The Franchise Best Men

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

Yes of course, Larry Doby will be the first man off the bench.

Interesting about Cleveland, I honestly think they may have the best team of all, I never realized how good they are and am really excited about watching them play.

Satch is in the rotation, I didnt inlcude his 162 game averages as they obviously were on the down side of his career.

Good. You might consider switching the positions of Belle and Colavito. Belle mostly played LF with the Indians. While Colavito, if memory serves was mostly a RF and had a great arm (and even pitched twice in his career).

[Phantom9in]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

PITTSBURGH PIRATES







Manager: Chuck Tanner
Park: PNC Park
Hall of Famers:
5 World Championships, 9 Pennants, and 14 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Smoky Burgess (.294, 12, 94)
1B- Willie Stargell (.281, 33, 106) HOF
2B- Bill Mazeroski (.260, 10, 64) HOF
SS- Honus Wagner (.327, 6, 100) HOF
3B- Pie Traynor (.320, 5, 106) HOF
RF- Roberto Clemente (.318, 16, 87) HOF
CF- Paul Waner (.333, 7, 83) HOF
LF- Ralph Kiner (.279, 41, 112) HOF
DH- Dave Parker (.289, 22, 98)

Pitchers
Babe Adams (16-11, 2.76)
Deacon Phillipe (19-11, 2.59)
Doug Drabek (13-12, 3.73)
John Candelaria (13-9, 3.33)

Closer
Kent Tekulve (6-6, 2.85, 12 SV)

An excellent team thanks to their 100 plus year history the Pirates are quietly one of the stronger teams in the National League. The lineup is amazing with the likes of Clemete, Kiner, and yes of course Honus Wagner who may have been the best shortstop to ever play. With all the hitting it will come down to the way this team pitches, Drabek and Canderlaria cant be overmatched and need to provide quality innings. There is much hope in Pittsburgh.

Prediction: 4th

Don't forget Paul "Big Poison" Waner's little bro....Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner(CF). These two have more hits(5,611--3,152 Paul....2,456 Lloyd) than ANY other brother combo..including the 3 Alous or the 3 DiMaggios.

[Nick Soulis]

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS




Manager: Whitey Herzog
Park: Busch Stadium
Hall of Famers: 9
10 World Championships, 21 Pennants, and 27 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Tim McCarver (.271, 8, 55)
1B- Johnny Mize (.312, 31, 115) HOF
2B- Rogers Hornsby (.358, 22, 114) HOF
SS- Ozzie Smith (.262, 2, 50) HOF
3B- Joe Torre (.298, 18, 87)
RF- Stan Musial (.330, 24, 104) HOF
CF- Lou Brock (.292, 9, 56) HOF
LF- Joe Medwick (.324, 17, 113) HOF
DH- Albert Pujols (.334, 42, 128)

Pitchers
Bob Gibson (17-12, 2.91) HOF
Dizzy Dean (19-10, 3.02) HOF
John Tudor (15-9, 3.12)
Joaquin Andujar (12-11, 3.58)

Closer
Bruce Sutter (7-7, 2.83, 31) HOF

Another team that has no weaknesses and can go as far as their health and their desire take them. Pujols and Musial are the cornerstones of the lineup with maybe the best of all being Rogers Hornsby, who could hit in his sleep. Bob Gibson refuses to lose and Bruce Sutter has to be considered among the best to close out a game. A wonderful group of players that is as strong as any franchise to ever lace them up.

Prediction: 1st

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Phantom9in

Don't forget Paul "Big Poison" Waner's little bro....Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner(CF). These two have more hits(5,611--3,152 Paul....2,456 Lloyd) than ANY other brother combo..including the 3 Alous or the 3 DiMaggios.

Lloyd probably is perfect for PH and late-inning defense. (He played mostly CF while his brother was predominantly a corner guy, plus Kiner made for a good fielding.....DH. Come to think of which I might rather see Parker out there in the field over Kiner)

[Left-handed Badger]

One thing is for sure. With McCarver and Morgan on the field, the TV broadcast of this league will be more coherent.

