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Fansided

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

By Michael Pallas

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
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 /
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MLB
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.

MLB
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.

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