As we are trapped in our homes due to the Corona Virus it gives us nothing but time on our hands. Mix in the fact that all major sports have been suspended and we really have a lot of time to kill. Over the past few days people have been posting their all time favorite baseball starting lineup and I believe this is a perfect way to pass time in these uncertain times.

After making my list myself and my good friend Nick decided to Podcast about this topic and a few others. Check out the video for the full show!

When talking with Nick about our teams it was clear that baseball lends itself for people to be passionate about all sorts of different players. Baseball fans don’t just love the “best” players but rather the players that mean something to them. The player that hit a home run the first time they went to a game, the player who’s batting stance they mimicked on a summer afternoon playing waffle ball or a player that came through in a huge moment for their team creating a memory that they will never forget.

So without further ado lets get to my team.

C- Ivan Rodriguez

YOU DO NOY RUN ON PUDGE. Plain and simple no catcher could control the game quite like pudge. (Yes I know the original pudge was Carleton Fisk but growing up I watched Pudge Rodriguez.) The best thing about Pudge was that he just looked like a catcher. He was compact, stalky, and a solid load which are all compliments for a catcher. Check out this highlight reel…absolute hose. No easy task to catch Griffey trying to swipe a base but Pudge could do it.

1b Mo Vaughn

While most kids my aged worshiped the ground Nomar walked on, I was always a huge Mo Vaughn fan. (I was also a huge Carl Everett fan but we will save that for a different day) Mo was larger than life and captivated me as a kid. Watching this huge man absolutely clobber a baseball was one of my greatest joys growing up. 1995 MVP, over 300 career homers, and one of the best batting stances around Mo will always be number 1 first basemen.

2b Dustin Pedroia

Look so what you want about Pedey but he plays the game the right way. Pedroia played every game with a chip on his sleeve and a massive heart in his uniform. I think people have forgotten how good he was defensively, constantly making plays in the hole, turning two and launching to snag line drives. His gigantic swing is iconic which lead him to the 2008 MVP.

3b Bill Mueller

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have a Bill Mueller shirt. Bill Mueller is the most underrated player in RedSox lore. We remember the Millar walk, we remember the Roberts theft, and of course we remember the Ortiz homer but we forget the most important moment in game 4, the line drive up the middle by Billy Mueller to tie up the game. Mueller was a great hitter who won the 2003 batting title, and if you need more evidence about my love for him check out my previous blog!

https://overlap.blog/2019/04/18/faith-rewarded-unbelievable-04-sox-thrift-find/

SS Omar Vizquel

Omar Vizquel is the best defensive short stop I have ever seen. He was also flashing the leather at an elite level into his 40s! There was nothing better then 40 year old Omar robbing a young whipper snapper of a hit.

LF- Christian Yelich

Left field was probably the most difficult position for me. Every fiber of my being wanted to go with Manny. However, his turmoil departure from Boston, and his PED use pushed me to go a different direction. I chose to go with Christian Yelich. One of the young faces of the game today, I have loved watching Yelich’s career blossom. He is a great example of hard work and being a smart hitter proving you do not need to be the biggest guy to be a power hitter.

CF- Jackie Bradley JR

If my life was on the line and I had to bet on one player catching a ball hit in the gap I would go with Jackie Bradley Jr. The greatest defensive player outfielder I have ever seen play. The catches I have watched him make time after time are incredible. When a ball is driven out to centerfield the expectation is that Jackie will make the catch. Not to mention he was a monster in the 2018 ALCS.

RF- Ichiro

This was an easy one. My all time favorite player. Ichiro was the man. The iconic swing, the speed, the folded brim. Ichiro could spray baseballs all over the field, rob homers, and oh yea even pitch. Ichiro was most watch television and his unique style made added so much to the game. Also winning the MVP and rookie of the year in the same season is legendary.

P- Curt Schilling

Game 7 need a victory? I give the ball to uncle Curt every time. Schilling was the ultimate combination of talent, toughness and brains. Time after time Schilling delivered when the lights were the brightest and it mattered the most. I believe Schilling is a Hall of Famer and will be inducted into Cooperstown next summer.