Day 15: Rangers/Astros

This is the last Mt. Rushmore post. This has been a challenging experience but one well worth the time spent. It really makes you go back and compare some of the greatest players of all time from different eras. There were a few “no brainers” but after those it really could go in many directions. Anyone who creates a list like this has certain biases that play into it. Picking a list for your favorite team is tougher than one you don’t follow. Even though you may not know other team’s players as well, it is easier to choose without an emotional attachment. Perhaps we can extend this idea to other sports or put some restrictions in place and redo some of these lists. Either way I hope you have enjoyed reading our posts and agreeing or disagreeing with them. “PLAY BALL!”

Rangers

Michael Young gets listed first not because of his stats, but because of his commitment to the team. He was moved around to different positions so the Rangers could bring in other talent. His selflessness is why he is listed first.

Rangers

Michael Young, Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez

Michael Young

It's harder to quantify why Michael Young belongs on this list than it is for the other guys.

Young has been the leader in Texas for a decade, but until there were other pieces around him, the Rangers couldn’t get into the playoffs. That doesn't change the fact Young has hit .300 or better in seven of his 11 full MLB seasons—all of which have been with Texas. There was also a period where he and Ichiro Suzuki were always battling it out to be the AL hits leader every season. Suzuki won all but two of those titles. Young has been a perennial All-Star, making it to six consecutive games from 2004-2009. What matters more than his stats is the leadership he has provided in Texas over the years. Not many players would take too kindly to being moved around in infield as much as Young has. Michael Young is now the veteran leader of the best team in the American League two seasons running. That speaks to his credibility for being on this list more than the 200-hit seasons ever could.

Nolan Ryan

Career highlights and awards

8× All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989)

World Series champion (1969)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #30 retired

Houston Astros #34 retired

Texas Rangers #34 retired

Texas Rangers Hall of Fame

Major League Baseball All-Century Team

MLB Records

5,714 career strikeouts

7 career no-hitters

Member of the National

   Baseball Hall of Fame  

Induction 1999

Vote      98.79% (first ballot)

Ivan Rodriguez

Rodriguez entered the league in 1991 as a defensive catcher who had some work to do on offense. Over the next few years, Pudge must have worked on it because he hit over .300 for eight consecutive seasons beginning in 1995. Pudge is in the only other catcher whom people will mention in the same paragraph as Johnny Bench. Rodriguez won 13 Gold Glove awards, including 10 in a row with the Rangers from 1992 to 2001, and remains one of the only catchers who can claim to throw out Rickey Henderson twice in one game. Pudge will be remembered for the great baseball play yes, but will also be remembered for what he did for the Texas franchise in the eyes of baseball. He led Texas to their first, second and third AL West titles in 1996, 1998 and 1999. 

Juan Gonzalez

Steroid speculation aside, Juan Gonzalez was one of the most feared hitters in the American League throughout the 1990’s. Juan Gone also won two MVP awards—the most by any Ranger in history. His feared bat helped lead Texas to all three AL West championships in the late 1990’s. Gonzalez's thick, intimidating mustache also had something to do with it I'm sure. 

Gonzalez got a bad wrap for being a diva and a whiner—especially after he moved on from the Rangers—but is the franchise leader in home runs and RBI’s and one of the best players in Rangers' history.

Honorable Mention:

Rafael Palmeiro, Kenny Rogers, Alex Rodriguez, Josh Hamilton

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1153190-ranking-the-top-5-texas-rangers-of-all-time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

Astros

Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Jose Cruz, Roy Oswalt

Craig Biggio

Spent his entire career with the Astros and played catcher, second base, and center field. Best all-around player in Astros history.

Career highlights and awards

7× All-Star (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)

4× Gold Glove Award winner (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)

5× Silver Slugger Award winner (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998)

2007 Roberto Clemente Award

2005 Hutch Award

1997 Branch Rickey Award

Houston Astros #7 retired

Jeff Bagwell

Played entire career with the Astros.

