All Time 9's

[ragecage]

http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/all_time_nine/index.jsp?c_id=mlb

I like this kind of stuff. Im gonna list my picks for Oakland, I will do the other teams too, but I will do Oakland now.

[ragecage]

Oakland

C - Mickey Cochrane 1931 .349/17/89
1B - Jimmie Foxx 1932 .364/58/169
2B - Nap Lojoie 1901 .426/14/125/145 R/27 SB
3B - Eric Chavez 2001 .288/32/114
SS - Miguel Tejada 2002 .308/34/131
OF - Rickey Henderson 1990 .325/28/61/65 SB
OF - Al Simmons 1930 .381/36/165
OF - Jose Canseco 1988 .307/42/124/40 SB
DH - Frank Thomas 2006 .270/39/114

[OregonDuck1989]

The Colorado Rockies All Time 9:

C: Chris Ianetta 2008. Pretty weak choices. Ianetta carried power, decent average, and got on base enough to score 50 runs. Pretty good year.

1B: 2000 Helton. Easily one of the best seasons I've been alive to witness. Great year.

2B: 1996 Eric Young, Sr. Hitting for average, scoring runs, stealing bases. It's all valuable. EY put up a great year in all these categories.

SS: 2007 Troy Tulowitzki. May eventually become the greatest Rockie ever (knock on wood). And this was his breakout year.

3B: 1998 Vinny Castilla. Vinny is one of my all-time favs. He dominated in 98. Too easy.

OF: 1996 Ellis Burks. .344 40 HR! MVP Caliber season had he not played in a freakish hitters park. Great year.

OF: 1997 Larry Walker. One of the best players to ever wear a Colorado jersey. Another one of my all-time favs. Best year in a Rockies uni.

OF: 2007 Matt Holliday. TOO EASY! Almost won the MVP for this year, the Rockies stormed into the playoffs and then to the WS. If Matt had stayed who knows how good this Rockies team would have been.

P: 2001 Mike Hampton. It was either 01 Hampton or 02 Hampton. I choose the former.

[HoustonGM]

OF: 2007 Matt Holliday. TOO EASY! Almost won the MVP for this year, the Rockies stormed into the playoffs and then to the WS. If Matt had stayed who knows how good this Rockies team would have been.
Possibly worse, since you wouldn't have Carlos Gonzalez or Huston Street ;)

[OregonDuck1989]

Possibly worse, since you wouldn't have Carlos Gonzalez or Huston Street ;)

Touche, good sir, touche!

[President]

For the Angels, every guy who played for the 2002 world series team. Except I changed Erstad to Vlady, 1b to Kendry, and closed my eyes and clicked a random circle for DH!

1b- Kendry
2b- Kennedy
3b- Glaus
ss- Eckstein
c- Benji
dh- I think Chill Davis
of- G.A.
of- Salmon
of-Vlady

[ragecage]

For the Angels, every guy who played for the 2002 world series team. Except I changed Erstad to Vlady, 1b to Kendry, and closed my eyes and clicked a random circle for DH!

1b- Kendry
2b- Kennedy
3b- Glaus
ss- Eckstein
c- Benji
dh- I think Chill Davis
of- G.A.
of- Salmon
of-Vlady

Probably should click the link guy. :)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

C Carlton Fisk (1977) - .315, 26 HR, 102 RBI
1B Jimmie Foxx (1938) - .349, 50 HR, 175 RBI
2B Dustin Pedroia (2008) - .326, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB
3B Wade Boggs (1987) - .363, 24 HR, 89 RBI
SS Nomar Garciaparra (2000) - .372, 21 HR, 96 RBI
OF Ted William (1941) - .406, 37 HR, 120 RBI
OF Carl Yaztrzemski (1967) - .326, 44 HR, 121 RBI
OF Jim Rice (1978) - .326, 46 HR, 139 RBI
DH David Ortiz (2006) - .287, 54 HR, 137 RBI

And give me 1999 Pedro to start - 23-4, 2.07 ERA, 313 K

[HoustonGM]

I'll mess around with each time at work since I'll probably be bored and post it here

[SirKodiak]

C Ted Simmons 1975 .332 18 100 80 1
1B Mark McGwire 1998 .299 70 147 130 1
2B Rogers Hornsby 1922 .401 42 152 141 17
3B Joe Torre 1971 .363 24 137 97 4
SS Garry Templeton 1977 .322 8 79 94 28
OF Stan Musial 1948 .376 39 131 135 7
OF Joe Medwick 1937 .374 31 154 111 4
OF Willie McGee 1985 .353 10 82 114 56

[HoustonGM]

Oakland

C - Mickey Cochrane 1931 .349/17/89
1B - Jimmie Foxx 1932 .364/58/169
2B - Nap Lojoie 1901 .426/14/125/145 R/27 SB
3B - Eric Chavez 2001 .288/32/114
SS - Miguel Tejada 2002 .308/34/131
OF - Rickey Henderson 1990 .325/28/61/65 SB
OF - Al Simmons 1930 .381/36/165
OF - Jose Canseco 1988 .307/42/124/40 SB
DH - Frank Thomas 2006 .270/39/114
First is who I voted for, second in parenthesis is who I think actually had the best offensive season if it wasn't an option (For example, I think Cochrane's 1933 is better than his 1931). I chose to list the triple slash stats and OPS+.

