All-Time Draft

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Trades will be allowed at the conclusion of the trade. I didn't want them mid-draft because the results are complicated enough as it is.

 

As for Greenberg, his 1940 season was almost as good at the plate as his 58 homer season a few years before. When you take the defensive position into account, 1940 just might be his best season anyway. So I can use that one in the simulation if you like.

[Brett Favre 0]

As long as he's playing in left; if he was playing left in 1940.

[Precious Roy 0]

So how do you guys feel about your teams so far?

 

I'm pretty happy as my strategy has been panning out how I hoped. Missed out on a couple players I really wanted, but the talent pool is so large that it's nothing I can't compensate for.

 

I wanted to set my infield early with an eye on all-around skills, and I like my combo of Jackie Robinson and Derek Jeter up the middle. Both speedy, both have pop, and both have good gloves. Jeter is only slightly better than league average defensively, but his offensive talents off-set that.

 

At the hot corner I selected Negro League star Ray Dandridge. It's tough picking a Negro Leaguer as the statistics aren't as complete as you'd like them to be, but he has a .355 career average, and is lauded as THE premier defensive third baseman of all-time by those who saw him play. Hopefully Al has a good system in place for judging these guys, I expect he will, and thus it was worth the gamble.

 

Jim Thome wasn't even on my board, but I set myself on rounding out the infield with a true slugger, and he was the best available. Too many K's, but a great OBP makes up for it, I'll probably hit him 5th.

 

Having my defense set up the middle was a key, thus I selected Joe Dimaggio at center and Joe Torre behind the plate. Joe D was a no-brainer, as my team is representing NYC and I needed an old time Yankee legend and Ruth, Gehrig and Mantle were off the board. He's not quite as powerful as I wanted from my #1 OF, and he didn't steal bases, but he's a monster on extra base hits and the sort of character I wanted to represent the Highlanders.

 

Torre, current Yankee skipper, will be pulling double duty for me, managing and catching. I'll be his pitching coach (3 years varsity and 2 JC, WHAT!?!!). Catchers are a rare commodity, and Torre was very good in his day. I was thrilled with this choice.

 

My pitching staff needs the most work thus far as I've only drafted two pitchers so far. A few guys I wanted went earlier then I'd expected, but I did manage to get two of my highest rated guys. I grabbed two guys from the "deadball" era, Addie Joss and John Ward. Both sported outstanding ERAs and WHIPs, which is all I was looking for. Neither lasted very long by modern standards, 9 and 7 years respectively, but longevity isn't really important given Al's methods. I consider this the equivalent of having a pair of Greg Madduxes at the top of the rotation, which isn't a bad start at all.

 

So how you guys doing? let's hear it!

[Guest LooneyTune]

I'm winging it with whatever names come to mind that haven't been picked.

[Styles 0]

Think I'm ok. I don't really have a "strategy" per se, besides "fill in the best player avaliable by need".

 

C-Mickey Cochrane (best avaliable, never heard of him but stats are nice and he's a HOF so you can't go wrong)

1B-Rafael Palmeiro (personal favorite, future hall of famer)

2b-still looking

SS-Ernie Banks (besides Cal Ripken the best possible pick I think)

3B-Eddie Mathews (I really wanted Brooks Robinson, but there was no denying Mathews has far superior offensive numbers, so I put my homerism aside in favor of jacking up my power)

LF-Hank Aaron (pretty good cleanup guy I think!)

OF-Al Kaline (was simply the best player avaliable, also a left fielder but with his bat I'll play him in center and left)

Of-still looking

 

Pitchers: Cy Young (the man the award pitching excellence was named after, hard to find a better staff ace) and Hoyt Wilhelm (the best knuckleballer of all time, can work as a starter or a closer, underrated hall of famer).

 

Obviously need more pitching. Looks good so far, but then again everyone is going to have a mix of legends and all stars so it's all relative. The later the round go the harder this is going to get.

[Precious Roy 0]

I'm not a Rafi fan, but your team is looking good. I wanted Matthews

[Styles 0]

I'm not a Rafi fan...