Career highlights and awards

4× All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)

Gold Glove Award winner (1994)

3× Silver Slugger Award winner (1994, 1997, 1999)

1994 NL MVP

1991 NL Rookie of the Year

Houston Astros #5 retired

Jose Cruz

Career statistics

Batting average .284

Hits 2,251

Home runs 165

Runs batted in 1,077

Career highlights and awards

2× All-Star selection (1980, 1985)

2× Silver Slugger Award winner (1983, 1984)

Houston Astros #25 retired

Roy Oswalt

Career highlights and awards

3× All-Star (2005–2007)

NLCS MVP (2005)

NL wins champion (2004)

NL ERA champion (2006)

Honorable Mention:

Nolan Ryan (already on Rangers list, but considered putting him on here as well), JR Richard, Mike Scott, Cesar Cedeno, Lance Berkman, Joe Niekro

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

Day 14: Phillies/Rockies

Phillies/Rockies

Please see I’m Just Sayin…for what is going on with our posts for the next month or so.

Phillies

Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Larry Bowa, Robin Roberts,

Mike Schmidt

Career highlights and awards

    World Series champion (1980)

    World Series MVP (1980)

    12× All-Star (1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)

    8× NL home run champion (1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986)

    4× NL RBI champion (1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)

    10× Gold Glove Award (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)

    6× Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)

    3× NL MVP (1980, 1981, 1986)

    5× NL Player of the Month (April 1976, July 1979, May 1980, August 1981, July 1982)

    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1983)

    4 home runs in one game (April 17, 1976)

    Philadelphia Phillies No. 20 retired

    Major League Baseball All-Century Team

    Major League Baseball All-Time Team

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Induction 1995

Vote     96.5% (first ballot)

Steve Carlton

Career highlights and awards

    10× All-Star (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)

    2× World Series champion (1967, 1980)

    Gold Glove Award winner (1981)

    4× NL Cy Young Award winner (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)

    Philadelphia Phillies #32 retired

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Induction 1994

Vote     95.8% (first ballot)

Larry Bowa

Career highlights and awards

    5× All-Star selection (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979)

    World Series champion (1980)

    2× Gold Glove Award winner (1972, 1978)

    2001 NL Manager of the Year

Robin Roberts

Career highlights and awards

    7× All Star (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956)

    1962 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

    Philadelphia Phillies #36 retired

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Induction 1976

Vote     86.86%

(http://en.wikipedia.org/ for Phillies stats)

Honorable Mention:

Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Tug McGraw, Darren Daulton, John Kruk

Rockies

Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castillo

Todd Helton- The greatest Colorado Rockies player to date, Helton has put together an impressive career since getting into the lineup in 1997. He leads club categories in games played (1661), RBIs (1,116), hits (1957), homeruns (310) and doubles (471). Helton has played for 12 seasons with the Rockies and has been selected to five All-Star games 2000-2004. He has won three Gold Gloves at first base, 2001, 2002 and 2004. He won the 2000 N.L. Hank Aaron Award and been a Silver Slugger four times 2000-2003. 2000 saw him finish the year with an amazing .372 batting average. He currently has an amazing career fielding percentage of .996 and .328 batting average.

Larry Walker- The only Colorado Rocky to win the National League MVP Award (1997), Walker is second in every category to Todd Helton in games played, hits, homeruns and RBIs. Part of the prolific offense at Coors, Walker played in 1,170 games and had a career .334 batting average with the club. He won six Gold Gloves in the outfield in 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. He represented the Rockies in four All-Star games 1997-2001. Walker also picked up Silver Slugger awards in 1997 and 1999. The pickup of Walker in 1995 is credited with putting the Rockies in position to get into the playoffs where they would lose to the eventual World Series Champions Atlanta Braves in the first round 3-1.

Dante Bichette - Part of the inaugural team that took the field in 1993, Bichette would play for seven years with the Rockies from 1993-1999. He finished second in the voting for N.L. MVP in 1995, his best year with the Rockies batting .340 and helping the team to its first post-season berth. He is third all-time in hits and RBIs for the Rockies with 1,278 and 826. Bichette also played in 1,018 games as a Rocky, third most for the club. Bichette represented the Rockies in four All-Star games, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998 and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1995.

