The Greatest All-Time Giants Lineup

greatest all time giants team

The San Francisco and New York Giants’ history is rich, maybe the richest in MLB. The only teams that can really even begin to compare are the Yankees and Red Sox. Therefore, it is very difficult to create an All-Time team without there be snubs. However, we are going to attempt to build the greatest Giants team using the all-time greatest giants.

Starters

SP Christy Mathewson
SP Juan Marichal
SP Gaylord Perry
SP Carl Hubbell
SP Tim Lincecum

When building the greatest Giants lineup of all time, there are two places on the field that make it almost impossible to narrow down. One of those is starting pitching. You have to start off with the ace, Christy Mathewson. With 373 career wins and an ERA of 2.13, he was only second to CY Young during his time. Then comes the duo of Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal, two pitchers who were just flat-out dominant during the 1960s. Both Perry and Marichal are Giants legends as well as clear-cut fist-ballot hall of farmers. Next is Carl Hubbell. Someone who is not talked about as much is Giants fandom, but he could arguably be the greatest Giants pitcher of all time. He won two MVPs during the 30s and ended his career with a ridiculous 130 ERA+, 1.166 WHIp, and 3.55 FIP. Lastly, Lincecum. No other Giants pitcher has won two Cy Young awards, and while his dominance came to an end quickly, his time with the Giants and his place during the 2010 World Series run will never be forgotten.

Bullpen

CP Robb Nen
SU Rod Beck
SU Brian Wilson
RP Sergio Romo
RP Greg Minton
RP Gary Lavelle
LRP Madison Bumgarner
LRP Matt Cain

The bullpen was not easy to make up. However, choosing two long relievers to give shout-outs to was rather straightforward. First is Madison Bumgarner, the greatest World Series and Post-Season pitcher of all time. Next is Matt Cain, a man who may not be a Hall of Famer but was incredible and played his entire career out as a Giants ace.

Choosing a closer between the three dominant ones the Giants have had in Nen, Beck, and Wilson was not easy. I gave the nod to Robb Nen as I just do not think the other two can really reach the peak that Nenn did. In 2000 Nenn came in 4th for the Cy Young award and 12th for MVP. That is how dominant he was. Then, I would argue his next two seasons were even better.

Next, we have to discuss three relievers who need credit for their place in Giants history. These are magnificent arms in the pen, Romo, Minto, and Lavelle. All three had periods where they seemed unhittable and simply are exactly what this team need in the late innings.

Lineup

1. Willie Mays (CF)
2. Mel Ott (RF)
3. Barry Bonds (LF)
4. Willie McCovey (1B)
5. Orlando Cepeda (DH)
6. Jeff Kent (2B)
7. Matt Williams (3B)
8. Buster Posey (C)
9. Travis Jackson (SS)

Bench

Bob Brenly (C)
Will Clark (1B)
Larry Doyle (2B)
Kevin Mitchell (OF)
Bobby Thomson (OF)
Bobby Bonds (OF)

I truly believe that no other team could even come close to touching the top-5 of the Giants’ batting order when it comes to all-time greats. You have the greatest player of all-time leading off in Willie Mays. He not only was the best batter of his era, but he is the greatest defensive center fielder of all time. Next is Mel Ott. He recorded 511 home runs and a .304 batting average during a similar time frame as Gehrig and Ruth. Batting third is the second greatest baseball player of all time and the only member of the 500-500 club, Barry Bonds. Whether you get young Barry, who could hit 30 HRs and steal 30 bags, or older Barry, who was the most dominant hitter ever, he is just flat-out scary to face. 4th and 5th are McCovey and Cepeda, two massive power-hitting 1st basemen that were only second to Mays during their time. Both are Hall of Fame bats that are up there with the best of the best.

The bottom of the order is not half bad as well. Jeff Kent is one of the few guys that could actually give Bonds protection during his historic runs in the 2000s. Kent is probably the greatest hitting second baseman of all time. You then have a seriously underrated power threat in Matt Williams. Then, a guy who can simply hit the ball and drive in anyone left is Buster Posey, the greatest Giants catcher of all time. Travis Jackson rounds out the lineup and the middle of the infield.

