All-time lists: Greatest 25-man roster in MLB history

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 24: MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays on the field before Game One of the Major League Baseball World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers at AT /

Cooperstown will be adding four more of the best MLB has to offer. In the wake of those additions let’s construct the lineup of the best of the best in the history of MLB.

Creating a nine-man lineup is difficult for any MLB manager. However, when constructing a lineup of the best players in the history of the league, it’s even tougher. One can’t just take the best at each position and stick them in the lineup. They have to fit in a specific order. The offensive skills must meet what is required of the player in that order.

Only the best of the best make it to the hall of fame in their respective sports. The greatness transcends generational lines, and sometimes era in the competition. In MLB, it’s no different. Great is great, and these men could play in any era and win you a few ballgames.

Beating this lineup will be tough for any team in any era. Who will make the cut and start for the all-time team? Who will be the eight men (plus the pitcher)?

(Note: Even though we are in an era with a DH, this lineup will not have a DH, since this is selected from Hall of Famers only, and no primary DH is in the Hall of Fame as of now.)

COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 24: Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2016 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

1. LF – Rickey Henderson

For the most part, defense is going to be a huge factor in this list. However, sometimes when constructing a starting lineup, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little defense to get the offense started in the right direction. That’s the case here.

Henderson wasn’t a terrible fielder. That said, his .9793 fielding percentage in left field is ranked 90th all-time, and is the lowest of anyone at their particular position on this list. However, you can’t deny what he did in the leadoff spot in his career, and he’s the best to ever hit leadoff in a game.

He hit first in the order 2886 times in his MLB career. According to the Baseball-Reference, he had 896 extra base hits, hit .280 with an OBP of .401, and stole 1384 bases when hitting first. There’s no denying his leadoff prowess. He’s the best the game has seen, and he must leadoff for this team.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 14: Former Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench walk on the field prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

9. 2B – Joe Morgan

Joe Morgan will provide this lineup with some more speed. Morgan gives this lineup a patient hitter who pitchers will want to keep off the base paths. His 689 steals ranks him 11th all time, and his 80.964% success rate is 41st all-time. He also will make contact, striking out in only 8.959% of his plate appearances. So he’s a perfect hit and run hitter.

COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 22: Hall of Famer Willie Mays is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 22, 2012 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. CF – Willie Mays

Any all-time lineup in MLB history would be incomplete without the greatest player in the history of the game. There were very few flaws in his game. Mays is the only player in major league baseball history to hit at least .300, hit 500 or more home runs, steal 300 bases, and have at least a fielding percentage of .980. Having Mays on the team makes up for the limitation in the corner outfielders.

circa 1935: Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth, 1895 – 1948) American professional baseball player signs a new two-year contract with the ‘New York Yankees.’ (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images) /

4. RF – Babe Ruth

Frankly, despite his limitations on defense, a lineup can’t be compiled without the “Sultan of Swat.” His .965 fielding percentage and 2.05 range factor will be the lowest on the team. However, what can’t be ignored is 714 home runs, 2214 RBI, .690 slugging percentage, 1.164 OPS, and 206 OPS+ (the latter three MLB records). On top of all that, he also hit .342, which ranks him 10th all-time. So, he among the best hitters the game has ever seen.

5. 1B – Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig may have been the luckiest man on the face of the earth, but he was also a heck of a baseball player. He’s the all-time leader in WAR for first basemen at 112.4, and he was a top 20 in average, slugging, OBP, and OPS. His .991 fielding percentage was also substantial.

14 Mar 1999: Infielder Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Seattle Mariners throws the ball during the Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at the HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /

6. SS – Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod is only hitting fifth because of his career batting average is under .300. He was just, .005 hitting and .003 fielding away from joining Mays in the .300/500/300/.980 club. He was the best shortstop all-time before he made the unselfish switch to third base when he joined the Yankees. Rodriguez adds another element of speed to the bottom of the lineup, giving this team four guys who can steal bases, and the up the middle tandem of Morgan and Rodriguez would help keep a lot of balls in the infield.

FLUSHING, NY – MAY 4: Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets bats against the Philadelphia Phillies during their game on May 4, 2005 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Mets defeated the Phillies 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

7. C – Mike Piazza

Piazza is arguably the greatest offensive catcher in MLB history. He is one of two catchers to hit 300 home runs, and he’s one of 14 to hit .300 or better. He handled a pitching staff well, and his .9894 field percentage ranked him tied for 120th all-time, which isn’t bad. The only liability is the 23% caught stealing percentage, but that’s a minor ding compared to all of the positives he brings to the table.

4 Jul 1995: Third baseman Wade Boggs of the New York Yankees sends a ball straight to the outfield of the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport /

8. 3B – Wade Boggs

The key to hitting at the bottom of the order is getting on base any way you can. Boggs is not only one of four third basemen to garner 3,000 hits (4th all-time among third basemen), but he also walked a lot. His .326 batting average is third among third basemen, and his .415 OBP is fifth. Boggs is 24 all-time in career on-base percentage and 26th all-time in walks.

9. P – Walter Johnson

Johnson was a good hitter, for a pitcher. He hit .235 with 24 home runs and 255 RBI. On top of his decent hitting ability, he won 417 games and had 110 career shutouts (best in MLB history). So he’s the number one guy in the rotation here.

Rest of the team

Starting Rotation

First and foremost the rest of the four-man starting rotation will consist of some of the best pitchers of all-time, and this team won’t have a deep bullpen either because, despite the way managers use pitchers today, it’s not necessary.

2. Cy Young
3. Warren Spahn
4. Tom Seaver

Bullpen

Hoyt Wilhelm
Mariano Rivera
Dennis Eckersley
Goose Gossage
Bruce Sutter

Bench

Catcher – Ivan Rodriguez
Infielders – Jimmie Foxx, Ryne Sandberg, Derek Jeter, Brooks Robinson
Outfielders – Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Lou Brock

Next: Major League Baseball’s greatest relief pitcher of all-time

Imagine having tickets watching this team full of MLB legends duke it out? A Field of Dreams scenario, but on steroids — too soon? What about you? Do your all-time MLB greats make your list? If not, who would you plug into the lineup instead? Sound off in the comments below and on our social media pages.

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