Best Players at Each Position in the History of the Game

[catman]

I am a bit of a baseball historian, having watched the game for over 50 years and having listened to older relatives talk about the "old-timers" when I was a kid.  With the top 5 at each position currently going so well, I'd like to see who everyone would pick as the best all-time at each position.  Negro leaguers are eligible for this as well.
Lets see what you've got.  I'll post my team in a few days.

 

[brett05]

C Johnny Bench (I do have a soft spot for Ivan Rodriguez)
1b Lou Gehrig
2b Rogers Hornsby
SS Alex Rodriguez (yep, PEDS and all)
3b Schmidt (Sorry George, still my fav)
LF Ted Williams
CF Willie Mays
RF Babe Ruth
SP Nolan Ryan (biased pick)
RP Mariano Rivera

 

[CameronCrazy06]

C Johnny Bench (I do have a soft spot for Ivan Rodriguez)
1b Lou Gehrig
2b Rogers Hornsby
SS Alex Rodriquez (yep, PEDS and all)
3b Schmidt (Sorry George, still my fav)
LF Ted Williams
CF Willie Mays
RF Babe Ruth
SP Nolan Ryan (biased pick)
RP Mariano Rivera

Where's Adam Eaton?

 

[brett05]

Where's Adam Eaton?
 

haven't found those meds yet eh?

 

[catman]

How about 1 lefty, 1 righty 1 closer and a DH?

 

[catman]

Also, how about a utility player as well?

 

[CameronCrazy06]

haven't found those meds yet eh?

If there were pills to cure internet trolling, The Sports Forum wouldn't exist

 

[elcheato]

Also, how about a utility player as well?

Because it's like asking who was the best player who was never good enough to lock down a starting spot.

 

[catman]

By utility player, I mean the best player, regardless of position.  You can add a 2nd 3B or SS or a 4th OF if you wish.

 

[brett05]

My Righty is Nolan Ryan as already stated.
My Lefty is Randy Johnson (same bias as Nolan)
Best DH is Frank Thomas
Best Utility guy/Bet player ever is clearly Babe Ruth.  No one is even remotely close if folks are being honest.

 

[catman]

Here is my team
1B -- Lou Gehrig, Buck Leonard
2B -- Rogers Hornsby
SS -- John "Pops" Lloyd, Honus Wagner
3B -- Mike Schmidt
LF -- Ty Cobb, Barry Bonds
CF -- Willie Mays, Oscar Charleston
RF -- Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente
DH -- David Ortiz
C -- Johnny Bench, Josh Gibson
Utility -- Mickey Mantle
RHP -- Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson
LHP -- Sandy Koufax
CL-- Mariano Rivera

 

[brett05]

Here is my team
1B -- Lou Gehrig, Buck Leonard
2B -- Rogers Hornsby
SS -- John "Pops" Lloyd, Honus Wagner
3B -- Mike Schmidt
LF -- Ty Cobb, Barry Bonds
CF -- Willie Mays, Oscar Charleston
RF -- Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente
DH -- David Ortiz
C -- Johnny Bench, Josh Gibson
Utility -- Mickey Mantle
RHP -- Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson
LHP -- Sandy Koufax
CL-- Mariano Rivera

I think in fairness you need to select the best player at each position not a range of guys.

 

[catman]

The positions where I haven several players are toss-ups. Take your pick.

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[brett05]

The positions where I haven several players are toss-ups. Take your pick.

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Man up

 

[catman]

Man up? Ok. The first player listed is #1. The second one is very close. They deserve to be mentioned as well.

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