The Franchise Best Men

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by golander40

Twins/Senators
Rod Carew--2B-1B
I realize Angels in the mix--but I always will think of him as a Twin/Senator
Gil The Ancient One

Carew in my eyes as well will always be a Twin.

But once again for the competitive side of things he needs to go to the Angels. The same argument can be made for Vlad and the Nationals/Expos. The Angels are one of the weaker teams in my eyes, and without them would be in a real mess.

[Nick Soulis]

OAKLAND ATHLETICS







Manager: Connie Mack
Park: Mcafee Coliseum
Hall of Famers: 11
9 World Championships, 15 Pennants, and 22 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Mickey Cochrane (.320, 13, 91) HOF
1B- Jimmy Foxx (.325, 37, 134) HOF
2B- Eddie Collins (.333, 3, 75) HOF
SS- Bert Campenaris (.259, 5, 45)
3B- Frank Home Run Baker (.307, 10, 102) HOF
RF- Reggie Jackson (.262, 32, 98) HOF
CF- Al Simmons (.334, 22, 134) HOF
LF- Rickey Henderson (.279, 16, 59) HOF
DH- Mark McGwire (.260, 50, 122)

Pitchers
Lefty Grove (19-9, 3.06) HOF
Catfish Hunter (16-12, 3.26) HOF
Chief Bender (18-11, 2.46) HOF

Closer
Dennis Eckersley (9-8, 3.50, 19 SV) HOF

Looking at this team it truly is amazing to see the baseball history and skill that this franchise has housed. The team along with the Yankees has to be the favored to go all the way, they have absolutely no weakness. Speed in Henderson, a middle of the lineup made of Jackson, Foxx and McGwire, and one of the best starters and closers to ever throw. This team is almost unfair to play against with the most hall of famers of any team, eleven.

Prediction: 1st

[Nick Soulis]

SEATTLE MARINERS






Manager: Lou Piniella
Park: Safeco Field
Hall of Famers: 0
4 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Dave Valle (.237, 13, 58)
1B- Tino Martinez (.271, 27, 102)
2B- Harold Reynolds (.258, 2, 42)
SS- Alex Rodriguez (.304, 43, 127)
3B- Edgar Martinez (.312, 24, 99)
RF- Ichiro Suzuki (.333, 9, 58)
CF- Ken Griffey Jr (.284, 38, 112)
LF- Jay Buhner (.254, 34, 106)
DH- Alvin Davis (.280, 21, 92)

Pitchers
Randy Johnson (17-9, 3.29)
Jaimie Moyer (14-10, 4.22)
Felix Hernandez (14-10, 3.49)

Closer
Norm Charlton (5-6, 3.71, 10 SV)

There are some big bats in this lineup with Griffey and ARod the marquee. The Big Unit on the mound also is an impressive ace on this team that could be better then people think. The Mariners will really have to overachieve the compete with the Athletics in the division but no one ever knows in baseball. The pitching staff after Johnson and the bullpen are a bit thin, still not bad at all for such a new franchisw.

Prediction: 2nd

[Eugene Church]

Joe Cronin played more seasons with the Boston Red Sox than with the Senators. He had 4600 at bats to 4100 at bats... 1100 games to 900 games. However in full seasons (400 or more at bats), it's even... 6 each.

Should you switch Cronin to the Red Sox, check out Cecil Travis at SS for the Twins... He was very good, but missing 4 years because of World War II apparently ruined him... at 27 he hit .359 in 1941... Career .314 hitter.

Eddie Collins should play for the White Sox... he played 11 full seasons with them... only 6 with the Athletics... Collins played 1700 games with the White Sox and 1150 for the A's.

Jim Edmonds played 1100 games for the St. Louis Cardinals... 700 for the Angels.

Norm Charlton had his best years with Cincinnati... pitched more years and more innings... 500 innings for Cincy to 275 for the Mariners.

Tino Martinez played 1050 games for the Yankees... only 550 for Seattle.

Freddie Patek was a much better fielding SS than U. L. Washington for the KC Royals. He also played far more games... 1200 to 700 for Washington... Neither was much with the bat.

