The Cooperstown League

[Nick Soulis]

The Texas Rangers — Cooperstown League Roster Reveal

There are teams in the Cooperstown League built on balance. There are teams built on pitching. And then there are teams like the Texas Rangers — a club that steps onto the field with one clear intention:

Score more runs than you can possibly withstand.

This is not a subtle roster. It is not a cautious one. It is a team forged from the most dangerous bats in franchise history, supported by a pitching staff designed to hold the line just long enough for the offense to take over.
From the Senators roots to modern Arlington, this is a roster built with purpose — and it is coming to win.

Manager
Ron Washington

No one in franchise history understands the weight of October like Washington. Two American League pennants, back-to-back World Series appearances, and a clubhouse that believed it could beat anyone.
His teams played loose, aggressive, and confident baseball — and that is exactly what this roster demands. With this much talent and firepower, Washington is the ideal voice to keep it focused and dangerous.

Ballpark
Globe Life Field



A modern, controlled environment for a modern offensive juggernaut.
No wind. No weather. No excuses.
This ballpark doesn’t inflate this team’s strengths — it simply allows them to show up every night, exactly as they are.

Catchers
C — Iván Rodríguez
C — Jim Sundberg
This is defensive authority at its highest level.
Rodríguez is the general — an MVP, a cannon behind the plate, and one of the greatest catchers the game has ever seen. Sundberg ensures that not a single inning slips when Pudge rests. Together, they eliminate the running game and command every pitch thrown.

Infield
1B — Rafael Palmeiro
1B — Mark Teixeira
Palmeiro’s 3,000 hits and 500 home runs speak for themselves. He is relentless. Teixeira provides elite switch-hitting power and Gold Glove defense, giving the Rangers depth without compromise.

2B — Ian Kinsler
2B/DH — Julio Franco
Kinsler brings speed, pop, and defensive excellence. Franco, with one of the purest bats in franchise history, offers a completely different offensive look — contact, discipline, and clutch hitting.

SS — Corey Seager
UTIL — Michael Young
Seager gives this lineup something rare: elite offensive production from shortstop. Young, the face of the franchise for over a decade, transitions into a flexible role where his versatility becomes a weapon across the infield.

3B — Adrián Beltré
3B — Buddy Bell
This is a defensive stronghold.
Beltré is a Hall of Fame cornerstone — elite glove, elite bat. Bell backs him with his own Gold Glove pedigree, ensuring the position never weakens, even late in games.

Outfield
OF — Josh Hamilton
OF — Juan González
OF — Rubén Sierra
OF — Frank Howard
This is where the Rangers become something else entirely.
Hamilton’s MVP peak. Gonzalez’s two MVP awards. Sierra’s middle-of-the-order presence. And now Frank Howard — a 142 OPS+ force of nature whose power could define an era.
There is no safe inning against this group.
Defensively, this unit will be tested. Hamilton’s experience in center field provides functional coverage, but range is limited overall. This is not a run-prevention outfield.

It is a run-creation machine.


Rotation
SP — Kevin Brown
SP — Jacob deGrom
SP — Kenny Rogers
SP — Cliff Lee
SP (Spot) — Charlie Hough
Brown and deGrom give the Rangers two true aces capable of dominating any lineup. Rogers and Lee bring left-handed balance, with Lee’s postseason brilliance adding another dimension.
Hough’s knuckleball offers a complete stylistic shift — a weapon that can disrupt timing and stabilize games when needed.

Bullpen
CL — Jeff Russell
RP — Francisco Cordero
RP — Jim Kern
RP — C. J. Wilson
RP — Dave Baldwin
RP — Dick Donovan
This bullpen is built on structure and reliability.
Russell handles the ninth. Kern and Cordero provide power in the late innings. Wilson gives a left-handed presence capable of handling high-leverage spots. Baldwin and Donovan offer stability — arms that can carry innings and keep games intact when things get unpredictable.

Final Roster Spot
UTIL — Toby Harrah
Harrah is the final piece — a high-OBP, multi-position infielder who adds depth, flexibility, and a different offensive profile to a power-heavy lineup.

Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
This is one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the entire Cooperstown League. Power is everywhere. There are no easy outs. The infield defense is elite, anchored by Rodríguez, Kinsler, and Beltré. The top of the rotation can dominate.

Weaknesses
The outfield defense is vulnerable. Range will be tested, and run prevention in the gaps could become an issue. The bullpen is solid but not overwhelming — meaning the rotation must consistently deliver.

Final Word
The Texas Rangers are not trying to be perfect.
They are trying to be overwhelming.
They will give up runs.
They will make mistakes.
But they will also step into the box, inning after inning, and force you to survive them.
And in this league, that might be the most dangerous thing of all.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Five ASG's for Whitey with the Cards, four for Rolen with the Cards. If Kurowski hadn't been hurt when he was, he might have had much better numbers than he ended up with. Plus the Gold Gloves weren't around, I believe, during Kurowski's career, nor were the Silver Sluggers, among other awards. Let's suppose that Kurowski had been able to play at least five to ten more years than he did. And that the GG's and other awards had been around during his career. He probably could have won at least a few of them, had they actually been around when he was playing. Let's say he played the equivalent of as many seasons as Rolen did, at least, or perhaps just about as many games, more or less, hypothetically. Would he then possibly have somewhat similar numbers, given the differences in games per season, if his statistics were then prorated appropriately enough? Maybe, maybe not. But it's quite possible that the Cardinals don't win in the 1940's without Kurowski here, I think. CD out.

[WooBallFan43]

I thought you were going to combine both Senators + Nats into one Washington team? Why is Frank Howard on the Rangers then? Replace him with Joey Gallo if you want the same pop. Same with Dick Donovan! He spent 1 year with WASHINGTON. Not Texas. He should be replaced with Neftali Feliz. Dave Baldwin too! He only spend 4 years in the Majors and got no awards. Only a 2.6 WAR with WASHINGTON too. Replace him with José LeClerc.

Also John Wetteland deserves a spot on this team.

Cliff Lee spent HALF A SEASON with Texas in 2010. Put him on Cleveland or Philly and give that spot to like Eovaldi or something IDK.

Hough fits better with Miami, I know he was 46 then but he deserves to be there as the man who threw the first pitch in Florida Marlins history.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Hough belongs better with the Rangers, I think. As for Lee, yes, either the Phillies or the Indians would be better. Agreed on Wetteland. Feliz, I believe, also belongs with the Rangers. Kern would be at least a fairly good pitcher to then set up Wetteland or Feliz, with either of those two perhaps as the closer if Kern isn't. Franco fits best on Cleveland, but if Cleveland's too deep at shortstop, then his other teams should perhaps be ranked by just how productive he actually was with them, on either offense or defense, if not both, I believe. And I'm sure there's better outfield options for the Rangers here. Like maybe Pete Incaviglia or however his name is spelled, or Oddibe McDowell, for instance. Just a few thoughts here about the Texas Rangers, that's all. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by WooBallFan43

I thought you were going to combine both Senators + Nats into one Washington team? Why is Frank Howard on the Rangers then? Replace him with Joey Gallo if you want the same pop. Same with Dick Donovan! He spent 1 year with WASHINGTON. Not Texas. He should be replaced with Neftali Feliz. Dave Baldwin too! He only spend 4 years in the Majors and got no awards. Only a 2.6 WAR with WASHINGTON too. Replace him with José LeClerc.

Also John Wetteland deserves a spot on this team.

Cliff Lee spent HALF A SEASON with Texas in 2010. Put him on Cleveland or Philly and give that spot to like Eovaldi or something IDK.

Hough fits better with Miami, I know he was 46 then but he deserves to be there as the man who threw the first pitch in Florida Marlins history.

Totally correct, on Howard, completely forgot he was on the Senators, he will be replaced and yes I also forgot about Feliz I will add him too. I think Rusty Greer is a good pick to replace Howard.

As for Lee, it seems that you guys keep forgetting that the point of these rosters is to be competitive. yes he pitched only half a season with the team and so did Sabathia in Milwaukee but the roster desperately needs him, if you remove Lee who takes his spot? So again the idea here is not nostalgia, its about building the best roster.

Hough definitely belongs with the Rangers, he is the alltime leader in pitching for them in multiple categories.

