My first reaction to this topic was negative. I said, “This won’t be hard, because all you have to do is take the best players ever. It’ll be just like the All-Century Team.” I realized I had to create some sort of spin on this to engage myself and the reader. First I decided to exclude current players, just so that I could dive into past greats. But something else was needed. 

What did I come up with? Keeper leagues! It’s not just about the single greatest seasons (real or fantasy) because that topic has been done to death. I approached it as someone who needs great players for years to come. I looked at five-year, ten-year, and fifteen-year averages to determine who would be the best players for my fantasy team. 

Some decisions were too close for comfort; notice that I don’t have Ted Williams on my team. That feels sacrilegious. But I wanted Ty Cobb for his SB numbers, and Willie Mays was a five-category contributor. That left my UTL spot for Williams, and Foxx’s averages were just slightly better. 

Some players had great careers but were never really over the top. Hank Aaron played forever and was consistent, but his averages weren’t as phenomenal as the three other OF I chose. Joe DiMaggio was good, but he only reached twelve seasons compared to the long careers of my other OF, and again, his averages weren’t quite as great. 

Some players might dominate one category, but as we all know, fantasy baseball is about balance. Rickey Henderson is a stealing machine, but I picked Cobb over him because Cobb also averaged over 80 RBI, whereas Henderson was in the 50s. And obviously, Cobb has the better batting average. 

I’m a little light on SB (with Wagner, Cobb, and Mays as my only threats), but I’ll take my team up against any other, and I’ll win! 

Fun facts: Mike Schmidt is the only hitter with an average under .300. Greg Maddux is on there over Christy Mathewson because his ERA compared to the league average was ridiculous.

UTL – Jimmie Foxx

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Modern Age
written by Kevin Jebens, May 29, 2009

Okay, so I did stick to the modern age, eliminating Radbourn, Duffy, and Delehanty.

Vance's and Grove's ERA were great, especially to league average, but Grove didn't strike out as many hitters, and their WHIPs wasn't always stellar compared to the guys I chose. They were a big cut above the rest of their time, but I like the multi-year averages of the three SP I chose better.

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written by patrick dicaprio, May 28, 2009

no love for Old Hoss Radbourn?? Hugh Duffy?? What, are 60 wins and a 438 average in a season not good enough? Ed Delehanty averaged .398 over five years--not good enough? for comparing to league average what about Dazzy Vance and Lefty Grove at their peak? Pete ALexander had over 120 wins in a four year period (i believe)--what about him?

and these are just from the top of my head.

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Too few pitching slots
written by Kevin Jebens, May 28, 2009

I wanted more pitching slots, especially starters. But I was looking at long-term stats. Bob Gibson and Christy Mathewson were close to making the list but didn't quite. Gibson is more dominating in strikeouts, but his ERA and WHIP averages weren't as good as Maddux and Johnson, especially at the 15-year average.

One of the things I loved about Maddux is that his ERA was so far below the league average. When Johnson and Mathewson pitched, and in the golden age of pitching in the 60s, the league ERA was quite low as well. What Maddux did in his era regarding being an entire runs below the league average is amazing.

Clemens had good strikeout numbers, but he also had sporadic bad years interspersed, ruining his averages. Also, he's a steroid user, so boo to that.

Who else would you suggest, bearing in mind I chose starters who aren't current? I'd be happy to look at their multi-year averages.

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Light on pitching
written by Richard Carter, May 28, 2009

I like the team in general, but feel like the starting pitching is a little light. Definitely keep Johnson, but replace Seaver and Maddux with someone else.

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written by ChaseWilliams, May 26, 2009

Good point, though I view him missing time due to the war different than injuries, but the point is taken.

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Splendid Splinter
written by Kevin Jebens, May 26, 2009

Chase,

You're right, had he played his prime years, he'd probably be even better. Or at the least, his career numbers would've been better, giving Ruth competition for the best hitter of all time.

When creating his averages, I didn't give him zeroes for the years he missed. I just took his consecutive seasons.

But unfortunately, you have to take what they give you. Griffey Jr could have been the best player of my generation, and one of the best all-time, had he not been hurt. But he was, and we can only take what he gave us.

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written by ChaseWilliams, May 26, 2009

Great list, I liked the breakdown into the 5/10/15 year averages.. On excluding Williams though, you have to consider he missed the better part of 5 seasons of his prime to the armed forces... Surely his averages would have been better had he been able to play in those prime years.

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Before anyone mentions it...
written by Kevin Jebens, May 26, 2009

I lied a bit in my intro. I DO have current players, but only the closers. My reasoning for this is that because they are a more recent invention, I simply went with the best available, and those two guys still happen to be playing. Some old relievers like Hoyt Wilhelm have great numbers, but they don't really have big save numbers. And while Lee Smith used to be the leader in career saves, his other numbers weren't as good. So yes, there are current players, but only to accomodate the newer concept and use of closers.

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