This post was inspired by a post on Call to the Pen about the All-Time Lists: Greatest 25 Man Roster in MLB History. So it got me thinking about who my own personal Favorite 25 Man Roster would be. So this list had to have some qualifiers as I wanted it to be players that I have seen play. So the time frame that I can recall seeing is 1994 through the present so only players that played in that time frame will be eligible for my list. Also this list isn’t necessarily about who accrued the most homeruns or rbi’s or who had the highest batting average. It is merely a list of the players I enjoyed watching and rooting for the most. It is a completely subjective list and I urge you to make your own list and see the fun/difficulty of putting list like this together. This list was a more difficult list to cultivate because of the amount of great players throughout the years. However, I was able to figure out my list. Also as a New York Yankee fan I made my Favorite Yankee 25 Man Roster list as well. But here is my Favorite MLB 25 Man Roster List.
Pitchers start the game so let’s begin there. The starters are just going to be listed alphabetically. So first we begin with….
ACE #1: JOSE FERNANDEZ
Fernandez was one of the most vibrant personalities in the game. The latin fire within him was generated from pure fun and love of the game. And for that I want him on my team.
ACE #2: RANDY JOHNSON
Johnson was one of the most intimidating left handers in the history of the game. And with a 100 mph and a slider so nasty it had it’s own nickname (Mr. Snappy) Johnson makes my team.
ACE #3: PEDRO MARTINEZ
It pains me as a Yankee fan however it is undeniable that Pedro Martinez was one of the best pitchers in the history of the game. And again like Fernandez, Martinez pitched with a fire from within to be the best.
ACE #4: ANDY PETTITTEÂ
Pettitte one of the greatest Yankee pitchers in history. As The Pickoff King Pettitte has a unparalleled ability to control the running game. And his post season resume speaks for itself.
ACE #5: MAX SCHERZER
Scherzer is unreal. Every time he takes the ball there is a chance that you will witness history, whether a no hitter or a 20 strikeout performance. Scherzer is must watch.
Now on to the bullpen. The usage of relievers has changed over the years but we have some certified relief aces. Again listing in alphabetical order for my relief aces are…
RELIEF ACE #1: AROLDIS CHAPMAN
Chapman is a flame throwing machine and has been a dominate force for many years. Chapman is a guy that can be counted on to be aggressive and throw strikes.
RELIEF ACE #2: CRAIG KIMBREL
Kimbrel set the world ablaze when the fireballer came up with Atlanta. And in doing so set himself down the path of super stardom. His trademark stance when getting the pitch from his catcher has become an iconic image, and that image would be from the mound for my team as well.
RELIEF ACE #3: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ
K-Rod was a special talent and that was evident by having the single season saves record. K-Rod and his Bugs Bunny changeup and blazing fastball in his prime make the list.
RELIEF ACE #4: BILLY WAGNERÂ
Wagner is so underrated in my opinion, he has the statistical equivalent of newly christened Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman. Wagner a flame thrower like Chapman before it was en vogue, makes my list.
CLOSER: MARIANO RIVERA
The Greatest.Of.All.Time Mariano Rivera is the obvious and only choice to be the closer of this legendary squad.
Now on to the position players and for this list we will start with the guys who would be receiving these amazing arms. My all time catchers.
CATCHERS: YADIER MOLINA & JORGE POSADA
Team Puerto Rico is representad in full effect on my all time team, baseball is something special and beloved on the island of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican catchers have had a special lineage. Jorge and Yadi are just two of many great catchers to come out of the Isla and they are two of my all time favorite players.
FIRST BASE: ALBERT PUJOLS
Though it can sometimes be forgotten now, but there’s now denying that in his prime Albert Pujols was competing for the greatest player EVER in MLB history. There was nothing a young Albert Pujols couldn’t do. When Albert debuted he played all over the field, he was a third baseman, played some left field and some right field before eventually settling in at first base. And arguably becoming the greatest first baseman in history. A stellar defender an above average base runner and a offensive ability second to none.
SECOND BASE: ROBINSON CANO & JAVIER BAEZ
The ever so smooth Cano makes my list at second base. From his super sweet left handed swing that fit perfectly at Yankee Stadium to his unbelievable ability to make the “Cano Throw” falling into the outfield cross armed throw to first base. Cano is one of my favorite second basemen to watch. And just like Robbie, Javi Baez makes defensive plays ever so smoothly. Baez has an aggressive approach to the game, and it suits him just as well as his fun loving nature. The “King of the Tag” Javier Baez is incredibly fun to watch.
THIRD BASE: ALEX RODRIGUEZ
A-Rod has always been my favorite player and is in my biased opinion one of the greatest player to ever step on the field.
SHORTSTOP: CARLOS CORREA, FRANCISCO LINDOR & DEREK JETER
Correa & Lindor like Yadi, Jorge and Javi have captured the heart of Puerto Rico. Team Rubio took over during the 2017 WBC (World Baseball Classic), and play with the child like love of the game. The Captain always the professional resonates on a level of admiration. For 20 years Derek Jeter was the “King of New York” and ruled his kingdom with a hand full of gold.
LEFT FIELD: BARRY BONDS
Bonds is a no doubt Hall of Famer in my book and while the methods are questionable there is no question that you would have wanted him on your team during his career.
CENTER FIELD: CARLOS BELTRAN & MIKE TROUT
Both Beltran and Trout captured the imagination during their primes. Â Having the opportunity to watch Beltran in his prime he was able to do everything, had ran well as evidenced by having over 300 stolen bases. And as far as Mike Trout goes we are witnessing the greatest player of our generation. There isn’t anything Trout can not do.
RIGHT FIELD: TONY GWYNN & BRYCE HARPER
And Harper and Gwynn round out my squad. Harper has been one of my most favorite guys to watch his intensity is real, he plays with his heart on his sleeve. And what can be said about Mr. Padre to even begin to tell you what a special talent and person this man was. Gwynn’s ability to out think any pitcher is absolutely astounding. Gwynn is probably the second greatest bat control artist in the history of baseball behind the great “Hitting Scientist” Ted Williams.
All these men have their merits and attributes and I’m sure that if you created your own list a few might make your cut also. But if not that’s ok it’s all a matter of perspective. This is my team….Who’s on your ?