As always thanks for the input, especially about the Senators.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

No, I'm not forgetting that, just suggesting options for these teams, especially for my Cardinals, who I probably know the most about of every MLB team, I think, due to my long following of them in my life. Rolen, while he did play for my Cardinals, still fits better with the Phillies here, statistics-wise, I believe, at least in certain statistical categories. And he can back up Schmidt when Schmidt rests or if Schmidt gets hurt. Granted, I'm still bummed about the trade in question that the Phillies made with the Cardinals that brought him to St. Louis, but he played longer with Philly than he did with the Redbirds, putting that bumming aside for the time being, at least. He actually made his name with the Phillies, not the Redbirds. While he may be one of ours, by the Hall's choice or something, I still think of him more as a Phillies player than a Cardinals player. So please don't put him on my Cardinals, when you have much better options than him already in Cardinals history to pair with Boyer. Kurowski, for instance, among others, for that matter. I would say, that in his prime, and in his own way, that Kurowski could potentially be more or less an equal to Rolen in certain aspects, in terms of quality, if both weren't hurt at all here. The Cards don't win in the 1940's without Kurowski, in my view. Kurowski was a key player in his time when Musial was starting out his career. So you might want to consider Kurowski as a potential third base option for the Cardinals here, quite possibly. How much better could his numbers have been had he been able to have a longer career? Just think about it, and go from there. Thank you for your time and all here, then, Nick. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

And I daresay that if Whitey hadn't gotten hurt, he too might even be in the Hall of Fame today, but we'll never know for sure in the real world, because he never had the chance to play at least ten years in MLB due to him getting hurt, and usually you need at least ten years of MLB service to have at least a slim chance of election to the Hall of Fame, I believe, as a player, if not more. In essence, he played just about eight years, more or less, so let's hypothetically double his numbers, more or less, and see how his career numbers might shape up for him, in a more neutral setting and all, more or less.

As for the Rangers' stadium, why not use Arlington Stadium for them? Or the stadium where they played those World Series games in the 2010's? Just a thought here, that's all. Yes, Washington should probably be the Rangers' manager here, I think. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Shouldn't Deacon Phillippe or whatever his name is or was actually be somewhere here in this scenario of yours, if not also Lon Warneke as well, if they aren't already present, for that matter? Just wondering, that's all. CD out.

[WooBallFan43]

Only place Phillippe fits is Pittsburgh which isn't a bad destination. Only thing is who he would replace.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Cole or one of the other more recent pitchers, I'd suppose, for the Pirates, WBF43, who probably can't hold a candle to certain other pitchers, so to speak, pitchers like Phillippe and/or others. CD out. If the Cy Young had been awarded prior to the 1950's or so, I'm sure pitchers like Warneke and Phillippe, for instance, could have won quite a few, at the very least. A lot of the awards now handed out weren't in existence back in the pre-Expansion Era, if not all of them, I think. Would a bunch of those players who played before the creation of those awards have perhaps won a lot of them, to further bolster their Hall of Fame credentials? Who knows? But I do know that the Yankee Stadium that should be used for the Yankees is not the current one, but the older one, at least, if Babe Ruth's going to be on the Yankees for this scenario, in any case, for sure. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

Toronto Blue Jays — Cooperstown League Roster

There are franchises that arrive with noise, and there are those that arrive with certainty. This Toronto Blue Jays club is the latter — constructed not on sentiment, but on sustained production, balance, and the quiet confidence of players who have done it at the highest level. From the championship core of the early 1990s to the power surge of the modern era, this roster blends generations into a single, cohesive unit. It is not flashy for the sake of being flashy. It is complete.

This is a team built to win nine innings at a time.

Manager

Cito Gaston

The only choice. Two World Series titles, a steady hand, and a proven ability to manage stars without disruption. Gaston’s presence ensures that this roster — filled with strong personalities and elite talent — operates with calm authority and postseason clarity.

Ballpark

Rogers Centre (SkyDome)



A controlled environment that removes variables and rewards execution. In its prime, the fast turf and indoor conditions favored athleticism and power — both of which this roster has in abundance. It is a fitting stage for a team built on precision and strength.

