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Today we welcome back Bill Schaefer with an interesting essay about all-time greatest teams. They’re selected by guys who knew a thing or two about this game: six Hall of Famers. Bill highlights selections from a fascinating book published in 1994 titled, The Greatest Team of All Time. As lifetime baseball fans we can all put together our all-time favorite teams, and so I think you’ll enjoy Bill’s excursion into baseball’s past. -GL

FLASHBACKS…

AND

WHO’S ON FIRST (on your all-time team)?

“You take the first pick and I’ll take the second and we’ll come up even. For instance, if you say Mickey Mantle, I’ll say Willie Mays; if you say Henry Aaron, I’ll say Roberto Clemente. Besides, the choices will vary from day to day, depending on emotion and recollection.”-Tom Seaver

“It’s a mere moment in a man’s life between an All-Star game and an old-timers game.”-Vin Scully

There’s nothing like it for a kid, getting his or her psyche wrapped around baseball and the home team for the first time. It’s a joyous, thrilling, agonizing, gut-wrenching journey. You vow you’re through with that miserable team until the next day’s victory, and then the “hanging on every pitch” starts all over again. And, oh, those images branded on the brain, forever.  Two stand out for me:

(1) Polo Grounds, 1947, Pittsburgh third baseman Frankie Gustine smashes a screaming line drive that Giants shortstop Buddy Kerr, with a tremendous leap, spears…with his bare hand!

 (2) First time I saw Mickey Mantle, on TV, May 1951 at Yankee Stadium. The Mick executes a bad drag bunt, one quick hop to the pitcher who throws immediately to first base. The camera then pans to the bag, and Mantle is barely out – bang, bang! Oh, my God, he was shot out of a cannon!

And just as powerful is the passion we have for every all-time, all-star position favorite. Using an amazing book for a reference, titled, The Greatest Team of All Time, let me share some fascinating selections and insights from those involved at the highest level of the game. Here goes.

SIX HALL OF FAMERS SELECT THEIR BEST

 HENRY AARON stated categorically, “There was never a pitcher I felt I couldn’t get a hit off.” Hammerin’ Hank, who had more RBI and total bases than any player in history, picks Bob Gibson (RHP) and Sandy Koufax (LHP) as his two mound immortals. But he adds that Juan Marichal and Don Drysdale rivaled Gibson in the tough-to-hit category. “It’s true I hit more home runs off Don Drysdale than any other player did. But there was a slew of other at-bats when he punished me.”

Aaron has Musial, Mays, and Clemente comprising his star-studded outfield. Up the middle: Ernie Banks and Jackie Robinson.  At the corners, Eddie Mathews and Gil Hodges. Behind the plate, Roy Campanella. “When he was healthy there was nobody better than Campy as a catcher and a hitter.”

LUIS APARICIO was, perhaps, the greatest defensive shortstop in American League history. He leads all shortstops in games played and career assists. He also led the American League in stolen bases from ’56-’64. Here’s who Luis promotes as his best: Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle and Al Kaline patrolling the outfield. Around the horn, starting at third base, he likes Brooks Robinson, Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson, and Vic Power, at first. For one big game, Aparicio gives the nod to Jim Palmer (RHP) and Dave McNally (LHP). And his catcher is Bill Freehan.

Luis says this about Frank Robinson, “He could beat you a hundred ways. When he didn’t hit he’d steal a base or make a great catch, or kick a ball out of an infielder’s glove. I don’t know of anybody who ever played the game who was more of a force on the field.”

JOHN BERTRAND “JOCKO” CONLON umpired in the National League from 1941-1965, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974. The diminutive arbitrator cut quite a figure on the field, complete with a polka dot bow tie and a big balloon chest protector. Conlin was “a master psychologist who knew when to cajole, when to rebuff, and when to ignore.” But don’t curse him out, or you’re gone.“ Durocher was king of the complainers and moaners,” said Jocko. “We had many a run-in. But he was a first-class manager.” Like Leo, Jackie Robinson was profane on the field, which irked Conlon. “Jackie was the most difficult ball player I ever dealt with as an umpire. He would never accept a decision.”

Here’s JBC’s best team: Walter Johnson (RHP), Lefty Grove (LHP). Conlon said neither threw a curve, nor did either ever have a sore arm. At the hot corner, Pie Traynor is the choice, with Lou Gehrig anchoring first base.  Through the center of the diamond, Gabby Hartnett (C), Honus Wagner (SS), Charlie Gehringer (2B), and Tris Speaker (CF), with Ty Cobb (LF) and Babe Ruth (RF) rounding out his all-star team.     

                                                                                           JUDY JOHNSON was considered the best third baseman of his day in the Negro Leagues, topping a .400 BA in 1929. Johnson played for the 1935 champion Pittsburgh Crawfords, along with Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Oscar Charleston. Judy proclaims, “It was maybe the best team ever, black or white. And Josh Gibson was the best hitter I ever saw.”

Who’s going to argue with him?

MICKEY MANTLE combined the gifts of enormous power and the speed of Mercury, yet we’ll never know how great he might have been had it not been for injuries and other extenuating circumstances. As it is, his stats still jump off the page. In twelve World Series, he set records for most home runs (18), RBI (40), runs scored (42), and walks (43). He said he swung as hard as he could on every pitch.

The Commerce Comet vouchsafed, “In picking a team, I only need two—Whitey Ford and Ted Williams. The others wouldn’t much matter: we’d still beat most anybody.” His most challenging hurler was Red Sox right-hander Dick Radatz. “I read in a Dallas newspaper, I faced him 66 times in my career and he struck me out 45 times. If he wasn’t the toughest, I don’t want to remember who was.”

EARLY WYNN won 300 games, even. He said Yogi Berra was impossible for him.  “He hit everything I threw, including one time I bounced a curve six feet in front of the plate and he slammed it for a double.”

Well, it’s time to go. But not before we present the final 1994 Greatest Team of All Time tally. It’s still glorified hot stove stuff, 29 years ago. But it does involve the men who grappled between the white lines, many of whom qualified as true fanatics.

First base: Lou Gehrig was named by more than half of his contemporaries.

Second base: Jackie Robinson was chosen by one fewer respondent than Charlie Gehringer, but captured a higher percentage of his contemporaries.

Third base: Brooks Robinson beats Pie Traynor by one slice.

Shortstop: Honus Wagner was the unanimous choice of his contemporaries.

Outfield: Ty Cobb was selected by almost everyone who played with or against him.

Outfield: Willie Mays was picked for 25 lineups, the most of anyone.

Outfield: Babe Ruth trails only Mays in his number of lineup inclusions.

Catcher: Dead heat on a merry-go-round with Bench and Campanella tied at 11 selections. But Johnny wins the contemporary game.

RHP: Walter Johnson over Bob Gibson in a photo finish—with Walter’s entries representing a higher percentage of those who faced him.

LHP: Sandy Koufax with 21 likes, second only to Willie Mays’ 25 among all players.

Bill Schaefer

Sources: “The Greatest Team of All Time,” compiled by Nicholas Acocella and Donald Dewey, 1994; SABR article, Jocko Conlon, by Rodney Johnson; NY Giants schedule almanac, 1947; quotes online re All-Star baseball; Luis Aparicio, Baseball reference.

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