The Franchise Best Men

[Nick Soulis]

I start this idea fresh but with just as much excitement, to me this is what OOTP baseball is all about.

If all the current major league franchises could establish one team with the best players ever to play for them from any era on the field to see who would be the best, many would say the Yankees are a lock, but if we look closely, things are not so clear.

So it will be a 162 game season with injuries on but very low. Finances and transactions are turned off. I will be in comisioner mode and the format for the league will be as is the current major league system and divisions.

I will cover everygame that is played with obvious emphasis on more important matchups. Firstly I will cover a profile of all 32 teams and the rosters they will play with, as always comments are welcome and I have kept many of the comments entered when i started this the last time.

So get excited about you favorite teams. I will announce and show rosters shortly.

Thanks to Cooperstown for the template to do this.

[Nick Soulis]

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Season records
Highest Batting Average: .340, Melvin Mora (2004)
Most Games: 163, Brooks Robinson (1961, 1964) and Cal Ripken (1996)
Most Runs: 132, Roberto Alomar (1996)
Most Hits: 214, Miguel Tejada (2006)
Highest Slugging %: .646, Jim Gentile (1961)
Most Doubles: 56, Brian Roberts (2009)
Most Triples: 12, Paul Blair (1967)
Most Home Runs: 50, Brady Anderson (1996)
Most RBIs: 150, Miguel Tejada (2004)
Most Stolen Bases: 57, Luis Aparicio (1964)
Most Wins: 25, Steve Stone (1980)
Lowest ERA: 1.95, Dave McNally (1968)
Strikeouts: 221, Erik Bedard (2007)
Complete Games: 25, Jim Palmer (1975)
Saves: 45, Randy Myers (1997)



BallPark: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Manager: Earl Weaver
Hall of Famers: 6
3 World Championships, 6 Pennants, and 10 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Rick Dempsey (.233, 12HR 96RBI)
1B- George Sisler (.340, 8, 93) HOF
2B- Brian Roberts (.283, 11, 63)
3B- Brooke Robinson (.267, 15, 76) HOF
SS- Cal Ripken Jr (.276, 23, 91) HOF
RF- Frank Robinson (.294, 34, 105) HOF
CF- Willie Keeler (.341, 3, 62) HOF
LF- Ken Williams (.319, 23, 106)
DH- Eddie Murray (.287, 27, 103)

Pitchers
Mike Mussina (17-10, 3.68)
Jim Palmer (17-10, 2.86)

Closer
Greg Olsen (4-4, 3.46, 24SV)

The Orioles are a proud franchise but will have their work cut out for them in a very difficult division with the Yankees and the Red Sox. Fran Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr are the stars of this team and Robinson especially will have to have an incredible season if the Orioles are to compete for the division title. The pitching and the bullpen could be a little thin for these standards but captain Weaver believed in the long ball for his wins. The bench too could be considered a little weaker with Boog Powell the big bopper to look out for.

Prediction: 3rd

[Pirates Fan]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

Firstly I will cover a profile of all 32 teams and the rosters they will play with, as always comments are welcome and I have kept many of the comments entered when i started this the last time.

sounds great. what are the two extra teams?

[Eugene Church]

Good concept... I am looking forward to following the league and the Cardinals.

It's good to see Ken Williams playing first string for the Orioles. I think he should be in the Hall of Fame... I just don't know how he was overlooked.

I did an all-time all-star league with just the 16 original franchises several years ago. I also included a few Negro and Japanese stars in it. The Yankees did not dominate the American League. The Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers gave them a lot of competition. Over in the National League the top clubs were the Giants, Pirates, Cubs and Cardinals. The Big Red Machine in Cincinnati never did well. I think it was their pitching that couldn't compete with the other teams.

The league lasted 11 years, but I lost it when my computer went kaput... foolishly I only backed up the first three years and then stopped doing it. I have learned my lesson and back up my current league very often on an external back up.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Pirates Fan

sounds great. what are the two extra teams?