Why not? You should be...

 

Rafael Palmeiro: quietly swinging into the record books: Orioles slugger ranks high on all-time list among the game's elite hitters in slugging percentage, hits, home runs, doubles, RBI and runs scored

Baseball Digest,  Sept, 2004  by John McMurray

 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES FIRST baseman Rafael Palmeiro has quietly established himself as one of the most productive hitters in major league baseball history.

 

As a member of the Texas Rangers, Palmeiro on May 11, 2003 became the 19th major leaguer to hit 500 career home runs when he knocked a full-count pitch from David Elder of the Cleveland Indians into right field stands at the Ballpark in Arlington. Later that year, he became the first major league player ever to hit at least 38 home runs in nine consecutive seasons, and through games of June 27, 2004, Palmeiro had 538 lifetime home runs with Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt (548) and Reggie Jackson (563) and current star Sammy Sosa (549) within striking distance.

 

Palmeiro's on-field accomplishments during his 19-season major league career go well beyond home runs, however. He began the 2004 season with 2,780 major league hits, meaning that he would join the 3,000 hit club midway through 2005 if he were to average 150 hits a season during that span.

 

He also ranks among the all-time fielding leaders at first base with a career fielding percentage of .994. Perhaps most impressively, in an era where power hitters often strike out much more than they walk, Palmeiro's career walk total (1,271) through June 27 was almost the same as his career strikeout total (1,267), a 0.98:1 walks to strikeouts ratio that is bettered only by Barry Bonds among active players who have hit more than 400 career home runs. Palmeiro's great selectivity at the plate helps to set him apart from many other contemporary power hitters.

 

In addition to his exceptional consistency at bat and In the field, Palmeiro has remained a remarkably durable player. He has played in at least 150 games in all but one 162-game season since 1988 and has played in 160 or more games in a season four times.

 

In January 2004, Palmeiro signed a one-year contract to play for the second time with the Baltimore Orioles. He hit 182 home runs when playing with the Orioles from 1994 through 1998, and he also played in two American League Championship Series with Baltimore.

 

Palmeiro left the Texas Rangers as the team's career leader in at-bats, games played, runs, and walks, and he is second in Texas team history in hits, doubles, home runs, and runs batted in. Last season, Palmeiro, 39, finished tied for fifth in the American League with 38 home runs and ranked seventh in the league in runs batted in.

 

So why does Palmeiro, an accomplished player with one of the best hitting strokes in baseball, not receive the public acclaim of other superstar players?

 

Former teammate Alex Rodriguez suggested last season that Palmeiro receives relatively little recognition "probably for the same reason that professional golfers Davis Love or Freddy Couples don't get it either. Palmeiro makes it look so easy. He's such a good guy and just kind of blends in, but when you look at his career numbers, he doesn't blend in with anyone."

 

Palmeiro's career accomplishments are extremely impressive. He was named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News in 1999 and has been in the top 10 in the American League MVP voting three times.

 

He ranked in the top 10 in the American League in home runs in every season from 1993 through 2003. His RBI totals have been in the A.L. top 10 in nine different campaigns and he holds the Orioles single-season mark with 142 RBI in 1996.

 

Palmeiro led the league in hits in 1990 (191), in doubles in 1991 (49), and in runs scored in 1993 (124). He won three consecutive Gold Glove awards at first base from 1997 through 1999.

 

The left-handed batter is also a four time All-Star selection, having been chosen for the National League team with the Chicago Cubs in 1988 and the American League team with Texas (1991 and 1999) and with Baltimore (1998).

 

Of course, Palmeiro's nationwide notoriety has been hindered by the fact that he has never played in a World Series.

 

He advanced to the American League Championship Series with the Orioles in both 1996 and 1997, but neither team made it to the World Series. When Palmeiro played with Texas in 1999, the Rangers were defeated by the New York Yankees in the A.L. Division Series.

