Analysis: As a Braves fan I felt obligated to include many of them on this team, especially considering I grew up
idolizing most of these guys. Once again I went with an all starting pitching staff, not for any particular reason, other than it’s easier to decide between starters than closers. Piazza and Pudge had two of the best seasons ever posted by catchers, but for other positions like first base, it was a little tougher to decide on a season.
As many of you are aware, the 80’s was full of good music, the Cold War, but more importantly, quality baseball players. Below is my list of the 1981-1990 All-Decade Fantasy Team:
Kevin Orris takes a look at the 1960's All-Fantasy team.
Catcher: Johnny Bench (1970, Reds)
97 R, 45 HR, 148 RBI, 5 SB, .293 AVG
Catcher: Joe Torre (1966, Braves)
83 R, 36 HR, 101 RBI, 0 SB, .315 AVG
First Base: Norm Cash (1961, Tigers)
119 R, 41 HR, 132 RBI, 11 SB, .361 AVG
Second Base: Pete Rose (1965, Reds)
117 R, 11 HR, 81 RBI, 8 SB, .312 AVG
Third Base: Ron Santo (1964, Cubs)
94 R, 30 HR, 114 RBI, 3 SB, .313 AVG
Shortstop: Rico Petrocelli (1969, Red Sox)
92 R, 40 HR, 97 RBI, 3 SB, .297 AVG
Outfield: Mickey Mantle (1961, Yankees)
132 R, 54 HR, 128 RBI, 12 SB, .317 AVG
Outfield: Willie Mays (1965, Giants)
118 R, 52 HR, 112 RBI, 9 SB, .317 AVG
Outfield: Frank Robinson (1962, Reds)
134 R, 39 HR, 136 RBI, 18 SB, .342 AVG
Outfield: Carl Yastrzemski (1967, Red Sox)
112 R, 44 HR, 121 RBI, 10 SB, .326 AVG
Outfield: Hank Aaron (1962, Braves)
127 R, 45 HR, 128 RBI, 15 SB, .323 AVG
Middle Infield: Dick Groat (1963, Cardinals)
85 R, 6 HR, 73 RBI, 3 SB, .319 AVG
Corner Infield: Willie McCovey (1969, Giants
101 R, 45 HR, 126 RBI, 0 SB, .320 AVG
Utility: Al Kaline (1963, Tigers)
89 R, 27 HR, 101 RBI, 6 SB, .312 AVG
Pitcher: Sandy Koufax (1965, Dodgers)
26 W, 2 SV, 382 K, 2.04 ERA, 0.855 WHIP
Pitcher: Bob Gibson (1968, Cardinals)
22 W, 0 SV, 268 K, 1.12 ERA, 0.853 WHIP
Pitcher: Denny McLain (1968, Tigers)
31 W, 0 SV, 280 K, 1.96 ERA, 0.905 WHIP
Pitcher: Juan Marichal (1966, Giants)
25 W, 0 SV, 222 K, 2.23 ERA, 0.859 WHIP
Pitcher: Don Drysdale (1964, Dodgers)
18 W, 0 SV, 237 K, 2.18 ERA, 0.965 WHIP
Pitcher: Luis Tiant (1968, Indians)
21 W, 0 SV, 264 K, 1.60 ERA, 0.871 WHIP
Pitcher: Dave McNally (1968, Orioles)
22 W, 0 SV, 202 K, 2.95 ERA, 0.842 WHIP
Pitcher: Dean Chance (1964, Angels)
20 W, 4 SV, 207 K, 1.65 ERA, 1.006 WHIP
Pitcher: Bill Singer (1969, Dodgers)
20 W, 1 SV, 247 K, 2.34 ERA, 1.007 WHIP
Analysis: Look at the WHIP on those pitchers! This roster is full of big names that many of you should recognize, so be sure to let me hear it! Multiple players have now eclipsed the 50 HR mark, and speed continues to decrease. Comment with your thoughts below!
Ladies and gentlemen, I provide you with one of the best decades of all-time, 1951-1960, or more commonly known as the Lenny Melnick era! The following are all of my picks, but make sure to keep up with the comments to see what Lenny has to say!
Analysis: The lineup is stacked from top to bottom, but more importantly this pitching staff is better than most of the past few decades. Although the strikeouts are lacking for the staff, the ERA of this decade is likely much lower than those of the past. Speed is lacking here, but average and power is plentiful.
What do you think of this team? How does it compare to the teams of weeks past? Who was your favorite player of
the 1950’s?