The bench is also solid, with several MVPs earned. Bob Brenly will be the backup catcher, one of the smartest and well-balanced catchers of his time. Will Clark would be starting if it were not for two hall of farmers in front of him at 1B. Larry Doyle is not a household name, but he’s one of the greatest Giants of all time; he was a versatile fielder and could hit with the best of his time. Kevin Mitchell is one of the most underrated players in baseball. He would supply an MVP-worthy bat and Gold-Glove on the field. While Bobby Tomson is known for the shot heard around the world, he was one of the best hitters in the league. He was a large reason that the Giants were even able to come back during the season and had that playoff against the Dodgers. Lastly, Bobby Bonds, another perennially underrated player who hit for power, average, and had a great glove.

Cooperstown Chronicles – Bernie Williams

Bartolis, a friend of mine from Sporting News, suggested Bernie Williams. Here are my findings.

The Numbers
2076 Games
7869 At Bats
.297 Batting Average
1366 Runs
2336 Hits
449 Doubles
55 Triples
287 Home Runs
1257 RBI
1069 Walks (84th All-time)
147 Stolen Bases

Playoffs: 121 Games, 128 hits in 465 at bats (.275), 83 Runs, 29 Doubles, 22 HR, 80 RBI, 71 Walks, 8 Steals, 4 World Series Ring

Awards
1996 ALCS MVP
4 Gold Gloves
2002 Silver Slugger
5 All-Star Game Appearances
MVP Votes in 6 Seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average – Four Times (Batting Crown in 1998)
On-Base % – Five Times
Slugging % – Twice
OPS – Four Times
Games – Twice
At-Bats – Once
Runs – Three Times
Hits – Three Times
Doubles – Twice
Triples – Four Times
RBI – Once
Walks – Three Times
Intentional Walks – Four Times (Led League in 1999)

If I were just considering his regular season accomplishments I would have to shut down Bernie immediately. He had a solid career, but nothing about it says “Hall of Fame”. That is until you look at the mark he left in the playoffs. His playoff totals look like a full season worth. It’s unbelievable. Those impressive numbers combined with his solid regular season numbers and his role in the Yankees dynasty get him elected in my book.

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez
Chuck Finley
Fred McGriff
Wes Parker
Steve Finley
Orlando Cepeda*
Albert Belle
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Luis Gonzalez
Lefty O’Doul
Rocky Colavito
Boog Powell
Jerry Koosman
Mike Cuellar
Edgar Martinez
Brooks Robinson*
Roberto Alomar
Dave Stieb
John Franco
Maury Wills
Sherry Magee
Phil Rizzuto*
Orel Hershiser
Frank Viola
David Cone
Dwight Gooden
Tim Raines

* signifies actual Hall of Famers

Cooperstown Chronicles – Mo Vaughn

Mo Vaughn was suggested by bsoxfan15, a friend of mine from the Sporting News community. I’ve decided to review his numbers and offer my opinion to his Hall of Fame worthiness.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The Numbers
1512 Games
5532 At Bats
.293 Batting Average
861 Runs
1620 Hits
270 Doubles
10 Triples
328 Home Runs
1064 RBI
2894 Total Bases

Playoffs: 7 games, 7 hits in 31 at bats (.226), 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 7 RBI

Awards
1995 MVP
3 All Star Games
1 Silver Sluggers
MVP votes in six seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average – Three Times
On-base % – Four Times
Slugging % – Six Times
OPS – Six Times
Games – Twice
At Bats – Twice
Runs – Twice
Hits – Twice
Home Runs – Five Times
RBI – Twice (Led league in 1995)
Total Bases – Three Times
Walks – Twice
Extra-base Hits – Three Times
Hit by Pitch – Seven Times
Intentional Walks – Seven Times (Led league in 1994)

He’s another one with a great nickname (Hit Dog) and was one of my favorite players growing up. He had some solid years, but he just flat out doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. The numbers aren’t there. I don’t even need to go his inclusion in the Mitchell Report because even with steroids his numbers aren’t there.

