Ever wonder what an area All-Star team from across the decades
would look like? Look no further, here it is
…
Without a doubt, the Bay Area-Central Coast region has produced some great ballplayers. But until we started putting together an All-Time All-Star team from the region, even we didn’t realize just how great.
With a batting order that boasts five Hall of Famers and two more sluggers soon to be enshrined, we shudder to think of the damage this Murderer’s Row would do to whatever All-Time teams places like Chicago, New York or … heh, heh … even Los Angeles could muster.
Starting for our All-Timers is human K machine Randy Johnson; coming in out of the bullpen is save master Dennis Eckersley.
And managing our team? Who else for a squad from wacky Northern California then the tempestuous Billy Martin?
The Rules
How we decided who belonged on the All-Time Bay Area-Central Coast Baseball Team:
Players had to either be born in the area (from Monterey to Novato, Half Moon Bay to Livermore) or else have spent their formative years here.
The starting lineup had to reflect a legitimate defensive unit … thus we couldn’t carry four outfielders and no third baseman. An exception was made for Rickey Henderson, who played mostly left field in his career. We stuck him in right, to accommodate eight-time Gold Glove left fielder Barry Bonds.
Your starting lineup
1. Rickey Henderson, RF (1979-2003) Oakland
10-time All-Star … 3055 hits … 2295 runs … 1406 SBs
Notes: Though born in Chicago, Henderson grew up in Oakland, came up with the A’s and is widely regarded as the greatest leadoff hitter of all time … and at 46, he’s still playing in the minors!
2.JOE MORGAN, 2B (1963-1984) Oakland
Hall of Fame … 10-time All-Star … 2-time NL MVP … 1650 runs
Notes: Also moving to Oakland as a youngster, this Hall of Famer is one of the greatest second baseman ever to play the game.
3.BARRY BONDS, LF (1986-) San Mateo
13-time All-Star … 7-time NL MVP … 703 HRs … 2302 BBs
Notes: What more can we say about the most powerful slugger since Babe Ruth other than, ‘Get well soon, Barry’?
4.JOE DIMAGGIO, CF (1936-1951) Martinez/S.F.
Hall of Fame … 13-time All-Star … 3-time AL MVP … .325 BA
Notes: His 56-game hitting streak is recognized as one of the most unbreakable records in sports … Marilyn is just icing on the cake.
5.JOE CRONIN, SS (1926-1945) San Francisco
Hall of Fame … 7-time All-Star … .301 BA … 2285 hits … 515 2B
Notes: Best player ever born in San Francisco also managed the Washington Senators to an AL pennant and the Red Sox to another.
6.George Kelly, 1B (1915-1932) San Francisco
Hall of Fame … .297 BA … 1778 hits … 337 2B … 76 3B
Notes: Steady Deadball Era hitter is best of a thin bunch from the region who predominantly played first base during their careers.
7.ERNIE LOMBARDI, C (1931-1947) Oakland/Santa Cruz
Hall of Fame … 8-time All-Star … 1-time NL MVP … .306 BA
Notes: Came up with Dodgers but was traded to Reds in one of baseball’s most lopsided deals … led them to 1940 World Series.
8.CARNEY LANSFORD, 3B (1978-1992) San Jose
1-time All-Star … 1981 AL batting champ … 2074 hits … 332 2B
Notes: His twitchy bat annoyed pitchers but resulted in lots of hits.
9.RANDY JOHNSON, LHP (1988-) Walnut Creek
10-time All-Star … 5-time Cy Young winner … 246-128
Notes: Big Unit took until late 20s to put it all together, but since then has gone on as dominant a streak as any lefty since Koufax.
RPDENNIS ECKERSLEY, LF (1975-1998) Oakland
Hall of Fame … 6-time All-Star … AL Cy Young, MVP … 390 saves
MGRBILLY MARTIN (1979-2002) Berkeley
1253-1013 … .553 winning pct. … 3 pennants, 2 World Series
The Bench
Area players who couldn’t quite crack the starting lineup, but still deserve a mention:
INFIELD Bill Buckner (Vallejo, 1969-1990); Dolph Camilli (S.F., 1933-1945); Hal Chase (Los Gatos, 1905-1919); Keith Hernandez (S.F., 1974-1990); Eddie Joost (S.F., 1936-1955); Willie Kamm (S.F., 1923-1935); Tony Lazzeri (S.F., 1926-1939); Jimmy Rollins (Oak., 2000-)
OUTFIELD Kevin Bass (Redwood City, 1982-1995); Dom DiMaggio (S.F., 1940-1953); Harry Heilmann (S.F., 1914-1932); Harry Hooper (Santa Clara, 1909-1925); Jackie Jensen (S.F., 1950-1961); Willie McGee (S.F., 1982-1999); Irish Meusel (Oak., 1914-1927); Lefty O’Doul (S.F., 1919-1934)
UTILITY Jim Fregosi (S.F., 1961-1978); Gregg Jeffries (Burlingame, 1987-2000)
BULLPEN Bud Black (San Mateo, 1981-1995); Tom Candiotti (Walnut Creek/Salinas, 1983-1999); Al Hrabosky (Oak., 1970-1982); Ray Kremer (Oak., 1924-1933); Tug McGraw (Martinez, 1965-1984); Dan Petry (Palo Alto, 1979-1991); Dave Righetti (S.J., 1979-1995); Dutch Ruether (Alameda, 1917-1927); Dave Smith (Richmond, 1980-1992); Dave Stewart (Oak., 1978-1995); Dave Stieb (Gilroy, 1979-1998); John Wetteland (San Mateo, 1989-2000)