Oakland Athletics
C - Mickey Cochrane 1931 .349/.423/.553, 149 (his 1933, .322/.459/.515, 157)
1B - Jimmie Foxx 1932 .364/.469/.749, 205
2B - Nap Lajoie 1901 .426/.463/.643, 200
3B - Frank Baker 1912 .347/.404/.541, 173
SS - Eddie Joost 1949 .263/.429/.453, 137
OF - Rickey Henderson 1990 .325/.439/.577, 188
OF - Al Simmons 1930 .381/.423/.708, 176
OF - Jose Canseco 1988 .307/.391/.569, 170 (Reggie Jackson 1969, .275/.410/.608, 189)
DH - John Jaha 1999 .276/.414/.556, 152

I'm a bit confused as to how they chose the options. Reggie Jackson's 1969 is quite blaringly obviously better than his 1973 in every conceivable way except that the writers didn't vote him MVP in 1969.

I'll get around to do every team, starting with the ones others have posted so far.

[HoustonGM]

The Colorado Rockies All Time 9:

C: Chris Ianetta 2008. Pretty weak choices. Ianetta carried power, decent average, and got on base enough to score 50 runs. Pretty good year.

1B: 2000 Helton. Easily one of the best seasons I've been alive to witness. Great year.

2B: 1996 Eric Young, Sr. Hitting for average, scoring runs, stealing bases. It's all valuable. EY put up a great year in all these categories.

SS: 2007 Troy Tulowitzki. May eventually become the greatest Rockie ever (knock on wood). And this was his breakout year.

3B: 1998 Vinny Castilla. Vinny is one of my all-time favs. He dominated in 98. Too easy.

OF: 1996 Ellis Burks. .344 40 HR! MVP Caliber season had he not played in a freakish hitters park. Great year.

OF: 1997 Larry Walker. One of the best players to ever wear a Colorado jersey. Another one of my all-time favs. Best year in a Rockies uni.

OF: 2007 Matt Holliday. TOO EASY! Almost won the MVP for this year, the Rockies stormed into the playoffs and then to the WS. If Matt had stayed who knows how good this Rockies team would have been.

P: 2001 Mike Hampton. It was either 01 Hampton or 02 Hampton. I choose the former.

Rockies
C - Chris Iannetta 2008 .264/.390/.505, 127
1B - Todd Helton 2000 .372/.463/.698, 163
2B - Eric Young 1996 .324/.393/.421, 98
3B - Garrett Atkins 2006 .329/.409/.556, 136
SS - Troy Tulowitzki 2007 .291/.359/.479, 108 (his 2009 has been even better, so come the end of the season, 2009 replaces 2007)
OF - Larry Walker 1997 .366/.452/.720, 178
OF - Matt Holliday 2007 .340/.405/.607, 150
OF - Ellis Burks 1996 .344/.408/.639, 149
P - Mike Hampton 2001 .291/.309/.582, 105

For outfield, I think Larry Walker has arguably three seasons that are better than any other Rockies outfielder - 1997, 1999 and 2001, so if there wasn't a "one season per player", I'd probably go with him for all three, although Holliday's 2007 probably beats Walker's 1999 due to playing time.

[HoustonGM]

C Carlton Fisk (1977) - .315, 26 HR, 102 RBI
1B Jimmie Foxx (1938) - .349, 50 HR, 175 RBI
2B Dustin Pedroia (2008) - .326, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB
3B Wade Boggs (1987) - .363, 24 HR, 89 RBI
SS Nomar Garciaparra (2000) - .372, 21 HR, 96 RBI
OF Ted William (1941) - .406, 37 HR, 120 RBI
OF Carl Yaztrzemski (1967) - .326, 44 HR, 121 RBI
OF Jim Rice (1978) - .326, 46 HR, 139 RBI
DH David Ortiz (2006) - .287, 54 HR, 137 RBI

And give me 1999 Pedro to start - 23-4, 2.07 ERA, 313 K
Red Sox

C - Carlton Fisk 1977 .315/.402/.521, 138 (his 1972 .293/.370/.538, 162)
1B - Jimmie Foxx 1938 .349/.462/.704, 182
2B - Dustin Pedroia 2008 .326/.376/.493, 122 (Bobby Doerr 1944 .325/.399/.528, 165)
3B - Wade Boggs 1987 .363/.461/.588, 173
SS - Rico Petrocelli 1969 .297/.403/.589, 167
OF - Ted Williams 1941 .406/.553/.735, 235
OF - Babe Ruth 1919 .322/.456/.657, 219
OF - Carl Yastrzemski 1967 .326/.418/.622, 193
DH - David Ortiz 2006 .287/.413/.636 (his 2007 .332/.445/.621)

They put Doerr's 1950 as the option. I think Doerr had multiple seasons better than that - 1942, 1944, 1948, 1949.

Of course, Ted Williams has like the 10 top Red Sox outfielder seasons!

