Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is my Night Train All Star Catcher.
The 20th century went out with a bang of talent that was some near time later found suspect of using performance-enhancing substances. I passed on one of the three most famous of these (Mark McGwire) in favor of another (Barry Bonds), but not because of the steroid cloud. In spite of his lights out years in 1998-1999, McGwire’s performance during the whole period here was not up to snuff with the overall hitting job turned in by Bonds from 1986 to 2000.
As per usual, feel free to agree, disagree, or modify my picks the way you see it. I will always listen – and maybe even change one or two of mine, if you make me a strong enough case for so taking that action. If my disagreements hold up to your objections, you will know it here by the fact that nothing will change on “my ballot.” But so what? Our opinions belong only to us. Ever try to cash one at the bank?
Just one note. I left “DH” off the selections chart yesterday because it is a position that exists only in the American League. Informally, I will say here that there i someone from this era who deserves, at least, an unofficial nod, even on something as minor as this era appraisal. – Hail to Edgar Martinez, the arguably most famous and effective DH of all time. This era was also his time to shine.
Here are my Night Train (1986-2000) 20th Century All-Stars:
RH Pitcher: Roger Clemens
LH Pitcher: Tom Glavine
C : Ivan Rodriguez
1B: Frank Thomas
2B: Roberto Alomar
3B: Wade Boggs
SS: Barry Larkin
LF: Barry Bonds
CF: Ken Griffey, Jr.
RF: Tony Gwynn
Please note that I have recovered some considerable memory of the American League in this era. It’s because we have now entered an era in which the American League deserves to be better remembered.
That’s it from me. Let’s hear from you.
Tags: All Star Teams, Baseball, History
The Pecan Park Eagle 
December 22, 2010 at 2:33 pm |
Dump the cheaters like Bonds, who is Exhibit A of everything that ailed baseball in the era. Steroids or not, I would have taken Maddux over Clemens.
December 22, 2010 at 4:59 pm |
Barry Bonds was the best hitter I ever saw play in person. He is a miserable human being, but so were several of these other names that have been placed on Bill’s teams. Bonds had won three MVP awards before anyone in baseball started doing steroids. Cheating is cheating, and it is wrong. But I fail to see the difference between the advantage stolen by the steroid users and the players in the 60s when every major league clubhouse had an open bowl of greenies to help the players to “stay focused and awake”. Or the advantage gained by players in the 1940s and earlier who never had to face all the great players who had been born with skin too dark to be allowed in the majors. Or pitchers from Mike Scott to Gaylord Perry and on back who gained an edge by scuffing the ball or loading it up with some foreign substance. Bonds was an amazing baseball hitter without steroids. Mark McGwire, not even close to being one without steroids.