Draft Recap: Team “Go Get It”

Here’s our third draft recap from the All Time Draft.  It’s brought to you by fellow Off The Bench Blogger Sean Morash and he’s excited about his team.

Lineup:

1. Rogers Hornsby 2B
2. Roberto Clemente RF
3. Alex Rodriguez SS
4. Ken Griffey Jr. CF
5. Frank Robinson LF
6. Willie McCovey 1B
7. Eddie Matthews 3B
8. Roy Campanella C
9. Andre Dawson DH

Rotation:

• Steve Carlton
• Randy Johnson
• Phil Niekro

Bullpen:

Billy Wagner/ Johnny Venters/ John Smoltz.  Apparently I’m partial to Atlanta Braves relievers and the Johnny Venters pick was not a well received one in the Draft Room but as long as the kid keeps throwing 97 mph sinkers (that according to Pitch f/x drop 6 inches more than the average fastball), I’ll give him my 8th inning.  You gotta love having Smoltz available to close or for long relief in case Niekro’s knuckle isn’t knuckling.

Bench:  Craig Biggio and Larry Walker.  Biggio is extremely valuable on any team.  The gritty little Astro is Catcher, 2B, and OF eligible and I love the grit he brings to a team with Alex Rodriguez on it.  Larry Walker and his career .956 OPS can be my fourth outfielder anytime.

Strengths: My basic strategy was to load up on mashers and let them mash.  I went out and got the best shortstop and second basemen on my board.  Followed that up with probably the most talented Right Fielder of all time (Clemente) and I feel fine letting The Kid and his 600 HR patrol Center. My Starting Lineup has career averages of:

• 455 Home Runs (with Campanella and Clemente’s career cut short because of traveling injuries)
• .897 OPS
• .375 OBP
• 14 MVP’s
• 82 All Star Game Appearances… they didn’t have an all star game when Hornsby was playing
• 5 of the 25 members of the 500 HR club

Another strength is Steve Carlton’s 1972.  Old Stevie started 41 games, pitched 346.1 innings, threw 30 CG, struck out 310, had a 1.97 ERA and 27 of his teams 59 wins!

Weakness:  Lack of a true leadoff hitter.  Coach K’s selection of Rickey Henderson in the first round can’t be overlooked.  There just aren’t guys like him out there. I really wanted Ichiro in the 13th round but he was picked just ahead of me.  I had to settle with Hornsby and his .434 OBP in the leadoff spot.  DH-  I find it hard that Andre Dawson (and his career .323 OBP) really deserve to be in a starting DH spot but, I thought Biggio Off The Bench (hehe) was too valuable as a late inning substitution, expect for him to play in most games somewhere.

Best Pick:  Steve Carlton (8th Round)

Worst Pick:  I drafted Larry Walker?

A few Explanations… First, Phil Niekro is on the team because I figure against a lineup of the games’ All Time Best, a knuckleballer may find the most success.  Let’s be honest, these guys can hit a 98 mph fastball like it’s 92 but a good Knuck nobody can hit or catch.  Second, Team Name- Go Get It.  I’m letting my guys hit it as far as they can and want the other team to have to “Go Get It”, in a true backyard baseball sense.

-Sean Morash