Vinny Castilla - Castilla played mostly third base with the Rockies for 8 seasons (1993-1999, 2004) and 15 games in 2006 to retire as a Colorado Rocky. Also part of the “Blake Street” crew, he is third in franchise homeruns, 226, and fourth in hits with 1, 073. He was an All-Star twice in 1995 and 1998. Castilla won N.L. Silver Slugger Awards in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He finished with a .297 average for his career with the franchise.

http://www.mlbcenter.com/articles/mlb-bst/best-rockies-all-time_010909.html

Honorable Mention:

Troy Tulowitzki, Walt Weiss, Andres Galarraga, Eric Young

Day 13: Mets/Pirates

Mets/Pirates

Please see I’m Just Sayin…for what is going on with our posts for the next month or so.

Mets

Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza

Tom Seaver

Career highlights and awards

    12× All-Star (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981)

    World Series champion (1969)

    3× NL Cy Young Award winner (1969, 1973, 1975)

    1967 NL Rookie of the Year

    Pitched a no-hitter on June 16, 1978

    New York Mets #41 retired

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Induction – 1992

Vote     98.8% (first ballot)

Dwight Gooden

Career highlights and awards

    4× All-Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988)

    3× World Series champion (1986, 1996, 2000)

    Silver Slugger Award winner (1992)

    NL Cy Young Award (1985)

    NL Rookie of the Year (1984)

    Triple Crown (1985)

    Pitched a no-hitter on May 14, 1996

    NL wins champion (1985)

    2× NL strikeout champion (1984, 1985)

    NL ERA champion (1985)

Darryl Strawberry

Career highlights and awards

    8× All-Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)

    4× World Series champion (1986, 1996, 1998, 1999)

    2× Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1990)

    1983 NL Rookie of the Year

    1986 Home Run Derby co-winner

    30-30 club

    1988 NL Home Run Champion

Mike Piazza

Career highlights and awards

    12× All-Star (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005)

    10× Silver Slugger Award winner (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

    1993 NL Rookie of the Year

    1996 MLB All-Star Game MVP

(http://en.wikipedia.org/ for Mets stats)

Honorable Mention:

Keith Hernandez, Jerry Koosman, David Wright, Mookie Wilson

Pirates

Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, Paul Waner, Willie Stargell

Honus Wagner (1900-1917) Honus Wagner hit over .300 in each of his first 14 seasons with the Pirates, including a career high .381 in 1900. He ranks second in team history with 2867 hits, 1475 RBI's third with a .328 batting average. As a Pirate he led the national League in hitting eight times. In 1936 he was one of the first members inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His number 33 was retired in 1952 by the Pirates.

Roberto Clemente (1955-1972) Roberto Clemente has the most hits in Pirates history with 3000 and ranks 3^rd with 240 home runs and 1305 RBI's. During his Pirates career he won the National Batting title 4 times. He also won the 1966 Most Valuable Player award when he hit .317 with 29 home runs and 119 RBI's. Roberto Clemente was also an outstanding fielder winning the gold glove award 12 times. He also won the 1971 World Series MVP. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 after dying tragically in a plane crash. His number 21 was retired by the Pirates.

Paul Waner (1926-1940) Paul Waner is the Pirates all-time leading hitter with .340. He also ranks third in team history with 2868 hits and fifth with 1177 RBI's. In 1927 Paul won the National League Most Valuable Player award - the first Pirate to ever win the award. Paul Waner holds the Pirates single season record with 237 hits (1927) and 131 RBI's (1927). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1952. His number 11 was retired by the Pirates in 2007.

Willie Stargell (1962-1982) Willie Stargell is the Pirates all-time home run king with 475. He also is the Pirates all-time leader with 1540 RBI's and also ranks in the top ten in hits and runs. Willie Stargell was the National League co-MVP in 1979 (he shared the award with Keith Hernandez of the St Louis Cardinals) leading the Pirates to their last World Championship. He was voted World Series MVP when he hit .400 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI's in 1979. Willie Stargell was inducted in the Baseball Hall of fame in 1988 and his number 8 was retired by the Pirates.

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-greatest-players-pittsburgh-pirates-history-911389.html?cat=14

Honorable Mention:

Dave Parker, Ralph Kiner, Pie Traynor, Bill Mazeroski, Jason Kendall

Day 12: Reds/Twins

Reds/Twins

Please see I’m Just Sayin…for what is going on with our posts for the next month or so.