It’s that time again- for another great decade of baseball, this time 1941-1950. We’re just a week away from Lenny Melnick territory so be sure to stay tuned and see what the Godfather of Fantasy Baseball himself has to say.
It is time for the third article in our series of the best fantasy teams decade by decade. This week I am going to save all of my analysis for the end. Be sure to leave some comments below if you disagree with me to stir up some good ole’ baseball banter.
Catcher: Bill Dickey (1937, Yankees)
87 R, 29 HR, 133 RBI, 3 SB, .332 AVG
Catcher: Mickey Cochrane (1932, Athletics)
118 R, 23 HR, 112 RBI, 0 SB, .293 AVG
First Base: Jimmie Foxx (1932, Athletics)
151 R, 58 HR, 169 RBI, 3 SB, .364 AVG
Second Base: Charlie Gehringer (1934, Tigers)
134 R, 11 HR, 127 RBI, 11 SB, .356 AVG
Third Base: Mel Ott (1938, Giants)
116 R, 36 HR, 116 RBI, 2 SB, .311 AVG
Shortstop: Arky Vaughan (1935, Pirates)
108 R, 19 HR, 99 RBI, 4 SB, .385 AVG
Outfield: Babe Ruth (1931, Yankees)
149 R, 46 HR, 163 RBI, 5 SB, .373 AVG
Outfield: Joe Medwick (1937, Cardinals)
111 R, 31 HR, 154 RBI, 4 SB, .374 AVG
Outfield: Chuck Klein (1933, Phillies)
158 R, 40 HR, 170 RBI, 4 SB, .386 AVG
Outfield: Joe DiMaggio (1937, Yankees)
151 R, 46 HR, 167 RBI, 3 SB, .346 AVG
Outfield: Earl Averill (1936, Indians)
136 R, 28 HR, 126 RBI, 3 SB, .378 AVG
Middle Infield: Luke Appling (1936, White Sox)
111 R, 6 HR, 128 RBI, 10 SB, .388 AVG
Corner Infield: Lou Gehrig (1934, Yankees)
128 R, 49 HR, 165 RBI, 9 SB, .363 AVG
Utility: Al Simmons (1931, Athletics)
105 R, 22 HR, 128 RBI, 3 SB, .390 AVG
Pitcher: Carl Hubbell (1933, Giants)
23 W, 5 SV, 156 K, 1.66 ERA, .982 WHIP
Pitcher: Bob Feller (1940, Indians)
27 W, 4 SV, 261 K, 2.61 ERA, 1.133 WHIP
Pitcher: Bucky Walters (1939, Reds)
27 W, 0 SV, 137 K, 2.29 ERA, 1.125 WHIP
Pitcher: Lefty Grove (1931, Athletics)
31 W, 5 SV, 175 K, 2.06 ERA, 1.077 WHIP
Pitcher: Dizzy Dean (1934, Cardinals)
30 W, 7 SV, 195 K, 2.66 ERA, 1.165 WHIP
Pitcher: Van Mungo (1936, Dodgers)
18 W, 3 SV, 238 K, 3.35 ERA, 1.261 WHIP
Pitcher: Cy Blanton (1935, Pirates)
18 W, 1 SV, 142 K, 2.58 ERA, 1.081 WHIP
Pitcher: Alvin Crowder (1932, Senators)
26 W, 1 SV, 103 K, 3.33 ERA, 1.211 WHIP
Pitcher: Claude Passeau (1940, Cubs)
20 W, 5 SV, 124 K, 2.50 ERA, 1.133 WHIP
Analysis: After going through these hitters, it is even more remarkable that three of these pitchers won MVP Awards. That is unheard of these days. This is one of the best offensive decades in baseball history and featured the end of many careers including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. I am interested to see what you, the reader, have to say about my outfield choices. There is little speed in this lineup, but tons of power which was the popular thing to have at this time.
It’s time for the third article in our series of the best fantasy teams decade by decade. Be sure to leave some comments below if you disagree with me to stir up some good ole’ baseball banter.
Analysis: Catchers apparently started to lose their speed after 1920, because neither of these guys have much (if any!). Hartnett makes up for the lack of speed with tremendous power numbers that would make him a first round pick in today’s drafts. Cochrane brings Joe Mauer-esque numbers to the table.
