAleer, Bill Lange, George Gore, Jimmy Ryan, Harry Wright, Paul Hines, Lip Pike, Tom Brown, George Van Haltren, Dummy Hoy, Billy Hamilton, Hugh Duffy, Ollie Pickering, Curt Welch, Dickey Johnson, Pete Browning, Mike Griffin

RF
Willie Keeler, Jimmy Fogarty, Sam Thompson, Mike Tiernan, Oyster Burns


Pitchers:
Tim Keefe, John "Monte" Ward, Bob Caruthers, John Clarkson, Jim "Pud" Galvin, Mickey Welch, Sadie McMahon, Jim McCormick, Charlie "Old Hoss" Radbourne, Amos Rusie, Jim Whitney, Larry Corcoran, Clark Griffith, Al Spalding, Cy Young, Kid Nichols, Charlie Ferguson, Tony Mullane, Silver King, Bobby Mathews, Tommy Bond, Jim Creighton, Gus Weyhing, Jack Stivetts, Will White, Ted Breitenstein, Adonis Terry, Will White, Charlie Buffington, Bill Hutchison, Guy Hecker, Terry Larkin, George Bradley, Fred Goldsmith, Ed Morris, Dave Foutz, Toad Ramsey, Jim Devlin, Matt Kilroy, Ben Sanders, Elton Chamberlain.

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My Top Ten 1800s Players


1. Dan Brouthers - A complete package of power and even some speed.

2. Buck Ewing - Supreme hitter, rocket arm, and great leadership.

3. King Kelly - A notch beneath Ewing. Great hitter and could play every position well.

4. Billy Hamilton - The first great leadoff man.

5. Cap Anson - Great manager and hit man.

6. Roger Connor - Babe Ruth of the 1800s.

7. John McGraw - Great hitter, not a great glove.

8. Ed Delahanty - A truly sad story.

9. Hughie Jennings - Speed, speed, speed.

10. Sam Thompson - Great power hitter.

[The Kid]

Negro League Form Chart:

C - Josh Gibson, James "Biz" Mackay, Bruce Petway, Larry Brown, Frank Duncan, "Double Duty" Radcliffe, Louis "Santop" Loftin, Quincy Trouppe

1B - Buck Leonard, Ben Taylor, Luke Easter, Buck O'Niel, Tank Carr

2B - Elwood "Bingo" DeMoss, Newt Allen, George Scales

SS - John "Pop" Lloyd, John Beckwith, Willie Wells, Jud Wilson, Dave Malarcher

3B - Judy Johnson, Ray Dandridge, Oliver Marcell

LF - Mule Suttles

CF - Oscar Charleston, "Cool Papa" Bell, Carlos Torriente, Spot Poles, Pete Hill, Martin Dihigo

RF - Monte Irvin, Turkey Stearnes

Pitchers:

Robert Leroy "Satchel" Paige, 1926-1967
"Smokey Joe" Williams, 1905-1932
Wilbur "Bullet Joe" Rogan, 1917-38
"Cannonball" Dick Redding, 1911-38
Dave Brown, 1918-1925
Andrew "Rube" Foster, 1902-1926
Bill Foster, 1923-38
Jose Mendez, 1908-1926
Martin Dihigo, 1923-45

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My Top 10 NL Players:

1. Oscar Charleston - Called by some the greatest player of all time, black or white.

2. Josh Gibson - Easily the greatest power hitter of the NLs.

3. Buck Leonard - Great power hitter (without much size), good glove.

4. Mule Suttles - Slugging % and BA like none other.

5. Henry "Pop" Lloyd - An ageless wonder, hit an amazing .536 when he was 44.

6. Turke Stearnes - A Mel Ott-esque hitter, hit for average and Willie Stargell like power.

7. Cool Papa Bell - Possibly the fastest man to ever play baseball.

8. Christobal Torriente - Possibly could have passed for a white man.

9. Ray Dandridge - Fast, great glove, .360 hitter.

10. Mark Dihigo - As an outfielder. Great, great arm.

[The Kid]

My All Time Defensive Teams, A&B:


A Team-----------B Team

C: Ewing---------Rodriguez
1B: Sisler--------Chase
2B: Collins-------Gordon
3B: Robinson-----Cox
SS: Smith--------Wagner
LF: Musial--------Jackson
CF: Speaker------Mays
RF: Clemente-----Kaline
P: Kaat-----------Maddux

Honorable Mentions: A Team: SS H. Long, 3B P. Traynor, B. Bonds, CF J. McAleer; B Team: CF O. Charelston, CF R. Ashburn, SS O. Vizquel, 1B B. Terry

[The Kid]

My All Time Non HOF Team:

C: Ted Simmons
1B: Don Mattingly
2B: Joe Gordon
3B: Pete Rose
SS: Maury Wills
OF: Jim Rice
OF: Andre Dawson
OF: Joe Jackson
SP: Bert Blyleven
SP: Jim Kaat
SP Tommy John
SP: Luis Tiant
SP: Jack Morris
CL: Dan Quisenberry

[The Kid]

My Top Twenty Pitchers


1. Walter Johnson
2. Cy Young
3. Christy Mathewson
4. Lefty Grove
5. Warren Spahn
6. Satchel Paige
7. Pete Alexander
8. Tom Seaver
9. Roger Clemens
10. Sandy Koufax
11. Kid Nichols
12. Bob Feller
13. Steve Carlton
14. Greg Maddux
15. Rube Waddell
16. Hoyt Wilhelm
17. Jaun Marichal
18. Hal Newhouser
19. Nolan Ryan
20. Old Hoss Radbourn