My mistake. It is actually 30 teams with each current franchise represented.

Ive been looking forward to doing this for a long time, just trying to get it right.

[Nick Soulis]

BOSTON RED SOX



Manager: Terry Francona
Park: Fenway Park
Hall of Famers: 8
6 World Championships, 10 Pennants, and 19 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Carlton Fisk (.269, 24, 86) HOF
1B- Carl Yastremski (.285, 22, 90) HOF
2B- Bobby Doerr (.288, 19, 108) HOF
3B- Wade Boggs (.328, 8, 67) HOF
SS- Joe Cronin (.301, 13, 109) HOF
RF- Jim Rice (.298, 30, 113) HOF
CF- Tris Speaker (.345, 7, 89) HOF
LF- Ted Williams (.344, 37, 130) HOF
DH- David Ortiz (.282, 35, 119)

Pitchers
Cy Young (20-12, 2.63) HOF
Roger Clemens (17-9, 3.12)
Luis Tiant (15-11, 3.30)

Closer
Jason Pappelbon (4-3, 1.84, 38SV)

The Red Sox are poised to chase their biggest rivals the Yankees with a frqanchise that carries some of the best names to ever play. Cy Young and Ted Williams alone may be the best pitcher and hitter to ever play the game and will be called upon to beat the feared Yankees. There is no reason why the Red Sox cant win, or at least make a wild card spot. For sure one of the top 5 team fanchises ever.

PREDICTION: 2nd WILD CARD

[Nick Soulis]

NEW YORK YANKEES



Manager: Joe MCcarthy
Park: Yankee Stadium
Hall Of Famers: 7
27 World Championships, 40 Pennants, and 48 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Yogi Berra (.284, 27, 89) HOF
1B- Lou Gehrig (.341, 37, 149) HOF
2B- Tony Lazzeri (.292, 17, 111) HOF
3B- Red Rolfe (.288, 10, 69)
SS- Derek Jeter (.316, 17, 82)
RF- Babe Ruth (.342, 46, 143) HOF
CF- Joe Dimaggio (.335, 34, 143) HOF
LF- Mickey Mantle (.298, 36, 102) HOF
DH- Don Mattingly (.307, 20, 100)

Pitchers
Ron Guidry (17-9, 3.29)
Whitey Ford (17-8, 2.75) HOF
Andy Pettitte (17-10, 3.91)

Closer
Mariano Rivera (5-4, 2.25, 39 SV)

Maybe the greatest franchise is sports the Yankees have been the best in baseball almost since the pro game started and everyone expects them to win this whole thing. The hitting will be incredible to watch, but is there some weaknesses in the starting staff? Babe Ruth is the biggest legend ever to play the game, and when it comes down too it few if anyone think the Yankees will falter, the question is will they dominate or not. Anything less then a title as always is a disaster.

PREDICTION: 1st Place

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Good concept... I am looking forward to following the league and the Cardinals.

It's good to see Ken Williams playing first string for the Orioles. I think he should be in the Hall of Fame... I just don't know how he was overlooked.

I did an all-time all-star league with just the 16 original franchises several years ago. I also included a few Negro and Japanese stars in it. The Yankees did not dominate the American League. The Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers gave them a lot of competition. Over in the National League the top clubs were the Giants, Pirates, Cubs and Cardinals. The Big Red Machine in Cincinnati never did well. I think it was their pitching that couldn't compete with the other teams.

The league lasted 11 years, but I lost it when my computer went kaput... foolishly I only backed up the first three years and then stopped doing it. I have learned my lesson and back up my current league very often on an external back up.

The reason he was overlooked is easy: St. Louis Browns.

But, I have pondered figuring out all-time lineups for teams many times. I do know a Yankee OF could have Mantle, DiMaggio, Ruth (if you put Mantle in LF). Course, you could just get mileage out of Mantle and DiMaggio by rotating them between DH/CF too).