Reds

Pete Rose, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan

Pete Rose

The hit king was the perfect fit for the Queen City. He was a homegrown talent who earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” through his rough and rugged style of play. He spent 19 seasons with the Reds at various positions, including making the switch from outfield to third base in the heart of the 1975 championship team. For his career, the all-time hit leader had 4,256 hits—3,358 of which came in a Cincinnati uniform. He is plastered all over the Reds record book. Rose had 601 doubles (first), 115 triples (fourth), 1,036 RBI (fourth), 1,210 walks (first), .379 OBP (fourth) and a .307 batting average (10th). Rose was the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year, 1973 NL MVP, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, a 17-time All-Star and the 1975 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Most importantly, he was a two-time World Series champion.

Frank Robinson

The only player to be named MVP in the NL and AL, many do not even realize that Robinson played his first 10 years in Cincinnati. He was the 1956 NL Rookie of the Year and 1961 NL MVP, amassing 324 home runs and 1,009 RBI while batting .307 as a Redleg. Robinson, a 12-time All-Star, was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1978 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He ranks among baseball's all-time leaders with 586 home runs (sixth), 5,373 total bases (11th), 1,829 runs (13th), 1,812 RBI (17th), and 2,808 games played (19th). Reds owner Bill DeWitt sent Robinson to Baltimore in exchange for pitcher Milt Pappas, pitcher Jack Baldschun, and outfielder Dick Simpson in 1965. The trade is considered one of the most lopsided in baseball history.

Johnny Bench

The career leader in home runs and RBI for the Reds, Bench spent his entire 17-year career in Cincinnati. Bench was the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year and a part of two World Series Championships. He won 10 Gold Gloves and was a 14-time NL All-Star and a two-time NL MVP. In 1999, The Sporting News named him the 16th best player in MLB history. He was the highest ranked catcher. Bench ended his career with 389 HRs, 1,376 RBI, 2,048 hits, and a .267 career batting average. A superstar in every sense of the phrase, he was a national icon.

Joe Morgan

A 10-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove second baseman, Morgan was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1987 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. A two-time MVP Award winner, Morgan spent eight seasons with the Reds from 1972-'79 during the glory days of the Big Red Machine. He was named the NL's Most Valuable Player in 1975, guiding the Reds to a World Series title over the Boston Red Sox in the process. Morgan batted .327 with 67 stolen bases that season. He did it again in 1976, when he received National League MVP honors as the Reds roared to their second straight World Series Championship. Morgan is the Reds' all-time stolen-base leader (406), and his 266 home runs as a second baseman rank third in baseball history behind Jeff Kent and Ryne Sandberg.

Highly Honorably Mentioned:

Barry Larkin

The captain of the Cincinnati Reds in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Larkin was the face of the franchise and the last Red to wear the “C” on his jersey. He was a huge piece of the "wire-to-wire" World Series in 1990, and he was named NL MVP in 1996. He ended his career a .295 hitter with a .975 fielding percentage at shortstop—slightly better than Big Red Machine great Dave Concepcion.

Honorable Mention:

George Foster, Dave Concepcion, Eric Davis, Ted Kluszewski, Tony Perez

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/364756-the-ultimate-machine-greatest-cincinnati-reds-of-all-time

Twins

The Twins organization includes the Washington Senators. Therefore, for me the greatest Twin/Senator is Walter Johnson. The greatest Minnesota Twin is Kirby Puckett.

Walter Johnson, Kirby Puckett, Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew

Walter Johnson

As a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals/Senators, Walter Johnson won 417 games, the second most by any pitcher in history (after Cy Young, who won 511). He and Young are the only pitchers to have won 400 games. In a 21-year career, Johnson had twelve 20-win seasons, including ten in a row. Twice, he topped thirty wins (33 in 1912 and 36 in 1913). Johnson's record includes 110 shutouts, the most in baseball history. Johnson had a 38–26 record in games decided by a 1–0 score; both his win total and his losses in these games are major league records. Johnson also lost 65 games because his teams failed to score a run. On September 4, 5 and 7, 1908, he shut out the New York Highlanders in three consecutive games. Three times, Johnson won the Triple Crown for pitchers (1913, 1918 and 1924). Johnson twice won the American League Most Valuable Player Award (1913, 1924), a feat accomplished since by only two other pitchers, Carl Hubbell in 1933 and 1936 and Hal Newhouser in 1944 and 1945.