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish

Cooperstown Chronicles – Pete Rose

This one is a little controversial.  Obviously the numbers and awards make him a shoe in.  You’re either for Rose or against Rose.  Personally, I’m for him.

The Numbers
.303 Batting Average
3562 Games (1st All-time)
14053 At Bats (1st All-time)
4256 Hits (1st All-time)
2165 Runs (6th All-time)
746 Doubles (2nd All-time)
135 Triples (74th All-time)
160 Home Runs
1314 RBI (87th All-time)
198 Stolen Bases
1566 Walks (13th All-time)
167 Intentional Walks (26th All-time)
5752 Total Bases (7th All-time)

Playoffs – .321, 30 runs, 86 hits, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HRs, 22 RBI

The Awards
1973 MVP
1963 Rookie of the Year
1975 World Series MVP
1968 Hutch Award
1969 Lou Gehrig Award
1976 Roberto Clemente Award
17 All-Star Game Appearances
2 Gold Gloves
1 Silver Slugger
MVP votes in 15 seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average – 13 times (3 batting titles ’68, ’69 & ’73)
On-base % – 11 times (Led league in ’68 & ’79)
Slugging % – Twice
OPS – Three times
Games – 15 times (Led league five times)
At Bats – 18 times (Led league four times)
Runs – 15 times (Led league three times)
Hits – 17 times (Led league seven times)
Total Bases – 11 times
Doubles – 15 times (Led league five times)
Triples – 8 times
Walks – 7 times
Intentional Walks – 4 times

References
Baseball-reference.com

Like I said, his numbers and awards were enough to make him a first ballot HOFer.  His ability, drive, determination, longevity, and consistency has never been called into question.  His character has though.  His character is what has kept him from being celebrated as one of the best balleball players of all time.  Betting on baseball is against the rules.  I get that.  However, his gambling came after his career as a player.  I agree with the ban on him from being employed by Major League Baseball, but what he did as a player should not be ignored.  He earned the nickname Charlie Hustle.  He proved himself to be one of the greatest this game has ever witnessed.  There are plenty of Hall of Famers with skeletons in their closets.  Racists like Ty Cobb and Cap Anson.  Drug dealers like Orlando Cepeda.  Cheaters like Gaylord Perry.  Soon members of the steroid era will make their way into the Hall.  It’s time to let Pete Rose in as well.  Here’s the way to do it though.  Don’t have the traditional ceremony.  Don’t let him do a speech.  Just put up his bust and do a press release.

If you think I’m off my rocker for wanting to induct Pete Rose into the HOF, please let me know.

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat

Cooperstown Chronicles – Veterans Committee Ballot

The Veterans Committee is going to vote on twenty players for induction into the Hall of Fame.  There are ten players pre-1943 and ten post-1943.  Here is how I would weigh in if I had a vote.

Pre-1943
Bill Dahlen – 1500+ Runs should put him in, but not much else.  Accumulator.  Pass
Wes Ferrell – Under 200 Wins.  Six 20 Win Seasons.  Rotten ERA.  Not joing his brother Rick.  Pass
Joe Gordon – Seriously.  Only if he were Frankie Frisch’s teammate  Pass
Sherry Magee – Profiled him.  Great Hitter for his Era.  Gets my Vote.
Carl Mays – 200 Wins, Great Winning %.  Five 20 Win Seasons.  Gets my Vote.
Allie Reynolds – Under 200 Wins, One 20 Win Season, Not a great Adjusted ERA.  Great Winning % and 6 WS Rings, but not quite enough.  Pass.
Vern Stephens – Made a lot of All-Star games (8).  Nothing jumps out though.  Pass.
Mickey Vernon – Just passed away.  Accumulator.  Good not Great.  Pass.
Bucky Walters – Under 200 Wins.  Three 20 Win seasons, Not a great Adjusted ERA.  Pass.
Deacon White – Great average.  Not much else.  Pass