 

Had he played in one or more World Series, Palmeiro surely would receive greater recognition. Also, Palmeiro's achievements may have been obscured somewhat since he plays in an era with many outstanding first basemen, including Jeff Bagwell, Jason Giambi, Todd Helton, Frank Thomas, and Jim Thome.

 

Palmeiro is frequently called a "consistent" player, but that label should be taken to mean that he has been consistent at a very high level. He has knocked in more than 100 runs in 10 of the past 11 seasons since 1993, with the only exception being the strike-shortened season of 1994.

 

He has scored 90 or more runs in every season since 1996, and he has hit more than 30 doubles in 11 different seasons.

 

While Palmeiro was playing with the Rangers, manager, Buck Showalter, said: "I think one of the things that's been remarkable over the years has been Palmeiro's consistency at the plate. He never lets pitchers get him out of a certain approach. He's found an approach that works, and he doesn't deviate from it. That's why he's so consistent. He stays within himself, trusts his hands, and lets the ball get very deep on him before he swings at it."

 

With more than 500 career home runs, and a chance to reach 3,000 hits and 2,000 RBI, there is a good chance that Palmeiro will one day be elected to the Hall of Fame.

 

Among players with 500 HR, only Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Frank Robinson, Mel Ott and Babe Ruth have more hits than Palmeiro--all are Hall of Famers.

 

Showalter went on to say that the first baseman is deserving of the honor based on his career statistics and also added: "I think that durability and consistency should figure into Palmeiro's Hall of Fame credentials."

 

In addition, Showalter said that "Palmeiro's substance is his style, his style isn't his substance. He shows up, does his work, and is ready to play. He's been very durable for the most part. He's a guy that's answered the bell. I don't think his career numbers are due to longevity. They're due to quality (performance)."

 

When not playing baseball, Palmeiro has been very devoted to community service. He has been involved with Raffy's Readers for more than four years, an initiative to make reading fun for young children. He also has been involved recently with building a youth baseball field in Texas.

 

Palmeiro has the opportunity to climb significantly in baseball's all-time offensive rankings during the next few seasons: in addition to his home run total, he currently ranks in the top 30 in major league history in doubles, runs batted in, extra base hits, and total bases.

 

Now that he is approaching 600 career home runs and with the 3,000 hit mark within his reach, Palmeiro's relative anonymity likely won't last long.

[Guest Brian]

I'm in Slapnuts spot, just filling as I go. Luckily, Al got me some good picks for when you guys were chatting it up in the chatty rooms, hopefully I'll make it the next time.

 

1B - Lou Gehrig

2B - Eddie Collins

RF - Tony Gwynn

CF - Duke Snyder

 

RHP - Bob Feller

RHP - Jim Bunning

RHP - Wes Ferrell

 

I obviously need to round up my infield, but I think I have a really good core of pitchers here, and a pretty good line-up. My only problem is everytime I manage to put myself in a situation where I leve a guy in favor of another, hoping that things will swing around, Al takes him from from under my nose. 8th and 9th round should be interesting, as I've lost three of my five expected guys already (Baker, Carter, Larkin). I'm not sure how things are going to pan out with the years that are punched in and all the other factors that I'm not quite as familiar with, but I think I've put something good together.

[Guest LooneyTune]

(picked Larkin) HAW-HA!

[Guest Brian]

What's wrong with Larkin? I wish I had Larkin.

[Guest LooneyTune]

...I wanted Larkin, thats why I picked him. (hugs imaginary Larkin)

[Precious Roy 0]

Why not? You should be...

Because he played for the Rangers and Orioles, both rivals of the Yankees, at least they were during his prime. Plus, there's just something about him that annoys me, can't put my finger on it......

[Guest LooneyTune]

You hate people with mustaches who take viagra?

[Precious Roy 0]

You hate people with mustaches who take viagra?

So what if I do?

[Guest LooneyTune]

You hate people with mustaches who take viagra?

So what if I do?

It may be the reason you don't like Raf'.

[KingPK 0]

I don't really have a clear cut "strategy" per-se, I'm just trying to get the best players available (with a tiny bit of homerism thrown in).

