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Rogers Hornsby. In 1924, "The Raja" hit .424, the highest single season batting average in the modern era. In 1922, Hornsby became the only player to ever hit over 40 home runs and bat .400 in the same season (42 HR, .401). | |
Batting second and playing shortstop, Honus Wagner. Much more than a rare baseball card, the "Flying Dutchman" had 15 consecutive .300 seasons. His 252 career triples are the third highest of all time. | |
Hitting in his customary number three slot and playing right field, George Herman "Babe" Ruth. This son-of-a bartender is the greatest baseball player that ever lived. | |
Batting in the clean-up spot and playing first base, Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig. Recruited off of the Columbia University diamond, The Iron Horse smashed a record 23 grand slams. Overshadowed much of his career by the larger-than-life Ruth, Gehrig put up huge numbers, including his 1934 triple crown season .363, 49 HR's, 165 RBI. | |
In the five-hole, the All-Time All-Stars' left fielder, Theodore "Ted" Williams. No one has managed to hit .400 since the "Splendid Splinter" did it in 1941. A pure hitter who combined the ability to hit with power and for average. Next to Ruth, the greatest player to put on a pair of cleats. | |
Hitting sixth and shagging fly balls in center field, Joseph DiMaggio. Forget the 56-game hitting streak, he makes a mean cup of coffee and he went on a honeymoon with Marilyn Monroe. | |
Playing third base and batting seventh, Michael Jack Schmidt. "Schmitty" spent his entire career performing for--and putting up with--Phillies' fans and never shot any. He also punched out over 500 home runs. | |
Playing behind the plate and batting eighth, Mickey Gordon Cochrane. This Hall-of-Fame catcher directed the great Athletics staff of the early 1930's and later was play-manager of the World Series Champion 1935 Detroit Tigers. Mutt Mantle named his son after Cochrane. | |
The starting pitchers for the All-Time
All-Stars are: (in descending order according to votes received): | |
Walter Johnson. The "Big Train" was baseball's most dominant right handed pitcher--bar none. | |
Christy Mathewson. The "Big Six" tossed three shutouts in the 1905 World Series. Throughout his storied career, Mathewson kept his promise to his mother that he would never pitch on a Sunday. | |
Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove. The most dominating southpaw the game has ever seen--nine ERA titles, seven consecutive strikeout titles, seven consecutive 20-win seasons--including 31-4 in 1931, and 300 wins in only 17 seasons. He was quite simply the best pitcher of his generation. | |
Nolan Lynn Ryan. The career leader in strikeouts and no-hitters, Ryan became a much better pitcher as he aged. Cooperstown will get his glove but the Smithsonian Institution should get his arm. A class act. | |
The All-Time All-Star's closer is Dennis Eckersley. The "Eck" was practically unhittable over a five year stretch and in 1991 had more saves (48) than baserunners allowed (45). The only pitcher whose resume includes a 20-win season, no-hitter, 50-save season, Cy Young Award, Most Valuable Player Award. The manager who converted Eckersley into a reliever, Tony LaRussa, once quipped that "bringing Eckersley into a game is like picking up the phone and calling dial-a-save." |