2008 Woodie Awards
The perfect lineup
Ben Nielsen
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
I have figured out a way to settle this "Who is better, the Kansas City Royals or the St. Louis Cardinals" thing. Make an ultimate lineup. Ultimate lineups have never failed. Ever.
ROYALS
Catcher - Darrell Porter
Statistically, he is not the best Royals catcher of all-time, but he was clutch when it mattered. And right now, it matters.
First Base - John Mayberry
Stud defensive first baseman who could hit for power and, well, that is about it.
Second Base - Frank White
Eight Golden Gloves. Enough said.
Third Base - George Brett
Duh.
Shortstop - Fred Patek
One word: Solid.
Outfielders - Willie Wilson, Carlos Beltran and Amos Otis
Each have all kinds of speed. Between them they combine for 1239 steals.
Designated Hitter - Hal McRae
He defined the position. He also had the greatest manager tirade of all-time. These are two of the best titles a baseball person could possibly own.
CARDINALS
Catcher - Tim McCarver
Because I do not want him announcing the game.
First Base - Stan Musial
He is "the man" apparently.
Second Base - Rogers Hornsby
Three players total so far and two hall of famers. Nice.
Third Base - Ken Boyer
He was okay.
Shortstop - Ozzie Smith
Hall of Famer number four so far.
Outfield - Curt Flood, Vince Colman and Lou Brock
Yeah, that should work.
Designated Hitter - Albert Pujols
Does he count as, like, a half-hall of famer? By the way, Pujols has 13 more home runs than Alex Rodriguez did at this point in his career. But AROD was two years younger.
Pitching Match-up
David Cone versus Bob Gibson
Richie Hebner owned Gibson. Who is Hebner? No idea. Statistically he compares to Andy Pafko…yeah that did not help. What I do know is that Hebner needed only 62 at bats to hit five home runs and bat .387 in his career against him. Eventually Gibson figured out how to pitch to him: walk him. Gibson did that on three occasions the last seven times he faced Hebner.
Set-up guys
Jeff Montgomery (304 saves) and Bruce Sutter (300 saves)
Closers
Dan Quisenberry (244 saves) and Lee Smith (478 saves)
Lee Smith is the 10th Cardinals hall of famer on this list. The Royals have one.
So, who wins this epic battle? The Royals of course. Why? Because Don Denkinger is the umpire at first base.
Oh, like you did not see that coming.
ROYALS
Catcher - Darrell Porter
Statistically, he is not the best Royals catcher of all-time, but he was clutch when it mattered. And right now, it matters.
First Base - John Mayberry
Stud defensive first baseman who could hit for power and, well, that is about it.
Second Base - Frank White
Eight Golden Gloves. Enough said.
Third Base - George Brett
Duh.
Shortstop - Fred Patek
One word: Solid.
Outfielders - Willie Wilson, Carlos Beltran and Amos Otis
Each have all kinds of speed. Between them they combine for 1239 steals.
Designated Hitter - Hal McRae
He defined the position. He also had the greatest manager tirade of all-time. These are two of the best titles a baseball person could possibly own.
CARDINALS
Catcher - Tim McCarver
Because I do not want him announcing the game.
First Base - Stan Musial
He is "the man" apparently.
Second Base - Rogers Hornsby
Three players total so far and two hall of famers. Nice.
Third Base - Ken Boyer
He was okay.
Shortstop - Ozzie Smith
Hall of Famer number four so far.
Outfield - Curt Flood, Vince Colman and Lou Brock
Yeah, that should work.
Designated Hitter - Albert Pujols
Does he count as, like, a half-hall of famer? By the way, Pujols has 13 more home runs than Alex Rodriguez did at this point in his career. But AROD was two years younger.
Pitching Match-up
David Cone versus Bob Gibson
Richie Hebner owned Gibson. Who is Hebner? No idea. Statistically he compares to Andy Pafko…yeah that did not help. What I do know is that Hebner needed only 62 at bats to hit five home runs and bat .387 in his career against him. Eventually Gibson figured out how to pitch to him: walk him. Gibson did that on three occasions the last seven times he faced Hebner.
Set-up guys
Jeff Montgomery (304 saves) and Bruce Sutter (300 saves)
Closers
Dan Quisenberry (244 saves) and Lee Smith (478 saves)
Lee Smith is the 10th Cardinals hall of famer on this list. The Royals have one.
So, who wins this epic battle? The Royals of course. Why? Because Don Denkinger is the umpire at first base.
Oh, like you did not see that coming.
Be the first to comment on this story