 

I like my 1-2 punch of Clemens and Gibson starting my rotation with a good lefty in Eddie Plank, who is the career leader in shutouts by a lefty, and from what I read, made disrupting a batter's timing by holding the ball and making him wait for the pitch an artform. Plus, Eck's my closer, so that's gravy.

 

Truthfully, I looked at offensive numbers more when filling the field, but I think I've got some good run producers in there.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Jeter is only slightly better than league average defensively, but his offensive talents off-set that.

 

Well, below average, but he is a great hitter.

[Bored 0]

God I love my line-up 1 thru 5 right now.

 

1. Billy Hamilton, CF

2. Wade Boggs, 3B

3. Ted Williams, LF

4. Josh Gibson, C

5. Albert Pujols, 1B

[MARTYEWR 0]

So far...

 

P Pete Alexander

P Ferguson Jenkins

 

C Bill Dickie

1B Frank Thomas

2B Rogers Hornsby

SS Arky Vaughn

LF Rickey Henderson

 

So far, so good. But then again, a lot of people can say that.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Do we get to make our batting order, and pitching rotation?

[MARTYEWR 0]

I imagine we do. If Al lets us pick our ballparks, I'm sure we can do whatever we want with our line-ups.

 

I haven't thought too much yet of my batting order, other than putting Henderson at the usual lead-off spot.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I need to find a good right-handed or switch hitting 1B. I do like my OF, especially Bonds and Ott hitting at the with the short right-field fence at the Polo Grounds.

 

CF-Cool Papa Bell

 

LF-Barry Bonds

 

RF-Mel Ott

3B-Paul Molitor

C-Ted Simmons

 

SP-

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'm very happy with my pitching rotation, but the jury is still out on my hitting and fielding.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I imagine we do. If Al lets us pick our ballparks, I'm sure we can do whatever we want with our line-ups.

You can set your own lineups, and there is alot more you can do. You can do your own depth charts, indicate late inning defensive substitutes, and utility players. You can also choose to have either a three, four, or five man rotation.

[Brett Favre 0]

1B: Jimmie Foxx

3B: Scott Rolen

RF: Manny Ramirez

LF: Hank Greenberg

CF: Ken Griffey Jr.

 

SP: Steve Carlton

SP: Juan Marichal

 

I'm working on a serial killer's row here, but other than Rolen, and probably Griffey, my defense will be brutal.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Divisions...

 

Northern Division

Boston

Pawtucket

Ottawa

Rochester

Cleveland

 

Mid-Atlantic Division

Richmond

Aberdeen

Cincinnati

Washington

Baltimore

 

Western Division

Las Vegas

St. Louis

Kansas City

Portland

Chicago

 

New York Division

Stroudsburg

New York

Long Island

Brooklyn

Newark

 

I like the NY division personally. It is my chance to deliver a hearty "fuck you" to the city.

[MARTYEWR 0]

Nice divisions. I like.

[Styles 0]

Now, if only there were a "New York" division in real life.

[KingPK 0]

Since Harley STOLE my park (enjoy the 45 minute commute every home game from Pawtucket to Boston), I can't really decide which one to pick, since I remember that Al said Braves Field is out.

 

I'd like to pick the Huntington Avenue Grounds, but the dimensions are a bit wacky, especially center being 635 feet from home plate.

 

EDIT: I want the South End Grounds, the third version. The fences in left and right are a bit close, but you can push them back a bit if you want.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Since Harley STOLE my park (enjoy the 45 minute commute every home game from Pawtucket to Boston), I can't really decide which one to pick, since I remember that Al said Braves Field is out.

 

I'll use Braves Field, but I'm moving the fences in. Its 1942 dimensions were 334 to left, 365 to left center, 375 to dead center, 401 to the deepest part of center, 362 to right center, and 350 to right. Capacity of 37,746. Center field once stood 550 feet from home plate, and that just plays havoc on everything.

 

The South End Grounds have seats 250 feet from home plate. That's just cutting it too close.