All Stars of the 00s
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:01 PM EDT
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PrintWith the 2010 All Star Game looming in the near future, I decided to step back and take a look at the decade that was. I was reflecting on the best players overall in that stretch of 10 years and who I would want on my All-2000s Team. My criteria for picking one player at each position is simple, whoever had longevity and the best overall numbers is surely a lock for the team. Now, let's take a look and break down each position. I truly do not care if the player was accused of steroids.
1st Base - Albert Pujols
via students.ou.edu
Pujols first broke into the big leagues in 2001 as a 21 year old kid. Boy, did he ever leave a lasting impression. Launching 37 homers and driving in a staggering 130 RBI, he won the Rookie of the Year in a landslide over names such as Roy Oswalt, Jimmy Rollins and Adam Dunn. Ever since, he's never slowed down. He's finished in the top 9 in MVP voting every year (top 4 in MVP voting in 8 of those 9 years) and captured 3 MVPs (2005, 2008, 2009). Albert was an All Star in every year except 2002 (when he finished 2nd in MVP voting), 4 Silver Sluggers, 1 Gold Glove and a World Championship in 2006. His numbers are remarkable: .334 BA, .427 OBP, 366 Homeruns and 1112 RBI. There is little debate when it comes to 1st base.
Honorable mentions: Todd Helton and Jim Thome
2nd Base - Jeff Kent
Unfortunately, this was the best picture I could get of Kent with the Giants. I understand how much this pains us all to have Jeff Kent as the 2nd baseman, but 2nd base was a bit thin in the 00s. He did, however, win the MVP in 2000, won 4 Silver Slugger awards, and went to the All Star game 4 times as well. He retired after the 2008 season, but not before belting 216 homers and driving in 850 RBI in the 2000s. He also hit a clean .300 and tallied up 1429 hits. Solid defensively as well. Made it to the World Series with the Giants (2002). He never really struck many people as a super star, but his consistency and longevity help him make the list.
Honorable mentions: Not really anyone... I'll go with Joe Morgan on this one.
3rd Base - Alex Rodriguez
via lostangelesblog.files.wordpress.com
This picture was TOO good to pass on, I'm sorry! This man deserves a celebratory cigar, at the least, anyway. Perhaps one of the top ten players to ever hold a bat in his hands, "A-Rod" was the player of the decade. Alex was a 9-time All Star, 7-time Silver Slugger (4 at SS, 3 at 3rd), 3-time MVP, and 2009 World Series Champion. His numbers seem more suitable for Xbox-360 than real life: .302 BA, .399 OBP, 449 homeruns, 1310 RBI and 1810 hits and 1190 runs. He used to be a pompous player that cared only about statistics and was always surrounded by controversy. His transformation from a homerun-greedy ballplayer to a true team-player was perhaps the most rewarding part of watching Rodriguez over the past few years. The tabloids, steroid confession, rough divorce from his wife, dating superstars (Madonna, Kate Hudson) and being labeled as "Unclutch" under the bright spotlight of New York City were rough on Alex. Despite all this, his numbers have been as good as they come. He is now living life as a playoff hero and world champion.
Honorable mentions: Chipper Jones and Scott Rolen
Shortstop - Derek Jeter
via www.nypost.com
Wow. What more can one possible say when the name Derek Jeter is brought up? One of the classiest baseball players to ever put on a uniform. In the 2000s, he was an 8-time All Star, 4-time Silver Slugger, 3-time Gold Glover, and (most importantly) 2-time World Champion. He had 1940 hits (yes, averaged 194 a year), a .317 average, .387 OBP, 161 homers, 727 RBI, 1088 runs scored. Jeter was named the 11th captain of the New York Yankees in 2003. His leadership and team-first prioritizing are second-to-none. Year after year, he led the Yankees to the playoffs (with the exception of 2008). The Yankees have seen tremendous success under Jeter and went to the World Series 4 times in the 00s. His incredibly clutch hits over the years and amazing defensive plays have platooned him to a level of his own. He is pride of the Yankee franchise and will be forever enshrined in Monument Park when it's all said and done.
Honorable mention: Miguel Tejada
Catcher - Jorge Posada
via baseballcanadiana.mlblogs.com
I must admit, this was a tough one for me. But upon further review, Posada is deserving. He was the best hitting catcher in baseball in the 00s and the statistics prove it: .283 BA, .386 OBP, 1251 hits, 208 homers and 819 RBI. Posada's defense has been shaky over the past few years, but was solid enough in the early to mid-2000s. His longevity in the decade is the reason he edges out Mauer. Ivan Rodriguez was another great option, however he doesn't play as many games per season compared to the 90s. He did, however, win 5 Silver Slugger awards and was a 5-time All Star. Posada helped the Yankees become 2-time World Series champion in the decade.
