The "He'll always be a ..." Challenge

Thursday, August 14 2008 @ 04:44 PM EDT

This isn't our regular "Trivia Challenge" as there is just one question involved and we're out to build an All-Time Team of a certain era of players who suited up for just one team in their careers. You're already ahead of me here, right? Banks at shortstop, Bench catching, Walter Johnson on the mound ....

Well, hold on just a minute there. Here are the rules ... 

• We'll only consider players who debuted in the last 50 years -- that is, if their inaugural big league appearance was in 1957 or earlier, they are not to be considered. So, Big Train (and many, many other early pre-free-agency Hall of Famers), no dice, you are not eligible for this team.
• Actually, neither is Banks, who debuted in 1953, but Bench is okay and besides, Yogi the Yankee debuted in the '40s AND caught a few games for the Mets in the '60s, so is ineligible on two counts.
• Defend your choice -- provide the player, position, and if you can, who his major competition would be (and why he is clearly better). For example, Bench is arguably the greatest catcher of all time; Berra and Campanella debuted too early; Fisk, Simmons and Carter all caught for multiple teams; Parrish deserves a place in the Hall of Really Good but was no Bench. Get it?
• NO active players. Anyone can change teams late in the career, or even midstream, right Johan?
• We're ONLY considering major league experience -- Michael Young won't make the team -- he's active, after all and wouldn't beat out Banks anyway -- but he has only played in the bigs with Texas, so otherwise would be eligible.
• Pitching seems likely to be toughest, though I will nominate Sandy Koufax -- oh, damn, he debuted in 1955. Any other suggestions?

Ready, Bauxites? Go! 

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