Catcher

Starters
Ernie Whitt
Russell Martin

A true dual-catcher system. Whitt brings longevity, switch-hitting balance, and deep ties to the franchise’s early success. Martin adds elite defensive value, pitch framing, and a near 40-WAR career that elevates the position beyond its historical baseline. Together, they provide flexibility, intelligence, and stability behind the plate with no drop-off.

First Base

Starter
Carlos Delgado

Reserve
Edwin Encarnación

Delgado is the offensive anchor — nearly 40 WAR in Toronto, a 138 OPS+, and one of the most feared left-handed bats of his era. Encarnación complements him perfectly, bringing right-handed power and lineup flexibility. This pairing ensures sustained middle-of-the-order production regardless of matchup or rotation.

Second Base

Starter
Roberto Alomar

There is no weakness here. Alomar is a Hall of Famer, a five-time All-Star with Toronto, and one of the finest two-way second basemen the game has ever seen. His defense anchors the infield, and his bat provides top-of-the-order excellence.

Third Base

Starter
Josh Donaldson

Reserve / Defensive Replacement
Kelly Gruber

Donaldson’s 2015 MVP season stands as one of the greatest peaks in franchise history, combining elite offense with strong defense. Gruber offers a steady glove and dependable depth, giving the club late-inning security and situational flexibility.

Shortstop

Starter
Tony Fernández

Reserve
Troy Tulowitzki

Fernández defines the position for Toronto — four Gold Gloves, exceptional range, and a calm presence that completes the infield’s defensive spine. Tulowitzki, while limited in Toronto tenure, brings elite career pedigree and power, offering a high-upside alternative when needed.

Outfield

Jose Bautista
Vernon Wells
Devon White
Joe Carter
Lloyd Moseby

This is a complete outfield unit. Bautista provides elite power and on-base ability. Wells offers balance as a two-way center fielder. White delivers Gold Glove defense that can change games in the late innings. Carter adds production and one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. Moseby rounds it out with high WAR, speed, and versatility, giving the club multiple viable alignments depending on situation.

Designated Hitter / Utility

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

A flexible, high-impact bat capable of playing first or third base as needed. His 2021 peak demonstrates MVP-level upside, and his presence deepens an already dangerous lineup while preserving defensive flexibility across the corners.

Starting Rotation

Roy Halladay
Dave Stieb
Jimmy Key
David Wells

Spot Starter
Pat Hentgen

This is a championship rotation. Halladay is the ace — dominant, efficient, and relentless. Stieb provides sustained excellence and a deep workload. Key adds left-handed precision, Wells brings veteran stability, and Hentgen, a Cy Young winner, offers elite depth and durability in the swing role. There is no weak link.

Bullpen

Closer
Tom Henke

Setup
Duane Ward

Relief Corps
Billy Koch
Scott Downs
Paul Quantrill
B.J. Ryan

Henke anchors the ninth inning with elite efficiency. Ward bridges the gap with power and consistency. Downs and Ryan give the club two high-end left-handed options, Koch provides velocity, and Quantrill offers multi-inning durability. The bullpen is balanced, flexible, and built for matchup control.

Team Captain

Roy Halladay

The standard-bearer. Halladay represents preparation, discipline, and accountability at the highest level. His presence defines the culture of this team — one built on professionalism and execution rather than emotion.

Strengths & Weaknesses

This roster’s greatest strength is its completeness. There are no forced positions, no weak defensive links, and no soft spots in the lineup. The infield defense — anchored by Alomar and Fernández — is elite. The rotation is deep and reliable. The bullpen is structured and matchup-ready. Offensively, the club blends power, patience, and situational hitting across eras.

If there is a weakness, it is subtle: the roster leans heavily on right-handed power in certain alignments, and the bench lacks a true specialist at second base. But these are marginal concerns on a team with this level of depth and flexibility.

Final Word

This is not a team that overwhelms with chaos. It does not need to. It wins with control — of the strike zone, of the tempo, of the moment. Under Cito Gaston, led by Roy Halladay, and supported by a roster built on proven excellence, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the Cooperstown League as something rare:

A team without a flaw that can be easily found.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Buck Martinez for Russell Martin. David Cone for one of the pitchers here, if not on the Yankees or Mets. Alfredo Griffin for Troy Tulowitzki, because those three played longer for Toronto and did so productively, I think. That's all for this particular post, at least, then. CD out.

