The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/13/04 Section: Sports

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With the amazing performances of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, it is hard to ignore the fact that sports fans are watching some of the greatest players of all-time at the end of their careers. With this in mind, it has come to my attention that other greats need to be mentioned. Without further ado, here is "Ben Nielsen's Greatest All-Time Major League Baseball lineup based on the infamous Ben Nielsen scale."

One more thing before we begin. This list will be in no particular order and will consist of nine position players and six pitchers.

Catching is Yogi Berra of the New York Yankees. Berra is on my list for two reasons. He won three Most Valuable Player awards and 10 World Series, and he is also is the man who said, "I usually take a two hour nap from one to four," and "When you come to a fork in the road...take it." That's my kind of catcher.

At first base is Lou Gehrig, also from the Yankees. Gehrig is third on the all-time slugging percentage list and is fourth in runs batted in for a career. Gehrig also batted .340 for his career and is second all-time on the most consecutive games played list. Honorable mention: Jimmy Foxx and Cap Anson (yes, he really exists).

Playing second base is Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not only is he the first modern-day African-American to play in the majors, but he is also one of the best second basemen of all-time. In addition to setting several records for fielding percentage for a second baseman and for recording double plays, he also batted .311 lifetime and led the National League in stolen bases several times. Honorable mention: Pee Wee Reese and Rogers Hornsby.

At third base is Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies. This one was tough to figure out, but there was one stat that really stuck out - 548 home runs. Honorable mention: George Brett and Brooks Robinson.

Playing shortstop is Honus Wagner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He still holds the record for most runs batted in for a season and was the best offensive shortstop until Alex Rodriguez. Honorable mention: Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith and Rodriguez.

Left field is occupied by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants. He is really good: 668 home runs, 502 stolen bases, a trillion walks. That works.

Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers is my center fielder. The best player of all-time in my opinion. Cobb is in the top five all-time in steals, runs, hits, doubles, triples and batting average. All of this during the "Dead Ball" era. Not too shabby.

In right field is Willie Mays, of the New York and San Francisco Giants. If Cobb is the greatest player of all-time, Mays is third just behind Bonds. Mays has 660 home runs, is in the top 10 in runs batted in and had a lifetime batting average of .302. He also had one amazing glove in the outfield.

The starting pitching rotation consists of Walter Johnson, Cy Young, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Bob Gibson. The closer is Dennis Eckersley. There is too much to say about these guys, so take my word on it. Honorable mentions? Too many.

I know what you are thinking. Babe Ruth honorable mention? Why is Bonds over any of those guys and for that matter, who the heck cares about Cobb. My answer, make your own list.

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