Call to the pen
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All-time lists: Greatest 25-man roster in MLB history

ByMichael 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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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.

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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

  1. Hoyt Wilhelm
  2. Mariano Rivera
  3. Dennis Eckersley
  4. Goose Gossage
  5. 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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