[HoustonGM]

C Ted Simmons 1975 .332 18 100 80 1
1B Mark McGwire 1998 .299 70 147 130 1
2B Rogers Hornsby 1922 .401 42 152 141 17
3B Joe Torre 1971 .363 24 137 97 4
SS Garry Templeton 1977 .322 8 79 94 28
OF Stan Musial 1948 .376 39 131 135 7
OF Joe Medwick 1937 .374 31 154 111 4
OF Willie McGee 1985 .353 10 82 114 56
Cardinals
C - Ted Simmons 1975 .332/.396/.491, 142 (1975, 1977, 1978 and 1980 for him are all neck and neck)
1B - Mark McGwire 1998 .299/.480/.752, 216
2B - Rogers Hornsby 1922 .424/.507/.696, 222
3B - Joe Torre 1971 .363/.421/.555, 171
SS - Edgar Renteria 2003 .330/.394/.480, 130 (Rogers Hornsby 1917 .327/.385/.484, 169)
OF - Stan Musial 1948 .376/.450/.702, 200
OF - Joe Medwick 1937 .374/.414/.641, 180
OF - Jesse Burkett 1901 .376/.440/.509, 181 (Albert Pujols 2003 .359/.439/.667, 187)
P - Mike O'Neill 1902 .319/.333/.444, 143

Hornsby played shortstop in 1917.

Pujols in 2003 started something like 110 games in left/30 games at first, and his season was absolutely good enough to deserve such recognition.

[HoustonGM]

Angels

C - Lance Parrish 1990 .268/.338/.451, 124 (Brian Downing 1979 .326/.418/.462, 142)
1B - Wally Joyner 1987 .285/.366/.528, 137 (Don Mincher 1967 .273/.367/.487, 157)
2B - Bobby Grich 1979 .294/.365/.537, 145 (his 1981 .304/.378/.543, 164, strike-shortened season)
3B - Troy Glaus 2000 .284/.404/.604, 150
SS - Jim Fregosi 1970 .278/.353/.459, 127 (his 1964 .277/.369/.463, 141)
OF - Tim Salmon 1995 .330/.429/.594, 165
OF - Vladimir Guerrero 2004 .337/.391/.598, 157
OF - Reggie Jackson 1982 .275/.375/.532, 147
DH - Frank Robinson 1973 .266/.372/.489, 150

No idea why Brian Downing's season wasn't considered an option for catchers.

I also noticed that they listed Kendry Morales' 2009 as an option...which makes me wonder why in the heck they listed Tulo's 2007 for the Rockies but not his 2009. I figured it was because the season wasn't over, but apparently that doesn't matter...

[HoustonGM]

Arizona Diamondbacks

C - Miguel Montero 2009 .300/.361/.487, 115
1B - Chad Tracy 2005 .308/.359/.553, 132
2B - Jay Bell 1999 .289/.374/.557, 131
3B - Mark Reynolds 2009 .272/.363/.571, 135
SS - Stephen Drew 2008 .291/.333/.502, 110
OF - Luis Gonzalez 2001 .325/.429/.688, 174
OF - Justin Upton 2009 .308/.377/.550, 134
OF - Steve Finley 2000 .280/.361/.544, 120
P - Micah Owings 2007 .333/.349/.683, 153

Again with the 2009 seasons as options...still wondering about Tulo.

[FloydtheBarber]

Angels

C - Lance Parrish 1990 .268/.338/.451, 124 (Brian Downing 1979 .326/.418/.462, 142)
1B - Wally Joyner 1987 .285/.366/.528, 137 (Don Mincher 1967 .273/.367/.487, 157)
2B - Bobby Grich 1979 .294/.365/.537, 145 (his 1981 .304/.378/.543, 164, strike-shortened season)
3B - Troy Glaus 2000 .284/.404/.604, 150
SS - Jim Fregosi 1970 .278/.353/.459, 127 (his 1964 .277/.369/.463, 141)
OF - Tim Salmon 1995 .330/.429/.594, 165
OF - Vladimir Guerrero 2004 .337/.391/.598, 157
OF - Reggie Jackson 1982 .275/.375/.532, 147
DH - Frank Robinson 1973 .266/.372/.489, 150

No idea why Brian Downing's season wasn't considered an option for catchers.

I also noticed that they listed Kendry Morales' 2009 as an option...which makes me wonder why in the heck they listed Tulo's 2007 for the Rockies but not his 2009. I figured it was because the season wasn't over, but apparently that doesn't matter...

Yeah, i gave up after voting for Boston and Colorado, the basis they go by is quite screwy...

[HoustonGM]

I still find it interesting, so I'm going to keep going.

Braves

C - Javy Lopez 2003 .328/.378/.687, 169
1B - Andres Galarraga 1998 .305/.397/.595, 157
2B - Rogers Hornsby 1928 .387/.498/.632, 200
3B - Chipper Jones 1999 .319/.441/.633, 168
SS - Denis Menke 1964 .283/.368/.479, 136 (Jeff Blauser 1997 .308/.405/.482, 130)
OF - Tommy Holmes 1945 .352/.420/.577, 175
OF - Rico Carty 1970 .366/.454/.584, 170
OF - Hank Aaron 1957 .322/.378/.600, 166 (his 1959 .355/.401/.636, 181)
P - Warren Spahn 1958 .333/.381/.463, 131

No idea why Blauser's 1993 was chosen as an option over his 1997. Oh, and Hank Aaron has basically all of the top Braves outfielder seasons, and they chose like his 6th best season as their option.

