Ken Griffey Jr. was the clear choice to play center for our team.
It was always a challenge for me, building a team in my video games that no matter who stepped up to the plate, they had a good chance to go yard. Then on defense, the pitchers were able to shut down opposing offenses so effectively it essentially negated the need for a bullpen. I’d convince my younger brother to play any team against “my team.”
It was a ton of fun, and it made me wonder: if you were to build that kind of team now, how would you go about it? Who would you pick? Do you allow for ANYONE, or do you narrow down the field?
So here’s what I did:
- I only picked players from when I was growing up (1990 – 2005)
- The players were chosen based on performance and sentimental feelings I have about that player
- This is represented for a single season, and I’m assuming the BEST season for that player, not their averages or projected season totals.
- A second point under this: this was the player’s best season within this timeframe. If the player had a better season outside of this time frame, it was not considered.
- Defense and offense were considered equally.
- The team was built to compete in the National League, meaning no DH.
With those ground rules, let’s see the lineup, starting rotation, and bullpen.
Starting Rotation:
- Randy Johnson
- Greg Maddux
- Roger Clemens
- Pedro Martinez
- Kerry Wood
Bullpen:
Now the fun part, the explanations for each player!
Barry Bonds – LF
This one really shouldn’t need too much explanation. Regardless of your feelings on PED’s, the usage by players, and how that usage affected stats, from a baseball stats and outcome perspective, there really wasn’t another option outside of Bonds in LF.
Bonds, for those who knew of him, was in conversations for the best player of all time. He really could do it all, recording four 30-30 seasons, and one 40-40 season during this time span. Not even accounting for his 73 HR season occurring within the time frame (2001), Bonds far and away beat the field on WAR, with an incredible 136.9 during the selected timeframe, according to Fangraphs. That number is ridiculous, and so was Bonds.
Season used – 2001
Ken Griffey Jr – CF
This guy was always one of my favorite players to watch. With a swing that could make grown men purr, The Kid was America’s sweetheart during the 1990’s. In an era of muscle men using their Hulk-like physiques to mash the ball as far as they could, Griffey stood out with his smaller stature but incredible output.
I like to think that if Griffey hadn’t been injured as much as he was during his playing time with Cincinnati, he would have owned the home run record. Granted, it might have required some time in the AL toward the end of his career, using longevity and sheer number of games to reach it. Regardless, Griffey was one of my favorite players to watch and a personal favorite of all time.
Season used – 1996
Sammy Sosa – RF
This one is as much a sentimental choice as anything else. There was nothing more uplifting as a young kid than watching Sammy Sosa sprint out to right field, pointing to the fans, with a huge smile on his face. I remember doing the “Sosa Shuffle” a few times as a little leaguer when I thought I’d hit the ball really well.
This guy was part of the race that might have saved baseball. After the strike in 1994 which canceled the playoffs, baseball was in a state of flux. Fans were hurt that these guys hadn’t played essentially a full season. The game needed a jolt of electricity to get back into the public sector, especially with the rise of the NFL. Enter Sosa and McGuire, breaking a legendary single season HR record and showing great sportsmanship throughout. It was incredible, and likely changed the game forever, in ways that were good and bad.
Season used – 1996
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez – C
Pudge was one of those catchers that seem to transcend the position. Traditionally thought of as kind of these shorter, lumbering players, Pudge was a Gold Glove candidate and slugger to boot. He even swiped 104 bases during this timeframe.
Pudge edged out Mike Piazza for one major reason: his defense. Not only did Pudge turn himself into an incredibly productive catcher offensively, he helped set the defensive standard star catchers needed to maintain.
Season used – 1999
Chipper Jones – 3B
As the hot corner for the Braves during one of the most dominant division runs in baseball’s history, Chipper was a staple in the 90’s and early 2000’s. As one of the most successful switch hitters of all time, Chipper oozed a baseball vibe. He came to the ballpark, went about his business like a pro, and had a huge amount of success on the field. He was a joy to watch play the game, and a great role model for younger players at the time.
Season used – 1999
Alex Rodriguez – SS
“A-Rod” burst onto the scene in the late 90’s on a Mariners team that bolstered some incredible talent: Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr, and Edgar Martinez. Rodriguez really began contributing in 1996, with his first full season containing a slash line of .358/.414/.631.
After he became a free agent in 2000, Rodriguez signed the most expensive deal at the time, a 10 year – $252M behemoth that was not well received by all.
Regardless, Rodriguez produced his best years with the Rangers and really solidified himself as the next heir apparent to the “best player in the game” title. However, his PED rumors in the wake of the Post Steroid Era tarnished his image and might keep him out of the HOF. Nevertheless, during this timeframe, Rodriguez was easily the best option at shortstop.
Season used – 2002
Jeff Bagwell – 1B
Being a fan of the Cubs, growing up every series in the 90’s against the Houston Astros was fraught with stressful at-bats. The “Killer B’s” made every series more interesting to watch, and Jeff Bagwell was one of the most frustrating batters in the game.
