The Brink Years - Tampa All Stars - Infield
Jul 22, 2022 21:34:27 GMT -5
Commish_Ron and Mac_Yankees GM like this
Post by Arizona_PBL on Jul 22, 2022 21:34:27 GMT -5
After reminiscing about my past teams at TB, I started thinking who are my all time All Stars during my past 24 seasons (2040 – 2063). My requirements are they had to play for Tampa for at least three seasons while I was GM. So, let’s get started.
Catcher: This is an easy one: Jason Wilson (2040 – 2042). Sorry to Lopez, but no one even comes close to his offensive output, defensive prowess, and leadership to the team. A HOF inductee in 2051 by 82.6% was justly deserved. Honorable mention: Enrico “Mr. I took 1st place out of one person eligible” Lopez (2059 – 2063).
First Base: The only real choice here: Terrance “the Hoosier Thunderbolt” Henderson (2040 – 2048). While I am not really sure where the nickname came from as he was from California, he was the heart and soul of the Rays for years. I wanted him to be a lifetime Ray but his salary demands after posting a 4.1 WAR at the age of 39 were way too high. I let him hit FA in the hopes I could re-sign him at a lower cost but he decided to sign with LAA. It broke my heart. Honorable mention: Mario Collazo (2055-2061). The guy just plays. A solid player that agreed to a long-term low money contract. Unfortunately, I had too many first base types and had to trade someone and Mario at the time was the odd man out.
Second Base: This was a really hard choice as there are four guys that all deserve to be selected. In the end I have to go with the pre “fall” down the stairs version of Sancho Garcia (2059 – 2061). The guy WAS an offensive juggernaut at second while playing passible defense. Close second: (pun intended) is Ronald “Moonie” Simpson (2041-2050). A base stealing machine, so much so the Commish need to turn down SBs to keep him in line after stealing 87 in 2047. Honorable mentions: Brian “Quack” Merritt (2041-2045) and Colton Smith (2060 – 2063). Colton needs a nickname like “Mustang” or “Tex-Mex”.
Shortstop: Like second I had some hard choices here, do I go for best defense, best offense or best overall? Do I put Chesney here or keep him at third base? While I will almost always go for defense at SS, I had to go with Travis “Phantom” Olsen (2053 – 2056). While in Tampa Travis was a hit and on base machine, he also had speed and played decent defense. It was one of the best trades that I made for a player. Another close second but came up short (pun intended) was Kevin “Call me Ozzie” Tob (2060-2063). The D that he brings up the middle is something all starting pitchers dream about. Released by two other teams I was able to pick him up cheap and although I had my doubts early on, I stuck with him and he rewarded me with GG defense and at the same time didn’t suck with the bat.
Third Base: Easy choice here, Jim “Counting Stats” Chesney (2044-2059). Now some may argue that he should be considered for SS since he played more seasons (9) at SS then at 3B (5) and I will say too bad it’s my write up so my choice. Jim, who is entering his 21st season, was just vanilla but provided solid defense and average about 3 WAR every season. He wasn’t flashy, but he showed up and played. Honorable mention: Mr. Jose “can I buy another vowel” Grijalba (2040 - 2046). Jose started off strong and lead the league in steals for two seasons and then “something” happened, and he fell off a cliff at the tender age of 27. Rumor has it he was dating someone named Tonya and took a pipe to the knee and was never the same.
Coming soon….the AS OF
Catcher: This is an easy one: Jason Wilson (2040 – 2042). Sorry to Lopez, but no one even comes close to his offensive output, defensive prowess, and leadership to the team. A HOF inductee in 2051 by 82.6% was justly deserved. Honorable mention: Enrico “Mr. I took 1st place out of one person eligible” Lopez (2059 – 2063).
First Base: The only real choice here: Terrance “the Hoosier Thunderbolt” Henderson (2040 – 2048). While I am not really sure where the nickname came from as he was from California, he was the heart and soul of the Rays for years. I wanted him to be a lifetime Ray but his salary demands after posting a 4.1 WAR at the age of 39 were way too high. I let him hit FA in the hopes I could re-sign him at a lower cost but he decided to sign with LAA. It broke my heart. Honorable mention: Mario Collazo (2055-2061). The guy just plays. A solid player that agreed to a long-term low money contract. Unfortunately, I had too many first base types and had to trade someone and Mario at the time was the odd man out.
Second Base: This was a really hard choice as there are four guys that all deserve to be selected. In the end I have to go with the pre “fall” down the stairs version of Sancho Garcia (2059 – 2061). The guy WAS an offensive juggernaut at second while playing passible defense. Close second: (pun intended) is Ronald “Moonie” Simpson (2041-2050). A base stealing machine, so much so the Commish need to turn down SBs to keep him in line after stealing 87 in 2047. Honorable mentions: Brian “Quack” Merritt (2041-2045) and Colton Smith (2060 – 2063). Colton needs a nickname like “Mustang” or “Tex-Mex”.
Shortstop: Like second I had some hard choices here, do I go for best defense, best offense or best overall? Do I put Chesney here or keep him at third base? While I will almost always go for defense at SS, I had to go with Travis “Phantom” Olsen (2053 – 2056). While in Tampa Travis was a hit and on base machine, he also had speed and played decent defense. It was one of the best trades that I made for a player. Another close second but came up short (pun intended) was Kevin “Call me Ozzie” Tob (2060-2063). The D that he brings up the middle is something all starting pitchers dream about. Released by two other teams I was able to pick him up cheap and although I had my doubts early on, I stuck with him and he rewarded me with GG defense and at the same time didn’t suck with the bat.
Third Base: Easy choice here, Jim “Counting Stats” Chesney (2044-2059). Now some may argue that he should be considered for SS since he played more seasons (9) at SS then at 3B (5) and I will say too bad it’s my write up so my choice. Jim, who is entering his 21st season, was just vanilla but provided solid defense and average about 3 WAR every season. He wasn’t flashy, but he showed up and played. Honorable mention: Mr. Jose “can I buy another vowel” Grijalba (2040 - 2046). Jose started off strong and lead the league in steals for two seasons and then “something” happened, and he fell off a cliff at the tender age of 27. Rumor has it he was dating someone named Tonya and took a pipe to the knee and was never the same.
Coming soon….the AS OF