O/T Life or Death, One Game, My Starting 9

[Mountaineer1999]

I am of the opinion that one could take 9 of the best players today and you would win more than you would lose against any other team put together.

Molina
Cabrera
Cano
Tulo
Beltre
Stanton
Trout
McCutchen
Kershaw

[Runscott]

Donnie, you might be right about that. When I was trying to pick a second-baseman, I wanted to go with Jackie Robinson, but I of course have never seen him play, and I wasn't sure what his postseason performance was. I chose my team based soley on my own gut feel about the players, with one exception: I wanted to put Scott Rolen at 3B because I remember being scared to death when Houston had to face him in the playoffs; however, I also remembered some choking. So I looked up his stats and dropped him in favor of Brooks Robinson, who I remembered making some jaw-dropping plays during the World Series. I chose Williams because of his performance in the last game of his .406 year. Not sure why I chose DiMaggio - just gut feel.

But you remind me that I forgot Cano, which amazes me, given that I collect Cano memorabilia and I don't particularly like Joe Morgan. My only problem with Cano is that he doesn't hustle, and in a life-or-death game, you need hustle - no one could accuse Morgan of laziness. Same for Jackie Robinson.

Eric - computer simulation would not work. What makes this thread concept so fantastic (to me, anyway) is that so much of the choice-making is based on intangibles. Overall Post-season stats might be terrible for a player, but during the most critical moments they might be incredibly good. Curt Schilling had a terrible first game in the World Series, but he was lights-out on a bloody foot when he absolutely had to be.

Great, great topic.

Edited to add: another player that Phil would wrist-slap me for adding is Dave Henderson. But anyone watching playoff games in the mid-80's will remember that, despite his mediocre playoff stats, he did some stuff. His jumps at the left-field wall were sensational as well.

[Lgarza99]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Donnie, you might be right about that. When I was trying to pick a second-baseman, I wanted to go with Jackie Robinson, but I of course have never seen him play, and I wasn't sure what his postseason performance was. I chose my team based soley on my own gut feel about the players, with one exception: I wanted to put Scott Rolen at 3B because I remember being scared to death when Houston had to face him in the playoffs; however, I also remembered some choking. So I looked up his stats and dropped him in favor of Brooks Robinson, who I remembered making some jaw-dropping plays during the World Series. I chose Williams because of his performance in the last game of his .406 year. Not sure why I chose DiMaggio - just gut feel.

But you remind me that I forgot Cano, which amazes me, given that I collect Cano memorabilia and I don't particularly like Joe Morgan. My only problem with Cano is that he doesn't hustle, and in a life-or-death game, you need hustle - no one could accuse Morgan of laziness. Same for Jackie Robinson.

Eric - computer simulation would not work. What makes this thread concept so fantastic (to me, anyway) is that so much of the choice-making is based on intangibles. Overall Post-season stats might be terrible for a player, but during the most critical moments they might be incredibly good. Curt Schilling had a terrible first game in the World Series, but he was lights-out on a bloody foot when he absolutely had to be.

Great, great topic.

Edited to add: another player that Phil would wrist-slap me for adding is Dave Henderson. But anyone watching playoff games in the mid-80's will remember that, despite his mediocre playoff stats, he did some stuff. His jumps at the left-field wall were sensational as well.

Scott, I'm with you. I totally went with gut feeling. And as I read some of these teams I do another gut check. B. Robinson, J. Robinson, heck even F. Robinson, Schilling when all the marbles are on the table, and I can't forget Kirby Puckett. Pete Rose too. He may have made my team before I knew about his betting? I do feel like he wants to win every game he competes in, but???

[chaddurbin]

where is the game being played? indoor/outdoor, grass/astroturf, petco park/coors field? mars....? depending on location/season i will craft a sabrmetric lineup that will embarass the all-time greats! long live david eckstein!!!

[Lgarza99]

How about outdoors and in Wrigley Field.

[nolemmings]

I know how everyone was crowing about Bumgarner last year, but it was not the best post-season ever by a pitcher.

Agreed. Koufax in '65 against my beloved Twins was better. 2 complete game shutouts, the second on the same short rest as Madison, 29 Ks in 24 innings back when hitters were ashamed to strike out, and one earned run in those 24 innings. Might have won game 2 also, had Alston PH someone other than Don Drysdale for him in the 7th with men on 2nd and 3rd and one out, although the BP got blown up thereafter.

These things are fun and of course debatable, but I really don't see how you can leave out Mantle. The guy was always clutch, even or especially on the biggest stages. Great against the ordinary and the extraordinary. I'd also be hard-pressed to leave out Reggie, who seemed to adore and thrive in pressure.

[Mark70Z]

2B - Pete Rose
1B - Lou Gehrig
RF - Roberto Clemente
DH - George Herman Ruth
SS - Cal Ripken Jr.
3B - B. Robby
LF - Ted Williams
CF - Willie Mays
C - Johnny Bench

SB - Gibson

[Runscott]

I changed my mind. All of these guys were flawless in the playoffs:

of - Clyde Milan
of - Harry Heilman
2b - Nap Lajoie
1b - George Sisler
of - Frank Thomas
dh - Don Mattingly
ss - Ernie Banks
3b - Ron Santo
c - Joe Torre
p - Felix Hernandez

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

I am of the opinion that one could take 9 of the best players today and you would win more than you would lose against any other team put together.

Molina
Cabrera
Cano
Tulo
Beltre
Stanton
Trout
McCutchen
Kershaw

It's possible due to training that they would, but if we are somehow assuming a player like Wagner could be in the same game as Mike Schmidt, then what are the condition the games are being played under? There isn't a major leaguer playing right now that could survive a week if they were thrust into a 19th century game facing Old Hoss Radbourn from 50 feet away and they're not wearing a batting helmet. A week in 19th century conditions and they would quit. I'm sure a 19th century player would have to adjust too, but he's adjusting the opposite way. He could get lazy with all the amenities.

[mark evans]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

I am of the opinion that one could take 9 of the best players today and you would win more than you would lose against any other team put together.

Molina
Cabrera
Cano
Tulo
Beltre
Stanton
Trout
McCutchen
Kershaw

I think this is largely correct. As a rule, it seems to me that players are bigger, stronger, more athletic, better trained, start younger, and have to excel against better competition to make the majors than heroes of the past.