Greatest Last Name

[J W]

Hi guys,

A random thought hit me. What is the greatest last name in terms of on-field performance in baseball history? Off the top of my head I'd say Johnson:

- Walter Johnson
- Randy Johnson
- Bob Johnson
- Howard Johnson
- Grant Johnson
- Judy Johnson
- Davey Johnson
- Charles Johnson

As an aside, how many full teams can be put together using just one surname?

[BSmile]

Hehe.....well, in all seriousness....Johnson might be tough be beat. Having Walter AND Randy Johnson on the same team would be pretty devastating.

[dgarza]

This ends up being a narrow thread because there are not that many super-popular names (especially at the top).

Robinson is almost like Johnson :
Frank Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Wilbert Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Eddie Robinson

[J W]

I took a quick look, and I can field an All-Johnson team no problem!

C Charles
1B Cliff
2B Davey
3B Judy
SS Grant
LF Bob L.
CF Lance
RF Roy

Bench - Alex, Darrell, Howard, Lou, Nick

SP Walter
SP Randy
SP Ken
SP Syl

Pen - Bob D., Don, Earl, Ernie, Hank, Jing, John H., Si

...a full 25-man team!

Strengths
- impressive and deep lineup
- jaw-dropping top of rotation
- decent back end of the rotation

Weaknesses
- no real backup in CF
- uninspiring bullpen

I think this is the name to beat but I'm still interested in seeing some others done...

[dgarza]

Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez
Ellie Rodriguez
Franscico Rodriguez
Henry Rodriguez

[dgarza]

Martinez

Edgar Martinez
Pedro Martinez
Ramon Martinez
Victor Martinez
Tino Martinez
Carmelo Martinez
Dennis Martinez
Dave Martinez
Tippy Martinez

[redban]

Here are a few:

Hernandez

Keith Hernandez
Orlando Hernandez
Livan Hernandez
Felix Hernandez

Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez
Juan Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez
Alex Gonzalez

Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez
Manny Ramirez
Hanley Ramirez
Horacio Ramirez

[AG2004]

Williams?

In the majors, you have Ted, Billy, Bernie, and Cy as outfielders, Dick as manager, and Matt at thrid. Stan was a pretty good pitcher.

Throw in the Negro Leagues and you have an ace in Smokey Joe Williams, with Andrew "Stringbean" and Charles "Lefty" also supporting the staff. Shortstop Chet Williams of the Crawfords played in four East-West games in the mid-30s. Marvin Williams was a All-Star-caliber second baseman in the 1940s. Clarence, a player with the Cubans in the 1890s, gives the team a catcher.

First base is a weak position, but we can shift one of our four outfielders there.

EDIT - The majors also feature Jimmy at second and Ken as yet another outfielder.

[RuthMayBond]

Hi guys,

A random thought hit me. What is the greatest last name in terms of on-field performance in baseball history? Off the top of my head I'd say Johnson:

- Walter Johnson
- Randy Johnson
- Bob Johnson
- Howard Johnson
- Grant Johnson
- Judy Johnson
- Davey Johnson
- Charles Johnson

As an aside, how many full teams can be put together using just one surname?No one can beat that because of pitching. Closest might be Brown (Mordecai, Kevin, Ray)

[RuthMayBond]

These would have good lineups

Jackson-Travis, Joe, Reggie
Davis-Tommy, George, Chili, Eric, Willie

[AG2004]

No one can beat that because of pitching. Closest might be Brown (Mordecai, Kevin, Ray)

Williard Brown could play right field, but, after that, the position players are going to be fairly weak.

I think I'd go with my Williams team. Asterisks indicate Negro Leaguers.

C - Clarence Williams* (Backup - Earl Williams, who can also play 1B)
1B - Ken Williams (He did play 2 games here, and we have a surplus of OFs.)
2B - Marvin Williams* or Jimmy Williams
SS - Chet Williams*
3B - Matt Williams
Reserve IF - Whoever's not starting at 2B; Harry Williams*; George Williams*
LF - Ted Williams
CF - Bernie Williams
RF - Billy Williams (he played 381 games here, and Ted's in left ... )
Reserve OF - Cy Williams; Gerald Williams; Walt "No Neck" Williams

SP - Smokey Joe Williams*
SP - Andrew "Stringbean" Williams*
SP - Charles Henry "Lefty" Williams*
SP - Stan Williams
Bullpen - Mitch Williams; Woody Williams; Frank Williams; Claude Preston "Lefty" Williams; Mike Williams; Clyde "Lefty" Williams*

Manager - Dick Williams

That's a 25-man roster.

Smokey Joe is a good match for Walter Johnson. The number 2 pitcher isn't as good as Randy Johnson, but the third and fourth pitchers are better than the Johnson club's, and the bullpen is stronger.

The OF/1B here are much, much stronger hitters than their counterparts on the Johnson team. The Johnson IF has a slight edge - Grant Johnson is better than Matt Williams, and I prefer Judy to Chet, but Marvin Williams might be better than Davey Johnson. At catcher, I'm not sure how good Clarence Williams was; Earl was good early, but he doesn't have Charles Johnson's career.

Make Davey Johnson the Johnson team's manager, and you have two superb leaders competing against each other.

The Williams team certainly has a better offense than the Johnson club. Pitching is probably a wash -- Walter Johnson isn't that much better than Smokey Joe Williams, and most of the advantage gained by Randy Johnson is lost in the back end of the rotation and in the bullpen. Also, the Johnson bench is a little thin, and I wouldn't want to have to rely on its backup catcher. Over the course of a season, the stronger set of reserves would push the Williamses ahead of the Johnsons.

[The Commissioner]

The Gibson team would have a pretty strong battery... unfortunately, especially considering Kirk's nagging injuries, I'd have to question the strength of the rest of the team.

[J W]

Good job AG. The Williamses may indeed beat the Johnsons in seven. It'd be fun to simulate a few times. :thumbsup:

Anybody want to do the Smith team?

[Iron Jaw]

Man, I can't find more than one to go with Van Lingle Mungo.:happy:

[Eastvanmungo]

Man, I can't find more than one to go with Van Lingle Mungo.:happy:

That's all you'd need.