So leading up to the All-Star game, and probably beyond, Zaqq and I have decided to rank the All-Time rosters for every Major League team.
Daunting task you say? Not for men with time on their hands, and Large Red-eyes at their disposal.
I figured start small, and who's smaller than the Tampa Bay Rays( not counting this year).
: )Fun Facts : ): The Rays have the worst franchise winning percentage in MLB history. They have never even had a .500 season. They are the only MLB team to never play in the postseason. These things are about to change.
Catcher: TOBY HALL
1.Highlights: four straight seasons with 20 doubles.
2.Career Bests: .287 AVG in '05, .315 OBP in '05, .380 SlG in '03, and a .992 fielding in '04.
3.Summary: Played three full seasons and part of another. Now a backup with the White Sox.
First Base: FRED McGRIFF
1.Highlights: Basically the '99 season where he posted highs of 32 HR, .310 AVG, .405 OBP, and .552 SLG.
2. Career Bests: The aforementioned stats plus a 33 doubles season in '98.
3. Summary: Nice coda to one of the nearest just missed Hall of Fame careers (493 HRs).
Second Base: MIGUEL CAIRO
1. Highlights: 28 stolen bases, and 18 doubles in 119 games in 2000.
2. Career Bests: .295 AVG, .335 OBP, and a .368 SLG all in '99. 26 doubles in '98.
3. Summary: Will be overtaken by Iwanmura after this year is over. Is currently batting second for one of the all-time stinker teams: the '08 Mariners.
Third Base: AUBREY HUFF
1. Highlights: a great 2003 season when he should have made the All-Star team (198 hits,47 doubles,3 triples,34 home runs,and 107 rbi's).
2.Career Bests: .313 AVG in '02, .367 OBP, and .555 SLG both in '03.
3.Summary: Solid player with an All-Star caliber season in there. Not a good fielder in any aspect, and now a full time DH.
Short Stop: JULIO LUGO
1. Highlights: Hit a career high 15 homers after coming over from Houston after 22 games in 2003.
2.Career Bests: .295 AVG,.362 OBP, and .403 SLG in 2005.
3.Summary: Not a very good player. For someone with his size, and defensive position you'd like to see more SBs and triples. SS is also a defensive position, and Lugo has never been a very good defensive player either. Currently stealing money from the Boston Red Sox.
Outfield: CARL CRAWFORD
1. Highlights: 4 seasons with over 50 SBs. 3 straight seasons with double digit doubles, triples, and home runs (and just missed a fourth by one triple).
2.Career Bests: .315 AVG, and a .355 OBP both in '07. .482 SLG in '06. 19 triples and 59 stolen bases in '04.
3.Summary: An All-Star Caliber player for four years running. At this point is the best Ray of all-time. Could start for any current MLB team.
Outfield: RANDY WINN
1. Highlights: Played a full season in 2002 after four straight shortened seasons.
2.Career Bests:.298 AVG in '02,.362 OBP in 2000,.461 SLG in '02.
3.Summary: Hurt a lot; a Tampa outfielders theme. The definition of an average everyday player, except for above average doubles numbers.
Outfield: ROCCO BALDELLI
1. Highlights: His first season in the majors he played start to finish. Because of injury has yet to do so again.
2.Career Bests: .289 AVG '03, .326 OBP in '03 and'04, .436 SLG in '04.
3.Summary: Until he got snake bit, was being called a poor man's Joe D. Now he's just a sad story, and may never play again.
Designated Hitter: JONNY GOMES
1.Highlights: '05 when his splits against righties and lefties were close to even. Since then he has sat a lot against the opposing teams best right-handers.
2.Career Bests: .282 AVG, .372 OBP, .534 SLG all in '05. 21 doubles, and 20 home runs in '06.
3.Summary: There were actually a lot of candidates here, but most of them only played one full season with the Rays. I'm thinking Canseco, and Pena ( Pena will be somewhere on this list after this season, as will BJ Upton, and the year after Evan Longoria.)
Pitchers: SCOTT KAZMIR, ROLANDO ARROJO, JAMES SHIELDS, VICTOR ZAMBRANO--Bullpen: Danny Baez
Highlights:Surprisingly Cuban defector Arrojo's 1998; also the inaugural season for the Rays. His '98 season as it ranks all-time for the Rays: 202 innings pitched is fourth, second in ERA but first in adjusted ERA, first in wins ( at only 14), and second in WHIP at 1.287.
2.Career Bests: ERA Scott Kazmir 3.48 '07, WHIP James Shields 1.107 '07, IP Tanyon Sturtze 224.0 '02, SO Scott Kazmir 239 '07, Saves Roberto Hernandez 43 '99.
3.Summary: Pathetic. ( 239 Ks is pretty good actually)
Bench: Greg Vaughn, John Flaherty, Travis Lee, Ben Grieve, Jorge Cantu.
Bullpen: Roberto Hernandez, Tanyon Sturtze, Joe Kennedy, Travis Harper, Edwin Jackson.
Batting Order:
1. Crawford-L
2. Baldelli-R
3. Huff-L
4. McGriff-L
5. Gomes-R
6. Winn-S
7. Lee-L
8. Cairo-R
9. Hall-R
Conclusion: Worst franchise in the history of baseball. That bullpen is so bad it wouldn't even be a good bullpen for the '08 AL East, much less an All-Time Roster!!!
But fret not Rays fans. You have a young team that is in the hunt for a playoff spot. And also the Nationals are out there to take over your ineptitude.
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