[HoustonGM]

Orioles
C - Chris Hoiles 1993 .310/.416/.585, 162
1B - Jim Gentile 1961 .302/.423/.646, 187
2B - Roberto Alomar 1996 .328/.411/.527, 136
3B - Melvin Mora 2004 .340/.419/.562, 153
SS - Cal Ripken, Jr. 1983 .318/.371/.517 (his 1991 .323/.374/.566, 162)
OF - Frank Robinson 1966 .316/.410/.637, 198
OF - Ken Williams 1922 .332/.413/.627, 165 (his 1923 .357/.439/.623, 171)
OF - Brady Anderson 1996 .297/.396/.637, 156 (George Stone 1906 .358/.417/.501, 192)
DH - Aubrey Huff 2008 .304/.360/.552, 135

Here's another instance where I don't understand why they chose a particular year over another for a player. Ripken won the MVP both years, so it's not that. He had more home runs and RBI in 1991...20 or so less runs, but would they really pick based on that? *shrug*

Also no idea why George Stone's 1906 season was left off the options.

[HoustonGM]

Cubs

C - Gabby Hartnett 1935 .344/.404/.545, 151
1B - Derrek Lee 2005 .335/.418/.662, 174
2B - Rogers Hornsby 1929 .380/.459/.679, 178
3B - Ron Santo 1964 .313/.398/.564, 164
SS - Ernie Banks 1958 .313/.366/.614, 156
OF - Hack Wilson 1930 .356/.454/.723, 178
OF - Sammy Sosa 1998 .308/.377/.647, 160 (his 2001 .328/.437/.737, 203)
OF - Andy Pafko 1950 .304/.397/.591, 157 (Billy Williams 1972 .333/.398/.606, 172)
P - Carlos Zambrano 2008 .337/.337/.554, 124

Catcher is super-close between Hartnett's 1935 and his 1930, as well as Rick Wilkins' 1993.

Sammy Sosa's 2001 was much better than his 1998 and would be my pick for the best season of a Cubs outfielder ever. Also, Billy Williams' 1972 was much better than his 1970. The options also left off Bill Nicholson in 1943 and Topsy Hartel in 1901.

[HoustonGM]

Reds

C - Ernie Lombardi 1938 .342/.391/.524, 153 (Johnny Bench 1972 .270/.379/.541, 166)
1B - Ted Kluszewski 1954 .326/.407/.642, 167
2B - Joe Morgan 1976 .320/.444/.576, 187
3B - Tony Perez 1970 .317/.401/.589, 158
SS - Barry Larkin 1996 .298/.410/.567, 154
OF - Kevin Mitchell 1994 .326/.429/.681, 185
OF - Cy Seymour 1905 .377/.429/.559, 181
OF - Frank Robinson 1962 .342/.421/.624, 173
P - Bill Phillips 1902 .342/.385/.404, 134

Indians
C - Johnny Romano 1961 .299/.377/.483, 132 / Victor Martinez 2007 .305/.378/.475, 130 - TIE
1B - Jim Thome 2002 .304/.445/.677, 197
2B - Nap Lajoie 1904 .376/.413/.552, 205
3B - Al Rosen 1953 .336/.422/.613, 179
SS - Lou Boudreau 1948 .355/.453/.534, 164
OF - Joe Jackson 1911 .408/.468/.590, 193
OF - Tris Speaker 1923 .380/.469/.610, 182
OF - Rocky Colavito 1958 .303/.405/.620, 180 (Albert Belle 1994 .357/.438/.714, 193)
DH - Travis Hafner 2006 .308/.439/.659, 179

They left off Belle's 1994 in favor of his 1995, presumably because 1994 was strike-shortened, which I don't buy at all. 1994 was better.

I had to give a tie here at catcher. The two seasons were nearly mirror images. I voted for Romano though, on a coin flip.

Cnt Player **OPS+** PA Year Age Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS Positions
+----+-----------------+--------+---+----+---+---+--+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+-----+-----+-----+-----+---------+

3 Johnny Romano 132 580 1961 26 CLE AL 142 509 76 152 29 1 21 80 61 3 60 5 1 4 10 0 0 .299 .377 .483 .860 *2
4 Victor Martinez 130 622 2005 26 CLE AL 147 547 73 167 33 0 20 80 63 9 78 5 0 7 16 0 1 .305 .378 .475 .853 *2/D

[200tang]

HGM is such a nurd. ;)

Thanks for the picks though, it's much easier to look at your picks than going to the site.

[HoustonGM]

White Sox
C - Carlton Fisk 1983 .289/.355/.518, 134
1B - Dick Allen 1972 .308/.420/.603, 199 (Frank Thomas 1994 .353/.487/.729, 211)
2B - Eddie Collins 1923 .360/.455/.453, 141 (his 1915 .332/.460/.436, 165)
3B - Bill Melton 1971 .269/.352/.492 (Pete Ward 1963 .295/.353/.482, 134)
SS - Luke Appling 1936 .388/.474/.508, 138
OF - Joe Jackson 1920 .382/.444/.589, 172
OF - Albert Belle 1998 .328/.399/.655, 171
OF - Minnie Minoso 1954 .320/.411/.535, 155
DH - Jim Thome 2006 .288/.416/.598, 155 (Frank Thomas 1991 .318/.453/.553, 180)

Again with the ignoring of the strike year. That's three times now - Bobby Grich, Albert Belle and Frank Thomas. But...get this...Julio Franco's 1994 is an option for the White Sox DH, so it's not as if they're just ignoring the strike year totally. Even though, as I'm about to explain, Frank Thomas had way better seasons at DH.

