As I’ve said, I make this list based mostly on awards. After all, my grandkids are more likely to ask me if I’ve seen a former MVP than some player who played well for a while. I also assume a Hall of Fame probably automatically makes the list.
And, at this point, it's basically all Hall of Famers. Which is why I don't update it after the MVP awards are announced anymore.
Which of the 2025 class makes the cut? I'm glad you asked. Dick Allen and Dave parker were before my time, so they don't make it. Billy Wagner, I am amazed to say, I never saw play. Even thought he was with the Sox for a year, I guess he never pitched in a game I attended. CC Sabathia I saw play twice. I even recapped those games when I asked if he was any good. Ichiro I saw play live three times. I also recounted thos games in a previous post.
Thankfully, Ichiro was already on the list because of course he was. Sabathia, though, is a new addition. So, he has to bump someone off. Looking at the list, there are five slots held by people not in the HOF (now that Ichiro is in). Bonds, Clemens, Pujols, A-Rod, and Trout. I'll let Pujols and Trout keep their slots because they'll both make it back on the list eventually anyway. Bonds and Clemens probably won't make it, but they have too many awards to take off quite yet. A-Rod has fewer accomplishments and is, well, A-Rod. So, he gets the boot this time.
So, here’s the new list.
1. Roberto Alomar (HOF)
2. Adrian Beltre (HOF)
3. Wade Boggs (HOF)
4. Barry Bonds (MVP)
5. Roger Clemens (MVP, CYA)
6. Dennis Eckersley (HOF)
7. Tom Glavine (HOF)
8. Ken Griffey Jr (HOF, All-Century Team)
9. Vladimir Guerrero (HOF)
10. Todd Helton (HOF)
11. Rickey Henderson (HOF)
12. Derek Jeter (HOF)
13. Randy Johnson (HOF)
14. Chipper Jones (HOF)
15. Greg Maddux (HOF)
16. Edgar Martinez (HOF)
17. Pedro Martinez (HOF)
18. Joe Mauer (HOF)
19. Fred McGriff (HOF)
20. Mike Mussina (HOF)
21. David Ortiz (HOF)
22. Mike Piazza (HOF)
23. Kirby Puckett (HOF)
24. Albert Pujols (MVP)
25. Jim Rice (HOF)
26. Cal Ripken (HOF)
27. Mariano Rivera (HOF)
28. Ivan Rodriguez (HOF)
29. Scott Rolen (ROY, HOF)
30. CC Sabathia (HOF)
31. John Smoltz (HOF)
32. Ichiro Suzuki (HOF)
33. Frank Thomas (HOF)
34. Jim Thome (HOF)
35. Mike Trout (MVP)
36. Larry Walker (HOF)
Who’s on your list?
I wish I knew exactly who I have and haven't seen. Probably not as many HoF members as you have. But I'm older, so I know I saw Aaron and Mays play in the same game--well past their primes, but still. Seaver and Carlton too.
ReplyDeleteThat's one advantage to keeping score at games I go to. Aaron, Mays, Seaver, and Carlton would top most any least, no matter what stage of their career they're at. That's fantastic.
DeleteI'd have to do a deep dive if I wanted to create a list... but right now I'm a little short on time. Here are a quick five off the top of my head:
ReplyDelete#1: Tony Gwynn (my all-time favorite baseball player)
#2: Rickey Henderson (my favorite Oakland Athletic)
#3: Barry Bonds (greatest I have ever seen in person)
#4: Ichiro (pretty sure I got to watch him play with the Mariners, Yankees, & Marlins)
#5: Ken Griffey Jr.
That's a pretty wonderful five off the top of your head. Definitely all-time greats.
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