Bagwell had one of the most unique stances in the game, actually loading backward, which opposed what everyone else in the game does, which is stride forward. Yet, it worked to Bagwell’s advantage, and is a great example of the mantra “do what works for you.”
Bagwell ranked second in WAR during this timeframe, beating Griffey by 3 points. He hit 449 HR’s, and boasted a .408 OBP, in a time when OBP wasn’t nearly as coveted as it is now. He could grind AB’s and make a pitcher work. He was truly a fun player to watch.
Season used – 1999
Craig Biggio – 2B
Yet another “Killer B,” Biggio embodied the “hustle player.” His iconic pine tar covered helmet affected so many players growing up. He inspired kids to dive after balls, grind out AB’s, and just work harder than everyone else. Being the only player to be named as an All-Star at both catcher and second base, to me Biggio will always be that second basemen who always seemed to make the play needed at the time, and got on base or got that hit that crushed my hopes in a game. He is a deserving member of the Hall of Fame.
Season used – 1997
In the efforts of concise writing, I will only address the two set up men and the closer in the bullpen. The others were chosen based on stats during the time period and the great pitching they demonstrated. Now, the starters:
Randy Johnson – Ace
“The Big Unit” was probably the most intimidating pitcher in the 90’s and early 2000’s. With his signature mustache and mullet hair, Johnson dominated hitters for the better part of a decade. He won four straight Cy Young awards, which put him in the same company as the number two pitcher in the rotation. With over 4000 K’s during this time period, Johnson’s combination of fastball speed and wipeout slider made fools of some of the best hitters in MLB history. His signing with the Diamondbacks brought the team their only World Series victory, and enable them to be the first expansion team to win the World Series.
It was an easy choice to lead off with Johnson. He had the highest WAR during the time frame and was able to average 7 IP per game. That’s some incredible durability, and as dominant a pitcher as one could conceive.
Season used – 2001
Greg Maddux – Secondary Ace
This was another, and similar to Johnson, easy choice to include in the rotation. Winning 4 straight Cy Youngs definitely set a tone for the dominant Braves teams of the 90’s. Maddux kept his BB/9 under 2.00 for the entire timeframe and had an ERA under 3.00. He was the epitome of consistency and mechanical perfection.
During the timeframe, Maddux was the winningest pitcher by about 20 wins (the second place pitcher was Tom Glavine, Maddux’s teammate.) This easily earns him a spot near the top of the rotation.
Season used – 1995
Roger Clemens – 3rd Spot
Clemens has definitely become a polarizing pitcher since his retirement and his PED connections. However, during this timeframe Clemens one of the best pitchers in the game. During this time he picked up his second game with 20 K’s. Considering he has half of those games that have ever occurred, he’s definitely in consideration for the top spot but falls behind both Johnson and Maddux in terms of WAR and Wins.
Yet, Clemens had the most games started during this time and the second lowest HR/9 rate of the group. He definitely dominated the era and was always a bulldog on the mound.
Season used – 1997
Pedro Martinez – 4th Spot
One of the most electric pitchers of his ERA, Pedro was the epitome of controlled emotion. He had some of the best single seasons for a starting pitcher in the history of the game, and when he was dealing made all the batters look like Little Leaguers.
Pedro had the highest LOB (Left On Base) percentage and the lowest HR/9 of the group, and the second highest K/9. Pedro wasn’t one of the most fearless pitchers on the mound and was a ton of fun to watch.
Season used – 1999
Kerry Wood – 5th Spot
This one is definitely a sentimental choice. However, hear me out: in 2003, Wood went 14-11 with 266 K’s in 211 IP. He was able to complete the full season, throw over 200 innings, and maintain a K/9 over 11. He was incredible, and as a rookie, he had one of the four 20 K games. In that same rookie season, he went 13-6 and won Rookie of the Year. He, unfortunately, was a flash in the pain due to injuries and durability issues, but what a flash it was.
Season used – 2003
Eric Gagne – Set-Up Man
Gagne was included for one simple thing: the streak. His streak of 84 consecutive saves made West Coast trips stressful. Between Gagne and the other set up man on the team, any time your favorite team was down in the late innings, the game was likely over.
Season used – 2003
Trevor Hoffman – Set-Up Man
Hoffman was one of two athletes/entertainers that made the bell tolling strike fear in the hearts of opponents (the other being The Undertaker). The Undertaker is actually a solid analogy for Hoffman in the game of baseball: no one from 1990 to 2005 had more saves than Hoffman. It wasn’t even close. When the bell tolled and you saw Hoffman jogging in from the bullpen, as a fan you started packing up your things and gave up.
Season used – 1998
Mariano Rivera – Closer
While Hoffman had more saves, for my money Rivera was more dominant in his saves. His .40 HR/9 rate was half of the Hoffman’s, and only Gagne had a lower ERA during that time. The biggest reason that Rivera was chosen, he basically performed all his save work with one pitch. That cutter was the bane of all hitters and the joy of bat makers. It was something that just baffled hitters and fans alike.
Season used – 2001