Course, one rule I did decide on if I did it would be nobody could be on 2 teams which means Yankee fans would have to see A-Rod as the Sea SS instead of their 3B. And have to settle for Graig Nettles or maybe Red Rolfe.


Note: I also thought to avoid having the Rays, D'backs, Rockies and Marlins from looking so crappy, to give them one player each from a Japanese league who never played in majors, Negro League who never played in majors, and an 19th century player who only played on now defunct teams.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

NEW YORK YANKEES

Manager: Joe MCcarthy
Park: Yankee Stadium
Hall Of Famers: 7
27 World Championships, 40 Pennants, and 48 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Yogi Berra (.284, 27, 89) HOF
1B- Lou Gehrig (.341, 37, 149) HOF
2B- Tony Lazzeri (.292, 17, 111) HOF
3B- Red Rolfe (.288, 10, 69)
SS- Derek Jeter (.316, 17, 82)
RF- Babe Ruth (.342, 46, 143) HOF
CF- Joe Dimaggio (.335, 34, 143) HOF
LF- Mickey Mantle (.298, 36, 102) HOF
DH- Don Mattingly (.307, 20, 100)

Pitchers
Ron Guidry (17-9, 3.29)
Whitey Ford (17-8, 2.75) HOF
Andy Pettitte (17-10, 3.91)

Closer
Mariano Rivera (5-4, 2.25, 39 SV)

Maybe the greatest franchise is sports the Yankees have been the best in baseball almost since the pro game started and everyone expects them to win this whole thing. The hitting will be incredible to watch, but is there some weaknesses in the starting staff? Babe Ruth is the biggest legend ever to play the game, and when it comes down too it few if anyone think the Yankees will falter, the question is will they dominate or not. Anything less then a title as always is a disaster.

PREDICTION: 1st Place

I see my OF prediction was right, before I looked. And Bill Dickey would be the backup C if you went that far (not to mention the setup guy probably being Sparky Lyle, maybe have Goose too, depending)

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Left-handed Badger

The reason he was overlooked is easy: St. Louis Browns.

But, I have pondered figuring out all-time lineups for teams many times. I do know a Yankee OF could have Mantle, DiMaggio, Ruth (if you put Mantle in LF). Course, you could just get mileage out of Mantle and DiMaggio by rotating them between DH/CF too).

Course, one rule I did decide on if I did it would be nobody could be on 2 teams which means Yankee fans would have to see A-Rod as the Sea SS instead of their 3B. And have to settle for Graig Nettles or maybe Red Rolfe.

Note: I also thought to avoid having the Rays, D'backs, Rockies and Marlins from looking so crappy, to give them one player each from a Japanese league who never played in majors, Negro League who never played in majors, and an 19th century player who only played on now defunct teams.

Great input thanks. There will always be a few good ways of doing this, I will try to take the most logical way of approaching it. Dimaggio is just too good a defender to ever really move out of center field. As for ARod and Craig Nettles they are desperately needed on other franchises so Arod will indeed be on the Mariners and Nettles will be helping out the Padres.

Both the Goose and Sparky Lyle will be part of the Yankee bullpen backing up Rivera. Bill Dickey is also the backup catcher with Jorge Posada and Thurman Munson on the reserve team.


I like the idea of Negro and Japanese players to help the weaker teams, but to be honest im not quite advanced enough to know how I would go about adding them so we will see what happens although the Rays, Rockies, and Marlins arnt absolutely horrible, all have had decent success in the past 10 years.

[Eugene Church]

To determine which team a player played for when he played for several teams, I would place them on the team that he played the most FULL seasons and if it was close in full seasons, I would place him on the team he had the best success with. A full season was 400 at bats.

Expansion teams will have a tough time competing with the original franchises. They just don't have a backlog of players to choose from. That's why I did not include them in my all-time league.

I'm glad you are including them. It will be interesting to see how they fare.

You've done a fine job on the rosters.