[WooBallFan43]

Tulo, really? Bo Bichette fits so much better with Toronto than Tulo. Also where's Pat Borders?

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Pat Borders would be a good pick, if not Buck Martinez, for the Blue Jays. Tulowitzki doesn't fit anyone, really, other than Colorado, but Colorado's not part of this scenario, to be sure. Plus Toronto needs two second basemen, I think, as each team does. Every team should have at least one backup possibility for every possible position player location, for field positions 2 through 9. And no more than perhaps 9 or 10 pitchers, in turn, for that matter, if at all possible. CD out.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Devon White might possibly fit better with the Angels too, but I'm not entirely sure about that, at the moment. I'd strongly recommend that each team have at least six possible outfield options plus at least ten possible options for defensive positions 2 through 9, actually, with the balance of the roster then being pitchers, with at least 60 percent of a team's roster consisting of position players, if not more, in any case. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

Russell Martin was literally born in Toronto and is Canadian and did play for the Jays, you cant get a more perfect fit then that. Four time allstar, gold glove, 38 WAR.

Once again roster construction goes out the window, Troy Tulowitski is twice a good of a player then Bo Bichette.

As for roster construction, each team will have a reserve roster in case of injury, the reserve roster will step in in case of injury as injuries will be turned on and will be part of the simulation a a whole.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

Russell Martin's more a Dodger than a Blue Jay, even if he played for Toronto, as far as I'm aware of him here, if I'm not too mistaken here. I'll have to check him out, though, to be sure. And, no, roster construction's not out the window here. Just considering Toronto's team history here, as best as I can. I do know that Martinez played a long time with the Blue Jays as one of the best catchers in their history, as did Borders. The best three catchers that the Blue Jays have probably had to date as Blue Jays catchers are Whitt, Martinez, and Borders, if I'm not too mistaken. The best two shortstops in Blue Jays history are probably Fernandez and Griffin. Just my opinion here, of course, Nick, and Scott Downs was probably more a Giants pitcher than anything else, and I don't recall him ever playing for the Blue Jays, either, if my memory serves me correctly here. I'd probably put David Cone in the rotation for the Blue Jays, instead of for the Royals, Mets, or Yankees, if I remember Cone's career well enough here somehow. As for the team's ace, I'd say it would have to be a near-tossup between Roy Halladay and Dave Stieb, actually, if Halladay's not on the Phillies. As for B.J. Ryan, wasn't he ever an Oriole, for that matter? CD out.

[WooBallFan43]

Cone should be a Jay, I never even knew he was a Royal. But then it gets to the point of who do you replace him with? Danny Duffy? Cole Ragans? I also believe that Clemens would be a good fit with Toronto instead of propping up an already formidable Boston rotation. Also I feel like Marcus Stroman deserves a nod, although that may be my 2010's nostalgia bias coming through. Yes, CD, Martin is more a Dodger than Jay, but I see Nick's point.

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

As I've likely said before, I'd probably not select anyone who debuted after 2019, for an exercise like this, and I'd probably require at least three sufficiently productive years for any team that any particular player used in an exercise like this might then be placed on, in truth, if and whenever possible here. But, and this is certainly an important point here, this is Nick's scenario here. Not mine, to be sure. His apparent methodology clearly differs from mine here, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We just have different, but equally valid, opinions here, I think. We could both be wrong about certain things, but we could also both be right about certain things here. In the long run, what we would both like to see is the best possible simulation here for all relevant teams. DH or no DH, et cetera. CD out.

[Nick Soulis]

Washington Nationals All-Time Cooperstown League Roster

There is a certain kind of team that does not need to announce itself. It does not overwhelm with flash or chase modern trends. It understands its environment, its history, and the quiet advantages that win games over time. This Washington club—built from the lineage of the Senators and the Nationals—is exactly that kind of team. It is precise. It is balanced. And it is deeply rooted in the game’s fundamentals, constructed deliberately to thrive in the vast dimensions of Griffith Stadium.

