Team USA Baseball
 

What if major leaguers could play in the Olympics or the world championships like basketball players can? Who would be on your Team USA Dream Team, assuming every player was healthy? I think my lineup would look like:

1) Derek Jeter, SS
2) Jim Edmonds, CF
3) Barry Bonds, LF
4) Gary Sheffield, RF
5) Jim Thome, 1B
6) Scott Rolen, 3B
7) Jeff Kent, 2B
8) Joe Mauer, C
9) Randy Johnson, P

Bench:
Carl Crawford, OF (speed)
Torii Hunter, OF (defense)
Jason Varitek, C (gotta have a backup)
Mark Teixeira, 1B/DH (I'd play him at DH for American League rules)
Michael Young, SS
Brian Roberts, 2B (might even start him over Kent, but he has to prove it some more)

Starting Rotation:
1) Randy Johnson
2) Roger Clemens
3) Curt Schilling
4) Mark Prior
5) Jason Schmidt

Bullpen:
Closer: Eric Gagne
Brad Lidge
Billy Wagner
John Smoltz
Jake Peavy
BJ Ryan
Roy Halladay

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

Wow, I just realized how little I know or care about baseball. A lot of the players you named I didn't even know! LOL For the people I do know, I agree 100%.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

Where's Johan Santana and Dontrell Willis?

I'd put Miguel Tejada over Jeter. I think he is the premier SS in the league. The guy can do everything.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

[QUOTE=cpayne5]Where's Johan Santana and Dontrell Willis?

I'd put Miguel Tejada over Jeter. I think he is the premier SS in the league. The guy can do everything.[/QUOTE]

Tejada and Santana are not Americans, chief. I assume Tejada would play for the Dominican Republic and Santana would play for Venezuela. If I were creating an all-world team, Tejada would definitely be my shortstop, and Santana would be my ace #1 starter.

Willis is an American, and the way he's pitching he deserves consideration. But he has never finished a full season, he tends to come out of the gate very hot and then fizzle. If he keeps this up all year though I'd have to consider him. Though I don't know who I'd bump off because my pitching staff is heavy on right handers already. I couldn't bump off a lefty like BJ Ryan or Billy Wagner, because you need a couple for matchups. Maybe Peavy or Halladay.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10]Tejada and Santana are not Americans, chief. [/QUOTE]

Haha, I missed the whole Olympics theme first go around. :frusty:

Or atleast it didn't sink in fully.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

SP Roger Clemens or Jake Peavy(not too many people know who this kid is yet unless u really follow baseball)
1B Todd Helton
2B Brian Roberts
SS Derek Jeter
3B Scott Rolen
LF Cliff Floyd
CF Johny Damon
RF Gary Sheffield
C Jason Varitek
CP Joe Nathan


bench:SP Dontrelle Willis, Ben Sheets, Mark Prior, Mark Mulder/Utility Mike Sweeney/1B Lyle Overbay, Derek Lee/ 2B Jeff Kent, Mark Loretta/SS David Eckstein/3B A. Rod., Troy Glaus/OF Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, Tori Hunter, Trot Nixon/ C Joe Mauer, Paul Lo Duca/RP Billy Wagner, Brandon Lyon, Arthur Rhodes, Chad Cordero

It wasn't until I was putting together this list that I realized that a couple positions like SS and RP/CP are predominately made up of South Americans or Asians.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

I only know two of the people you had on your bench. I have to start watching more often.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

[QUOTE=skinsfanthru&thru]SP Roger Clemens or Jake Peavy(not too many people know who this kid is yet unless u really follow baseball)
1B Todd Helton
2B Brian Roberts
SS Derek Jeter
3B Scott Rolen
LF Cliff Floyd
CF Johny Damon
RF Gary Sheffield
C Jason Varitek
CP Joe Nathan


bench:SP Dontrelle Willis, Ben Sheets, Mark Prior, Mark Mulder/Utility Mike Sweeney/1B Lyle Overbay, Derek Lee/ 2B Jeff Kent, Mark Loretta/SS David Eckstein/3B A. Rod., Troy Glaus/OF Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, Tori Hunter, Trot Nixon/ C Joe Mauer, Paul Lo Duca/RP Billy Wagner, Brandon Lyon, Arthur Rhodes, Chad Cordero

It wasn't until I was putting together this list that I realized that a couple positions like SS and RP/CP are predominately made up of South Americans or Asians.[/QUOTE]

This looks like a 2005 fantasy baseball team. The defense needs major work.

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

I don't know the exact number but I'm pretty sure there r a couple of gold gloves here and there in that collection of players. ;)

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

I'll go with:

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Lyle Overbay
2B: Marcus Giles
SS: Derek Jeter
3B: Hank Blalock
LF: Shannon Stewart
CF: Jim Edmonds
RF: Aubrey Huff

Bench:

Torri Hunter
Jay Gibbons
Chone Figgins
Clint Barnes
Paul Lo Duca

Rotation:

AJ Burnett
Smoltz
Clemens
Hudson
Bonderman

Bullpen:

Gagne
Bedard
Joe Nathan
Wagner
David Riske

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

I don't disagree with your list except that Gagne is from Montreal and thus Team Canada. Not to mention he is overcoming a roids addiction...

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

Which reminds me - how are you guys enjoying the Nats?

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

I'm greatly enjoying them. Thanks for giving them to us. :)

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

[QUOTE=CrazyCanuck]I don't disagree with your list except that Gagne is from Montreal and thus Team Canada. Not to mention he is overcoming a roids addiction...[/QUOTE]

forgot about gagne being from montreal...roids? really? I didn't know that

Re: Team USA Baseball
 

We'll have them back before dark...