Just some roster observations:

Carlton Fisk actually played more for the White Sox than the Red Sox. He played 11 full seasons with Chicago, only 6 with Boston.

Frank Robinson played more for Cincinnati. He played 10 seasons for the Reds, only 7 for the Orioles.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

Great input thanks. There will always be a few good ways of doing this, I will try to take the most logical way of approaching it. Dimaggio is just too good a defender to ever really move out of center field. As for ARod and Craig Nettles they are desperately needed on other franchises so Arod will indeed be on the Mariners and Nettles will be helping out the Padres.

Both the Goose and Sparky Lyle will be part of the Yankee bullpen backing up Rivera. Bill Dickey is also the backup catcher with Jorge Posada and Thurman Munson on the reserve team.


I like the idea of Negro and Japanese players to help the weaker teams, but to be honest im not quite advanced enough to know how I would go about adding them so we will see what happens although the Rays, Rockies, and Marlins arnt absolutely horrible, all have had decent success in the past 10 years.

I placed the Negro and Japanese stars on the teams using a draft. I would rate all the teams and give the lower ranked teams preference in the draft. The Yanks would be given the last pick in each round.

You might rate the expansion teams and hold a draft among them.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

I placed the Negro and Japanese stars on the teams using a draft. I would rate all the teams and give the lower ranked teams preference in the draft. The Yanks would be given the last pick in each round.

You might rate the expansion teams and hold a draft among them.

If I have the exisiting files from the Negro leagues and the Japanese leagues, how would I add those players to an existing game and start a draft??

[Nick Soulis]

TORONTO BLUE JAYS





Manager: Cito Gaston
Park: Rogers Center (Sky Dome)
Hall of Famers:0
2 World Championships, 2 Pennants, and 5 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Pat Borders (.252, 10, 51)
1B- Joe Carter (.260, 29, 107)
2B- Roberto Alomar (.299, 14, 77)
3B- Kelly Gruber (.306, 20, 76)
SS- Tony Fernandez (.288, 7, 63)
RF- Shawn Green (.282, 27, 89)
CF- Devon White (.256, 17, 75)
LF- George Bell (.278, 27, 102)
DH- Carlos Delgado (.279, 38, 120)


Pitchers
Roy Halladay (17-9, 3.38)
Dave Stieb (14-11, 3.44)
Jimmy Key (15-9, 3.51)
David Wells (14-9, 4.13)

Closer
Tom Henke (4-4, 2.67, 33SV)

For a relatively short existance the Blue Jays have some talent on their squad and should battle the Orioles for the third spot. The pitching rotation is solid with a bunch of guys who dont walk alot of batters, the defense on this team is excellent as well with Alomar and White up the middle. In a touhg divison the Blue Jays may just be able to make some noise.

PREDICTION: 4th

[LivnLegend]

What process is involved where Frank Robinson ends up on the Baltimore franchise rather than Cincinnati, where he played 4 more seasons? Are teams chosen by with what team the player is most identified (as with Hall of Fame caps)? Or do the Reds get a version of Robinson as well? I guess the same could be asked of Fisk with regard to what color Sox.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

Great input thanks. There will always be a few good ways of doing this, I will try to take the most logical way of approaching it. Dimaggio is just too good a defender to ever really move out of center field. As for ARod and Craig Nettles they are desperately needed on other franchises so Arod will indeed be on the Mariners and Nettles will be helping out the Padres.

Both the Goose and Sparky Lyle will be part of the Yankee bullpen backing up Rivera. Bill Dickey is also the backup catcher with Jorge Posada and Thurman Munson on the reserve team.


I like the idea of Negro and Japanese players to help the weaker teams, but to be honest im not quite advanced enough to know how I would go about adding them so we will see what happens although the Rays, Rockies, and Marlins arnt absolutely horrible, all have had decent success in the past 10 years.