Honorable mentions: Ivan Rodriguez and Joe Mauer
Outfield - Ichiro Suzuki
via i.cdn.turner.com
Perhaps the true definition of "consistency" should be Ichiro. With all the hype that ensued after he signed his initial contract with Seattle in 2001, he has never failed to live up to it. It took Ichiro 9 years to reach 2030 hits, imagine if this guy started playing in the America when he was 20 instead of 27? His numbers: .333 BA, .378 OBP, 973 runs, 84 homers, 515 RBI, 341 stolen bases. On top of this, he won Rookie of the Year AND MVP in 2001, 9-time All Star, Gold Gloves in all 9 years and 3 Silver Sluggers. He also set the single season record of 262 hits in 2004. Ichiro is a first-ballot hall of famer and has only been playing in America for 10 years. VERY deserving.
Outfield - Manny Ramirez
via www.babble.com
One of the most formidable right-handed hitters to play the game, Manny Ramirez was truly spectacular during the 00s. He started off with Cleveland before, unfortunately, joining the Boston Red Sox. Ramirez tallied up 1562 hits, 348 homers, 1106 RBI on top of a .317 BA and .419 OBP. Not exactly the best outfielder, but his numbers are too good to pass up. 9-time All Star and 8-time Silver Slugger. He also, sigh, helped Boston win the World Series twice after never accomplishing that feat in the 86 years previous.
Outfield - Barry Bonds
Yeah, he's on the team. His numbers can't be ignored. He is, after all, the All-time Homerun King with 762. Winning an unprecedented 4 consecutive MVP awards, that should be enough of a reason. He didn't play in 2008 or 2009, but it still can't keep him off this team. 6-time All Star and 5-time Silver Slugger. Barry's best years were the early 00s, when he flagged and chased down Mark McGwire to become the single season leader in homers with 73. He walked 232 times in 2004. WALKED 232 TIMES. His numbers from the 2000s: .322 BA, .517 OBP, 317 homers, 697 RBI, 925 hits and 772 runs. In 2004, his on-base percentage was .609. <---- EW. Whether or not he took steroids, what he accomplished is still truly miraculous.
Outfield honorable mentions: Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones and Jim Edmonds
Designated Hitter - Vladimir Guerrero
via www.nysun.com
Splitting his time between Montreal and Los Angeles (Anaheim), Vlad was superb. He was a 7-time All Star, 6-time Silver Slugger, and 1-time MVP. He can crush a ball if it's right over the plate or if it's 5 feet outside. His stats: .323 BA, .392 OBP, 1751 hits, 315 homers, 1037 RBI, 147 SB. He's an absolute monster of a hitter and it's a shame the man has never been to the World Series.
Honorable mentions: David Ortiz and Jason Giambi (yes, you read correctly)
Starting Pitcher - Roy Halladay
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There have been many great pitchers in the decade, but none as dominant as Roy Halladay. He pitched all 10 years and had to face the AL East in all of them as well. His 139-69 record is very good, considering his team never played in the playoffs and he's pitched against the best hitting teams in baseball more than anyone else. 3.40 ERA, 47 complete games, 14 shutouts, 1883.1 innings pitched, 1400 strikeouts on the dot, and a great 1.17 WHIP. Halladay has been as good as it gets against the best. The All Star game won't be any different for him.
Honorable mentions: Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana
Closing Pitcher - Mariano Rivera
The best closing pitcher that's ever taken the mound. No argument. 2.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 397 saves, 669 Ks in 713.1 innings. 8-time All Star and has come in 2nd and 3rd in Cy Young voting. He's as classy as they come and has never lost his temper. Mariano trots in to "Enter Sandman" and 99.9% of the time does the job. When fans drop their jaws if Rivera blows a save, that should say enough. Rivera can escape a bases-loaded jam like it's nobody's business. He closed out 2 World Series championships in the 00s and his dominance stretches even further back than that. He's irreplaceable and a living legend.
Honorable mention: Is that a joke? No one.
That's about it... the All Stars of the 2000s.
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Comments
Pudge was a vastly superior player than Posada, but as he broke in in 1991 and Posada didn’t break in until 1996 (one game in ’95) Pudge did more of his damage in the 90s.