[Nick Soulis]

ARIZONA DIAMOND BACKS





Manager: Bob Brenly
Park: Chase Field
Hall of Famers: 0
1 World Championship, 1 Pennant, and 4 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Chris Snyder (.233, 18, 70)
1B- Shea Hillenbrand (.284, 19, 84)
2B- Tony Womak (.273, 4, 46)
SS- Jay Bell (.265, 15, 68)
3B- Mark Reynolds (.255, 25, 103)
RF- Adam Dunn (.249, 40, 97)
CF- Steve Finley (.271, 19, 73)
LF- Luis Gonzalez (.283, 22, 90)
DH- Matt Williams (.268, 33, 106)

Pitchers
Curt Schilling (15-10, 3.46)
Brandon Webb (15-11, 3.27)
Greg Swindell (9-9, 3.86)
Dan Haren (14-11, 3.64)

Closer
Matt Mantei (3-4, 4.07, 20 SV)

The image of Mark Reynolds facing Sandy Koufax in the division could be a bad one for Arizona fans as the whirlwind of strikeouts will be an issue with Reynolds, Dunn, and company. But for a team that ony has 12 seasons of history under their belt little can be expected. The pitching on this team really isnt that bad but the lineup isnt expected to compete at this level. Arizona should play loose and have nothing to lose, and may Schilling will have time to pull out the "bloody sock".

Prediction: 5th

[Nick Soulis]

COLORADO ROCKIES







Manager: Clint Hurdle
Park: Coors Field
Hall of Famers:
1 Pennant and 3 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Jeff Reed (.251, 8, 42)
1B- Todd Helton (.329, 30, 109)
2B- Eric Young (.283, 7, 51)
SS- Troy Tulowitzki (.276, 19, 87)
3B- Vinny Castilla (.277, 28, 97)
RF- Larry Walker (.313, 31, 107)
CF- Ellis Burks (.292, 29, 98)
LF- Dante Bichette (.298, 26, 108)
DH- Matt Holliday (.320, 30, 112)

Pitchers
Mike Hampton (13-10, 4.07)
Denny Neagle (12-9, 4.24)
Darryl Kile (13-12, 4.12)
Shawn Estes (12-11, 4.71)

Closer
Darren Holmes (4-3, 4.25, 7 SV)

The Rocks will have their work cut out for them in this division and most likely will be battling for the bottom spot with the Diamond Backs. The pitching just isnt deep enough to make the diffrence as aces dont come easy at Coors Field. The team is beloved by its fans and will be interesting to deal with especially in the high air. Can the Rockies shock anyone?

Prediction: 4th

[Nick Soulis]

LA DODGERS








Manager: Tommy LaSorda
Park: Dodger Stadium
Hall of Famers: 7
6 World Championships, 22 Pennants, and 28 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Roy Campanella (.276, 32, 114) HOF
1B- Gil Hodges (.273, 29, 100)
2B- Jackie Robinson (.311, 16, 86) HOF
SS- Pee Wee Reese (.269, 9, 66) HOF
3B- Ron Cey (.269, 25, 89)
RF- Carl Furillo (.299, 17, 95)
CF- Duke Snider (.296, 36, 101) HOF
LF- Babe Herman (.325, 19, 104)
DH- Pedro Guerrero (.301, 23, 95)

Pitchers
Sandy Koufax (16-8, 2.76) HOF
Don Drysdale (14-11, 2.95) HOF
Orel Hershisher (14-10, 3.48)
Don Sutton (14-11, 3.26) HOF

Closer
Eric Gagne (5-4, 3.47, 28 SV)

Great tradition for over 100 years with this franchise and the profile of the team has always been pitching. The rotation led by Koufax and Drysdale will be dominant, its just a matter of if the Dodgers can generate enough runs and close out games. This franchise is beloved, and many fully expect them to compete for the pennant, but a mega battle with the rival Giants await.

Prediction: 2nd

[Nick Soulis]

SAN DIEGO PADRES



Manager: Dick Williams
Park: PETCO Park
Hall Of Famers: 2
2 Pennants and 5 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Benito Santiago (.264, 18, 75)
1B- Steve Garvey (.295, 19, 91)
2B- Mark Loretta (.295, 7, 59)
SS- Gary Tempelton (.271, 5, 57)
3B- Carig Nettles (.249, 23, 79)
RF- Dave Winfield (.282, 25, 100) HOF
CF- Tony Gwynn (.339, 9, 76) HOF
LF- Jack Clark (.266, 28, 96)
DH- Adrian Gonzalez (.282, 29, 98)

Pitchers
Jake Peavy (15-11, 3.33)
Randy Jones (12-14, 3.42)
Eric Show (12-11, 3.66)
Andy Benes (13-12, 3.97)

Closer
Trevor Hoffman (4-5, 2.83, 41 SV)

The Padres are not as bad as you my think they are even though they havent been around forever. The questions remain in the pitching staff that should be their achillies heal. The lineup is solid and will score runs with high averages and good RBI men, the bullpen of course is also strong as no one has closed out more games then Trevor Hoffman. A good sleeper just may be this Padres team.