You have done a very fine job so far. I understand that you have to help out some teams for competitive balance.

[Eugene Church]

If your goal is to determine the best all-time franchise, you should not help the expansion franchises.

If your goal is to have a competitive league, then it would be alright to help out the weaker teams.

However, the bottom line is it is your league and you can do what you want with it.

Really looking forward to following it.

[Nick Soulis]

TEXAS RANGERS







Manager: Johnny Oates
Park: Ballpark At Arlington
Hall of Famers: 1
3 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Ivan Rodriguez (.301, 21, 87)
1B- Mark Teixiera (.289, 36, 121)
2B- Julio Franco (.299, 11, 77)
SS- Michael Young (.300, 15, 87)
3B- Buddy Bell (279, 14, 74)
CF- Juan Gonzalez (.296, 42, 135)
LF- Frank Howard (.274, 33, 96)
RF- Ruben Sierra (.267, 23, 98)
DH- Rafael Palmeiro (.289, 33, 105)

Pitchers
Nolan Ryan (14-13, 3.19) HOF
Charlie Hough (11-11, 3.75)
Kenny Rogers (12-9, 4.27)
Rick Honeycutt (7-9, 3.72)

Closer
Jeff Russell (6-7, 3.75, 19 SV)

The Rangers will battle to keep their head above water. Native TRexan Nolan Ryan will be the anchor to a team that hopes to produce a bunch fo runs. This franchise has never really won anything in their history and I really don expect much to change. The heat of Texas will be an interesting element for all the visitors from north and west.

Prediction: 3rd

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

If your goal is to determine the best all-time franchise, you should not help the expansion franchises.

If your goal is to have a competitive league, then it would be alright to help out the weaker teams.

However, the bottom line is it is your league and you can do what you want with it.

Really looking forward to following it.

Eugene I really sincerely appreciate the feedback and the numbers. That is the whole reason i think we all post our dynasties and dont just do it on our own time, becuase we want feed back and reaction from others, some who know even more about the game then we do. Thanks for the relavent numbers.

So please keep the comments coming. Edmonds isnt needed by the Cardinals and Martinez isnt needed by the Yankees, and I dont want either to be mired on the bench.

Cronin to the Red Sox I will do, and I will promote Cecil Travis.

Patek and UL Washington will platoon in KC.

Collins and Charlton I am still considering, will think about it a while longer.

Thanks again!

[Eugene Church]

Texas needs a defensive center fielder... Gary Matthews, Marlon Byrd or Oddibe McDowell are your only choices.

Howard is a big, lumbering left fielder... no way he can cover center field.

If you don't use a true center fielder on the team, put Juan Gonzales in CF... Howard in LF and Sierra in RF.

[Nick Soulis]

ATLANTA BRAVES






Manager: Bobby Cox
Park: Turner Field
Hall of Famers: 5
3 World Championships, 17 Pennants, and 21 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Javy Lopez (.288, 28, 93)
1B- Joe Adcock (.277, 28, 93)
2B- Bobby Lowe (.273, 6, 88)
SS- Rabbit Marranville (.259, 2, 54) HOF
3B- Eddie Matthews (.272, 35, 98) HOF
RF- Hank Aaron (.307, 37, 113) HOF
CF- Dale Murphy (.265, 30, 94)
LF- Wally Berger (.300, 29, 108)
DH- Chipper Jones (.310, 33, 110)

Pitchers
Greg Maddux (16-10, 3.16)
Warren Spahn (17-12, 3.09) HOF
Tom Glavine (15-10, 3.54)
Phil Niekro (14-12, 3.35) HOF

Closer
John Smoltz (12-9, 3.33, SV 9)

A team that is built around great pitching brings 5 potential hall of fame pitchers to the mound and four 300 game winners. The Braves are good enough to win and should have a number of low scorng games, the lineup isnt the greatest but should provide enough pop to get the job done. A classy team that should compete for it all.

Prediction: 1 st

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Texas needs a defensive center fielder... Gary Matthews, Marlon Byrd or Oddibe McDowell are your only choices.