Frank Thomas played about 100 games there in 1991 and had unquestionably the best offensive season by any player that played 50% of his games at DH for the White Sox. Not on the list. In 2000, he played 127 games as a DH, and had the second best season of any White Sox DH ever (next to...himself)...not on the list. Jim Thome in 2006 had a fine year, but not better than either of the Big Hurt's seasons.

I think 1923 is Collins' third best season behind 1915 and 1920.

[HoustonGM]

Tigers

C - Mickey Tettleton 1991 .263/.387/.491, 140 (Bill Freehan 1968 .263/.366/.454, 145)
1B - Norm Cash 1961 .361/.487/.662, 201
2B - Charlie Gehringer 1937 .371/.458/.520, 144 (his 1934 .356/.450/.517, 149)
3B - Ray Boone 1955 .284/.346/.476, 122 (his 1956 .308/.403/.518, 141)
SS - Alan Trammell 1987 .343/.402/.551, 155
OF - Ty Cobb 1911 .420/.467/.621, 196
OF - Harry Heilmann 1923 .403/.481/.632, 194
OF - Magglio Ordonez 2007 .363/.434/.595, 167 (Al Kaline 1967 .308/.411/.541, 176)
DH - Gary Sheffield 2007 .265/.378/.462, 120

They royally screwed up the third base options. Ray Boone's 1953 was his best rate season but he missed a bunch of time, so 1956 beats it. Boone also had a better season than his 1955 in 1954. George Kell's 1949 is better than his 1950 (which was an option). Eddie Yost's 1959 wasn't an option. Pinky Higgin's 1944 wasn't an option. Basically, the 5 or 6 best offensive seasons by Tiger third basemen weren't options. I really don't know what criteria was used for choosing these options (here and on other teams). There's no consistency. It's not counting stats...it's not rating stats...I'm baffled.

Ty Cobb's best season is literally a toss up between 1911 (the option), 1910, 1912, 1917 and 1909. The guy was an utter monster.

[HoustonGM]

Marlins

C - Ivan Rodriguez 2003 .297/.369/.474, 120
1B - Carlos Delgado 2005 .301/.399/.582, 161
2B - Dan Uggla 2008 .260/.360/.514, 128
3B - Miguel Cabrera 2007 .320/.401/.565, 150 (his 2006 .339/.430/.568, 159)
SS - Hanley Ramirez 2007 .301/.400/.540, 146 (his 2009 .357/.422/.567, 160)
OF - Gary Sheffield 1996 .314/.465/.624, 189
OF - Cliff Floyd 2001 .317/.390/.578, 149
OF - Jeff Conine 1995 .302/.379/.520, 134 (Miguel Cabrera 2005 .323/.385/.561, 151)
P - Dontrelle Willis 2007 .286/.348/.508, 121

Another case of a superior 2009 season being left off for an inferior previous season with Hanley. I really do not get it. No idea why Cabrera's 2005 wasn't an OF option either.

Astros

C - Joe Ferguson 1977 .257/.379/.435, 127
1B - Jeff Bagwell 1994 .368/.451/.750, 213
2B - Craig Biggio 1998 .325/.403/.503, 139 (his 1997 .309/.415/.501, 143)
3B - Morgan Ensberg 2005 .283/.388/.557, 144
SS - Denis Menke 1970 .304/.392/.441, 127
OF - Jimmy Wynn 1969 .269/.436/.507, 167
OF - Cesar Cedeno 1972 .320/.385/.537, 162
OF - Lance Berkman 2001 .331/.430/.620, 160
P - Tom Griffin 1974 .294/.324/.456, 121

So Bagwell's 1994 qualifies as an option...but Frank Thomas had to settle for an inferior season while his 1994 was ignored. Good logic !

Royals

C - Darrell Porter 1979 .291/.421/.484, 142
1B - John Mayberry 1975 .291/.416/.547, 168
2B - Jose Offerman 1998 .315/.403/.438, 119
3B - George Brett 1980 .390/.454/.664, 203
SS - Jay Bell 1997 .291/.368/.461, 115
OF - Danny Tartabull 1991 .316/.397/.593, 171
OF - Amos Otis 1978 .298/.380/.525, 150
OF - Lou Piniella 1972 .312/.356/.441, 138
DH - Hal McRae 1982 .308/.369/.542, 147

Just the second time (along with Arizona) where all my picks were actual options.

Dodgers

C - Mike Piazza 1997 .362/.431/.638, 185
1B - Dolph Camilli 1941 .285/.407/.556, 165
2B - Jackie Robinson 1949 .342/.432/.528, 153
3B - Adrian Beltre 2004 .334/.388/.629, 163
SS - Glenn Wright 1930 .321/.360/.543, 115 (Pee Wee Reese 1954 .309/.404/.455, 121)
OF - Gary Sheffield 2000 .325/.438/.643, 176
OF - Duke Snider 1954 .341/.423/.647, 171
OF - Babe Herman 1930 .393/.455/.678, 170
P - Don Newcombe 1955 .359/.395/.632, 165

I ignored 19th century players (Dan Brouthers 1892 would be the best first basemen season in the franchise) since I'm pretty sure the polls do.

Pee Wee Reese had two seasons I see as definitely better than his 1949 which was the poll option - 1954 and 1947 - and his 1946 is debatable.