Prediction: 3rd

[Nick Soulis]

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS



Manager: John McGraw
Park: AT&T Park
Hall of Famers: 9
5 World Championships, 20 Pennants, and 24 Playoff Appearances

Starting Lineup (162 game averages)
C- Buck Ewing (.303, 9, 109) HOF
1B- Bill Terry (.341, 14, 101) HOF
2B- Jeff Kent (.290, 27, 107)
SS- Travis Jackson (.291, 13, 91) HOF
3B- Freddie Lindstrom (.311, 12, 88) HOF
RF- Mel Ott (.3014, 30, 110) HOF
CF- Willie Mays (.302, 36, 103) HOF
LF- Barry Bonds (.298, 41, 108)
DH- Willie McCovey (.270, 33, 97) HOF

Pitchers
Christy Matthewson (21-11, 2.13) HOF
Juan Marichal (18-10, 2.89) HOF
Carl Hubbell (18-11, 2.98)
Tim Lincecum (16-6, 2.82)

Closer
Rod Beck(4-4, 3.30, 28 SV)

Many pick the Giants to make it all the way to the Cooperstown Series to play the Yankees. This team is heads and shoulders above most everyone with their talent, whether it be Bonds and Mays in their outfield, Matthewson and Hubbell on the mound, or Bobby Bonds, Billy Thompson, and Will Clark on their bench. This team looks like a summer lit sky with stars all around.

Prediction: 1st

[Nick Soulis]

So the team previews are finished. Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

I will now open a brand new thread for season play since this thread was primarily used for roster discussion, it will be cleaner that way. I will copy the team pages and update them during the season with player stats on a week to week basis.

Finally here are the predictions before the season begins:

AL EAST

1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Baltimore Orioles
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Tampa Rays

AL CENTRAL

1. Cleveland Indians
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Kansas City Royals

AL WEST

1. Oakland Athletics
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. LA Angels

WILD CARD
Boston Red Sox

Divisional Playoffs
NY Yankees over Oakland A's
Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox

ALCS
NY Yankees over Cleveland Indians

-------------------------------------------------------------------
NL EAST

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Mets
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

NL CENTRAL

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. Houston Astros

NL West

1. San Francisco Giants
2. LA Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
4. Colorado Rockies
5. Arizona Diamond Backs

WILD CARD
LA Dodgers

Divisional Playoffs
LA Dodgers over St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants over Philadelphia Phillies

NLCS
San Francisco Giants over LA Dodgers

WORLD SERIES
San Francisco Giants over New York Yankees

[Left-handed Badger]

Course, with the personalities of John McGraw and Barry Bonds put in the same clubhouse. That might be interesting.

Thanks, for reminding me of Buck Ewing too. Completely forgot about him, even though he might have been one of the best of the 19th century catchers.

McGraw was also known to take youngsters under his wings and teach him the nuances of the game. (a young Mel Ott being the premier example). I could see him doing this with Lincecum. Though, I would have figured Iron Joe McGinnity to have beat out Lincecum. Is McGinnity in the bullpen?

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by Left-handed Badger

Course, with the personalities of John McGraw and Barry Bonds put in the same clubhouse. That might be interesting.

Thanks, for reminding me of Buck Ewing too. Completely forgot about him, even though he might have been one of the best of the 19th century catchers.

McGraw was also known to take youngsters under his wings and teach him the nuances of the game. (a young Mel Ott being the premier example). I could see him doing this with Lincecum. Though, I would have figured Iron Joe McGinnity to have beat out Lincecum. Is McGinnity in the bullpen?

Yes McGinnity is in the bullpen. I had to og with Lincecum as he is off to such a great start to his career, could be a dominant pitcher in a new era. As for the clubhouse, dont forget to throw Jeff Kent in the mix too with Bonds and McGraw.....

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

Yes McGinnity is in the bullpen. I had to og with Lincecum as he is off to such a great start to his career, could be a dominant pitcher in a new era. As for the clubhouse, dont forget to throw Jeff Kent in the mix too with Bonds and McGraw.....

Forgot about Kent in the equation. This could turn into the Oakland clubhouse of the 1970s.

[Lee]

Wow, the Giants truly are loaded and with better pitching IMO than the Yankees, I have to pick them as my favorite.