Howard is a big, lumbering left fielder... no way he can cover center field.

If you don't use a true center fielder on the team, put Juan Gonzales in CF... Howard in LF and Sierra in RF.

Looks like Juan Gonzalez will have to man center field for now. Josh Hamilton is on the team as well.

[Eugene Church]

Davey Johnson only played two seasons in Atlanta, 9 in Baltimore.

Frank Bolling, Marcus Giles and Felix Millan might be the best of the Braves mediocre second sackers.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Manager: Dick Howser
Park: Royals Stadium
Hall of Famers: 1
1 World Championship, 2 Pennants, and 7 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Darrell Porter (.246, 17, 75)
1B- Mike Sweeney (.298, 24, 104)
2B- Frank White (.255, 11, 55)
3B- George Brett (.305, 19, 95) HOF
SS- UL Washington (.252, 5, 46)
RF- Danny Tartabull (.272, 30, 107)
CF- Willie Wilson (.286, 3, 44)
LF- Bo Jackson (.250, 33, 97)
DH- Hal McRae (.291, 15, 85)

Pitchers
Brett Saberhagen (15-10, 3.34)
Kevin Appier (14-11, 3.74)
Mark Gubicza (13-13, 3.96)
Zack Grienke (10-12, 3.67)

Closer
Dan Quissenberry (6-5, 2.76, 25 SV)

This team has one great star in George Brett but really little else. This team is a ways off the other teams and cant really be expected to contend. The pitching staff is weak with no ERA's under 3.00 and as manetioned before only one hall of famer on the roster.

Prediction: 5th

As a royal fan I do have to mention little Freddie Patek for SS. It would be close, but I believe Patek would be superior defensively. (i'd have to check though). Neither would be much at the plate.

And Quisenberry, my favorite of player of all time. (yes, i'm wierd that way. )

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Manager: Connie Mack
Park: Mcafee Coliseum
Hall of Famers: 11
9 World Championships, 15 Pennants, and 22 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Mickey Cochrane (.320, 13, 91) HOF
1B- Jimmy Foxx (.325, 37, 134) HOF
2B- Eddie Collins (.333, 3, 75) HOF
SS- Bert Campenaris (.259, 5, 45)
3B- Frank Home Run Baker (.307, 10, 102) HOF
RF- Reggie Jackson (.262, 32, 98) HOF
CF- Al Simmons (.334, 22, 134) HOF
LF- Rickey Henderson (.279, 16, 59) HOF
DH- Mark McGwire (.260, 50, 122)

Pitchers
Lefty Grove (19-9, 3.06) HOF
Catfish Hunter (16-12, 3.26) HOF
Chief Bender (18-11, 2.46) HOF

Closer
Dennis Eckersley (9-8, 3.50, 19 SV) HOF

Looking at this team it truly is amazing to see the baseball history and skill that this franchise has housed. The team along with the Yankees has to be the favored to go all the way, they have absolutely no weakness. Speed in Henderson, a middle of the lineup made of Jackson, Foxx and McGwire, and one of the best starters and closers to ever throw. This team is almost unfair to play against with the most hall of famers of any team, eleven.

Prediction: 1st

COurse, I did remember another 2B for A's Max "camera eye" bishop. Master of walks (I think he walked at a similar rate to Ted Williams, though obviously lacked the power and batting average)

Speaking of walks, you could put Ed "the walking man" Yost at 3B for Twins and move Killebrew over to 1B.

I know, but you said you wanted to input.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Texas needs a defensive center fielder... Gary Matthews, Marlon Byrd or Oddibe McDowell are your only choices.

Howard is a big, lumbering left fielder... no way he can cover center field.

If you don't use a true center fielder on the team, put Juan Gonzales in CF... Howard in LF and Sierra in RF.

I forgot Gonzalez played CF his first couple of years (course, that gave Gary Pettis a roster spot as a defensive replacement for a couple extra years, if I recall, I mainly remember that early 90s TX team as the guys who had a 40+ Brian Downing at DH and leadoff, though he was surprisingly effective in the position though probably the slowest leadoff man in history at that advanced age. Dusty Baker wouldnt do it. )

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Davey Johnson only played two seasons in Atlanta, 9 in Baltimore.