Post-1943
Joe Torre – As a Player – No.  As a Manager – Yes.  Gets my Vote.
Ron Santo – Profiled him.  Great with the Glove.  Great with the Stick.  Gets my Vote.
Gil Hodges – Profiled him.  Masher and a Winner.  8-time All-Star.  Gets my Vote.
Dick Allen – 351 HRs, 1119 RBI, 7-time All-Star.  Not enough.  Pass.
Jim Kaat – We profiled him.  283 Wins and 16 Gold Gloves.  Gets my Vote.
Luis Tiant – 229 Wins, Three 20 Win seasons, Not a great Adjusted ERA.  Pass.
Tony Oliva – We profiled him.  3 Batting titles.  Only injuries kept him from BWAA induction.  Gets my vote.
Al Oliver – We profiled him.  Great hitter.  Hall of Fame worthy hitter.  Gets my Vote.
Vada Pinson  – We profiled him.  An accumulator.  Good, not great.  Pass.
Maury Wills – We profiled him.  Tons of steals.  Not much else statistically.  Pass.

We’ll find out who the VC let in on December 8th at the Winter Meetings.

Cooperstown Chronicles – Jim Edmonds

The Numbers
1925 Games
7708 At Bats
.284 Batting Average
.528 Slugging %
.905 OPS
132 OPS+
1881 Hits
1207 Runs
414 Doubles
25 Triples
382 HRs
1176 RBIs
974 Walks
65 SBs

Five .300 Seasons
Four 100+ Run Seasons
Seven 30+ Double Seasons
Five 30+ HR Seasons
Four 100+ RBI Seasons

World Series:  2 World Series, 1 Ring, 64 Games, 230 At Bats, 63 Hits (.274), 33 Runs, 16 Doubles, 13 HRs, 43 RBIs, 30 Walks

Awards
4-time All-Star
8 Gold Gloves
1 Silver Slugger
MVP Votes in 6 Seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average – Once
On-Base % – 3 Times
Slugging % – 3 Times
OPS – 3 Times
At Bats – Once
Runs – 3 Times
Hits – Once
Doubles – Once
Home Runs – 4 Times
RBIs – Twice
Walks – 4 Times
Extra-Base Hits – Twice
Intentional Walks – Twice

Hall of Fame Yardsticks:

