by Eric Benson

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

I just wanted to add some honorable mentions rather than create a full squad, the rest of the writers have done a fine job of that.
I am just going to play devil's advocate and hopefully stir some debate, because that is all we are really doing with this topic.

1B: Albert Pujols (time will tell), Mark Grace (the ideal team and defensive player), Frank Thomas (in his prime I believe he was one of the top five hitters all-time, avg. and power).

2B:Ryne Sandberg (O.K., so I am a cubs fan).

SS:Cal Ripken Jr. (Shortstop is a tough position to pick), Derek Jeter, Ernie Banks (because he had better numbers at SS than 1B), Alex Rodriguez.

3B: I think this one has been covered pretty well already but Alex Rodriguez.

C: Again I think the other writers have this one nailed down (Berra, Bench, IROD) but maybe Mike Piazza and in a long shot Benito Santiago.

OF: Roberto Clemente (no comments necessary), Andre Dawson (Amazing arm and great hitter and good speed), Kenny Lofton, Torii Hunter (again, time will tell), Rickey Henderson, Barry Bonds, Albert Bell, Manny Ramirez.

DH: Sacreligious but...David Ortiz (hands down already the best and he's not done yet).

SP: Nolan Ryan (even with all the walks), Dwight Gooden (if only for his prime years), Sandy Koufax, Lefty Gomez, Pedro Martinez, Don Drysdale (from 62-65), there are way too many pitchers to go through and it feels as though I am nitpicking.

RP: Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera, Eric Gagne (maybe), Dennis Eckersley, Lee Smith, Rod Beck.

And just for good measure my all around player: David Eckstein

Well, although I didn't accomplish anything save for adding fuel to the fire, I hope I brought a few names that encouraged some contemplation and a realization that there is only one "Greatest Team Ever"...the one you choose.

P.S. It killed me to pick Pujols and I am glad Gibson and Ozzie Smith were already mentioned because wow, were they Cub killers.

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