Frank Bolling, Marcus Giles and Felix Millan might be the best of the Braves mediocre second sackers.

I think they had a good one in the 1890s Beaneater era, but the name escapes me.

Edit: Found him Bobby Lowe, played for near 20 years mostly with the Boston Beaneater/Braves. With a handful of seasons with the Cubs, and Tigers. His 162 game totals were .273, 6, 88. He would at least be perfect as all-purpose utility guy. While he played mostly 2B (around 1300 games). He did put in near 200 games at 3B. around 200 in the OF. and I believe it was 77 at SS. Plus a handful at 1B. Definite valuable bench material at the least.

Oh, looking over the Mariner team, you might consider Dan Wilson at C.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Davey Johnson only played two seasons in Atlanta, 9 in Baltimore.

Frank Bolling, Marcus Giles and Felix Millan might be the best of the Braves mediocre second sackers.

Red Schoendienst also played for the Braves for about 3 seasons. Mostly unmemorable (except for getting sick, TB I believe). I only mention him because I am sure Hornsby is a virtual lock at SL. Then again Hornsby played one season with them.

[Nick Soulis]

Ok In response to some of the comments and my decisions:

• Dan Wilson is on the Mariners and is sure to get a good amount of playing time.
• Why all the Kent Hrbeck haters? Brining on Ed Yost and moving Killabrew would bench Hrbeck, and Yost being a career .254 hitter with no pop, I will stick with Hrbeck who led the team to a championship and was extremely popular. Justin Morneau is actually a good argument here.
• Finally the Braves 2nd base dilemma. Red Schoendist, although a great option and a hall of famer, didnt play much at al with the Braves and it just wouldnt be right to make the move. SO im going with Bobby Lowe from the early century! I looked him up and he is not bad at all and played almost his entire career with the franchise. Thanks so much for finding him.

[golander40]

K.C.
LF-DH Gus Zernial "Ozark Ike" 40-30 Hrs--RBI's (War-Crazy things-injuries,might have cost him from becoming an All-Time Slugger)
One of my favorites while with WhiteSox.
If for no other reason --- His driving Joe Dimaggio crazy over Marilyn Monroe--Joe threatened to attack him if he didn't stay away from MM
Gil The Ancient One

[jayjackson]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Davey Johnson only played two seasons in Atlanta, 9 in Baltimore.

Frank Bolling, Marcus Giles and Felix Millan might be the best of the Braves mediocre second sackers.

I believe Pendleton played some 2nd in his career, just not with the Braves... with such a weak lineup at 2nd, I'd probably just take Lemke considering he was always a solid regular when they were winning!

[Nick Soulis]

FLORIDA MARLINS





Manager: Jim Leyland
Park: Sun Life Stadium
Hall of Famers:
2 World Championships, 2 Pennants, and 2 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Charles Johnson (.245, 23, 78)
1B- Derek Lee (.283, 28, 90)
2B- Luis Castillo (.292, 3, 42)
SS- Hanley Ramirez (.315, 27, 83)
3B- Mike Lowell (.280, 23, 98)
RF- Moises Alou (.303, 28, 107)
CF- Miguel Cabrera (.313, 33, 119)
LF- Gary Sheffield (.292, 33, 105)
DH- Cliff Floyd (.278, 23, 86)

Pitchers
Josh Beckett (16-10, 3.89)
Kevin Brown (15-10, 3.28)
Al Leiter (14-11, 3.80)
Dontrelle Willis (13-11, 4.02)


Closer
Rob Nenn (5-4, 2.98, 33 SV)

For an expansion franchise with very limited history the Marlins are not the worst. Although they obviously wont compete at this level, they do have some potential hall of famers in their lineup and the pitching staff is balanced and dependable. Look for the Fish to be competitive under Jim Leyland, nothing more and nothing less. But still a last place finish may be unavoidable.

Prediction: 5th