by Christopher Della Valle

Created on: February 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

There are different ways that one can determine the greatest of all time. The greatest at each position, the top ten greatest ever, position be damned, or the greatest during the time they played could all be used when solving baseball's toughest question. For the purpose of this article I will be creating my greatest baseball team. I'll list who I'd like to have at each position and one starting pitcher to go along with one closer. I've also decided to choose players that I've seen played during my lifetime. I do this for two reasons. First off it's not fun reading article after article that lists the same guys. I know they're great but variety is the spice of life, try mixing it up. Stat wise the guys we have playing today could hang in there with baseball's best. Also I wanted to be objective and that would have been tough if choosing people from the past. I might get caught up in the legend and mystic of the past and not choose the best possible team. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy typing it.

CHRIS'S CRUSHERS

Catcher- Even though his legacy is tarnished because of his name being in the Mitchell Report, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is the best complete catcher I've ever seen. This guy could do it all; hit of average and power (career .301 average to go along with 295 HR's) steal a base when need be, and regularly throw a man out at second...from his knees. In his heyday, Rodriguez was compared to Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench.

First base- Because I'm a Chicago Cub fan this kills me to say, but Albert Pujols might be the best baseball player I've ever seen. Pujols is another five tool player that also exhibits leadership skills on and off the field. In his 8-year career, Big Al has averaged close to 40 homeruns a season to go along with him reaching the 100 RBI mark every season. Last year alone he batted over .350 and carried his team to an overachieving 86-76 record with an elbow that required surgery in the off season.

Second base- Ryne Sandberg gets the nod at second. This actual Hall-of-Famer redefined his position in his 16 year career. This perennial all-star showed that a second baseman could be equally as good with the stick as he was with the leather. His nine gold gloves and most valuable player award put Ryno up there with the likes of Joe Morgan and Honus Wagner.

Third base- This pick was a no brainer. Alex Rodriguez is the best regular season player in the last 20 years. He's well on his way to rewrite the record books. Youngest to

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