I haven't the slightest clue was Dixie Walker's 1945 where he hit .300/.381/.438 with 8 HR and 124 RBI and a 128 OPS+ was listed as an option over his 1944 that saw him go .357/.434/.529 with a 172 OPS+, 13 HR, 91 RBI and the batting title. His 1945 season is way way way way down on the list of good Dodger outfielder seasons.

Nor do I know why Don Drysdale's 1958 - .227/.261/.591, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 114 OPS+ - was listed while his 1965 - .300/.331/.508, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 140 OPS+ -wasn't.

[ragecage]

Makes you wonder who put the lists together, or if they even took their time doing it.

[200tang]

I haven't the slightest clue was Dixie Walker's 1945 where he hit .300/.381/.438 with 8 HR and 124 RBI and a 128 OPS+ was listed as an option over his 1944 that saw him go .357/.434/.529 with a 172 OPS+, 13 HR, 91 RBI and the batting title. His 1945 season is way way way way down on the list of good Dodger outfielder seasons.


wat?

[HoustonGM]

?

[HoustonGM]

Brewers
C - Dave Nilsson 1999 .309/.400/.554, 140
1B - Prince Fielder 2007 .288/.395/.618, 156 (his 2009 might wind up ahead, but right now I'll give it to 2007)
2B - Don Money 1977 .279/.348/.470, 122 (Paul Molitor 1979 .322/.372/.469, 126)
3B - Tommy Harper 1970 .296/.377/.522, 146
SS - Robin Yount 1982 .331/.379/.578, 166
OF - Ben Oglivie 1980 .304/.362/.563, 153
OF - Sixto Lezcano 1979 .321/.414/.573, 164
OF - Geoff Jenkins 2000 .303/.360/.588, 137 (Robin Yount 1989 .318/.384/.511, 152)
DH - Paul Molitor 1987 .353/.438/.566, 161 (Paul Molitor 1991 .325/.399/.489, 147)

I see no reason as to why Paul Molitor's 1979 wasn't an option at second base. Also no idea why Robin Yount's 1989 or Ryan Braun's 2009 aren't outfield options. It's not because they only list a player at one position - Tommy Harper is listed at both 3B and OF, even though he had a 105 OPS+ in 1971 as an outfielder). Honestly like, WTF?

And another WTF. Paul Molitor's 1987 is listed as a DH option - he hit .353/.438/.566, which is awesome...but he played MORE GAMES IN THE FIELD THAN AT DH.

[HoustonGM]

Twins

C - Joe Mauer 2009 .374/.441/.610, 182
1B - Rod Carew 1977 .388/.449/.570, 178
2B - Chuck Knoblauch 1996 .341/.448/.517, 143 (Rod Carew 1975 .359/.421/.497, 157)
3B - Harmon Killebrew 1969 .276/.427/.584, 177 (Harmon Killebrew 1970 .271/.411/.546, 159)
SS - Cecil Travis 1941 .359/.410/.520, 150
OF - Ed Delahanty 1902 .376/.453/.590, 186
OF - Goose Goslin 1928 .379/.442/.614, 176
OF - Roy Sievers 1957 .301/.388/.579, 164
DH - Chili Davis 1991 .277/.385/.507, 141

Rod Carew has 3 seasons at second base better than Knoblauch (or any other Twins second basemen) - 1973, 1974, 1975 - yet no option at second base.

Harmon Killebrew split time almost equally at third and first in 1969, which is why my "actual vote" would be for his 1970 where he played 138 games at third versus 28 at first. His 1969 was a better season overall, though.

Mets

C - Mike Piazza 2000 .324/.398/.614, 155
1B - John Olerud 1998 .354/.447/.551, 163
2B - Edgardo Alfonzo 1999 .304/.385/.502, 125 (his 2000 .324/.425/.542, 147)
3B - Howard Johnson 1989 .287/.369/.559, 169
SS - Jose Reyes 2006 .300/.354/.487, 115 (his 2008 .297/.358/.475, 118 - close though)
OF - Daryl Strawberry 1987 .284/.398/.583, 162
OF - Bernard Gilkey 1996 .317/.393/.562, 155
OF - Carlos Beltran 2006 .275/.388/.594, 150
P - Jason Isringhausen 1996 .255/.291/.412, 87

[metsguy234]

That list is missing a Mets legend... Joe Orsulak

[ewing6]

Twins

C - Joe Mauer 2009 .374/.441/.610, 182
1B - Rod Carew 1977 .388/.449/.570, 178
2B - Chuck Knoblauch 1996 .341/.448/.517, 143 (Rod Carew 1975 .359/.421/.497, 157)
3B - Harmon Killebrew 1969 .276/.427/.584, 177 (Harmon Killebrew 1970 .271/.411/.546, 159)
SS - Cecil Travis 1941 .359/.410/.520, 150
OF - Ed Delahanty 1902 .376/.453/.590, 186
OF - Goose Goslin 1928 .379/.442/.614, 176
OF - Roy Sievers 1957 .301/.388/.579, 164
DH - Chili Davis 1991 .277/.385/.507, 141

Rod Carew has 3 seasons at second base better than Knoblauch (or any other Twins second basemen) - 1973, 1974, 1975 - yet no option at second base.

Harmon Killebrew split time almost equally at third and first in 1969, which is why my "actual vote" would be for his 1970 where he played 138 games at third versus 28 at first. His 1969 was a better season overall, though.