Career highlights and awards

Pitched a no-hitter (July 1, 1920)

2× AL MVP (1913, 1924)

World Series champion (1924)

11 sub-2.00 ERA seasons

2-30-win seasons

12-20-win seasons

12× American League Strikeout Champion (1910, 1912-1919, 1921, 1923, 1924)

6× American League Wins Champion (1913-1916, 1918, 1924)

5× American League ERA Champion (1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1924)

3× Triple Crown (1913, 1918, 1924)

All-time major league leader in shutouts (110)

Second all-time in wins

300 win club

3000 strikeout club

Major League Baseball All-Century Team

Major League Baseball All-Time Team

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Johnson

Kirby Puckett

Career highlights and awards

10× All-Star (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) 2× World Series champion (1987, 1991) 6× Gold Glove Award (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992) 6× Silver Slugger Award (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994) AL batting title (1989) AL RBI champion (1994) ALCS MVP (1991) MLB All-Star Game MVP (1993) Branch Rickey Award (1993) Roberto Clemente Award (1996) Minnesota Twins #34 retired

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Puckett

Rod Carew

Career highlights and awards

18× All-Star selection (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970,1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978,1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984) 7× AL batting title (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978) 1977 AL MVP 1967 AL Rookie of the Year 1977 Roberto Clemente Award Minnesota Twins #29 retired Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #29 retired

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Carew

Harmon Killebrew

Despite rumors that Killebrew was the player depicted in the Major League Baseball logo, according to the creator, Jerry Dior, it was not patterned after Killebrew or any other specific player. (Yea, right!)

Career highlights and awards

13× All-Star (1959, 1959, 1961, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971)

AL MVP (1969)

6× AL home run champion (1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1969)

3× AL RBI champion (1962, 1969, 1971)

Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1971)

Minnesota Twins #3 retired

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmon_Killebrew

Honorable Mention:

Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Jack Morris, Joe Mauer

Day 11:White Sox/Marlins

Please see I’m Just Sayin…for what is going on with our posts for the next month or so.

White Sox

Joe Jackson, Frank Thomas, Luke Appling, Eddie Collins

Joe Jackson (1915-1920) All-Star Games: NA "Shoeless Joe" already was a legendary figure with a .375 career average in five seasons with the Cleveland Indians when he was traded to the White Sox at 25 in 1915. He hit .340 in five-plus seasons with the Sox he's still their all-time leader in career average winning two pennants and the 1917 World Series. He was still in his prime, hitting .351 with 96 RBI in 1919, then .381 with 121 RBI and an AL-leading 20 triples in 1920, when he was banned from baseball for his part in the Black Sox scandal. Hit .304 in the 1917 Series and .375 with a record 12 hits in the 1919 series (the one in which he was supposedly throwing).

Frank Thomas (1990-2005) All-Star Games: 5. One of the greatest hitters in baseball history whose standing among the best of his time is only enhanced as a "clean" hitter in the steroid era. Sox' all-time leader in home runs (448), RBIs (1,465), runs scored (1,327), doubles (447), on-base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.568). Also ninth in batting average (.307). AL MVP in 1994 and 1995, second in 2000 to steroid-user Jason Giambi and third in 1991 and 1997. In his first 10 full seasons, Thomas averaged .320, 33 HRs, 115 RBIs, a .439 OBP and .604 SLG. Played small but key role in 2005 prior to season-ending injury, with 11 HRs, 21 RBIs in 72 at-bats in 24-9 stretch that increased Sox' lead from 3 1/2 to 10 1/2 games en route to their first World Series title in 88 years. (Saw him play at Clemson while he was with Auburn.)

Luke Appling (1930-50) Hall of Fame: 1964. All-Star Games: 7. The Sox all-time leader in hits (2,749) and second in RBI (1,116) and runs scored (1,319), Old Aches and Pains was one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball history. Nearly 50 years after his final game, he still ranks fourth among shortstops in career hits, second in OBP (.399), seventh in average (.310) and eighth in RBI. Won the AL batting title in 1936, when he hit .388 (still the best ever for a shortstop), had 128 RBI (the most ever for a shortstop at the time) and was runner-up to Lou Gehrig for the MVP award. Also won the batting title in 1943 (.328), and again was MVP runner-up. Hit .300 or better in 13 of his 15 full seasons.