First Base: Lou Gehrig (1927, Yankees)
149 R, 47 HR, 175 RBI, 10 SB, .373 AVG
Analysis: The 1927 MVP is the first of many Yankees to appear this week. Lou was an easy pick but it was just tough to decide between 1927 and 1930.
Second Base: Rogers Hornsby (1924, Cardinals)
121 R, 25 HR, 94 RBI, 5 SB, .424 AVG
Analysis: Hornsby ended up second in MVP voting in 1924 to Dazzy Vance. Regardless, Hornsby displayed one of the greatest batting averages in baseball history. He wasn’t the biggest provider in other categories, but he would be a first overall pick in 2009 with this stat line.
Third Base: Freddy Lindstrom (1930, Giants)
127 R, 22 HR, 106 RBI, 15 SB, .379 AVG
Analysis: A contributor in every area, it was hard to pass up Lindstrom. His OPS in 1930 was exactly 1.000, which is an extremely hard number to top these days, but was 10th in the league in 1930. The closest modern day comparison to Lindstrom is Chipper Jones (lacking speed).
Shortstop: Joe Cronin (1930, Senators)
127 R, 13 HR, 126 RBI, 17 SB, .346 AVG
Analysis: Just another one of the fantastic players from 1930, one of the best offensive seasons in baseball history, probably because of PEDs. That is, if liquor counts as a PED. He only struck out 36 times and posted a .422 OBP. There is a reason that he is in the Hall of Fame.
Analysis: Isn’t it ironic that the best baseball player in history was the toughest decision so far? It was very tough to decide between 1921 and 1923, so I’m interested to see what everyone thinks of my decision in the comments. These are five of the best outfielders of all-time, O’Doul being the only one not in the hall (career cut short by death). I would love to have any of these guys in today’s fantasy game, especially since they all have such high batting averages.
Middle Infielder: Frankie Frisch (1927, Cardinals)
112 R, 10 HR, 78 RBI, 48 SB, .337 AVG
Corner Infielder: George Sisler (1922, Browns)
134 R, 8 HR, 105 RBI, 51 SB, .420 AVG
Utility: Paul Warner (1927, Pirates)
114 R, 9 HR, 131 RBI, 5 SB, .380 AVG
Analysis: Frisch and Sisler both help in the speed department and scored a lot of runs, just like Warner, the 1927 MVP, though we note that at that time you could only win one MVP award, and Warner would not have won otherwise. Sisler becomes the second .400 + hitter to make the team this week.
Pitcher: Dazzy Vance (1924, Robins)
Analysis: The most noticeable difference between the past couple weeks and this week is the strikeout rate of the pitchers. These are, in my opinion, the best pitchers that played in this era, but some would say otherwise due to low K’s. The sad part of this week is that it does in fact end Walter Johnson’s three week run on my list.
Disagree with some of picks? Is a pitcher with 70 strikeouts really worthy of making the team? Be sure to let me hear it in the comment section below.
It’s time for the second article in our series of the best fantasy teams decade by decade. Be sure to leave some comments below if you disagree with me to stir up some good ole’ baseball banter.
Catcher: Art Wilson (1914, Whales)
78 R, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 13 SB, .291 AVG
Catcher: Chief Meyers (1912, Giants)
60 R, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 8 SB, .358 AVG
Analysis: There were three catchers that were tough to choose from, but ultimately I had to leave Steve O’Neill (1920, Indians) out of the equation. Wilson doesn’t hit for the best average in this era, but he brings the whole package, and is easily comparable to Russell Martin. Meyers makes up for the lack of batting average with Wilson, but doesn’t bring the same offense as Wilson.
First Base: George Sisler (1920, Browns)
137 R, 19 HR, 122 RBI, 42 SB, .407 AVG
Analysis: Sisler is one of the greatest hitters of all time; there is no argument here unless you choose any of his other seasons. One of the best power hitters of his time, Sisler also hit for a tremendous average. Keep an eye out for him in the future.
Second Base: Rogers Hornsby (1920, Cardinals)
96 R, 9 HR, 94 RBI, 12 SB, .370 AVG
Analysis: If a middle infielder spot wasn’t available, this would be a very tough decision. It’s hard to follow up George Sisler, but this has got to be the best stat line of the second basemen for this decade.
Third Base: Heinie Zimmerman (1912, Cubs)
95 R, 14 HR, 99 RBI, 23 SB, .372 AVG
Analysis: Third base was the toughest to choose from, but I decided to go with Zimmerman over Frank Baker because he finished in 6th in MVP voting, which is one spot before Baker. Zimmerman brings the entire package, and is one of the few hitters of his era with double digit home runs.