Yeah, I admit I forgot about Nettles and the Padres, when I posted. My bad. Yeah, the Padres as far as I can remember have had Caminiti, Nettles and a revolving door at 3B in their history. And Caminiti really only had the one good season for the most part.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by LivnLegend

What process is involved where Frank Robinson ends up on the Baltimore franchise rather than Cincinnati, where he played 4 more seasons? Are teams chosen by with what team the player is most identified (as with Hall of Fame caps)? Or do the Reds get a version of Robinson as well? I guess the same could be asked of Fisk with regard to what color Sox.

Thanks for the post.

There is only one version of a player in the league, so one Frank Robinson and one Carlton Fisk.

The objective of how players are placed on teams comes down to making the league as competitive as possible. As long as a player played for a team at some point in his career, then he is elgible to play for that team, where ever possible of course you try and place the hitter with the team he is identified most with.

So it is much better for the league if ARod plays on the Mariners rather then the Yankees who already have a world of talent. Nettles was sent to the Padres for the same reason, as for Caminiti he will play for the Astros who are a more new team and need his bat much more then the Padres (Winfield, Gwynn, Nettles). The Reds have a load of talent at the plate and Frank Robinson is better suited helping the Orioles in my opinion. A better argument can be made for Fisk, who I will consider moving to the White Sox since the Red Sox are so deep in their lineup.

Feel free to put your two cents in, I of course get the final say with one thing in mind, keeping the league as competitive as possible.

[Nick Soulis]

TAMPA BAY RAYS






Manager: Joe Maddon
Park: Tropicana Field
Hall of Famers: 0
1 Pennant and 1 Playoff Appearance

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Toby Hall (.261, 11, 64)
1B- Fred McGriff (.284, 32, 102)
2B- Jorge Cantu (.275, 23, 96)
3B- Evan Longoria (.272, 36, 113)
SS- Julio Lugo (.271, 11, 61)
RF- Jose Cansesco (.266, 40, 121)
CF- Carl Crawford (.294, 12, 76)
LF- Greg Vaughn (.242, 33. 100)
DH- Carlos Pena (.250, 33, 95)


Pitchers
Wilson Alvarez (11-10, 3.96)
Matt Garza (12-13, 3.85)
Jeff Nieman (17-8, 3.75)
Scott Kazmir (13-10, 3.92)

Closer
Roberto Hernandez (4-5, 3.45, 22SV)

Obviously a lack of history and a lack of talent will make life very difficult for the Rays, especially on the mound where no real ace can be identified at this level. Many advise the Rays dont even take the field but they do have some swingers in their lineup that can shoot for the fences and Carl Crawford is a speed demon. It is the pitching however that will do this team in, remember they play the Yankees and the Red Sox in a full schedule for the season. Have fun boys!

Prediction: 5th

[Left-handed Badger]

I do have to mention, since it popped in my head. My dad and I one time a long time ago were discussing all-time teams. He being the Yankee expert (fan since a kid listening to the end of career DiMaggio on radio). And he did mention an interesting suggestion. That as loaded as the Yankee lineup would be. Mantle might be the perfect leadoff hitter for such a lineup giving his skill. He had speed, smart baserunner, and could draw oodles of BBs (course that BB drawing isnt exactly unique in this loaded lineup). This was before Brady Anderson's 50 HR season mostly at leadoff, too. Course, this was when Jeter was a rookie if I remember. So, the lineup would be different.

Note: As a sidenote, when talking about the Yank all-time SS. He said "probably Rizzuto now, but ask me again in 10 years".


As far as Fisk is concerned, I was trying to think who would be the C for his teams if he didnt exist. Probably Varitek for the Red Sox. And for the White Sox, Ray Schalk is the best I can think right now.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

If I have the exisiting files from the Negro leagues and the Japanese leagues, how would I add those players to an existing game and start a draft??

Sorry, I can't help you there. I am not very computer literate.

I just played in the Commissioner Mode and created the Negro and Japanese players on the free agent page and assigned them to teams. I would give the worst teams the first picks over the good teams. I just created my own draft for the Negro and Japanese players.