Mets

C - Mike Piazza 2000 .324/.398/.614, 155
1B - John Olerud 1998 .354/.447/.551, 163
2B - Edgardo Alfonzo 1999 .304/.385/.502, 125 (his 2000 .324/.425/.542, 147)
3B - Howard Johnson 1989 .287/.369/.559, 169
SS - Jose Reyes 2006 .300/.354/.487, 115 (his 2008 .297/.358/.475, 118 - close though)
OF - Daryl Strawberry 1987 .284/.398/.583, 162
OF - Bernard Gilkey 1996 .317/.393/.562, 155
OF - Carlos Beltran 2006 .275/.388/.594, 150
P - Jason Isringhausen 1996 .255/.291/.412, 87

My mets looks like but was lance johnson over gilkey for me.

[HoustonGM]

Yankees

C - Jorge Posada 2007 .338/.426/.543, 154
1B - Lou Gehrig 1927 .373/.474/.765, 221
2B - Joe Gordon 1942 .322/.409/.491, 155 (Tony Lazzeri 1929 .354/.429/.561, 160)
3B - Alex Rodriguez 2007 .314/.422/.645, 177
SS - Derek Jeter 1999 .349/.438/.552, 152
OF - Babe Ruth 1927 .356/.486/.772, 226 (his 1920 .376/.533/.849, 256)
OF - Mickey Mantle 1956 .353/.464/.705, 210 (his 1957 .365/.512/.665, 223)
OF - Paul O'Neill 1994 .359/.460/.603, 176 (Joe DiMaggio 1941 .357/.440/.643, 181)
DH - Don Baylor 1983 .303/.361/.494, 138

O'Neill's season is actually pretty far down the list, but these people that compiled the options obviously have trouble identifying the best season amongst a host of amazing seasons, as they chose Joe DiMaggio's 1937 over 3 or 4 of his seasons I would take over it.

For second base they listed Tony Lazzeri's 1927, even though his 1929 was miles better....and I REALLY can't see the reasoning. Someone help me:


Cnt Player **OPS+** PA Year Age Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS Positions
+----+-----------------+--------+---+----+---+---+--+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+-----+-----+-----+-----+---------+
1 Tony Lazzeri 160 635 1929 25 NYY AL 147 545 101 193 37 11 18 106 68 0 45 4 18 0 0 9 10 .354 .429 .561 .990 *4
15 Tony Lazzeri 126 660 1927 23 NYY AL 153 570 92 176 29 8 18 102 69 0 82 0 21 0 0 22 14 .309 .383 .482 .865 *46/5

[PotatoOfCouch13]

For second base they listed Tony Lazzeri's 1927, even though his 1929 was miles better....and I REALLY can't see the reasoning. Someone help me:


Two words: Murderer's Row. You're absolutely right that '29 season was way better - but that '27 team was celebrated as one of the best ever. That's the only reason I can think of.

[HoustonGM]

Phillies

C - Stan Lopata 1956 .267/.353/.535, 137 (Darren Daulton 1992 .270/.385/.524, 156)
1B - Ryan Howard 2006 .313/.425/.659, 167
2B - Chase Utley 2006 .309/.379/.527, 125 (his 2009 .295/.412/.534, 145)
3B - Dick Allen 1966 .317/.396/.632, 181 (Mike Schmidt 1981 .316/.435/.644, 1999)
SS - Jimmy Rollins 2007 .296/.344/.531, 118
OF - Sherry Magee 1910 .331/.445/.507, 174
OF - Ed Delahanty 1901 .354/.427/.528, 174
OF - Gavvy Cravath 1913 .341/.407/.568, 172 (Chuck Klein 1933 .368/.422/.602, 176)
P - Rick Wise 1971 .237/.260/.464, 102 (Robin Roberts 1955 .252/.360/.467, 120)

They chose Chase Utley's worst full season and, again, I have no idea why. Again, they ignored someone's superior strike-shortened year (Mike Schmidt) in favor of one of his lesser years.

Pirates

C - Jason Kendall 1998 .327/.411/.473, 131
1B - Dick Stuart 1961 .301/.344/.581, 139 (Willie Stargell 1972 .293/.373/.558, 163)
2B - George Grantham 1930 .324/.413/.534, 127 (Jim Viox 1913 .317/.399/.427, 140)
3B - Bill Madlock 1982 .319/.368/.488, 134 (his 1981 .341/.413/.495, 153)
SS - Honus Wagner 1908 .354/.415/.542, 205
OF - Barry Bonds 1992 .311/.456/.624, 205
OF - Willie Stargell 1971 .295/.398/.628, 185
OF - Ralph Kiner 1949 .310/.432/.658, 186
P - Claude Hendrix 1912 .322/.339/.529, 136

No idea why Willie Stargell's 1972 was left off the first base option, nor do I know why Jason Thompson's 1982 (.284/.394/.511, 147) was as well. I also don't know why Bobby Bonilla was left off the third base options, either his 1988 or his 1989.

[HoustonGM]

Padres

C - Terry Kennedy 1982 .295/.328/.486, 130
1B - Fred McGriff 1992 .286/.394/.556, 166
2B - Mark Loretta 2004 .335/.391/.495, 138
3B - Ken Caminiti 1996 .326/.408/.621, 173
SS - Khalil Greene 2007 .254/.291/.468, 100 (his 2004 .273/.349/.446, 114)
OF - Dave Winfield 1979 .308/.395/.558, 166
OF - Greg Vaughn 1998 .272/.363/.597, 156
OF - Tony Gwynn 1997 .372/.409/.547, 156 (his 1994 .394/.454/.568, 169)
P - Tim Lollar 1982 .247/.289/.388, 92

Yet another instance of ignoring 1994.