Shortstop: Honus Wagner (1912, Pirates)
91 R, 7 HR, 102 RBI, 26 SB, .324 AVG
Analysis: This is Wagner’s second consecutive week appearing as the best short stop. Another player that contributes in every category, The Flying Dutchman, is one of the best short stops in the history of baseball.
Outfield: Babe Ruth (1920, Yankees)
158 R, 54 HR, 137 RBI, 14 SB, .376 AVG
Analysis: 1920 was Ruth’s first season with the Yankees, and boy was he good. He’s just the first of many good outfielders in this decade.
Outfield: Ty Cobb (1911, Tigers)
147 R, 8 HR, 127 RBI, 83 SB, .420 AVG
Analysis: Look at the stats; enough said.
Outfield: Tris Speaker (1912, Red Sox)
136 R, 10 HR, 90 RBI, 52 SB, .383 AVG
Analysis: Speaker was the 1912 MVP, and looking at the other 1912 season on this list, it was very tough competition. Some argue that he was better than Cobb overall because of his defense, but Cobb’s offense was superior in this case.
Outfield: Shoeless Joe Jackson (1911, Naps)
126 R, 7 HR, 83 RBI, 41 SB, .408 AVG
Analysis: It’s hard to leave a guy off the list who hits .400, regardless of the Black Sox scandal.
Outfield: Benny Kauff (1914, Hoosiers)
120 R, 8 HR, 95 RBI, 75 SB, .370 AVG
Analysis: Most people haven’t heard of Kauff because he only played five seasons with over 130 at-bats, but when he did play he was fantastic. Not only did he hit for a great average, but when he got on base he was able to steal. It’s hard for me to choose anyone else here.
Middle Infielder: Eddie Collins (1912, Athletics)
137 R, 0 HR, 64 RBI, 63 SB, .348 AVG
Corner Infielder: Frank Baker (1914, Athletics)
116 R, 10 HR, 130 RBI, 40 SB, .347 AVG
Utility: Baby Doll Jacobson (1920, Browns)
97 R, 9 HR, 122 RBI, 11 SB, .355 AVG
Analysis: All three of these guys were tough to eliminate from their primary position, but each was deserving of a spot. Not only does Baby Doll (real name is William) have a great name, but he was a contributor across the board.
Pitcher: Pete Alexander (1915, Phillies)
31 W, 3 SV, 241 K, 1.22 ERA, .842 WHIP
Pitcher: Walter Johnson (1913, Senators)
36 W, 2 SV, 243 K, 1.14 ERA, .780 WHIP
Pitcher: Claude Hendrix (1914, Whales)
29 W, 5 SV, 189 K, 1.69 ERA, .936 WHIP
Pitcher: Dave Davenport (1915, Terriers)
22 W, 1 SV, 229 K, 2.20 ERA, 1.008 WHIP
Pitcher: Eddie Cicotte (1917, White Sox)
28 W, 4 SV, 150 K, 1.53 ERA, .912 WHIP
Pitcher: Hippo Vaughn (1918, Cubs)
22 W, 0 SV, 148 K, 1.74 ERA, 1.006 WHIP
Pitcher: Joe Wood (1912, Red Sox)
34 W, 1 SV, 258 K, 1.91 ERA, 1.015 WHIP
Pitcher: Ed Walsh (1912, White Sox)
27 W, 10 SV, 254 K, 2.15 ERA, 1.084 WHIP
Analysis: The pitchers were much easier to choose than the hitters, but I’m sure someone has a bone to pick with me here. I’m pretty sure that Walter Johnson would be a #1 overall pick these days, regardless of holding off on pitchers. It would have been tough to leave another great name off this list, like Hippo.
Overall, this team was much harder to choose than last week’s, so I think it should make for an interesting debate. I’m not sure if there will be much disagreement on which players I used, but rather which season I used. There are quite a few guys on this list who repeated, and many that will return for next week. Don’t hesitate to let me hear it in the comments section below!
Today debuts a new ten-week series that will detail the best possible fantasy team for each decade, starting with 1901-1910. There’s a good chance that we won’t agree on everything, so let me hear it and be sure to leave comments on any mistakes. This might have been the easiest decade; because there were so many dominant players, but you folks love to argue! Let’s get to it:
Second Base: Jackie Robinson (1951, Dodgers)
Outfield: Willie Mays (1954, Giants)