Eddie Collins (1915-26) Hall of Fame: 1939. All-Star Games: NA Though more renowned for his days with the Athletics, when he won four pennants and three World Series from 1910-1914, Collins played more seasons (12) with the Sox, hitting .300 or better 10 times, winning two pennants and one World Series. Second behind Joe Jackson on Sox all-time list in career average (.331). Hit .344 or better five times, with a high of .372 on ill-fated 1920 team. Hit .409 in 1917 World Series, the Sox' last title until 2005. Led AL in stolen bases three times. Still the Sox' all-time leader in stolen bases (368) and sacrifice hits (341).

Honorable Mention:

Harold Baines, Ted Lyons, Luis Aparicio, Paul Konerko, Nellie Fox

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2465195-475/sox-mark-potash-ranks.html

Marlins

Hanley Ramirez, Luis Castillo, Dontrelle Willis, Mike Lowell

Hanley Ramirez, or "Han Ram," originally signed with the Boston Red Sox as a 17-year-old free agent in 2000.  He made his first Major League appearance in 2005, going hitless in two at bats.  He was traded to the Marlins soon following the season. In 2006 Ramirez took home the NL Rookie-of-the-Year award, hitting .292 in 158 games for the Marlins.  He hit 17 home runs and stole 51 bases, knocking in 59. Ramirez has collected three All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger awards.  2009 was his best season yet, finishing second in the NL MVP vote by leading the NL with a .342 average, hitting 24 home runs and 106 RBI. In 850 games for Florida, Ramirez has a career .306 average and 134 home runs with 434 RBI.  He is also second on Florida's All-Time stolen bases list, with 216. 

Luis Castillo signed with Florida as an amateur free agent in 1992 and made his first appearance in 1996, hitting .262 in 41 games. Castillo is the only Marlin to survive both World Series victories.  He won three Gold Gloves at second base and three All-Star invitations.  He also twice led the NL in stolen bases, with 62 in 2000 and with 48 in 2002. In 1,128 games over 10 seasons Castillo collected 281 stolen bases, a Marlins record.  He also hit .293 with 271 RBI.

Dontrelle Willis, or "D-Train," was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2000 amateur draft.  He joined the Marlins system as a minor leaguer via trade before the 2002 season, and joined Florida in 2003, making the All-Star team and winning the NL Rookie-of-the-Year award by posting a 14-6 record and a 3.30 ERA in 27 starts. In 2005 Willis finished second in the year ending NL Cy Young award voting, leading the NL with 22 wins against 10 losses and a 2.63 ERA.  He also led the NL with seven complete games and five shutouts. In total, Willis compiled a 68-54 record in 162 starts over five seasons with the Marlins, and is Florida's career leader in the win column.  He struck out 757 in 1,022.2 innings and posted a 3.78 ERA.

Mike Lowell In Lowell's "official" rookie season, he hit .253 in 97 games with 12 home runs and 47 RBI, establishing himself as the Marlins everyday third baseman. Lowell's numbers improved over the next two seasons, as he hit a combined .277 with 40 home runs and 191 RBI in 286 games at third base. In 2002, Lowell received his first All-Star invitation, hitting .276 in 160 games, slugging 24 home runs and 92 RBI. 2003 saw him again selected to the All-Star team and also win his first Silver Slugger award, belting a career high 32 home runs with 105 RBI and a .276 average. Somehow surviving H. Wayne Huizenga's 2003 post-postseason Exodus, Lowell was selected to his third consecutive All-Star team in 2004, hitting .293 with 27 home runs and 85 RBI for the Marlins in 158 games. Lowell won his first Gold Glove in 2005. In 981 games over seven seasons with the Marlins, Lowell hit 143 home runs with 578 RBI, hitting .272.

Honorable mention:

Josh Johnson, Cliff Floyd, Dan Uggla, Miguel Cabrera

http://www.fishstripes.com/2012/1/18/2716796/all-time-top-50-florida-marlins-using-the-war-statistic

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/926739-florida-marlins-all-time-greatest-players-part-10-of-10

Day 10: Tigers/Padres

Please see I’m Just Sayin…for what is going on with our posts for the next month or so.