Mariners

C - Kenji Johjima 2006 .291/.332/.451, 103
1B - Alvin Davis 1984 .284/.391/.497, 147 (his 1989 .305/.424/.496, 156)
2B - Bret Boone 2001 .331/.372/.578, 153
3B - Jim Presley 1985 .275/.324/.484, 118 (Edgar Martinez 1992 .343/.404/.544, 164)
SS - Alex Rodriguez 1998 .310/.360/.560, 136 (his 1996 .358/.414/.631, 160 or 2000 .316/.420/.606, 162)
OF - Ken Griffey 1997 .304/.382/.646, 165 (his 1994 .323/.402/.674, 170)
OF - Leon Roberts 1978 .301/.364/.515, 145
OF - Tom Paciorek 1981 .326/.379/.509, 150
DH - Edgar Martinez 1995 .356/.479/.628, 185

Yes, I know, Edgar is famous for being a DH, but in 1992, he mostly played third base, so his season should've been an option at third base. Argh.

No idea what possessed them to choose A-Rod's 1998 over his 1996 or 2000 (which I think are tied). Was that one measly extra home run he had in 1998 the tipping point? Because everything else he did better in both 1996 and 2000.

Giants

C - Dick Dietz 1970 .300/.426/.515, 152
1B - Willie McCovey 1969 .320/.453/.656, 209
2B - Rogers Hornsby 1927 .361/.448/.586, 175
3B - Sid Gordon 1948 .299/.390/.537, 148 (Mel Ott 1938 .311/.442/.583, 178)
SS - Rich Aurilia 2001 .324/.369/.572, 146
OF - Barry Bonds 2001 .328/.515/.863, 259
OF - Kevin Mitchell 1989 .291/.388/.635, 192
OF - Willie Mays 1954 .345/.411/.667, 175 (his 1965 .317/.398/.645, 184)
P - Doc Crandall 1910 .342/.385/.521, 163

Rays

C - Dioner Navarro 2008 .295/.349/.407, 98
1B - Carlos Pena 2007 .282/.411/.627, 172
2B - Ben Zobrist 2009 .287/.399/.529, 139
3B - Evan Longoria 2009 .281/.361/.536, 130
SS - Jason Bartlett 2009 .325/.387/.504, 130
OF - Randy Winn 2002 .298/.360/.461, 120
OF - Carl Crawford 2009 .308/.363/.452, 111
OF - B.J. Upton 2007 .300/.386/.508, 136
DH - Jose Canseco 1999 .279/.369/.563, 134

Rangers

C - Ivan Rodriguez 1999 .332/.356/.558, 125
1B - Mike Epstein 1969 .278/.414/.551, 176
2B - Julio Franco 1991 .341/.408/.474, 146
3B - Hank Blalock .2004 .276/.355/.500, 113 (Toby Harrah 1977 .263/.393/.479, 136)
SS - Alex Rodriguez 2002 .300/.392/.623, 158
OF - Frank Howard 1969 .296/.402/.574, 178
OF - Jeff Burroughs 1974 .301/.397/.504, 162
OF - Juan Gonzalez 1998 .318/.366/.630, 149 (his 1993 .310/.368/.632, 169)
DH - Milton Bradley 2008 .321/.436/.563, 163

No clue why Toby Harrah 1977 or Michael Young 2009 (.322/.375/.523, 134) weren't options at third base. In fact, there were MANY third base seasons left off better than all four options. Buddy Bell himself had like 5 seasons better than his 1979, which was an option.

Also, the voting options were screwed up, with Frank Howard's 1969 listed in the outfield yet when chosen, it would disable a first base option, so i couldn't vote for it, so I voted for Ruben Sierra 1991 instead.

Blue Jays

C - Pat Borders 1990 .286/.319/.497, 120
1B - John Olerud 1993 .363/.473/.599, 186
2B - Roberto Alomar 1993 .326/.408/.492, 141
3B - Kelly Gruber 1990 .274/.330/.512, 127
SS - Tony Fernandez 1987 .322/.379/.426, 112
OF - George Bell 1987 .308/.352/.605, 146
OF - Jesse Barfield 1986 .289/.368/.559, 146
OF - Shawn Green 1999 .309/.384/.588, 143
DH - Paul Molitor 1993 .332/.402/.509, 143

I found it odd that Marco Scutaro's 2009 wasn't an option for shortstop, even though they only listed two (Fernandez plus Alex Gonzalez 2001).

Nationals

C - Gary Carter 1984 .294/.366/.487, 143 (his 1982 .293/.381/.510, 146)
1B - Al Oliver 1982 .331/.392/.514, 150
2B - Jose Vidro 2000 .330/.379/.540, 126
3B - Larry Parrish 1979 .307/.357/.551, 146
SS - Wil Cordero 1994 .294/.363/.489, 119
OF - Rusty Staub 1969 .302/.426/.526, 166
OF - Vladimir Guerrero 2002 .336/.417/.593, 160
OF - Tim Raines 1986 .334/.413/.476, 145 (his 1985 .320/.405/.475, 151)
P - Steve Renko 1975 .278/.339/.352, 89


Done!