I would still give the nod to Pudge, he has 22 more career WAR, which is a pretty huge number.
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
Yeah I know
That was my tossup.. Pudge just didn’t hit well in the 2000s
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
You need to take another look at ‘00, ’01, ’03, and ’04. And when you add that Pudge is one of the best defensive catchers OF ALL TIME (Kanye’d) and that Posada is pretty terrible behind the dish…..
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
I never said Pudge wasn't one of the best
I’m not looking for an argument with you.. I understand Pudge is one of the best catchers of all-time. I acknowledged upfront that it was a tough decision… they’re two completely different types of catchers. Pudge is much better defensively and Posada is better offensively.
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah dude, we cool. The Kanye’d thing was a joke, not a snarky insult.
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
Understood
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
What is that supposed to mean?
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
They don’t belong. I know a lot here don’t care about roids. I do. And it’s been shown that so do the majority of the people who vote for those eligible for the Hall of Fame. Why don’t you care that they basically cheated the game?
people rooted for these steroid users
everyone knew what was going on. I can’t remember the name, but somebody was mentioned and quoted in The Yankee Years saying that he made a speech to baseball every single year about steroids. They knew about it. Selig and co. decided to ignore it. They supported and marketed McGwire, Sosa and Bonds. Selig and MLB are just as guilty to the steroid era as the players, perhaps even more guilty. And now they are being hypocrites about it by having to publicly embarrass every big star they catch using them, when they SUPPORTED them in the first place.
Most of the league was taking steroids. We don’t have answers. Cancesco says that there are people in the Hall of Fame, who have used steroids. It’s not fair that you leave some players off because they were “caught”, when it is very likely that other people who are loved also cheated the game. It’s the steroid era. It’s been part of the game. I think the best thing to do is accept that and move on.
VOTE FOR SWISHER!!!!!
+2
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
According to whom is he in the minority? The Baseball Writers who look down from their high horse to cast their ballots for the Hall of Fame?
You hear less and less about steroids. Ever wonder why that is? People are caring less and less, because it’s tired, hypocritical, and a witch hunt.
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
Has it been cleaned up?
HGH still isn’t tested for. For all we know, half the league, including some Yankees, are on HGH right now. They don’t test for it. We still, after all this effort, don’t have answers. I doubt it’s cleaned up. People just don’t care. It’s a weapon for rival fans to use to degrade other teams players (like Red Sox fans shouting AROID when he comes up to bat). Thats all. People really don’t care anymore.
VOTE FOR SWISHER!!!!!
And again, you act
as your opinion means more than theirs. “Baseball Writers who look down from their high horse”. Sounds to me as if you’re the one on a high horse because you think your opinion means more than theirs…
Because we don't know who was and who wasn't
I did care when I was about 15 years old. It’s not worth it anymore. They could have been taking steroids since the 1960s for all we know! I agree they aren’t right, but there is literally no way to prove who did and didn’t.
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Those who have been busted or have admitted usage were. Simple. Manny is there. Bonds is. A-Rod… McGwire…
What if all the other guys were on steroids?
Should we get rid of the hall of fame altogether now?
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats like saying
the cops should all just give speeding tickets to everybody because they know we all have sped at one time or another. No, they give tickets to the ones who get busted and they are the ones with it on their record.
No, actually, it’s like posting a speed limit of 30 on the highway. And then for ten years, you allow people to drive as fast as they want, because it gets more traffic on your highway. Then, after a few accidents, all of a sudden you start pretending that you were enforcing the 30 MPH all along, and trying to pin the fact that EVERYONE went 70 on two or three scapegoats.
I’m not saying the players were right, I’m saying I’m 100% not behind this hypocritical witch hunt being carried out by the same people who enabled the whole thing to start with.
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
I don't know
if I’d call it a witch hunt. The Mitchell Report, perhaps. But since then testing has been in place for everyone, not just certain individuals.
the A-Rod news was leaked hypocritically
that was an anonymous test that was leaked. Thats pretty hypocritical. None of those names should ever have been leaked, and of all 104, his is the one that gets leaked? That was unfair and hypocritical, and definitely a “witch hunt”.
The players weren’t right to take steroids. Canceco is a rat, and most of the league followed him, and baseball knew about it and allowed it. Now they are punishing the players, when they let the whole thing start in the first place.