This is not just a collection of names. It is a system—one that blends the discipline of the deadball era with the power and athleticism of the modern game, guided by one of the sharpest baseball minds to ever manage.

Manager

Davey Johnson

Davey Johnson brings a rare combination of analytical thinking and clubhouse control. His .562 career winning percentage reflects a manager who consistently maximized talent, and his 98-win Nationals club in 2012 stands as the best regular season in Washington’s modern era. With this roster—spanning multiple generations—his ability to balance styles and exploit matchups becomes invaluable.

Ballpark

Griffith Stadium



Griffith Stadium defines this team as much as any player. Its deep center field and expansive alleys reward line drives, speed, and defensive intelligence. Home runs are earned here, not gifted. This roster was built accordingly—contact hitters, gap power, and outfielders who can cover ground without compromise.

Position Players
Catcher
Starter: Rick Ferrell
Backup: Muddy Ruel

Ferrell provides Hall of Fame stability behind the plate, while Ruel brings championship credibility as the primary catcher of the 1924 title team. Together, they form a high-IQ, defensively reliable tandem.

First Base
Starter: Mickey Vernon
Backup: Joe Judge

Vernon’s two batting titles and smooth offensive approach anchor the position, while Judge—an elite defender and cornerstone of the 1924 club—provides both depth and historical continuity.

Second Base
Starter: Buddy Myer
Backup: Alfonso Soriano

Myer offers consistency, contact, and on-base ability, while Soriano brings a completely different dimension—power and speed capable of changing a game instantly.

Shortstop
Starter: Joe Cronin
Backup: Trea Turner

Cronin serves as the engine of the team—an elite hitter and natural leader. Turner complements him with speed and modern offensive explosiveness, giving the roster tactical flexibility.

Third Base
Starter: Ryan Zimmerman
Backup: Eddie Yost

Zimmerman, the face of Nationals baseball, provides leadership and clutch production. Yost—one of the most disciplined hitters of his era—adds elite on-base ability and defensive reliability.

Outfield
Bryce Harper
Goose Goslin
Sam Rice
Heinie Manush

This is a masterclass in balance. Harper provides MVP-level power. Goslin and Manush deliver elite hitting ability and run production. Rice brings speed, defense, and a career .322 average. Every profile is covered, and every player fits the ballpark.

Designated Hitter
Frank Howard

Howard’s raw power finds its perfect role here. Removed from defensive responsibility, he becomes a singular offensive weapon capable of changing the game with one swing.

Pitching Staff
Starting Rotation
Walter Johnson
Max Scherzer
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Spot Starter
Dutch Leonard

Johnson remains the defining figure of Washington baseball, supported by the modern dominance of Scherzer and Strasburg. González provides left-handed balance, while Leonard—an essential piece of the 1924 championship staff—adds depth and historical strength.

Bullpen
Firpo Marberry
Bobo Newsom
Chad Cordero
Sean Doolittle
Tyler Clippard
Rafael Soriano

The bullpen blends eras and roles seamlessly. Marberry and Newsom provide multi-inning flexibility. Cordero handles closing duties, supported by Doolittle’s left-handed precision. Clippard and Soriano stabilize the late innings with experience and consistency.

Team Captain

Joe Cronin

Cronin represents the ideal captain—an everyday presence, a leader on and off the field, and one of the most complete players in franchise history. His ability to connect eras and command the game makes him the natural choice.

Strengths

This team is built for its environment. The lineup is filled with high-contact hitters, disciplined at-bats, and enough power to capitalize on opportunities without relying on it. Defensively, it is strong across the board, particularly in the outfield where range is critical in Griffith Stadium.

The pitching staff is equally formidable. With Walter Johnson at the top and a deep, versatile bullpen, there are no easy innings for opposing teams. The balance between eras ensures adaptability against any style of play.

Weaknesses

The primary limitation lies in power translation. While there are legitimate power threats, this is not a home run-dependent roster, and in certain matchups against elite strikeout pitching, generating runs may require sustained execution rather than quick bursts.

Additionally, the bullpen, while deep, relies more on structure and versatility than a single overpowering closer archetype.

This is a team that wins by understanding itself. It does not overpower—it outplays. And in a league where every roster is stacked with talent, that clarity of identity becomes its greatest strength.