Tigers/Padres

The Detroit Tigers have a lot of good candidates for these four spots. This is what I have settled on:

Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer

Ty Cobb

Although he was recognized as anything but a nice guy, this was a no-brainer. Ty Cobb is not only one of the top players in Tigers history, but one of the greatest players of all-time. Cobb's career numbers speak for themselves: a .367 average (highest ever), 12 batting titles (most ever), 4,189 hits (second all-time), 2,246 runs scored (second all-time), and 892 steals (fourth all-time). Not only that, but he hit .420 with 248 hits and 127 RBIs during his AL MVP season in 1911, recording 47 doubles and 24 triples while scoring 147 runs. No matter what type of person he was, there is simply no question that Cobb belongs in the number one slot on this list.

Al Kaline

Nobody in Tigers history epitomizes that word [longevity] like Al Kaline, who spent 22 years with Detroit from 1953 to 1974. An 18-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, Kaline reached the pinnacle of his profession in 1968 when he led his team to a World Series championship. He batted .297 for his career, amassing 3,007 hits, 399 homers, and 1,583 RBIs. Most importantly, Kaline was known as a great person off the field, winning awards honoring his character and perseverance.

Hank Greenberg

Most lists I've read have had Hank Greenberg higher than this [number 4 on this guys list] and while you have to take into account the fact that his career was cut short due to serving in World War II, I simply can't overlook the overall numbers of the guys ahead of him [Charlie Gehringer.] Still, Greenberg played at least parts of 13 seasons, 12 with Detroit and one with the Pittsburgh Pirates, totaling a .313 batting average and 313 home runs to go along with 1,276 RBIs and a .412 on-base percentage. In addition, he was a two-time World Series champion, a two-time American League MVP, and a five-time All-Star.

Charlie Gehringer

A Tiger lifer, Charlie Gehringer played 19 seasons with Detroit from 1924 to 1942, winning a World Series in 1935 and the AL MVP Award and AL batting title in 1937. He was also a six-time All-Star who accrued a .320 career average and 2,839 hits, also finishing with 184 dingers and 1,427 RBIs. In addition to being a solid hitter, Gehringer was also one of the best-fielding second basemen in MLB history, recording 7,068 assists to go along with 5,369 putouts and 1,444 double plays.

Honorable Mention:

Hal Newhouser, Alan Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Jack Morris, Lou Whitaker

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/five-greatest-detroit-tigers-players-time-180300178--mlb.html

Padres

Tony Gwynn 

There is no doubt that Tony Gwynn is the greatest San Diego Padre in team history. Playing his entire career with the San Diego Padres, Tony won 8 National League Batting Titles and was selected to 15 All-Star Games. He is the Padres All-time leader in hits (3,141), batting average (.348), games played (2440), runs (1383), doubles (543), triples (85), RBI's (1138) and stolen bases (319). Tony Gwynn also won 5 gold glove awards. Tony was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2002 (the only player elected unanimously) and the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. His number 19 was also retired by the Padres.

Dave Winfield 

A four time all-star (1977-1980), Dave Winfield led the Padres in home runs each year from 1976-1980 and led the team in RBI's six times (1974-75 and 1977-80) He finished his Padre career with 154 home runs, 626 RBI's, 133 stolen bases and a .284 batting average. He is also a member of the Padres Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. His number 31 is retired by the Padres.

Trevor Hoffman 

Trevor Hoffman is not only the Padres All-Time leader in saves (503 and counting), he is the Major League's All-Time leader in saves and the first pitcher to reach 500 saves. A six time All-Star he also has the lowest ERA in team history at 2.67.

Garry Templeton

Garry Templeton and Ozzie Smith have much alike. Garry began his career in St. Louis, but would go on to be a legendary shortstop for the Padres. Ozzie began his career in San Diego, but would then go on to be a Hall of Famer as a Cardinal. Still, Garry is an all-time great Padre, even if he isn't in the Hall. His leadership and worth ethic made him the best SS as a Padre. Here are his Padre lifetime stats: .252 Average, 43 HR, 427 Runs Batted In. He won a Silver Slugger as a Pad in 1984, and made the All-Star team in 1985.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/803612-san-diego-padres-all-time-25-man-roster