Draft Recap: Pitching and Defense Wins Championships

Our fourth recap might be our most thorough to date. Coach K knows what he’s talking about and his draft analysis definitely gets that across.

Lineup

1. Rickey Henderson (LF)
2. Roberto Alomar (2B)
3. Mickey Mantle (CF)
4. Reggie Jackson (RF)
5. Chipper Jones (3B)
6. Jim Thome (DH v. RHP)/Mike Piazza (DH vs. LHP)
7. Barry Larkin (SS)
8. Todd Helton (1B)
9. Ivan Rodriguez (C)

Rotation

1. Bob Gibson (RHP)
2. Pedro Martinez (RHP)
3. Jim Palmer (RHP)

Bench

Andruw Jones (CF)

Ozzie Smith (SS)

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera (RHP)

Dan Quisenberry (RHP)

Draft Philosophy

My plan of attack during the draft was to try and assemble a complete team with speed, defense, power, and pure hitting ability. I tried to take into account how the lineup would mesh with a combination of power, contact, and base running. Defense was also a major deciding factor for many of my draft selections. After all defense and pitching does win championships. Let’s not fool ourselves though, its hard not to put together a quality team when you are drafting from a pool of Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers, and some of the best players of their respective eras. My team is loaded with many modern day players, with my oldest player being Mickey Mantle. This was not intentional, but more of a reflection of the players available and the value I placed on their offensive numbers, defensive prowess, and how they stacked up against the competition at their position. Put simply, I tried to pick the most complete players available.

Pick by Pick Analysis

Rickey Henderson – The Greatest leadoff hitter of all-time. The All time leader in runs scored (2,295), unintentional walks (2,129), stolen bases (1,406), and leadoff homeruns (81). The only player to steal over 100 bases in a season, which he did three times.  Also holds the single season record for stolen bases (130). 10 time All-Star, 2 time world champion, 3 time silver slugger and also  the AL MVP in 1990. Without question one of the most explosive players to ever play the game, I am happy to say he will be hitting leadoff for my squad.

Mickey Mantle – “The Mick” is one of the most complete players to ever play baseball and for many who saw him in his prime, the greatest player of all-time. An uncommon combination of power (from both sides of the plate) and speed, he was once quoted as saying, “If I knew they were gonna make such a big deal out of 40/40, I would have done it every year.” The greatest switch hitter of all time put up amazing numbers despite the fact he played most of his career with two bad knees and a love for grandpa’s old cough medicine. .298 career average, 536 homeruns, 2,415 hits, and 1,509 runs batted in. 20 time all-star, yes 20, 7 time world series champion, 3 time AL MVP, and triple crown winner in 1956. I don’t think there is much else to say, except that he will hit in the 3 hole.

Ivan Rodriguez – With Johnny Bench off the board I wanted to lock up the second best all-around catcher of all-time early. Defensively, he is second to none in baseball history racking up an amazing 13 Gold Gloves and throwing out an astonishing 45.68% of basestealers. 7 time silver slugger, 14 time  all-star, 1999 AL MVP, and world series champion. Just as talented at the plate he is a .297 career hitter, with 2,842 hits, 311 home runs, and 572 doubles. I am glad to have him behind the plate handling my pitching staff.

Reggie Jackson – “Mr. October” is one of the greatest power hitters of all time with a flare for the dramatic, once hitting 3 homeruns on three consecutive pitches in the World Series. A true showman, who many credit for the start of “pimping” home runs, Jackson did a lot of pimping with a 563 home runs. Jackson was a 14 time All-star, 5 time world champion, 2 time World Series MVP, and 1973 AL MVP. While Jackson was known for his bat, he was exceptional athlete who was offered scholarships to play football at Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma before accepting a football scholarship at Arizona State.

Bob Gibson – Arguably the most intimidating pitcher of all-time, Gibson had a mean streak that struck fear in to hitters:

Between games, Mays came over to me and said, “Now, in the second game, you’re going up against Bob Gibson.” I only half-listened to what he was saying, figuring it didn’t make much difference. So I walked up to the plate the first time and started digging a little hole with my back foot…No sooner did I start digging that hole than I hear Willie screaming from the dugout: “Noooooo!” Well, the first pitch came inside. No harm done, though. So I dug in again. The next thing I knew, there was a loud crack and my left shoulder was broken. I should have listened to Willie.”

Gibson dominated hitters with an electric fastball, disappearing slider, and pin-point command. In 1968, Gibson held opponents to 1.14 ERA while amassing more than 300 innings pitched. Gibby had 215 wins and 3,117 strikeouts over his career. He was a 9 time all star, 2 time world champion, 2 time World Series MVP, 2 time Cy Young Award winner, and 1968 NL MVP. Gibson also threw a no-hitter in 1971 along with striking out 17 hitters in a single World Series game.

Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones – With Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson off the board I decided to take my #3 third baseman. A little high? Maybe, but I am huge Chipper Jones fan and wanted him on my team. A switch-hitter with power Chipper is one of the top 3 switch hitters of all-time, the only other two involved in the conversation are Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray.  A career .304 hitter with 454 Home Runs, 526 doubles, 1,561 RBI, and 2,615 hits. One of few players to post a career .300/.400/.500 career line. An owner of 8 straight 100 RBI seasons and 14 consecutive 20+ home run seasons (tied for longest streak to start a career) is also a World Series champion, 7 time All-Star, 2 time Silver Slugger, 1999 NL MVP, and 2008 NL Batting Champion. Not to mention he is awesome.

Pedro Martinez – A bit of a homer pick, but justified. In word, Pedro was dominant and at his best during the steroid era. A devastating 4 pitch mix and a chip on his shoulder allowed him to embarrass hitters. Just watch the highlights from the 1999 All-Star game. He led the AL in wins in 1999, the NL in ERA in 1997, the AL in ERA in 99, 00, 02, and 03, the AL in strikeouts in 99, 00, 02, and won the AL pitching triple crown. With 3 Cy Youngs , 8 all-star appearances, 219 career wins, and 3,154 career strikeouts under his belt I feel good running him out there for game 2.

Mariano Rivera – The greatest closer of all time and he isn’t even done yet. Not to mention he did it all with one pitch. Granted he threw the nastiest pitch ever, but he still did it with one pitch. A 12 time all-star, 5 time world champion, 1999 World Series MVP, he is the all time leader in saves (603), post season saves (42) and games finished (883). If for some reason Gibson, Pedro, and Palmer don’t CG, I’ll just turn on “Enter Sandman” and watch the show.

With the next two picks I locked up my middle infield. Athletic, rangy, and reliable these two will make an epic double play combination.

Barry Larkin – The second best shortstop of his era (the best was Cal Ripken), Barry could hit anywhere from leadoff to the 5 hole. He was a complete player who could bunt for hit, steal a bag (379), and hit the ball out of the park. An athletic defender with a great arm he had 3 consecutive Gold Gloves. Barry was a 12 time All-Star, 9 time Silver Slugger, world champion, 1995 NL MVP, and was also the first shortstop to go 30/30.

Roberto Alomar – Probably the best defensive second baseman of all time, Alomar won 10 gold gloves. A switch-hitter who could run, Alomar was one of the most complete players of his era. A career .300 hitter, with 2,742 hits, 1,134 RBI, 210 HR, and 474 stolen bases Alomar will fit nicely in the two hole behind Rickey. Alomar also has 12 all-star appearances, 2 world series titles, and 4 silver sluggers to his name.

Todd Helton – In need of a 1^st baseman I decided to take the slick fielding, doubles machine that is Todd Helton. A career .323 hitter, with 2,363 hits (still counting), 1,308 RBI, 347 HR, 554 Doubles, and a .421 on-base percentage, Helton is one of the most underrated players of all-time, that is until he is rightfully elected to the Hall of Fame after he decides to retire. He is also a 5 tim all-star, batting champion, 4 time silver slugger, and 3 time gold glover. Oh, and he is the only player ever to have 35 doubles in his first 10 seasons.

Jim Palmer – I was happy to find the best pitcher of the 70’s still around to complete my rotation. Palmer dominated with high-riding gas and a hammertown breaking ball. 268 career wins, 2,212 strikeouts, 6 all-star appearances, 3 world series titles, 3 Cy Youngs, 4 Gold Gloves, and a no hitter. Enough said.

Jim Thome – I wanted to add a little pop to my lineup so I went with a guy who has 607 career homeruns. A true professional that is loved throughout baseball is a sure fire Hall of Famer when he decides to hang them up. A 5 time All-Star, 2,287 hits, and 1,647 RBI, Thome was a run-producing monster that always hit the best pitching with authority.

Mike Piazza – The greatest offensive catcher of all-time will serve as my backup catcher and DH against lefties. A career .308 hitter with 427 HR, 1,335 RBI is also a 12 time All-Star, 10 time Silver Slugger, and 1993 ROY.

Ozzie Smith – With the “Wizard” still available here I had to take him. Known for his acrobatics and defense Smith was also a very productive offensive player owning 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases. A 15 time All-Star, 13 time Gold-Glove winner, silver slugger, and World Series champion will serve as my utility infielder, defensive replacement, and pinch runner.

Andruw Jones – A defensive phenom with some serious pop in his bat (420 HR) Jones entered the big leagues at the age of 18 and promptly hit 2 HR in a World Series Game. A winner of 10 straight Gold Gloves, Jones is one of the greatest defensive centerfielders to play the game. He also earned 5 All-Star appearances. Ill feel safe putting him in CF to give Mickey’s knees a rest.

Dan Quisenberry – I need a setup/relief guy, and while I am a Johnny Venters fan, I went with the side arm nastiness that is Dan Quisenberry. The 3 time All-Star, 5 time Relief Pitcher of the Year, world champion, with 244 career saves will have to settle with giving Mo a break now and then.

Joe Torre – With the likes a Rickey and Reggie I needed a manager who knows how to handle some loud personalities, if he can’t do it Ill have Thome take care of them. Torre has the experience and the 4 World Series titles I was looking for. Not to mention he could probably catch for me. He was a 9 time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, NL MVP, and batting champion as a player. Not to shabby.

-Andy Kiriakedes