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