VOTE FOR SWISHER!!!!!
not to mention
all the other Hall of Famers in the Hall who are known to have used greenies or guilty (and admitted) of other percieved acts of cheating the game.
This post highlights just a few of baseball’s historical cheaters who reached the Hall of Fame.
"The mechanics are universal. The game really doesn't change much. There's more information, you're able to watch things more closely, but those are tools to help you." - Don Mattingly
So which noodle arm are you putting in RF, Bonds or Manny?
For my outfield, I’d put Beltran in CF, Ichiro in RF, Barry in LF and Manny at DH.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Yeah it was probably smarter to put Vlad in RF and Bonds at DH
I just threw Bonds in the OF because he’s been there his whole career
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I like RH over RJ.
Halladay has been nasty in the AL East, AND pitched as well as he did with some pretty shitty Blue Jays teams.
I also really dislike RJ…
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
by Gelatin on Jul 8, 2010 2:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I thought about him too
But then I thought about his atrocious years with the Yankees so I didn’t bother giving him a look
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Atrocious years??
He won 17 games each season…That’s not bad at all. It’s not the 25 we all predicted, but still. He was 34-17 (I think) as a Yankee. I’d take that from lots of guys. I hope AJ’s numbers could be that good at the end of his first two Yankee years.
Let's cut through the crap, Vaughn. I only got one thing to say to you: "Strike this mother f*cker out."
he wasnt atrocious
but look at the numbers other than wins and he was very average, and very average is not what was expected from him.
4.37 ERA in 2 years
That’s a failure for Randy Johnson
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 9, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Johan Santana
Is who I would have put in over Roy Halladay. Santana has a better ERA 3.12 to 3.36, a better WHIP 1.12 to 1.19 and he has around 200 more strikeouts in 200 less innings. He’s won 2 cy young awards to Halladay’s 1 . Randy Johnson’s also a good candidate as he actually won 3 Cy Youngs in the decade. Still I’d stay away from him only because his major success was bunched up into the first half of the decade.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 9, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I went with Halladay over Santana due to the division toughness
There’s no debate that pitching against the Yankees and Red Sox for 10 years as well as the Rays for 2-3 years (of them being good) is simply ridiculous
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 9, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
You overlooked a starting pitcher with equal numbers to Halliday. Exactly half his career was between 2000 and 2009.
He won 138, Lost 87.
Struck out 1488, walked 364.
Pitched 1,791 innings
Allowed 1,801 hits
His WHIP for the 2000s was 1.21 (career WHIP 1.19)
Who is this guy? Give up? Mike Mussina.
by designatedquitter on Jul 8, 2010 2:36 PM EDT reply actions
ERA?
I believe in the Church of Baseball
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 8, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
3.87 for Moose
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I looked at him
But he isn’t the best pitcher.. still very good though
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
If you take the first half of Moose's career with the Orioles and look at the whole career, Halliday will have trouble matching it.
Looking at the numbers for last decade, Moose retired after 2008, so he has nothing for 2009. He still struck out more, and had only one fewer win in one less season. Halliday gets the nod for doing what he did with weaker teams (the Jays never finished ahead of the Yanks in the 2000s). Still, if Moose had gone out for one more year, you would probably be talking 1st round Hall of Fame totals and statistical dominance for the period.
by designatedquitter on Jul 8, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I miss Moose...
:(
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
by Gelatin on Jul 8, 2010 2:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Without looking up stats, I probably would have gone with Pedro or Maddux as my starting pitcher. But they might have been more in the 90s again.
Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com
Pedro's late 90s were incredible
and early 00s. Career with the Mets was pretty much a failure
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean
Mike Mussina, Future Hall of Famer
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
+1
He should be
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 9, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Incidentally, I looked at Michael Young's 2000s stats to see if he compared to Derek Jeter.
Young is probably the other AL shortstop (I know he moved to 3rd) in this discussion. Young was close in homeruns to Jeter, 137 to 151, close in doubles, 311 to 316, and had more triples, 43 to 27. Jeter was out of his league in hits, batting average, OPS, and stolen bases.
The other contender I didn’t have time look at is Chase Utley at second. Has he played long enough?
by designatedquitter on Jul 8, 2010 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
2005 I think he started playing full-time
He has great numbers, just not as long as Kent. Trust me, I would have rather seen someone else there but he deserved it
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 8, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
I know, really.. I do.
"If you're a Yankee fan, or if you're not a Yankee fan - you have to admit, we're winners." -Paul O'Neill
by Chris McKeown on Jul 9, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
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