Gray Ink Batting – 60 (407), Average HOFer ≈ 144
Hall of Fame Monitor Batting – 88 (183), Likely HOFer ≈ 100
Hall of Fame Standards Batting – 40 (144), Average HOFer ≈ 50
He certainly belongs in the Rawlings Gold Glove Hall of Fame because of his defensive prowess, but I’m on the fence for Cooperstown.  He did have a stretch of greatness from 1995-2005 (throwing out 1999 when he was limited to 55 games), where he averaged 99 Runs, 32 HRs, and 93 RBIs.  He collected all eight of his Gold Gloves during that stretch meaning he was one of the most complete players in the league for a decade.  He also had his share of postseason success in the second half of his career.  It would be easier to induct him if he reached 2000 Hits, but he had 1200 Runs and nearly 1200 RBIs.  He may have won even more Gold Gloves if it weren’t for Ken Griffey, Jr.  He doesn’t pass the name test for induction, but if you look into the numbers, I think he did just enough to get in.References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Dick Allen
Roberto Alomar
Richie Ashburn*
Earl Averill*
Harold Baines
Dan Bancroft*
Jake Beckley*
Albert Belle
Jim Bottomley*
Pete Browning
Jim Bunning *
Bert Byleven
Joe Carter
Orlando Cepeda*
Rocky Colavito
Earle Combs*
Dave Concepcion
David Cone
Roger Connor*
Larry Corcoran
Stan Coveleski*
Mike Cuellar
Kiki Cuyler*
Bill Dahlen
George Davis*
Andre Dawson
Larry Doby*
Bobby Doerr*
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Dwight Evans
Rick Ferrell*
Wes Ferrell
Chuck Finley
Steve Finley
Nellie Fox*
John Franco
Gary Gaetti
Steve Garvey
Lefty Gomez*
Luis Gonzalez
Dwight Gooden
Joe Gordon
Mark Grace
Bobby Grich
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Ron Guidry
Chick Hafey*
Jesse Haines*
Billy Herman*
Keith Hernandez
Orel Hershiser
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Gil Hodges
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Waite Hoyt*
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Travis Jackson*
Tommy John
Bob Johnson
Addie Joss*
Jim Kaat
George Kell*
Joe Kelley*
George Kelly*
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Chuck Klein*
Jerry Koosman
Bill James & Pete Palmer
Barry Larkin
Tony Lazzeri*
Freddie Lindstrom*
Mickey Lolich
Ernie Lombardi*
Fred Lynn
Sherry Magee
Roger Maris
Rube Marquard*
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Dennis Martinez
Edgar Martinez
Bobby Matthews
Don Mattingly
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Carl Mays
Bill Mazeroski*
Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
Bid McPhee
Johnny Mize*
Paul Molitor*
Jack Morris
Tony Mullane
Dale Murphy
Graig Nettles
Hal Newhouser*
Lefty O’Doul
Tony Oliva
Al Oliver
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Dave Parker
Wes Parker
Lance Parrish
Vada Pinson
Boog Powell
Tim Raines
Willie Randolph
Pee Wee Reese*
Allie Reynolds
Jim Rice
Phil Rizzuto*
Brooks Robinson*
Pete Ro$e
Amos Rusie*
Jimmy Ryan
Ron Santo
Curt Schilling
Red Schoendienst* (Player/Manager)
Ted Simmons
Enos Slaughter*
Lee Smith
Rusty Staub
Vern Stephens
Dave Stieb
Mel Stottlemyre
Harry Stovey
Sam Thompson
Luís Tiant
Joe Torre
Alan Trammell
George Van Haltren
Arky Vaughan*
Mo Vaughn
Bobby Veach
Mickey Vernon
Frank Viola
Bucky Walters
Mickey Welch*
Lou Whitaker
Deacon White
Bernie Williams
Vic Willis*
Maury Wills
Hack Wilson*
Ross Youngs*
Veterans Committee Ballot

* Signifies actual Hall of Famers

Cooperstown Chronicles – Chuck Finley

Chuck Finley was suggested by aajoe7, a friend of mine from the Sporting News community.  I’ve decided to review his numbers and offer my opinion to his Hall of Fame worthiness.

The Numbers
524 Games
3197.3 Innings Pitched
200-173
.536 Winning Percentage
63 Complete Games
15 Shutouts
2610 Strikeouts (23rd All-time)
3.85 ERA
1.376 WHIP

Playoffs:  7 games, 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 22 innings, 19 K’s

Awards
5 All Star Games
Cy Young votes in one seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Wins – Six times
ERA – Five times
Won-Loss % – Three times
Innings – Nine times (Led league in 1994)
Strikeouts – Ten times
Starts – Eight times (Led league in 1994)
Complete Games – Five times (Led league in 1993)
Shutouts – Eight times

There’s no cool nickname for Chuck Finley.  He does have a funny story.  His wife, Tawny Kitaen, beat him with the heal of her shoe while he was driving.  When he started his next game they played Whitesnake’s “Here I go Again” as he warmed up, which is a song in with Tawny starred in the video.  The guy got fired, but I still think that’s one of the funniest moves ever.  OK, to Finley.  He was a great strikeout pitcher.  He was real solid.  He never won 20 games though.  Only once did he make the top ten in Cy Young voting, and he finished 7th.  He was a good pitcher, but the only way he gets into the Hall of Fame is with a ticket like you and me.

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez